PenWorks of the Word | Featured Author | Mark Charles Powers

Greetings, 

I am excited to introduce today's featured author, Mark Charles Powers. His new book, His Eyes, comes out tomorrow. Yep, you read that right. Chances are you've read this on 10/13, which is release day for his book. One of the things I look forward to as a writer is connecting with other like-minded authors. Mark is one of those authors I feel like I could talk to for hours about anything.  

There is a spirit woven into his work that resonates with people from all different paths of life. But, as always, I don't want to take up too much of his time, so without further ado.... Let's dive into his wonderful article describing 5 lessons he has learned about being an author.  

See you in the "digital" pages.

M.J.E. 

~~~

Ecstasy dropped on me from the sky in May 2020 when a novel poured out of me in three months. Next week, “His Eyes: A Novel of Hope from Tragedy” will be released. This past Saturday, ecstasy visited again when the proof copies arrived in my mailbox. The five and a half years in between? Lots of agony laced with a little ecstasy. 

“If you want to be a fiction writer,” they said, “write your first novel, then throw the thing away.” 

No way that applies to me, I thought. My book is good, even though it’s my first one.

“Once you trash your first novel,” they said, “write a second book, then take two years to edit and rewrite. Self-publish your book. But expect to put a lot of money and time into marketing.”

No way that applies to me, I thought. My book is ready for the big time with a lucky traditional publisher.

“If your self-published book is fairly successful,” they said, “write a third book. Hire a writing coach and spend a year editing and re-writing together.” 

No way that applies to me, I thought. My book is ready now. 

And finally, they said, “Don’t make the mistake of taking shortcuts because you think you received a direct command from God to write your book.” 

No way that applies to me, I thought. God truly gave me this story and told me to write it. I’ll do whatever it takes to make the book available to people who need hope.

~~~

So, who is “THEY?” Oh… just every speaker, conference leader, online consultant, blogger, writing coach, literary agent, successful novelist I have met, or heard, or read in the last five years.

UPDATE: Five-and-a-half years after beginning my novel, 

“His Eyes” releases this Monday, October 13.

“THEIR” advice applied to me, after all. Despite my protests, I listened, took it to heart, and stuck with it. Hey, guess what? I’m a seventy-year-old author with a debut novel. Ecstasy!

The agony came from learning hard lessons and putting in long hours to put those lessons into practice. But out of the agony came ecstasy… and a weekly blog called *Glimpses of Grace.* You are reading that blog right now. 

~~~

Ecstasy from Agony- Five Lessons Learned From Writing “His Eyes”:

First lesson learned: Fiction writing differs completely from non-fiction writing.

In 2013, I wrote a non-fiction book urging Christian worship leaders to revitalize worship, make disciples, and lead them on mission: "GOING FULL CIRCLE” book (markcharlespowers.com). I wrote the book in three months, had it edited, hired a proofreader/typesetter, found a publisher, and had the published book in my hand nine months after I started writing. Turns out, fiction writing is nothing like that experience. Agony.

Second lesson learned: Writing a novel is akin to creating a panoramic sculpture. 

The creative act of sculpting begins with a large block of plaster. The sculptor brings the panoramic background and the characters to life, just as the novelist does. But as a novelist, my dust-filled, tool-strewn studio is all in my mind. On any given day - depending on my frame of mind - my mental workspace can feel spacious or cramped, peaceful or frantic. Regardless, I keep chiseling away to bring my story to life. 

Third lesson learned: A clear sense of divine calling and purpose is crucial to success.

My dream of writing a novel began in early 2020. Writing seemed a viable way to remain engaged in ministry from atop our mountain, looking toward retirement. I longed to continue my lifelong ministry of encouragement and guidance. In May of that year, God gave me a story idea of hope revealed through tragedy. “His Eyes” came pouring out of my heart and mind. Through every setback in bringing the book to reality, God led, inspired, and provided just what I needed when I needed it. 

Fourth lesson learned: Writing, like every artistic endeavor, must first be a science before it can become art.

As a lifelong music director, I’m an expert at the science of building an excellent choir or orchestra. So why didn’t I realize how many guidelines, rules, techniques, etc. must be present in excellent writing? Sadly, I didn’t take the time to learn. I was destined to follow THEIR advice, anyway. When my first novel releases next week, it will, in truth, be the fourth edition of the original written in 2020. Here’s how:

I wrote Draft One and sent it to 85 literary agents. The result? 85 rejections. I discarded Draft One. Online writing courses became my passion.

I wrote Draft Two and sent it to several review services. The reviewers ripped it apart. I discarded Draft Two. In-person writing conferences became my passion.

I wrote Draft Three and found a publisher. We signed a publishing contract. Their editor stripped my manuscript from 63,000 words to 45,000 words. Then we disagreed on how to handle controversial elements in the storyline. We only agreed on one thing—to annul the contract and part ways. I discarded Draft Three. My passion became contemplating my ‘loss of passion for writing’. Agonizing.

I hired a Writing Coach. Larry J. Leech II, coach extraordinaire, has become a treasured friend and mentor. He looked at my misshapen lumps of plaster and began teaching me to sculpt fiction. The passion for writing returned.

Our first rewrite began in July 2023 and continued through April 2024. We began with the science of fiction writing. Many nights, I felt like a sculptor working on a single facial expression or the curve of a finger. To perfect a deeply moving story, I crafted and re-crafted dialogue, descriptions, characters, plot, setting, story, grammar, punctuation, phrasing, flow, and so much more. In the summer of 2024, I added journal entries from the protagonist’s mom, along with more scenes and descriptions to bring it back to 66,500 words. Then, Hurricane Helene and Larry’s hip surgery put us on hold. Agonizing.

Our final rewrite began in February 2025 and concluded in July. After presenting the novel to a top literary agent—and another rejection—I decided to self-publish. Then, I personally recorded the audiobook so you could hear it the way I hear it. And I hired a host of wonderful specialists to help me make it happen. Next week it happens!

Fifth lesson learned: Sculpting a novel is addictive.

Coach Larry told me: “Writing is 10% ‘brain dump’ (ecstasy), but 90% editing and re-writing (agony).” He never shared how addictive re-writing can be, despite the agony. The joy of sculpting my panoramic story with smooth, flowing, proportionate lines is extremely fulfilling and fun. Seeing the story come alive through powerful, effective writing is ecstasy for me.

I pray “His Eyes” will bring you a little ecstasy, as well.

MCP 

~~~

Order “His Eyes: A Novel of Hope From Tragedy” beginning Monday, October 13, from Amazon. Available in paperback, hardcover, Kindle eBook, or audiobook. Thanks.

Mark Powers’ bio: From high atop a mountain in Western North Carolina, Mark shares *Glimpses of Grace* revealed in ordinary lives. He is a choral director, church musician, writer, blogger, novelist, and a little-better-than-bogey golfer. His wife, Kay, a lifelong educator and mentor to many, serves as Mark's encourager and unofficial editor. Stormy the Cat chimes in.