Alexis A. Goring: What's This Thing Called Talent?

Everyone's Story welcomes author Alexis A. Goring. I've had the pleasure of getting to know Alexis through the ACFW loop and one of my favorite web hangouts--Twitter. It's a pleasure to host Alexis this week and to share her with you as well. One of the many lessons I'm acquiring on the road to publication for my novels is trusting God by understanding and accepting that He really knows what He's doing and His timing is always spot on right. Alexis shares her thoughts on this subject, and more. Please check out her special Giveaway offer and the blurb from this book. Both Alexis and I look forward to visiting with you.

BookGiveaway:

Alexis is offering 1 copy of her short story collection HOPE IN MY HEART to 1 randomly chosen commenter. The winner will be announced here on Friday, April 10th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment. 

Blurb of Hope In My Heart, a collection of short, heartwarming stories with characters in need of hope:

In “Love Unexpected,” a car crash brings commitment-wary Sebastian and career woman Chandra together. Neither is looking for romance, but those around them see the potential, and Sebastian and Chandra discover that sometimes love shows up unexpectedly.

Christmastime is the setting for the middle story, “The Best Gift.” Christina desires to lose ten pounds so she can fit into her dress for her sister’s wedding. Jordan wishes her mom would stop trying to marry her off. And Joshua hopes to be reunited with his ex-girlfriend but eventually learns that the best gift this Christmas will be the restoration of his relationship with God.

In “Peace and Love,” three characters living in a metropolitan area are desperately searching. Elle, a starving artist, aspires to become a paid professional. Eric, a divorce attorney, wants to resolve his issues concerning his parents’ divorce. Kristine anticipates finding her birth mom before she marries Derek. All characters pray their searches will conclude this holiday season and fill their hearts with peace and love.

The Hidden Talent by Alexis A. Goring

“Every good present and every perfect gift comes from above, from the Father who made the sun, moon and stars. The Father doesn’t change like the shifting shadows produced by the sun and the moon.”

--James 1:17

God is a good gift-giver and often His gifts show up in the talents He’s blessed us with to use during our time here on Earth. My gift is writing. My dream since childhood is to write books that are made into movies. I took every opportunity in my educational experience that would help me achieve that goal.

When I started high school, I joined the Yearbook and Journalism staff and like a sponge, soaked up the introductory knowledge of how to be a good writer. When I started college, I couldn’t wait to take classes that would continue my education as a writer so I signed up to study Print Journalism because I knew it was the most effective way for me to perfect my God-given talent as a writer and when I did, it was like the sun rising. But the journey was not without challenges. Every story has a pivotal moment or a plot twist that changes the direction of the characters’ journey and for me, that moment was very distinct.

I still remember sitting across from my Journalism professor in her office. We were going over a classic technique necessary for all journalists to master—telling the story in 19 words or less. She prompted me, pushing past my insecurity of not knowing if I had any idea of what I was doing and when I told her, “I’m not sure I’m any good at this,” she responded, “You’re better at it than you think.” There you go, the moment that changed my life. It was like the light came on in a dark room and a talent that I never knew I had was revealed and on that day, I picked up my newly revealed talent to be a journalist and soaked up all the educational training like a sponge.

Since graduating with a B.A. in Print Journalism and dreaming of working for magazines and newspapers, God has blessed me with many wonderful opportunities to make those dreams come true! The summer following graduation, I worked for a magazine as an intern then shortly after, I was asked to be the Growing Up columnist for Collegiate Quarterly (CQ, a faith-based publication) which I did for five years and for the past four years, I’ve worked as a freelance reporter for a newspaper.

Who knew that God would not only show me my hidden talent for Journalism, but He would also make a way for my creative dreams to come true too with the publication of my first book, Hope in My Heart: A Collection of Heartwarming Stories, in Sept. 2013? God knew because He gave me that gift and wanted to see me use it. I’m so excited to see what He has planned next for my life story!

Ah, there’s that word that we all know and love—“story.” Today, I encourage you to know the Author of your story, my story and every story about every single person on this Earth. He is the Creator of the Universe. He put the stars in place and keeps our world from crashing in complete chaos. Even when our world feels like it’s spinning out of control, it is not because God reigns and “He’s got the world in His hands,” as the gospel song says.

So if you’re wondering about what’s going to happen in your life story or you’re concerned about a plot twist or you’re waiting for that defining moment to reveal to you something God wants you to do, be patient and wait on the Lord. His timing is perfect and He gave you these gifts for a reason so He will reveal to you what He wants you to do with the talents—hidden and known—that He’s blessed you with.

I wish you all the best as you pursue God’s calling for your life. Always keep God first in your life and trust Him to direct your journey. When God reveals your hidden talent, don’t be afraid to use it. He gave it to you for a reason. Trust Him with the outcome.

With agape love,

Alexis

Alexis's Ah-hahs To Tweet:

Everyone’s Story: Meet author Alexis Goring @PennedbyAlex #BookGiveaway #ChristianFiction (Tweet This)

What talent did God bless you with? Encouraging words by Alexis Goring

@PennedbyAlex (Tweet This)

Alexis Goring @PennedbyAlex asks: Who is the author of your story? Same as your life story? (Tweet This)

Author's Bio:

Alexis A. Goring is a college graduate with a degree in print journalism from Washington Adventist University in Takoma Park, Maryland. Writing is her passion. She hopes that her stories will touch hearts, bring smiles to faces, and inspire minds to seek God whose love for humanity is unfailing.

Places to connect withAlexis:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Amazon