Traveling God’s Road from Parked to Published

The Invitation

Several years ago, an unexpected email invited me to a writer’s gathering. I was confused but intrigued. Why was I invited? Ah, yes, that one article I wrote after a theology class. Without any ideas or ambitions, I decided to attend BAM at Cru19. When I got there, I surveyed a variety of tables with different staff mentors. I hesitated, knowing no one. Where should I go? Songwriting? No. Screenwriting? Not for me. Fiction? I don’t think so. Nonfiction? Perhaps.

I pulled out a chair and joined a table discussion, led by Tez Brooks, on publishing a nonfiction book. Staff around my table were at different stages of the writing process. One was mapping out chapters. One was looking for a publisher. Meanwhile, I didn’t even have a book idea. All my life, I loved reading books, but would I ever write one?

That week of Cru19, my emotions and thoughts were churning with relational angst: frustration, isolation, conflict. I suddenly realized I didn’t want to fight against the people around me; I wanted to fight alongside them–to resolve conflict and confront hardships together. In this soil of resolve and humility, the beginning ideas of a book took root.

Growing Deeper with God

I started writing down ideas. My life was pretty comfortable during that season, with mental space to think and write. Then December came. A battle of light and dark, hope and despair, hit me hard. Five months after BAM, my husband was in the hospital for kidney failure and pre-dialysis surgeries. The following year was a hard road.

And I kept writing along that road.

There is a phrase in Scripture called “the shadow of death,” and people are described as walking or sitting in this place during different seasons of life. That year was my shadow of death season—death was so near that its cold shadow often lay across my heart and mind. Beyond my own life, the world was struck by a terrible pandemic.

I believe God led me to write during that desperate time to breathe encouragement and strength into my soul. I gained a deeper understanding of the God who fights for me. And I had constant reminders of how God equips me to fight for others.

Published!

The following year, I hired Tez to provide several coaching sessions as I organized ideas and drafts into a book proposal for the Florida Christian Writers Conference. The conference was an excellent experience, and I continued to refine my writing skills. Fast forward through two years of blogging, more writing and editing, a few published articles, and more coaching. I then signed a publishing contract with a publisher I met through the Florida conference and began the grueling work, which included rounds of edits, cover designs, and the final proofread. (Followed by the equally grueling marketing and promotion work.) My first book, Her Battle Strength, was released in August of 2024.

Cheers to the Bloggers & Authors Meetup of Cru19! The mentoring conversations with other Cru staff members encouraged my growth as a writer and provided me with practical next steps and resources. I am so grateful for Sus Schmitt and others on staff who invest in those around them and help us walk the paths God has for us.

My Takeaways

In the five years from Cru19 to the publication of a book, I learned a great deal.

My biggest takeaway is this: If writing helps you grow in your relationship with God and with others, then write. You may help others through your writing. You may publish. You may make (a little) money. But ultimately, you succeed if your writing honors God and you grow through the process.

Second takeaway: Seek God to discern if publishing should be your goal. “‘I have the right to do anything,’ you say—but not everything is beneficial. ‘I have the right to do anything’—but not everything is constructive.” (I Corinthians 10:23) Publishing requires many sacrifices of time and money—you need to decide if the cost is worthwhile.

Third takeaway: If you pursue publishing, work hard. Good ideas and spirit-filled living are essential, but they are not the ticket to publishing. You need to invest in professional skills and expert resources.

Excited to meet again at Cru25!

Guest Post by Deanne Reid

Award-winning author Deanne Reid, recipient of the 2025 Selah Award for Christian Living, is a writer who organizes words and experiences to help people thrive. After obtaining her master’s degree and working as a speech-language pathologist, she shifted to full-time work with Cru in 2014. Deanne enjoys exploring hard questions about the Bible alongside women in the U.S. and overseas.  She is married to Robert, the cowboy of her dreams, and finds adventures in the mountains and rivers near their Montana home.

NOTES:

• Deanne’s website, Adventure in the Ordinary.
• The feature photo is from Deanne’s Adventure Blog.
• BAM is the Bloggers and Authors Meetup held at Cru’s National Staff Conference. Cru19 and Cru25 are the names of Cru‘s National Conferences.
• Deanne’s book, Her Battle Strength: Relying on God and Relating to Men as a Force for Good.