About the Book
Book: Where You Are & How to Get There
Author: Nolan Ryan Recker
Genre: Lifestyle
Release date: August 4, 2022
Have you ever had the thought or asked yourself the question, “How did I get here?”
You know, the kind of question examining the indirect decisions and circumstances that led you to the point life that you even need to ask such a question.
One of the oldest questions ever recorded in human history speaks to this very question we ask ourselves in moments of doubt. What if that ancient question was a question we ought to ask ourselves on a regular basis?
Journey with me as we wrestle with a question that if meant for us, today, would change everything about we view the life we choose to live.
Click here to get your copy!
Author Interview
2. What was the most challenging part of the writing process for you and why?
One of the most challenging parts of the writing process is knowing when it’s “done.”
Especially as an indie author going the self-publishing route. The manuscript is always
in your hands. Even after it goes to the editors and comes back, it’s still on you to make
the final touches. The longer I hold onto the “finished” manuscript before publishing the
more tempting it is to keep tweaking and changing it.
It’s a challenge because “perfect” is a moving target. So when is the manuscript “good
enough?”
That’s life though, isn’t it? Discovering and finding contentment in what’s good enough
in many things frees up our emotional energy to focus on the things we desire to
perfect.
4. What was something new you learned while writing this book?
I learned new things about myself. I learned what I am capable of accomplishing. That’s
part of human development though. We have bigger leaps in development when we are
children. As adults, the achievements seem less frequent requiring more time in
between each breakthrough. I learned patience is key in any endeavor. It’s not that the
idea is “new,” but the level of depth to this truth was “new to me.”
5. What audience did you have in mind when writing this book?
I am in my mid 30’s, so I sought out other perspectives. I had a plethora of
conversations about the content of the book with people of all ages between 20yo to
mid 60’s. There is an underlying or undergirding connection to the ancient origins of
humanity and our search for meaning and fulfillment. Probably more now than ever,
people in the Western world have the time to think about their feelings, consider career
changes, flexibility with creating a family unit, exposure to all sorts of spiritual thoughts
and perspectives; this plurality of thoughts and potential distractions can disorient us
from living intentional lives.
The audience I have in mind is any person unsure about what to do next with a given
area of their life.
This really opens it up, but I lean on one of the oldest recorded questions in human
history. A question I believe every person would benefit to wrestle with.
9. Do you have a favorite drink or snack for when you’re writing?
Yes! Monster Khaotic Energy Drinks. Maybe this is considered a performance
enhancing drug. Ha! A well timedconsumption of this drink just perks me up and helps
me to power through. For anyone concerned, I am only a 2-3 Monsters PER WEEK kind
of guy. :D
10. What message do you hope readers take away from your book?
My hope for readers is the message of hope! I say that tongue in cheek, but that is what
I thought when reading the question. Often, when I am having conversations with
people about the direction of their life, past choices, present-future anxiety and
uncertainty; what I aim to do is help others self-discover their innate internalized
motivation. Give them a sustainable means of hope and outlook that even though life is
relentless in what it throws at us, there is something in me that gives me hope.
If my inner life has dried up, my career path is stuck, my relationships aren’t fulfilling, or
I am uncertain about the big questions of life, who and what to believe, etc. then
discovering where we are will help inform our next steps toward a fulfilling and
flourishing life.
About the Author
Nolan’s toughest and rewarding opportunities are being a husband and a father. As a husband and a father, Nolan wants his family members to discover and live a flourishing life. Nolan’s life experience has covered the spectrum from being a camp counselor to a school teacher to a custodian to a Lead Pastor of a church. This, is why he writes. If he wrestles with the ideas he writes about, maybe others wrestle with the same things, and if they do, would they benefit from a different perspective? He’s honored to listen to anyone who graces him with their time to tell their story; especially if it involves coffee or pizza.
More from Nolan
Hi there! The name’s Nolan & I love this book.
Seriously, it was a labor of love.
Sometimes writing for the sake of the enjoyment and scrutiny of others can lead to some pretty sad writing days. One of my favorite writers recently said something along these lines, “Sometimes, writing is opening up a blank word processor, staring at it for eight hours, closing the processor, and not writing a thing. It still counts!”
For me, I used to seek perfection in much of what I attempted to do. I wouldn’t try something if the odds weren’t favorable. It wasn’t until I learned that life is a lot like staring at a blank word processor. Even though I didn’t accomplish anything on a specific day or season of life, the fact that I showed up is what counts.
Learning to live life in this way. Discovering rhythms of creating, rest, consuming, pain, work, play, purpose, and my people; helped me to rediscover a life-story worth living.
A life-story worth writing.
I am so many things and wear so many different “hats,” but first and foremost, I am a loved human being, created in the Image of a loving and creative God.
I enjoy being a husband and a father.
I love the passion of writing.
When something comes together, there is no greater treasure than to put something into the world that brightens someone else’s experience of this life.
Wearing the “hats” of Pastor, Teacher, Coach, Friend, Advocate, etc. time and I again I would have conversations with people regarding the very things you will read in “Where You Are & How To Get There.”
We are all on this life journey together, and I am glad to journey on with all of you.
Blog Stops
Book Reviews From an Avid Reader, September 9
Texas Book-aholic, September 10
A Reader’s Brain, September 11 (Author Interview)
Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, September 12
Inklings and notions, September 13
Splashes of Joy, September 14 (Author Interview)
deb’s Book Review, September 14
Locks, Hooks and Books, September 15
Ashley’s Clean Book Reviews, September 16
Spoken from the Heart, September 17 (Author Interview)
Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, September 18
Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, September 19
For the Love of Literature, September 20 (Author Interview)
Mary Hake, September 20
Happily Managing a Household of Boys, September 21
Cats in the Cradle Blog, September 22
Giveaway
To celebrate his tour, Nolan is giving away the grand prize package of a $50 Amazon Gift Card and a copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.