In the spring of 2012, this article by and about me appeared in Writer's Quill, a Texas-based publication that was around for a few years. Since it proved helpful to writers at that time, I have condensed it for a larger audience here in 2016.
Winner's Wisdom
Why do you write the type of book you are best known for?
I have a deep love for people and want them to grow spiritually. Some people think that spirituality is separate from the human personality, separate from everything else a person is. To me, that's like saying everyone is separated from the air we breathe.
Where do you get your ideas?
I have a close relationship with God. I mostly let ideas come to life from that source.
How and when do you write?
Before I started Path Publishing in 1993, I had a full-time job, so I wrote on Saturdays and weekday evenings. After 1993, writing times were mixed in with publishing duties.
What do you like most about being an author?
The freedom. In this country, at least for now, we still have the freedom to say what we want and keep submitting. The worst thing that can happen is that the author is ignored. But perhaps that is good; he then has time to figure out why people do not seem to think his manuscripts are worthy of publication. After many years of writing and wide reading, he may find himself getting pretty good at what he writes and people compliment him spontaneously.
What is your advice to beginning writers?
Write a lot and read a lot.
Is there anything you would like to say to your fans?
I hope you purchase my books and tell other people about them when you are pleased. Also, help other authors along your journey, wherever you can. Join at least one writers group and never miss a meeting. If there are no writers in your town, find a group on the Internet. But don't write without the support of God and other writers.
If you are already published, please supply ways where we can find your work.
My two latest works are…
Winner's Wisdom-Eight-Week Devotional Using Poetry and Journaling to Express the Real You combines the originality of poetry, carefully selected Bible verses, insightful commentary, and entertaining variety to make every opening of the book an adventure. Sold at Amazon.com for only $8.99, 144 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1533097415.
I have received more encouraging comments about Rock Solid Concrete Poems-Art Poems for the Heart than any other book I have had published. Here are comments from one reader: "Well-crafted, humorous, and pleasurable-a sheer joy to ponder and to read aloud. This is a wonderful volume meant to be shared with readers of all ages. Whether poetry aficionados or not, there are poems to delight everyone." Sold at Amazon.com for only $7.99, ISBN-13: 978-1500915926.
John Schmidt Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1545475333 Path Publishing Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Path-Publishing/110081005733297
Do you have any final words of advice?
Never give up. A writer simply must try to improve the world; she or he cannot be content to be busy at other things and fail to allow the book, and its message, to be born.
Finally, if you are interested in inspirational poetry or nonfiction, submit at [email protected].