All about me (Part 1)

I have to say that I’m looking forward to answering all these questions. Things tend to get a little serious and heavy around here from time to time. My opinion, of course. But it’s nice to lighten things up from time to time, and it’s also nice not to have to work my brain so hard this week getting ready for vacation. The ocean’s calling. And when the ocean calls, I gotta accept the charges.

I’ve spent the weekend looking over all of your comments, and here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to take the rest of the week and go straight down the list. That means I’ll probably be posting every day, so check back again tomorrow. Wouldn’t want you missing anything.

One thing, though. A lot of you wanted to hear about how I came to Christ. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t expect that one, though I suppose I should have. That’s a post in itself and one that’s going to be hard to write, so I’ll save that for last. Deal?

Good.

Okay then, let’s get this ball rollin’.

katdish, ever one to remind me of just how integral she is to my nonexistent writing careeer, asked, "Do you go looking for stories, or do they find you? How are you handling your newfound celebrity status since you've been writing for HLAC? Inquiring minds wanna know..."

As to the first part, I don't think I go looking for stories as much as I try to be open to them. My grandmother drilled into my head at a very young age the importance of awareness. "God speaks to us every day and in every situation," she would tell me. "You just have to be quiet and pay attention." That advice has served me well. If I want to do anything through this blog, it's to get people to realize that the very things that happen to me happen to them. Every moment is a holy moment. Every moment is a moment of truth. You just have to be quiet and pay attention to see most of them.

And as for the second part, I'll say that hiring a security detail to chase away all the agents and editors hasn't been fun. But since my word is golden, I'll keep writing for you every Monday anyway.

Joanne Sher asked, "Hmmm - What was the most memorable event of your childhood? (and you're NOT a child anymore, by the way! hehe) What did you want to be "when you grew up?" Basically - I wanna hear about your childhood. K?"

My childhood can be divided into two separate parts. There was the part when I thought girls were disgusting, and then the part when I figured out they weren't. Both, however, were dominated by baseball, and there was no doubt in my mind that was what I was going to do for the rest of my life. No doubt. So it stands to reason that the most memorable event of my childhood revolved around that.

My last game of Little League was, up until then, the biggest game I'd ever played. I was pitching in the championship game against the best team in four counties, and I was petrified. Dad pulled me over before the game, spit a stream of tobacco juice, and said, "Don't get scared. Get mad."

I faced eighteen batters that night and struck out sixteen of them. And to this day, I can see him telling me those words. I've used his advice many times since then. Still works, too.

Denise asked, "How long have you had a love for writing?"

My preschool teacher's name was Mrs. Rohrbaugh. The memory of what she looked like or who else was in my class is long forgotten, but I do remember the first time she put a piece of paper in front of me, shoved a pencil in my hand, and said, "Have at it." A few squiggly lines later, and I was a changed boy. Even then I had some sort of basic understanding that I could write something down and it would still be there even if I wasn't.

Sarah Salter asked, "My question... How'd you meet Jesus, Billy? I wanna know how you met Jesus."

Saturday. Promise.

And then there is Peter P, asking only questions Peter P could ask: "OOO, Ok, I have 3 questions:1) Which of your toes is your favorite (and why) 2) If you had to choose between writing books and blogging, which would you choose (and why) 3) back in the days, which do you think was the better show, The A-team or Knight Rider?"

I'm gonna take these in order:

1) The fourth toe on my right foot. Partly because the fourth toe never gets any respect, but mostly because it's the only one I haven't broken at some point in my life.

2) That's a tough one. If you'd have asked me that back in September when I first started blogging, I would have said writing books before you even finished the question. But I have met some amazing people blogging. Writing is a lonely job. There's a sense of community you get through blogging, and I love the instant feedback as to whether something I've written either made someone smile or cry. Or, worse, that it made them do nothing at all.

That said, though, I really want to publish my book.

3) Another tough one. I'm gonna have to go with The A-Team over Knight Rider based solely on Mr. T's bling. But then Annie K had to go and mention The Dukes of Hazard, and that sealed it. Because she's right. Seriously, look at me:

How could I not be a Hazard fan?

Okay folks, I guess I've taken up enough of your time today. How about meeting back here tomorrow for round two? I'll see you then, and have a good 'un.