Maria Hawke

I think the book publishing industry is very troublesome and corrupt--including the Christian book publishing industry. It is about making a name for yourself rather than about the merits or defects of what you actually wrote. I wish books could just be judged by their content. I am SO THANKFUL for this platform that Smashwords has given me to just write what I want to write and put it out there, free for all to read. It is so liberating to not have to beg a publisher to take a look at my work. And it is liberating to let the public decide what they think of my book without having to get to know me. I feel a total freedom in writing free e-books and not having to ask anyone permission to put them out there in the public's eye.

Before I got saved, I wanted validation as a writer and acceptance and respect from the world as a "talented" author. I also wanted to make money from my writing.
Now that I am saved I have an urgency to share the gospel and my testimony with anyone who is willing to read it or hear it. I also have a desire to please Jesus and do things that will make Him smile at me. It may sound totally corny, but it is true. When you get saved you lose the old desires and your new desires are to please the Lord. I just want to hear Him say to me one day, "Well done, good and faithful servant."