An author's journey
From decades of reporting on others' stories to publishing her parents' inspiring missionary journey—a writer's transformative career evolution.
A Journalism Career Shifts into Inspiring Authorship
After telling other people’s stories for decades as a longtime reporter, I shifted course and chose to bring my parents’ story of service abroad into the limelight.
I am the daughter of missionary parents and the author of Mission Possible. Born in Brazil, South America, I experienced a different climate and culture and developed a deep appreciation for the people of Brazil. Part of my childhood was spent exploring the hidden treasures of a country where my parents made a difference and brought joy to many.
Writing began early in my life, as I contributed to my high school newspaper and again in college. I began my career as a journalist working as a family living editor for a small newspaper in Michigan. There were eight of us at the time (with a revolving door for new staff), and I stayed until there were only two of us left.
Having the opportunity to be interwoven in the lives of the community by sharing their stories has always meant the world to me. It was my purpose and source of fulfillment for many years.
Every week for as long as I can remember, I produced a column and wrote numerous newspaper articles—and then I stopped. Maybe it was the declining newspaper industry, maybe I was tired of running, and maybe it was because I moved. Or perhaps it was a combination of all of these reasons and more.
As I inched toward retirement, I decided to stop writing other people’s stories and begin writing my own—or rather, my parents’ story. Mine will hopefully be a sequel and is still being written.
About Mission Possible and Its Challenges
For my first book, I used information written and shared by my parents. Although Mission Possible is listed as historical fiction, with some names and places changed, it closely reflects their experiences in South America. It includes illustrations done by my father, with his sketches interspersed throughout the pages.
Writing my first book did not take long—maybe five or six months. But newspaper writing is succinct, while writing a novel is far more complex. It is the processes of editing and revision that consume the most time. Once I decided on a publisher, they guided me through the necessary steps.
Everything from copy editing to page design and all the steps in between can make your head spin. Add in changing publication specialists and all the red tape involved, and you eventually learn to take the process in stride.
The Reward Is Worth the Effort
Finally comes the monumental day when you hold the finished product in your hands. Not only is there a sense of accomplishment in completing something meaningful, but there is also fulfillment in knowing you have created something that may make a difference in someone else’s life.
Realization That There Is More to Do
Then life happens—a sunroom is built and a deck is designed for the new home. Back troubles emerge, and the tasks of daily life take over. Soon, the realization hits that publication of the book is only the beginning.
Marketing must be researched and implemented, not to mention all the tasks involved in creating an audiobook in your own voice. It is not for the faint of heart, as it often takes numerous attempts to get it right.
Again, tenacity prevails, and the audio version is now available, thanks to Audacity and Findaway Voices. It can now be found on just about every audio platform.
Learning and Writing Go Hand in Hand
So how do we, as authors, ensure all this work gets noticed? Marketing requires community, and writing is something I enjoy. Blogging about the process intrigues me, and it is something I continue to do on Substack. Those blogs are also published on LinkedIn, Goodreads, and on my website: http://nlhastingsauthor.com
What’s Next?
The dream is to return to Brazil for a sequel waiting to be written. An outline is already being developed, and if necessary, it will be written through imagination and inspiration. As someone once told me, “Dream until your dreams come true.”
Podcasting, speaking engagements, book fairs, and more are on the horizon.
Meanwhile, we all need to take steps to make those dreams happen. No one climbs a mountain quickly. Community is key—we all need to support each other through reviews, likes, and listens.
Stay tuned for what lies ahead, and keep working toward your dreams until they come true.
Empower yourself to get it done!
