Interview with Author David Stanfield
Author David Stanfield is just a normal guy, a son, a husband, and a father. He was raised as one of four children to a preacher, so needless to say, he grew up in the church. From as young as he can remember, David was always at church every time the doors were open. He was saved at the age of eight years old. As he has gotten older, he has always held close to the beliefs in which he was raised, but just like most people, he has always struggled with the things of this world. He is in no way perfect, and he struggles every day with all kinds of problems. He had a calling to write this book and talk about things in his life he has struggled with and that we all struggle with in the world we live in these days.
Tell me more about your latest book
This book talks about the shape of the world today as a result of our sinful nature and how Christians have conformed to it. The concept of “Hellven” is described in depth, but basically refers to Christians trying to have their cake and eat it too when it comes to how they live their so called “Christian” lives. The book then goes into detail on many of the struggles we all face each day. Each chapter of the book contains one of these main struggles we live through daily. I will discuss real-life struggles that I have dealt with personally or things I have witnessed. We will dive into God’s Word on each topic to see what He says we can do when faced with these struggles. Most of these struggles can be found hundreds of times in the Bible, but I will give you 10 verses of Scripture for each struggle/topic that you can use to help you overcome each struggles.
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
I have a chapter within the book on “Obedience”, which I thoroughly discuss how the act of writing this book was a huge challenge of obedience for me. Just making it a priority to answer God’s calling on my life to write the book was a challenge that I had to overcome. It took a very long time for me to actually start the book after I knew I was supposed to write it, and even when I started writing, I continued to have to challenge myself to stay the coarse and finish it. I had such a huge sense of accomplishment once I got it done though.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
My experience was in no way a “normal” procedure. I sat on this book for over a year from the time I finished it till the time I got it selected to be published, frankly because I had no idea what to do with it. Since I am a Christian and felt this book was a calling for me to do, I knew that my obedience would lead the way for me though, so I just patiently waited on what to do. Finally, I had an opportunity fall into my lap in the form of a publishing company looking to review books, as a contest of sorts, and as soon as I saw it I knew I was supposed to submit my manuscript, so I did. They selected it to go to the next round after their first review. Then I got contacted a little while later telling me they were going to publish it for me and the rest is history.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
Because of my Christian beliefs, and again because I felt like this was a calling on my life to write this book, I absolutely felt it was a spiritual situation. Each time I sat and spent time writing in the book, I felt God’s presence and direction. As you will read in the introduction to the book, I felt spiritually connected from the name of the book, the front cover art, and to every chapter written and this book would not exist otherwise.
How many books have you written so far?
This is my first and only book so far. I currently don’t have plans for any other books, but I never thought I would write this first one, so you never know. I have learned to never say never with God. I hope readers will not look past this book just because it is my first, or because it is my only book. I think there are relevant and real messages and hope in this book that I want to share with the world and whoever will give it a read. I hope it helps each reader as much as it helped me to write it.
What’s the best way to market your books?
Because this is my first experience with a book, I am still looking for the best ways and resources to market my book. My publisher is owned by TBN, which is the worlds largest Christian broadcasting network. They are advertising it on all of their social media, as they do all of their books. I am also utilizing Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, and Twitter currently for my own marketing, but I do not have the platform of followers to reach very far outside of my own family/friend circle. I am currently looking for any and every opportunity that I can get to share the book and my story, from interviews, blogs, radio, guest speaking, to you name it. I currently have one speaking event coming up, as well as one radio spot scheduled. Information on my events will be posted on my social media accounts.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
What I have learned in this very short time of being involved in this writing industry, is that this is truly hard work. It takes a huge commitment of the author’s time, their thoughts, and their heart. It is not as easy as sitting down at a computer and starting to type. I think the authors that are fortunate enough to do this for a living or a career are even more challenged as they have to maintain that drive and grind. I have no expectations for my book becoming a resource for me financially and I am more concerned about the message of my book getting out there than I am about the financial aspects of it. I know they go hand and hand, but I truly am in this experience for the message and helping others. If I am blessed in that process, then to God be the glory in that as well. I have a huge newfound respect for authors that do this as a career.
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
I’m a newby myself so I am probably not someone for aspiring writers to look up to, but if anything, I will say to follow your heart or your calling. Don’t put it off and don’t fight it. Just make the time and take the first steps to get started and see where it goes. The worst thing we can say when we are old and grey and looking back on our lives, is “I wish I would have……”. So, my advice is to quit talking about writing and just start doing it.
Visit Author David Stanfield book links:-
https://www.facebook.com/DavidStanfieldHellven
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60812965-hellven
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hellven-david-stanfield/1141389927?ean=9781685565893
https://www.instagram.com/david.stanfield.54/
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