I began writing the Live Free series for Standard Publishing a little over a year ago. It’s been an amazing journey. Much of what I do to prepare to write each book involves talking to teens and twenty-somethings who have been through some really tough stuff.
Just a few months ago, I met with a young couple in their tiny apartment. They were about to share their story of sexual compromise and the painful consequences of their choices, including the impact on their relationship with each other. As I settled onto their couch, I told them that it would only take about forty minutes, possibly less, to do the interview. I appreciated their willingness to meet with me; I didn’t want to take too much of their time.
It didn’t take long before I heard the words I had heard so often: “I haven’t told anyone else this.” Though these two had never met me, I’m guessing they felt comfortable sharing partly because they knew I planned to protect their identity. (With permission, I use real names for the main stories in each book, and change the names for supplementary interviews.) I believe this couple also told me because, as they began to share their story, the pain they’d held inside began to push to the surface. Telling someone their story was something they had needed to do for a long time. I left their apartment more than three hours after I’d arrived.
Most of our stories won’t be written down and published in books, but each are vitally important. They still need to be told . . . if even to one person.
