Q – What has God called you to do where your first thought may have been “Are you kidding me?”
In 2004, I served a church as minister of music. Over the course of six months, three different people came to me and said, “You should be in the ministry.”
I laughed it off. “Yeah right. God, I’m no preacher.” At the time, I thought being in the ministry meant being a minister. As a PK (preacher’s kid), I knew that wasn’t the life for me.
For three years, I fought the calling but the Lord revealed to me that writing (which I’d started around the same time I received those messages) is a ministry and a way to serve the Lord.
Q – What is something you wish other writers would have told you before you ever started?
How long the journey is. I never imagined when I started writing that it would take twenty years before I had a published book. There is a lot to both the art and business of writing to learn first. However, the journey is never over. There are new aspects and technology to implement constantly.
Also, each writer’s journey is different and while it’s difficult not to compare ourselves, we never know the struggles and setbacks another writer may have experienced when they seem to have become an “overnight sensation.”
Q – How does your writing life look different than expected?
I thought by now that I’d have a dedicated space and time to write. For the past few years, I’ve been a caregiver (first to my grandmother and now my mother) while also working a full-time job. I have to sneak my writing time in during small chunks of time, usually on the weekends.
Q – What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned through writing?
I’ve learned a lot about myself through the process. Who I am and what my core values and beliefs are. Writing has helped me to heal from a lot of hurt and betrayal. It’s also revealed to me where I am in my faith journey at times.
Q – What makes your writing journey ‘fascinating?’
My first novel came from a moment of pain and anger. I didn’t tell anyone that I was writing a book until after I’d finished. Then I ended up living the story – it’s about a woman who leaves everything behind to start over. However, I was forced to do so because of an abusive situation. Writing kept me sane during that time and became an outlet to gradually reveal and work through the lies I’d been fed.
That first novel is still my favorite. Hopefully one day, I’ll rewrite it for publication.
Driven. Divisive. Dissonant.
Terri Neely is propelled by greed and ambition. She refuses to let anyone—except for her beloved Gramps—past her hard exterior. Long ago, her faith waivered, and her love of music turned to hate.
That is until an accident forces her to view the soundtrack of her life as she visits her past, present, and future.
Can the songs in Terri’s life change her heart and restore her faith before it’s too late?
Now available on Amazon.
Diana Leagh Matthews
redeemed. Her day job is as a volunteer coordinator, but at night she writes and hunts genealogy. She gives programs as a speaker, teacher, and presents historical monologues. Leagh (pronounced Lee) debut novel is Carol of the Rooms. Her second novel Forever Changed will be released in early 2025. She also writes the history behind hymns at DianaLeaghMatthews.com.
