Renee Blare Christian Author

An Author’s Journey into Story

How does one become a writer? An author?

I’ve heard this question from many a “fan” or as I like to call them— readers. My answer? You simply pick up a pen and start writing. Learn more and do it again. Learn a bit more and again and so forth.

If people like what you write, you publish it, they read it, and you get to write and publish more. If they don’t, LEARN WHY, and write something different! 🤭

My journey into story began when I was twelve years old on summer vacation. I already loved writing poetry and lyrics in the form of sonnets. I still do. But I’d never written an actual story.

Our family was driving to our usual summer destination (Arkansas) to see the deluge of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and every cousin on the planet when my dad eyeballed me through the rearview mirror. Did I say I come from a large family? Well, I do. At least on ONE side. And reunions were big when I was a kid… really big. (eye roll) I can almost feel sore cheeks already.

I’d been intensely studying the Oklahoma landscape rather than participating in the family game of slug bug or whatever latest my brothers had dreamed up so they could pulverize each other. Dad asked what I was thinking about so hard and I snapped back into the century of the living.

That night when we stopped in whatever small town to bed down in their BEST MOTEL 6’s or BEST WESTERNS, we talked about where I drifted off for that hour earlier in the day. Dad, needless to say, was fascinated (so was I) about the small Indian village and characters still floating around in my head. He told me to write these ideas and beginnings of a tale down. He wanted to read it at the end of the trip.

The Story— Comanche Sky

So I did. It was a short little story— only about six or eight pages after typed on the old IBMs, when all was said and done. It told of an old Indian grandpa who is badgered by his three grandchildren, two boys and a girl, to tell them what the “old days” were like when he was young.

Grandpa sits his grandchildren down by the fire and regales them of his first hunt when he’s a teenage boy. This is the day he is almost killed by a stampeding herd of wild horses and is saved by a traveling family of natives from a neighboring tribe to the Sioux , the Comanche. The family returns him to the village, and the children become fast friends. The boys develop into best friends with the girl evolving into his life-long mate.

The two are wed beneath the deep blue summer sky, and the boy, now a proud hunter and leader in the village, names his first born, a daughter, for the visiting tribe and in remembrance of the day they met— Comanche Sky.

I named this story Comanche Sky. I gave it to my father to read at the end of the summer reluctantly. Why? Because I was a poet not a story-teller. He, of course, lavished instant praise upon it, telling me to give it to my English teacher at school which, of course, I did NOT do. (I was 12.)

The Anointing—

It was another man with great wisdom and love, my husband, who encouraged me to write a story thirty or so years later which led me to become a published author. Could I— would I have began it without either of these men in my life nursing me along? (I have women too but this blog is about the STORY…)

That’s a very good question. I personally believe the Holy Spirit would have sent someone else or many others into my life to do their job(s) at the time if I did not have my dad at 12 years old or my husband later in life. It’s not for me to question the actions or will of the Lord, simply obey it.

I’m a poet. I’m a writer. I’m an author. But most of all, I’m a CHRISTIAN.

By no means, am I perfect. I know that more than anyone. I am a Child of God which means my ears and eyes are open. Was I a Christian when the Holy Spirit was leading my father to impact my life? No.

I don’t even know if DAD WAS saved at that time, but here’s the key our little human minds can’t grasp. It doesn’t matter. God knew. My father was saved many years later before his death— this I do know.

I would become a CHRISTIAN BY CHOICE and so would he, later in life. Not by divine appointment or election, but by asking Jesus into my life and heart, receiving His forgiveness for my sin, and knowing He changed my life forever.

The Journey— the CALL

GOD also knew that day so many years ago that I have a divine purpose— a Calling, if you will. This CALLING is to spread the gospel (as all CHRISTIANS DO in one way or another) through the writing of books, poems, blogs, stories— by being an AUTHOR.

God used my father when I was a child— mere cultivated soil— to PLANT A SEED. That seed took root and even in dry harsh conditions found a way to grow and flourish, yielding tremendous fruit in this dry, barren land. What a miracle!

Only God can make such a thing possible in this Wyoming land with its violent weather and dangerous conditions! God used a small town, Southern girl seasoned with Arkansas and Cajun spices to pen HIS MESSAGE in a way it reaches the entire WORLD.

Today on the JOURNEY—

I have written and published FIVE CHRISTIAN BOOKS, numerous magazine articles, blogs, vlogs, and editorials. They circle the globe whether LEGALLY OR ILLEGALLY.

The Lord’s Saving Grace in everyday life through story, opinion, review, recitation and life examples is reaching the masses. I don’t care if I don’t see, feel, or hear the fruit of the labor— GOD DOES. PEOPLE DO.

I know my books have been pirated (hence the above statement of ILLEGALLY CIRCLING THE GLOBE) off ebook sites and sold or downloaded. I know they’ve been sold in Europe, India, Russia, China, Africa, Australia… little islands, big islands, cold and hot places— all across the world. I’ve seen no revenues from these downloads or sales. How do I know? People have told me that they have bought and read my books in these countries. I’ve made pennies in sales and that’s only domestic.

Does it hurt? Of course, but not in the way you think. If anything, it means I can’t afford a handicapped-accessible van and never will. Not that I can’t buy a fancier house, receive a bonus, or have huge balance in my checking account. I don’t dream that big. Never have, never will.

I do have one dream but that’s for another time. My only real wish? I could afford to help my caregivers take better and easier care of me. I can’t do that when people lie, cheat, and steal.

The Bottom Line—

JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO HEAVEN. He is REAL. He loves us all and will never forsake us.

In reality, all I care about is bringing the message of Jesus Christ to People in a true, clear way and that Message?

The day will come for my ‘reward’ and I will not receive any such thing on this earth. I know that. I can only pray that you know it as well. Right now I am getting exactly what I want. To share the GOSPEL and hopefully write cool stories people love to read. If not, I will continue to live and LEARN how to write better ones. I promise.

---

Let me know what you think! If you have read, bought, or want to buy any one of my books, you can find them at one of the following places and I WILL receive compensation:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

iReads

BAM

http://www.Christianbooks.com

http://www.prismbookgroup.com

http://www.pelicanbookgroup.com

I currently have 5 books released for purchase, but only three are available in paperback form (first three below.) All are available in digital or e-book format. They are all released under my author name RENEE BLARE.

1. To Soar on Eagles’ Wings (Book 1 of the Snowy Range Chronicles)

2. Through Raging Waters (Book 2 of the Snowy Range Chronicles)

3. Beast of Stratton

4. Racing Hearts (1 Corinthians Fruit of the Spirit Compilation)

5. Crazy Woman Christmas (Cowboy Christmas Series)

You can search whichever platform or site you wish by author name: Renee Blare, or the book title. I understand if you do not use Amazon. People are particular choosy about the places they buy their books from these days.

WORKS-in-PROGRESS__ Writing Again!

As many know, I have been on hiatus for about ten years and not writing or publishing due to health issues. Unfortunately, my health issues are NOT curable. That does not mean I am not ever going to release another book! It simply means I need your PRAYERS for God’s strength and courage through each and every day.

That being asked and answered, I am writing the third book in the Snowy Range Chronicles, expanding Racing Hearts into a novel, planning second books to Crazy Woman Christmas and Beast of Stratton, broke ground on two new series: a sci-fi series set in deep space, and a historical series in the late 1800s-early 1900s.

Don’t worry. You WILL be hearing or reading new stuff real soon, but if you haven’t, buy a book and get to know me! If you have forgotten, refresh your memory.

I’ve learned a lot about life and death in the last ten years as I’ve had to relearn how to live my life. More than anything else, I’ve had to adapt to NOT being in control— of anything. A very hard lesson to learn. Most will never comprehend in their lifetime.

I guarantee my writing changed in some ways but hopefully not too much if you know what I mean. 😉

Hang in there. Until next time!

In Christ, always,

Renee Blare, RPh (WY, disabled)

http://www.reneeblarewrites.com