Friday, November 13, 2015

Ace Collins: What Does Zacchaeus, Trevone Boykin, and Writing Have In Common?

He's back… and Everyone's Story is happy and thrilled to again host author Ace Collins. I hope you will enjoy the many facets of Ace this week, from talented and award-winning author, collector, pro at using clever advertising, to last but not least, a heartfelt writer who always delivers a much needed message. Do check out Ace's awesome BookGiveaways. Both Ace and I look forward to hearing from you!




                    BookGiveaway:
Ace is offering a two-book-BookGiveaway to 2 luck winners! Each package will contain a copy of his novel THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS as well as  a special hardback edition of HOLLYWOOD LOST. The winners will be announced here on Friday, November 20th between 5-6 PM EST. To be entered in the Giveaway, please leave your contact information within your comment (you may choose to use the Contact Me form to privately send me your email address--the form is in the right-hand sidebar on the blog's main page, toward the bottom).




Little Things Really Do Mean A Lot Ace Collins

On October 17, 2015, Iowa State hosted Texas Christian University in football. ISU was struggling while TCU was ranked #3 in the nation. There was no upset on the gridiron that day, the Cyclones fought hard but the Horn Frogs from Fort Worth had little trouble winning the game. The story that resonated with the nation on this afternoon was not what happened on the field, but rather an image of a quarterback kneeling in front of a small child’s wheelchair.

Trevone Boykin is one of the best players in the nation. During his career, he has engineered several late game comebacks and is the principle reason for his team’s high ranking. Therefore it is not surprising that he is one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy. Yet, during the moments just before kick off on October 17th, the Frog’s signal caller noted a small child sitting in a wheelchair wearing an Iowa State jersey. During the coin toss Boykin asked the child her name and spent a little time getting to know her. A photographer noted the moment and took a picture of the Frog quarterback and the seven-year-old Cyclone fan. That photo went viral. When it appeared on a Twitter feed, Boykin tweeted, “It’s bigger than a game. I love touching young people’s lives.”

The girl in the wheelchair, Abby Faber, has spastic diplegia cerebral palsy. There is no cure. Like many who are handicapped, she often gets overlooked or ignored. Even at her tender age, it is something she understands well. Therefore she was just as shocked as the tens of thousands of Iowa State partisans in the stands that one of the nation’s greatest players wanted to know who she was and hear her story.


As I look at the photo of Trevone Boykin kneeling before Abby Faber I am reminded of the biblical story of Zacchaeus. At the time the little man climbed the tree, Jesus was the center of the world’s focus. On that day thousands were lining the road and demanding His attention. Yet, Jesus was not so fixated on where He was going or the fame He was experiencing to miss seeing Zacchaeus. That meeting changed a tax collector’s outlook and taught a lesson that is just as relevant today.

Trevone Boykin going to a knee and getting to know a little girl, coupled with a photographer capturing that moment, has led to more than $25,000 being raised for Abby’s treatment and therapy. The little girl has also received messages from all over the world. Boykin’s simple act has changed Abby’s life and brought a spotlight to the disease that has handicapped her. It has also proven that little things really do mean a lot.

I think vision is the most important element of being a good writer. The same holds true for life. If we get so caught up in our schedules that we fail to note the needs of those around us, we will never really make a lasting impact. So each day we need to stop and look out the window to see who can use three of the most powerful forces on this planet…a kind word, a loving touch and a warm smile. If you don’t believe these three things have the potential to make a mighty impact then ask Abby Faber, Trevone Boykin or Zacchaeus.

Ace's Previous Appearance on Everyone's Story:
When The Dedication Page Inscribes the Heart
What Wyle E. Coyote And A Muti-Award-Winning Author Have In Common
The One Thing We Don't Want An Editor To Say


Ace's Ah-hahs To Tweet:
Like to read whodunits? Hate fruitcake? Visit award-winning author @AceCollins for sweet revenge. (Tweet This)

#SuspenseReaders: Just in time for the hoidays, check out @AceCollins’ special #BookGiveaway. (Tweet This)

@AceCollins: What do Trevone Boykin, Zacchaeus, and #writing have in common? (Tweet This)


Author's Bio:
Citing his Arkansas heritage, Christy Award winning author Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. In that capacity, Ace has authored more than seventy books for 25 different publishers that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children’s works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play.

One of Ace’s most talked about books was released in late 2015. The Color of Justice earned the Christy Award winner for Best Suspense Book. This novel is a courtroom drama examining racial prejudice in 1964. Also in 2014, Abingdon released Ace’s Man’s Best Hero at the Book Explo of America. This nonfiction book earned the IndieFab Book of the Year Winner and has generated interest well beyond the dog community.

Beyond books, Ace has penned more than 2000 magazine features, appeared on every network morning television show, as well as CNN, MSNBC, CNBC and Fox. He also does scores of radio interviews each year.

Ace is married to the Chair of the Department of Education at Ouachita Baptist University, Dr. Kathy Collins. The couple lives in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and has two sons.

Places to connect with Ace:



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Please note:

--I have a title change for my novel coming soon from Elk Lake Publishing: Always With You.

--I will soon launch a specially designed website that will incorporate Eveyone's Story blog. I hope you will follow me on this new site. When it goes live, I'll make the announcement!


22 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing this story about Trevone and Abby, as well as the photo. My book club was fortunate to visit with Ace by phone in July when we discussed his book, DARKNESS BEFORE DAWN. He told us about his books, THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS and HOLLYWOOD LOST, so I'm glad to have the chance to win them. They both sound like great books.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Pam, thanks for visiting this evening. You're definitely in the drawing for his generous BookGiveaway package.

      It's very interesting to hear from a book club attendee who visited with an author (even if by phone)--sounds like a fun time enjoyed by all.

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  2. Pam, I so enjoyed visiting with your club and hope we do it again sometime.

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  3. I'll admit, I don't follow football but I did see this photo. That gives you a good idea of how the simple act of giving time to someone (as modeled so well by Jesus) is so valued. We certainly could do with quite a bit more of that these days. Thanks for sharing, Ace!

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    1. Well said, Tom. I admit, between my husband and I, he's a Mary and I'm a Martha. He's always giving an extra minute to others and I tend to fret about getting things done. Valuable lessons here.

      Thanks much for visiting, Tom.

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    2. I look for inspiration and find it all around me, but Trevone's actions really touched me. He was injured last week in a football game, maybe someone will touch him as did this small child.

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  4. Great title, mentioning fruitcake! Now I need to go see what I can find in the kitchen. :) I also saw that photo. Very nice to know what came about because of the actions of one football player. We need to always be aware of the pain others suffer. I will purchase and read Ace's book when my life slows down. :) Congrats to the people who win! Looks like a great pair of books!

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    1. Karen, thanks for visiting today! If you learn the secret to slowing down life, please, please let me know.

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    2. Karen, I hope, when you get the time, you enjoy the book.

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  5. Wow, Ace, what an incredible list of credits. Fruitcake and Hollywood sounds like a perfect combination for a couple of fun reads. I really enjoy your voice in your examples. Makes me think of Andy Andrews - another great storyteller, and noticer. Hope I get the opportunity someday of hearing you teach about writing too.

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    1. Delores, wow! I vote for that: Ace, you might really consider teaching a workshop at a conference, I'm sure it would be well attended!

      Thanks much, Delores, for visiting.

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    2. I'd love to speak to a conference at some point. And, on Andy, he someone I've knows for more than 20 years, though I met up with him in a while.

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  6. Ace is has a gift of storytelling and writing! His sense of humor is the icing on the cake. I was fortunate to hear him at our LRACW conference several years ago. I brought everyone of his books that day.

    I love Ace's through provoking and convicting statement in the article, Little Things Really Do Mean A Lot. "So each day we need to stop and look out the window to see who can use three of the most powerful forces on this planet…a kind word, a loving touch and a warm smile." Cindy Hansberry

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    1. Cindy, thanks so much for your vista! Especially in light of what's happening around this spinning globe, you're both right in saying that kindness goes a long way.

      Hope to see you again.

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    2. Cindy, I had a blast with you all that. So glad you enjoyed verbal as well written storytelling. My main job here is to inspire as I tell stories, so glad I did that and make you smile a bit too.

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  7. Ace is a new author to me. I really enjoyed his interview and the books sound like really good ones. I would love to win copies. abilene_nana(at)yahoo(dot)com

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    1. Ann, I might have said this a few times already but I always, always smile when I see you visit. I so appreciate you! You're in Ace's drawing.

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  8. Thanks Ann, I hope I won't be new for long.

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  9. What an inspiring story! I thoroughly enjoyed it, plus the lesson behind it. Also enjoyed learning more about Ace himself! Here is my contact info: www.rickcbarry@gmail.com

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    1. Rick, so nice to see you. I'm glad you enjoyed Ace's feature.

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    2. Rick, the minute I saw the photo I had to know more about it. Thankfully within a day it was being covered and I came away inspired, motivated and filled with optimism.

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  10. Heartfelt thanks, Ace, for guest appearing on my blog this past week. It's always a joy to see you here! Your words never fail to bless, whether they're touching an emotion that has been put aside for too long, encouraging us, or making us re-think through a fresh perspective.

    Thanks too for your very generous BookGiveaway!! The winners of Ace's 2-package deal of THE FRUITCAKE MURDERS and HOLLYWOOD LOST are…

    Pam and Cindy. Happy reading you two! Both Ace and I will contact you via direct emails.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all.

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