Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One book and working on a trilogy. Have written many articles over the course of a career in the military, but now in retirement, I am writing for fun and enjoyment. I am passionate about writing about the Bible & God and focusing on the needs of the fatherless and the needs of middle school-age boys.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“God’s Focus on the Fatherless” A Lens to Inform Spiritual Impact in the Local Church. It is a self-study or a group study group tool. My pursuit of a Doctor of Ministry inspired it and it is very well studied and thought out. Personal reasons are stated in the book. My dad was raised without a father and I have worked with many soldiers and young people without a father. I would like people who minister and are giving people to know how to approach this need.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I leave a lot of writing on my computer for long periods of time. My ideas are many, but I work hard at rewriting, organizing, and coming back with a fresh approach. I read books between chapters that I write and intensify my research to give me more ideas of where to take a storyline. I enjoy the creative part of writing and it brings me joy whether things are published or not. As a person retired, I have decided to write more and print more.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
As a preacher’s child (kid for the growing up slang in church), the Bible and Pilgrim’s Progress, then anything I could get my hands on about Daniel Boone or Davy Crocket; then I read the whole series of Danny Orlis (Moody Press) as I grew. I then read a whole lot of books on Missionaries because they inspired me with their real look at the world. “Peace Child” still is a classic to me among others. Through Bible School, Seminary, and Universities I focused on Non-Fiction Theology, Bibliology, and Christian Education.
What are you working on now?
I am working on a Historical Fiction Trilogy of Bible Characters in the middle of Assyrian History. Approximately 850 BC. This part of history requires a lot of research and that is a great percentage of my joy in writing. Research on what boys like to read is “real” happenings and enjoy a story on the way to learning history. I would like to bring that part of history to life for boys who struggle with reading or life in general. I am also working on a non-fiction commentary on my father-in-law’s article for a journal or magazine.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon, because I am an old guy learning in the electronic data-filled age. My son is a help in this arena. Even though my non-fiction book has been out for a while, I am just now working on getting it into audio. Very fun project for us to work on together. I have a website with a connection to my publisher, but it is not as effective. I have been teaching juvenile boys for approximately seven years and now I will be able to devote more attention to my website.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write lots of things and capture all your ideas on an idea sheet. Even if not fully developed, throw them on there, so you will not forget them. Be thankful that you live in the electronic age where you can rewrite, revise, renew, refresh, etc… You will know when you have done your best work. Take free video courses online concerning your genre of writing. A lot of the courses are making money on your insecurity about writing. Take a bunch of free classes out there, before you pay for anything.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Make a plan and work on the plan. Too many people give up. Write to enjoy your life. Write to your satisfaction. Write to serve others. Pray about your writing and how it will lift others up. Ignore rejection and keep on writing. If God has put it in your heart to express, then work on doing that the best you know how to do.
What are you reading now?
I Samuel, Assyrian History, “The Oldest Christian People: A Brief Account of the History and Traditions of the Assyrian People and the Fateful History of the Nestorian Church” and “Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life” and “Men of Mystery and Miracles: Elijah and Elisha” and “Assyrian” by Guild, Nicholas.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I am in the middle of my trilogy and when I finish it, I will go on to my next idea which is to provide a boys’ study booklet for the Scripture it is based on. That would be a non-fiction booklet. I am also working on a non-fiction researched article that spun out of my Historical Fiction project. I am leaning also toward doing a similar Historical Fiction with a lesser-known figure in the Bible.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Bible, History of the World Atlas, Pilgrims Progress, Survival guide on how to live on a desert island and possibly escape it.
Author Websites and Profiles
Dwight Croy Website
Dwight Croy Amazon Profile