by Dave Pratt
Over the past few weeks, the first book in my Christian Suspense series, The Home Team, received numerous positive book reviews. That experience has left me both pleased and humbled and caused me to reflect on how someone like me, with several well-reviewed novels in print, who started the journey as a newly commissioned second lieutenant in the Army, braced by a senior officer in a hallway who growled, “Pratt, you can’t speak and you can’t write. Fix it, or you’ll fail.”
More than a little shook by the experience, I signed up for the first correspondence writing course I could find. It took me six months to complete the course, and when I finished, I’d learned more about grammar and composition than during all my years of schooling, college included. It also hooked me on writing.
Ten years later, after writing in the dark of the night and on weekends, I found myself with two shoeboxes full of rejection notices from magazines and publishers.
Bummed, I contacted a friend who wrote professionally. He advised me to do two things: persist in my writing and learn the craft. After all, to be a writer, you need to write. And to be a good writer, you need to learn from others who do. So, I attended my first writer’s conference. That experience opened a new world for me. I met authors who’d been through the fire, who passed along what they’d learned.
After two more conferences and more attempts at publication, someone flipped the switch. The editors of my favorite national and regional magazines started accepting my work. At the time, I figured I’d simply worn them down; it was probably easier for them to print my work than spend any more time crafting rejection notices. My friend suggested I might actually have learned something through all the conferences, courses, and continued, persistent efforts. I remained unsure.
Then, the novel bug hit me.
So, I signed up for a novel writing course that flooded me with invaluable information. After more writer’s conferences and help from a great mentor, I self-published two fun, imperfect novels.
Then, thirteen years ago, after shelving my publication hopes for several years, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. Five short years after that, I received specific guidance during prayer: write My stories. I know that sounds dramatic, but His message was very clear, and I decided to put my faith in Him. A year later, The Home Team was
accepted for publication by Ambassador International as part of a five-part series. A week ago, the third book in The Home Team series, Homesick, hit the stores.
So, how did a green second lieutenant go from not knowing how to write to a series of Christian Suspense novels in print? From my perspective, it’s all about persistence, learning, and above all, Faith in Him.
Available on Amazon –
Have a blessed day.
Dave Pratt
Dave Pratt is a native of most of the west coast of the United States – and now makes his home in Middle Tennessee with his wife, near his recently relocated grandkids.
A freelance writer since 1977, Dave has authored numerous articles, poems, short stories, and novels. His latest books include the first two novels of the 5-part Home Team Christian suspense series: The Home Team, and Home Team 2. Homesick, the third book in the series, was released by Ambassador International Publishing on October 28, 2025.
Dave is a retired army officer, and more recently retired as a project management consultant after over twenty years working with the public, non-profit and private sector clients. He holds master’s degrees in health administration and management, and a B.S. in Psychology. Dave has taught for many years at the corporate, graduate, and undergraduate levels and has been a speaker at numerous professional conferences on writing and project management. Dave is a 4th Dan Master in Tae Kwan Do, proficient in Tai Chi, Hapkido, and staff, and was a member of the U.S. National Tae Kwon Do Poomse Team in 2015.
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Dave thanks Jesus Christ for his inspiration and the countless blessings in his life.
