I adopted my dog, Fox, in August of 2004. We've been through a lot since then. I taught him how to trust, as well as several commands and tricks, and I found out dogs can give us a tiny glimpse into our relationship with God. As Fox is growing older, and my time with him draws ever closer to an end, I'd like to share a little of what he taught me.

1. When dogs get loose, they often like to start a game of chase. The more you run after them, the farther they go. They don't understand the dangers that running off imposes, such as getting hit by a car. How often do we do this with God? He calls us and calls us, yet we choose to go our own way and risk the dangers of the world.

2. Dogs rely on their owners for their basic needs. It is up to people to give them food and water and provide them with shelter. Sadly, there are far too many animals who end up in homes or situations where they are neglected, but for the dogs who are well-cared for, they know food will come and water will always be available. They do not have to worry about it. In the same way as good owners provide for their pets, God will take care of His people. He knows our needs before we even ask. We can trust Him to provide.

3. What dog likes to go to the vet? There's all the poking and prodding, and it often hurts. The beloved canine doesn't understand the visit is for its own good. Other times the trip is a result of injury or illness, and the road to recovery can be difficult. It's not the vet's fault, yet a dog associates the pain with the clinic and fears the vet. Life can be that way for us. It is often painful, sometimes excruciatingly so, but God is the Great Physician. He can bind up broken hearts, heal the aches, or use the trials to make us stronger. Healing takes time, and scars will remain. Sometimes we fight and resist Him so much that we make our own wounds worse and then blame Him for it, but God continues to offer comfort if we seek it.

4. Dogs will test our patience. How often do we test God's? We continually repeat the same behaviors over and over again despite the fact they are detrimental to us or others, yet God continually offers grace and forgiveness through the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In the end, there are many owners who do give up on their dogs and relinquish them to animal shelters, but God will never give up on us, no matter how badly we mess up. He will always be waiting with open arms for us to return. As I watch Fox deteriorate from old age, it is becoming increasingly clear that I will have to say good-bye before long. It might be days or weeks or months, but the time will come when I no longer have this faithful companion by my side. I will always cherish the years we spent together. His many antics have made me laugh, as well as want to pull my hair out, yet I never wanted to give up on him. Nothing he did could make me stop loving him. How much greater is God's love for us? It never fails.


© Copyright 2016 E. J. Willis

As an author and fantasy writer, I create my own worlds with characters I come to love. They move through the story as I want them to (though sometimes the story seems to take on a life of its own), and they often face hardships in order to accomplish their ultimate goals.

God is the author of our lives. He created us, and He loves us. I believe it hurts Him when we suffer, but He sees the big picture – the entire story. He knows what’s best. Does this mean I think He causes suffering? No, far from it. Evil exists. Pain exists. We live in a fallen world with fallen people. We make mistakes and poor decisions then blame God for the consequences, but He waits for us with open arms because He loves us no matter what.

Sometimes others hurt us or circumstances threaten to crush us. I don’t know why God seems to intervene in some situations and not others, and I don’t have all the answers. What I do know is that like fictional characters, we too must face hardships to learn and grow. It’s only by looking back that we can see how God worked through the tough situations to make our lives – our story – more beautiful and meaningful.

In the fictional world, characters pass away. Their part of the story has come to an end. The same is true in life. We lose people we love, and death will take its toll on our hearts. For whatever reason, their role on earth has drawn to a close, but death is not the end. God has an answer for it. He wants us all to come to Him. He longs to give us salvation and eternal life, and He freely offers it to those who believe in His Son. Furthermore, while we grieve, God works to bind our broken hearts in ways we never thought possible. The wounds and scars will remain, but they serve to make us stronger and more compassionate.
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Our world is hurting. Wars, natural disasters, and diseases all take their toll. Humanity suffers. Yet God is there working in the midst of it all. He understands the entire story while we only get a small glimpse. He created each one of us to fit within that story, and He loves us. Even if we choose to rebel against what God wants for our lives, He continues to call to us. Our individual scenes aren’t finished yet.

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As a fledgling writer, I've learned the world of publishing can prove very daunting. Traditional publishing involves sending out query letter after query in hopes of finding an agent, and even if one does take your novel on, there's no guarantee a publisher will. For this reason, many authors have decided to take matters into their own hands. While self-publishing does ensure a book will make it into the market (how successful it will be is another matter), it can seem an insurmountable process with so many companies and methods to choose from. The tips I'm sharing below barely scratch the surface of what needs done and are meant to serve only as a starting point. This list is by no means complete, as I'm still wading through the quagmire myself. Here's what I've learned so far:

1) Make sure your novel is eye-catching!

• Hire a professional cover artist, since this is what will draw attention to your book. If your cover doesn't perform, neither will your sales. Elance and Fiverr are good places to begin looking for someone. Costs can vary tremendously, as can level of skill. Keep in mind high cost doesn't necessarily mean better for your project. Look at portfolios and find someone who has a style you like and will fit your needs.
• Novel must be formatted correctly for each form of distribution (various types of ebooks as well as print editions require different formatting. More to come on how to do this later).

2) View publishing like a small business.

• Create a name for your company and make it sound professional.
• In some cases, it might be wise to obtain a small business license (for more information on how, click here.)

3) Market yourself and the book

• Build your "platform" through social media like Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook. Develop a blog or other content site. In short, give yourself a brand and get your name out there.
• If publishing both ebook and printed copies, learn how to approach local bookstores, libraries, and distributors about purchasing your novel. Your success depends on you!

4) Pay close attention to print-on-demand (POD) companies

• Research the companies carefully beforehand. The amounts you can make per sale vary greatly from one company to another, and some will want the rights to your book as well. I just purchased a book called The Fine Print of Self-Publishing by Mark Levine, and I believe this book will provide valuable insight into the companies as well as a lot of beneficial information concerning the entire process.

The time, effort, and money involved in self-publishing is overwhelming to everyone at first, and so much information exists on the topic that it starts to get mind-boggling. This is my attempt to organize some of it and keep track of the resources I have found helpful. If you have started the process and feel discouraged, remember many others have gone before you. Learn from them. You've already scaled the mountain by completing the novel. Countless unfinished manuscripts exist in the world, but yours is no longer one of them. It's ready to go. Time to capture your dream and get your story out there!

© Copyright 2015 E. J. Willis

Have you ever stood at the edge of a cliff and wanted to fly? Imagine it with me. You cautiously approach the ledge, one step at a time. As you get closer, your feet shuffle forward inch by inch until you've reached the very brink of a sheer drop. You look down. Far below, you see a winding stream. It appears like nothing more than a pale ribbon glinting in the sun. The wind rushes up the side of the cliff and sweeps across your face as you peer into the chasm, and you long for wings to soar.

That is how I feel about life. Caught in the mundane, struggling to pay bills, I stand on the edge of change and feel the currents calling me. I see the potential for disaster. To attempt to soar can lead to devastation if I fail, but what if all I have to do is try? Just like I can't jump off a real cliff without a hang glider or other device, I can't take the plunge into a whole new life without something to catch me. That's where faith comes in. I believe God wants us to truly experience all He has to offer instead of muddling through each day, so I will place my trust in Him. It's time to take the leap.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11, NIV).

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles...(Isaiah 40:31, King James).

© Copyright 2014 E. J. Willis

In the Fall of 2013 I decided to write a novel. Why? Because I didn't like where my life was at, but I didn't know what I wanted to do, and I would get bored. An idea hit. I figured if C.S. Lewis could write The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe for his goddaughter, why couldn't I write a novel for my niece and nephew? Little did I know the journey this little thought would set me on.

I don't expect to ever be as talented as Lewis or match his level of skill, but I have learned a lot in a few short months. My original intention of writing for my niece and nephew morphed into a strong desire to be published. I started to research more about the mechanics of novel writing, and I found a few good friends who have pointed me in the right direction. Just when I thought I had my first novel ready to submit to agents, I had one of those "aha" moments. The novel was okay but nothing more, and I knew I could do better. I scrapped the entire manuscript and started over. That was in January of this year. 

I completed my new rough draft by the end of March when I attended a writer's conference. Since then, I have worked with an editor on a portion of it and have also received a couple of critiques. For many who have tried to write a novel, this might seem fast, but I devote hours each and every day to working on the manuscript. I am determined. One day I will see this novel published, and I look forward to sharing it with all who care to read it. In the meantime, I continue to drive my family and friends crazy as I talk about my ideas and concepts. It won't end with this one either, since I already have ideas for the sequel. What started out as a whim has become a passion. I love writing!

© Copyright 2014 E. J. Willis

One day I went for a walk in the park, and I happened across a beautiful swallowtail butterfly. It had velvety black wings with sapphire blue edges and the palest of yellow dots. When it landed nearby, I had to get a picture. I didn't think it would stay still long enough, but to my surprise it did. Not until after I lined up the lens did I notice the great tear in one wing. No wonder it stayed in place. It needed rest. However, what struck me more was the fact it could still fly.

It made me think of the main character in the novel I'm working on. Not only does she have a birthmark shaped like a butterfly to confirm her identity as a princess, but she finds herself in a position where everything has gone wrong. She's left broken and discouraged. Her "wings" are left in tatters, yet she learns to soar above the trials.

People are like that in real life too. Every individual will experience difficulties, pain, and sorrow. We find ourselves beaten down and left in the dust, wondering if we will ever learn to fly again. But if a butterfly can soar with a broken wing, so can we with God's help. It can take time. Just like the butterfly, we also require rest to regain our strength. If your facing a difficult patch, remember, your wings may get battered, but you can still rise above it all. Prepare to take off on a brand new grand adventure. It's waiting for you.

© Copyright 2014 E. J. Willis

There are places in life that comfort the soul, a respite from the chaotic world around us. Mine is under the Cottonwood tree. It's not just any Cottonwood, but a specific one. It stands tall and proud at the edge of a park. The sounds of traffic can be heard, dogs from nearby houses will bark, and people walk by, so it seems like an ordinary place. However, the stone bridge makes all the difference. No water flows under it, but it still draws my mind into reverie of distant lands and worlds gone by. When I choose to, I can imagine Tolkein's hobbits peeking out from underneath it or a mischievous little gnome. I can make it grow until it becomes the bridge the main character from my own novel uses to cross into the Land of Giants, and I watch as she rides her stallion onto it. Her pulse quickens, and her heart begins to pound in anticipation, but she keeps her head high to face whatever lies ahead. Other times knights on their noble horses trot along as they discuss important matters. In my mind, fairies flit among the trees as any number of adventures await. Sometimes I simply listen to the whisper of the papery leaves as a breeze rushes through, and I feel refreshed as I talk with God. My own special place. It inspires my imagination and soothes my soul as I sit under the Cottonwood.

I believe everyone needs a place. It doesn't have to be extraordinarily beautiful or secluded as long as it brings comfort of mind and a feeling of peace. Have you found yours? 

© Copyright 2014 E. J. Willis

© Copyright 2014 E. J. Willis