Please leave a comment to enter the drawing for a free copy of BEYOND REGRET by Laurie Driesen.
There is a reason that God desires us to walk through the process of healing. It teaches us and develops us in a more in-depth, permanent manner than if we receive something immediately, without experiencing the stages of learning. If God miraculously heals us in one day, we will say, “Wow, God is great!” But if we walk through our problem, day by day, little by little, hand in hand with God, experiencing the victories, seeking His guidance, and being sustained with His strength, we will say, “I really know God is great!”
…..Which will you seek? The miracle or the process? What if the process is really one long, stretched out miracle?
–excerpt from BEYOND REGRET
Let’s get to know Laurie Driesen, author of BEYOND REGRET: Living Your Life Purpose in Spite of Past Choices:
What inspired you to start writing?
I’m inspired by what I study in the Bible and by what God lays on my heart. When a subject continues to come to mind and it feels like a burden on my heart, I have to write about it! Although I have written newsletter articles, I had never written a book until a couple of years ago. My inspiration to begin the book was from a verse in the Bible, 1 Timothy 1:6, where Paul encouraged Timothy to “stir up” or “fan the flame” of the gift within him. I felt that I should “stir up” my gift of writing and see if God would use it as a ministry. As soon as I began to fan the flame, I felt a burning desire to write books.
How much research, if any, do you do when writing a book?
Because I am writing about spiritual and Biblical topics, research is absolutely necessary. I want to be accurate and spiritually sound with the subject matter. I research and pull notes together and try to be very thorough. This does take time! I took notes for several years before beginning the project of writing BEYOND REGRET.
Most of all, I cover my writing with much prayer, trying to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit as I get my thoughts and ideas written down and organized.
Do you use an outline, or do you prefer to write by the seat of your pants?
When writing a book, there is so much material, a chart is an absolute must for me. For BEYOND REGRET, I created a chart that included topic, key words, chapter description and where it would be located in the book. I could not have been organized without this chart. It kept me from repeating things and also helped me find things as needed.
Are you traditionally published, indie published, or a hybrid author?
I am now officially an “indie”! I researched traditional publishing and indie options carefully. I wanted to make sure I made a good choice when deciding how to proceed with my book. After much research and prayer, I decided to create a publishing company and publish using Createspace. I am an entrepreneur so this option was exciting for me. I am very happy with my choice because there are so many great resources and support out there for indies. Additionally, it only took a few months after completing my book to get it published. Traditional publishing would have taken about a year and a half (that’s assuming a trad pub would have accepted my book). In this fast moving culture, that was not acceptable to me. When my book was complete, I wanted it on the market, available to readers!
What was the inspiration for your latest book?
I have done a lot of coaching and working with people in the job market. When the economy was suffering, I talked to many people who had lost their homes and/or jobs. I realized that I wanted to write a book on regret because I felt the need for a solid Christian resource for people who were suffering or experiencing consequences from past choices. I wanted to help people who think they may have missed God’s plan for their lives. My book delves into what God’s true purpose is and how we can live it out even if we have made huge mistakes.
Do you have a blog? If so where can we find it?
Yes, I regularly write for two blog sites. One can be found on http://silverpathwriter.blogspot.com/ with the link on my website www.silverpathresources.com and the other is on a Christian site called “Putting on the New”. The link is: http://puttingonthenew.com/author/lauriedriesen/
The book can be found on Amazon.com, Kindle, and two local bookstores.
Laurie Driesen is a writer and entrepreneur. She is the author of a book titled: BEYOND REGRET: Living Your Life Purpose in Spite of Past Choices. The book examines regret from many angles, including missed opportunities, the “why” behind our mistakes, how regret can help us, and preventing future regret. BEYOND REGRET sheds light on God’s true will and purpose for us and how we can live out His purpose no matter where we are today.
In addition to her book, Laurie blogs and has written newsletter articles on subjects including Hope, Perseverance, Faith and Christian Growth. She has a passion for studying the Bible and has led many small group Bible Studies. Through her writing, she seeks to share the truth of God’s Word and help others grow spiritually.
Her professional experience includes Sales, Human Resources, Recruiting and Retail Management. She owns two businesses and spent over 15 years placing jobseekers with corporate clients as well as providing outplacement, leadership mentoring and career coaching services. Her blog and additional information about Laurie can be found on her website: www.silverpathresources.com
Where to find Laurie’s book:
BEYOND REGRET: Living Your Life Purpose in Spite of Past Choices by Laurie Driesen. $9.99 for Kindle
Laurie is an amazing person – kind and thoughtful and so very honest and authentic. I am looking forward to reading her book over Easter break and learn how God has worked His good will through the trials that really – so many of us face and how we can respond with the same grace towards ourselves that our God shares with us.
What a perfect time of year to read it. Yes, I’ve loved getting to know Laurie. Her book is timely and insightful.
Thank you Karen, I hope my book takes you deeper into the truths about how God uses our past to accomplish His purpose in our lives. I look forward to hearing your thoughts! Laurie
Sounds like a book that is very needed. Congrats on the new release!
This book is so needed. I can think of a lot of people I know who would enjoy it. I should stock up for Christmas.
I wrote the book because I felt that there wasn’t a Christian resource out there for people who are feeling that they missed God’s purpose for their lives because of mistakes or detours they have taken. To me, that would be the ultimate regret, to miss your calling in life! God helped me to write the book and hopefully cover the necessary subjects that will help people press forward in their walk with God. In the Bible, God has helped so many people do amazing things for Him, when on their own, they had big failures!
We all have regrets. I often tell myself, “I wish I’d done…..” Or said, or acted, or prayed. This book should be helpful to all Christians.
So true, Sylvia. And some of the things I regret the most have been the source of the greatest rewards.
Sylvia, I hope my book edifies Christians. Even Christians who trust God struggle with regret. I know I have! I am so thankful that God can work all things for our good. This is the hope we have, that no matter where are in life, He can use us for HIs glory!
I truly look forward to reading Laurie’s book and hopefully learning more of God’s purpose for me in these trying times.
It’s a really rich book, Dave. I’m sure you’ll get a lot out of it.
Dave, I hope you find the book helpful and that it takes you deeper into what God has to say about our purpose in life I learned so much from writing this book. I’m so grateful for a loving God who calls us to follow Him no matter where we find ourselves today.
It was a great read, we all have regrets but they are really a part of growing. You reminded me how we always have God’s guidance even through times of darkness and what might feel like hopelessness. We always have strength through Him.
So true, Kim!
Thank you Kim! I’m so glad that I can rely on God to give me strength – i need it every day!
I have known Laurie for more than two decades and have witnessed her steadfast faith first hand. It’s exciting to see her gifts in action!
Her faith is quite apparent through her writing.
Vicki – you are so sweet. I hope that you have a chance to read the book. We both have gone through so much. It helped me so much to write it…. I think the most important thing is that God has a purpose for each of us even though He knew we would mess it up at times. He will still use us for His glory! That is the best thing we can ask for out of life.
Great review! With a busy family I need to reflect more and take this to heart. Would love to read this.
It’s a great book. And the good news is that if you’re busy (and who isn’t?) you can easily read a small chunk at a time and reflect on it over the course of your day.
I hope you enjoy the book Jennifer! Lesley is right, you can read a small chunk at a time, since each chapter is really a whole subject. I do have a study guide too (free) for small group study. I have prayed for every person who reads this book, so you have been prayed for!
The author provides a framework for evaluating personal decisions and practical options for healing the emotional disturbance associated with poor choices. I look forward to reading Part II.
I guess since Regret, mistakes, and bad choices are a never-ending part of life, I might have to write Part II ! I have considered writing for specific types of regret. We’ll see where the Lord leads…. In the meantime, “Part I” is meant to be comprehensive, leading the reader to know that he/she has a God-given purpose and no matter what we’ve done, God will help us fulfill it!