Greetings readers, writers, family and friends! And welcome to this new blog, "One Writer's Life."
This blog is both about the act of writing and of living one's life in the midst of writing. I believe that the best writing takes place in the context of community. By choosing to read this blog, you are a part of this digital community, and by that act will be involved in helping to shape my writing. So thanks for being a part of this community and your willingness to walk along with me as I make this journey.
Writing has always been a part of my life in some form or fashion. I "officially" became a published author though in 1998 when my first book was published. "Where the Nations Meet: The Church in a Multicultural World" was written while I served as a United Methodist pastor to a multicultural congregation in Northern Virginia. This church, Culmore UMC, had over 32 different nations represented in the congregation and many more ethnicities. My book was an attempt to address the many practical issues on being the church in a world which is multicultural. I'm happy to say that my book is still available. It was just recently released as a Kindle book on Amazon.com.
Currently, I am working on two nonfiction books - both of which are memoirs. The first, "Confessions of a Second Grade Failure," is a coming-of-age memoir. It is set in Kingsport, Tennessee during the period from 1960-1972. It gives insight to life during this turbulent period and of the changes that came to cities throughout the country in an important decade. Both humorous and poignant, it weaves together the life story of one Appalachian child, his hometown and the cultural context of change in the country.
My other writing project is entitled, "The Reluctant Ascetic: A Journey Through the Desert of Chronic Illness." In November 2001, I became suddenly sick with a mysterious illness that continues into the present. I was later diagnosed as having Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome. I have attempted to grapple not only with the illness itself, but also to find meaning and hope in the struggle to reclaim health. This memoir speaks to all persons who struggle and live with chronic and often invisible diseases.
I look forward to sharing my writing of these two both with you. My plan is to post 2-3 times a week to this blog to keep you updated.
Please feel free to contact me directly. There is an email form on my home page of this blog. You may also subscribe to my blog through email or RSS. You may also read my blog posts on my website: www.stephenarhodes.com. You can also find out more about me there as well.
Cheers,
Stephen A. Rhodes
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