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 HeartWhat 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)
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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!
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!
