Wade Webster {Writer Wednesday}

When I first had the idea for {Writer Wednesday} I envisioned it as a place for readers to find new authors and new favorite books, but also as a place to inspire and encourage writers who may not be published yet.  I'm excited to introduce you to Wade Webster, a writer who's not yet published but is active in writing on his blog and with other works in progress. Please give him a friendly welcome!

A little bit about Wade...

As he describes himself:

"I'm a truck driver turned writer for Jesus. I'm obsessed with dark chocolate and getting the word out about Jesus' love."

How to connect with Wade...

His website

Check out his main blog: http://wadewebsterwrites.com
And his humor blog: http://laughoutloudloveourlord.com
Connect with him on his Facebook page

Writer Interview | Wade Webster

You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I’m a farm boy-turned Bible college student-turned truck driver-called to write for Jesus. I used several blog posts telling about these phases in my life, so I can’t do it briefly here. God definitely called me to write for Him at the age of 47. That’s when I finally decided what I want to be when I grow up. As long as He gives me assignments I’ll keep writing.

Do you have a favorite work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...This question isn’t fair. It’s like asking who your favorite child is. Each work is my favorite for different reasons. I guess whatever I’m working on at the moment is my favorite work: be that one of my blogs, a magazine article, a book WIP, or this questionnaire.

If published, what was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...The only things I have published at this time are some magazine articles in the Dallas Family Magazine. The easiest and hardest part is hitting the send button. That simple click is the last step in the releasing into the world my baby to be used by God. Waiting to hear whether they’ll accept it would be a lot harder if I didn’t work on other writing projects.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...Eek Explains Christmas is the book Work In Progress (WIP) I’m working on. I just learned from an agent that it’s too short for a publisher to accept it as a middle-grade chapter book. So, I’m adding four new early chapters. The story is taking on so much more depth now.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...I got the idea for a mouse who is convinced his name is Eek because that’s what people say every time they see him. To show how in touch I was with God’s future for me my first thought was: I wonder when I’ll cross paths with a writer so I can pass this idea by them. He goes from a mouse who hates the fact that God made him a mouse to wishing he could have been at the stable the night Jesus was born, even if it was as a little mouse who never got mentioned in the Bible story. He overcomes a lot in his little life, just like we all do.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?...It’s been my concern that most people know the Christmas story but they miss the full purpose behind it. The true gist of this book is to show everybody the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus was God in a human body born to die for us.

Writing

Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters? Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both?
...I consider all of my writing assignments from God. He has different ways of giving me these assignments. Sometimes it’s 2 o’clock in the morning, and other times it’s while I’m driving in my truck going down an Interstate. I have no idea how non-Christians get their ideas from since this is my modus operandi.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
...It depends on what I’m writing. The magazine articles need to be issue oriented since that’s what they’re looking for. My humor blog is obviously used to make people laugh and then to inspire to action. I hope everything I write points people to Jesus.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...In a word: WRITE. Too many people have ideas and desires to see their name in print, but they don’t take the time to do the actual writing. Start there. There may be a long road to getting published or a short walk, but you have to take that first step to get there. If God places this desire in your heart then don’t give it up. Keep working on the craft of writing until it gets out there so God can use it.

You

Do you listen to music when you write? If so, what do you listen to?
...I enjoy listening to instrumental music with nature sounds in the background—my farm boy roots showing through. If I listen to songs with words, or instrumental music of hymns, my mind can get distracted by the words I’m hearing.
What is your favorite season and why?
...Spring is definitely my favorite season. Winter is often so hard, and summer so hot. The time of harvest is a close second, but spring with its new beginnings and signs of promise always give the desire of a hopeful future to me.

What is your favorite genre to read? Why do you enjoy it?
...I know a lot of writers read a lot. But, I honestly don’t have the leisure time available to read much at this time in my life. Perhaps that’s why my writing is so diverse. I’ve read many of Louis L’Amour’s books, and some Christian westerns, so by default I’ll say that genre, but I haven’t written anything along those lines, yet.

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Thank so much Wade for sharing with us! It's encouraging to hear how much you rely on the Lord for whatever you are writing - it's the best way, right? And your advice to aspiring authors is great. It's so true that often we let ourselves get wrapped up in the idea of publishing we forget that you have to have something to publish ;) Good luck with your writing!