I have a fiction novel coming out soon. It may be considered a novella. (short novel) depending on who’s counting the words. My book is around 55,000 words, so I am gonna go with ‘novel’ because that makes my book sound longer and more interesting.
It’s titled Red Dirt Redemption and is based on a fictional character named Lane Byron. Lane graduates from high school and heads to West Texas to pursue his dream of playing college baseball. From his very first night in the Texas Panhandle, Lane begins a lifelong journey to discovering direction, meaning, and purpose for his life.
Through a series of unique friendships, spiritual encounters, parenting, and the game of baseball, Lane experiences salvation, forgiveness, unconditional love, and redemption. Burdened with uncertainty and a condemning heart, Lane learns powerful lessons on perspective and gratefulness in dealing with himself and others. In due course, he recognizes that the greatest impact he can have on others is to love them as they are, and not as he wants them to be.
Although the main theme in the book is baseball, the book is not about baseball. You will not learn how to lay down a sacrifice bunt in this read. However, it does touch on teamwork and always having your teammates back, but there is so much more going on than that.
I would consider it a Christian book, but it is genuine and not glazed over with inauthenticity. So, you may not find it sitting on the coffee table in your church library.
I have spent almost three years working on this book. There were times when I did not write for weeks, but I penned the first chapter almost three years ago. It has been a great experience, and my editor has been phenomenal. The first draft I sent to him was 33,000 words long. After his recommendations and six months of editing, it jumped to the 55,000 words it is today. I am still learning to write, obviously.
Like most fiction novels, the characters are inspired by real people and true events. I used a great deal of creative expression (made a bunch of stuff up) to build a story, but in doing so, I tried to stay true to the book’s overall theme.
Here’s an excerpt:
Looking over at Preacher Man, McWilliams nodded his head at him and asked, “You got a word for us Preacher Man?”
McWilliams stepped down off the chair and Preacher Man stepped up. Preacher Man preached: “What Mac said is correct. In some strange way, this will all make sense someday. Just maybe not today, or next week, or even next year. I know that I was red-shirted this year, but I was at every practice, and I came to every game and watched you all play. I know how Buzz can be. He told me several times that the only reason he hadn’t cut me yet is because I had a good-looking mom, and he liked seeing her on Parent’s Day. My word is this: even though Buzz has given everyone in here good reason to hate him, please don’t. You can be angry and upset with him, but don’t let it turn into hate. Hate is a bad seed that can grow in your heart if you are not careful. As much as I don’t want to say this, you are going to have to forgive the man. I know he has treated some of you all in here really badly, but forgiveness is the key for you to move on. Buzz may not care if you forgive him or not, it’s not for him, it’s for you. Don’t carry hate, forgive so you can forget, and pray that God will use this day for His purpose and your betterment. That’s my word, Mac.”
“As usual Preacher Man, you are spot on. God brought you here for this very moment my friend.”
McWilliams asked if anyone had something else to add, but all was silent.
There was nothing left to say.
Official launch date is October 3rd. You will be able to purchase it on Amazon and booklocker.com.
Hope you buy it, hope you read it, hope you enjoy it.
Red Dirt Redemption – 10/03/24.
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Todd Howey is a columnist for BrownwoodNews.com whose articles appear on Fridays. Email comments to [email protected].