by: Staci Stallings
Some of you know me or know of me. Others may never have heard the name Staci Stallings until this very minute, and that’s okay. In fact, part of me likes not being known. One thing I do know is this: my readers probably know me better than most people who have ever met me in person—they just don’t know how well they really know me.
In my writing, the “real me” that I don’t show many people in real life often comes out. Many times that happens in very subtle ways that most people would never catch, and that’s good for me because although I’m not the mysterious type, I don’t normally shout from the rooftops who I am and why—except in my writing if you know how to read between the lines.
In real life, it takes very little for me to choose to help you. However, it takes moving the Grand Canyon for me to feel comfortable enough with you to really let you in to my world.
That is why my fiction release “Whisper If You Have To” is such a step off the sheer side of an emotional cliff for me. When this book came up in my heart and spirit to write, I didn’t want to. I didn’t want to be that real, even on paper, even if no one else would ever read it. I didn’t want to “go there.”
Trying not to spoil it, “Whisper” is about a young girl who, although she has different talents than I did, is very similar to me when I was that age. She is driven by forces she doesn’t really see or understand. She is constantly trying to be “enough” and knowing she will never measure up. She pushes herself harder than anyone should ever be pushed and then berates herself for not doing and being enough.
Worse, she has a secret that her family literally moved from their previous home to avoid and move on from. It is in that secret that readers will come to know many things about me and my heart. The details are different, but I have lived through what Alison has gone through in the book.
In fact, there are a couple of points in the book that her confessions and “going there” are as much me as her. The fear, the confusion, the not knowing where to go from here—those thoughts are my thoughts, those feelings are my feelings. And that scares me more than you can ever know.
When I first wrote this book, I gave it to two very, very close friends to read telling them that they were probably the only two people on the planet who would ever read it. They read it and loved it, but couldn’t understand why I wouldn’t want to put it out. That’s an easy one to explain.
It’s because I don’t want to let anyone in that far… especially people who might take my heart and twist it because the book doesn’t fit their preconceived notions about how this type of story should go. The details are different, but many things in the story are exactly how things “went” when I was dragged through this very same fire.
I cannot tell you more as that would spoil the story, but I will tell you… this one was hard to write. Many tears went into every page. I will also tell you that this one was even harder to publish, and I do so even now with great fear and trembling, and praying that others will be gentle with me because my heart is still very fragile in this area.
This one is me, and only because God is giving me the courage to reach out to help others going through this same fire am I even willing to put it out there. It’s in His hands now as it probably always was. I just hope that in your hands it gives God the space to teach you to love on a deeper level as the events in my own life did me.
A stay-at-home mom with a husband, three kids and a writing addiction on the side, Staci Stallings has numerous titles for readers to choose from. Not content to stay in one genre and write it to death, Staci’s stories run the gamut from young adult to adult, from motivational and inspirational to full-out Christian and back again. Every title is a new adventure! That’s what keeps Staci writing and you reading. Although she lives in Amarillo, Texas and her main career right now is her family, Staci touches the lives of people across the globe with her various Internet and writing endeavors.
Thank you for sharing, I look forward to reading it when its released. Thank you for trusting God enough to release your story, I’m sure He will use it in amazing ways.
Wow, this sounds like it is going to be a very powerful book, Staci!
Thanks for being willing to share this part or yorself with your readers. It sounds like it will be an emotional story.
Congratulations on having the grace, courage and willingness to share in both the book and this post, what an excellent example for girls and in fact everyone to step into action despite everything that might hold you back.
Thank you so much for this post! It encourage me to write also a fictional book about my life.. Sometimes I write things that I have discovered in my stories. It’s like an outlet. I’m curious about your book en will definitely read it!
I read Whisper If you Have To four years ago. It is on my Kindle so I am glad I was able to refresh my memory. I was hesitant to read it since it was a YA book. I am so glad I read it. It’s a very powerful book and I recommend it to everyone. Staci has been one of my favorite authors for years. The first book I read by Staci is Cowboy and it was published back in 2010 but I didn’t find it till 2014. From that day forward I was hooked on her writing. If you have never read anything by Staci please give her a try. You will not be disappointed.
I can understand your feelings! I want to go ahead and thank you, before I read the book, for taking the chance to put it out for us, and thank you for following God’s leading. He’ll use the book, maybe only for one person, maybe for more, and for you. I’m a firm believer that God can use whatever we go through to help others, even if we don’t know the final outcomes.
Congratulations & thank you for being willing to share you struggles with others. I know this will touch hearts of many and encourage healing as well. I’m sure God has and will continue to use this and all of your writing in ways no one can imagine! I am looking forward to reading this book.
I think if an author puts all their emotions in a book, that it makes the story feel genuine…at least to me. And it also connects me on a deeper level, making the story much more personal.
I know how scary it can be to “put yourself out there” because it takes a lot for me to let someone in (even my husband sometimes). I don’t make friends easy because I’ve been hurt in the past. I don’t like to be vulnerable like that. I’m so glad that I can be that way with God though! Even though He already knows me better than I know myself, I know He still loves it when I’m completely honest & open with Him. He’s someone I can talk to about anything & I KNOW He listens and understands. So if I feel I can’t talk to anyone, I know I can talk to Him.
Your book sounds like a great read and a story that will touch other peoples hearts and help them also. Thank you so much for going ahead and writing this story, I have not read it yet, but it sounds intriguing to me. I Love the book cover. Have a Great week and stay safe. God Bless you and your family. Thank you so very much for sharing about your book. I know I would love to read it and so I will be adding it to my TBR list.
I bought ‘Whisper if You Have To’ some years ago. It was very impactful. I also loved your ‘Princess’ book and read it several times. “More Than This” opened my eyes to the world of dyslexia.
I really appreciate how you open your heart in your stories, Staci. Thank you for giving us many hours of beautiful quality reading.
Thank you for sharing your talent. It is hard to open the inner feelings and thoughts for others to see. Thank you for deciding to share.
The book “Whisper if You Have to” IS available. You can click on the cover to read more about it. And yes, God has used it in some pretty incredible ways.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you so much for putting yourself out there. I am looking forward to reading this story.
Even reading back over it gets me. I pray it blesses many people.
God bless!
Definitely emotional. I hope my readers end up loving it.
Thanks for spending a bit of time with me today!
Dianne,
Boy, this book is a handbook for girls on how to be yourself even when it seems life is against you. Too many of us think we have to be “perfect” to be loved. This book shows that thinking can do very bad things to very good people.
God bless!
Looking forward to reading it ❤️
Thank you so much for sharing!
Marilene,
I think writing things out, for me, is so therapeutic. I think you undertaking this is a helpful idea for you. May God be with you as you put the words in your heart and your soul down.
Thanks for stopping by!
I can relate to the fear. There are parts of my journey and everyday heart experience that I would not share with anyone but my wife. Even lowering the walls with her took many years. That safety is one of her most precious gifts to me. Bravery is not fearlessness, though. It’s doing the hard thing despite the fear. Thank you so much for being brave. It gives the rest of us both hope and encouragement.
Wow, Nancy!
Thanks SO much for your very kind words! I’m glad you found my writing and love it so much. That is humbling to say the least.
I LOVE MY READERS!!!
Trudy,
I have one very dear friend that the book helped immensely, so I know it’s helped one reader at least. I hope you do get the chance to read it, and if you do, let me know what you think some time!
God bless!
Deb,
Thanks so much for your kind words. If you do end up reading it, I would love to know what you think!
Peace & Blessings!
Trixi,
I think the characters in this book learn how to be vulnerable with each other, sharing what’s really going on. I wish more of us could do that, but I think to make that happen, more of us have to become willing to be a safe place for others to be real. I think that is a central point of the book. I know it helped me become more real and to let others be more real with me.
God’s blessings!
Thank you for sharing,
sharing a story through writing must be very liberating from the burden you were carrying.
Alicia,
HA! I love your name! That was my name in Spanish class back in the day. Thank you for the kind words. I do hope you enjoy the book when you get a chance to read it.
Peace & Blessings!
Margaret,
Whisper has things I learned from my brother’s death, Princess has elements I learned with a very dear friend, and More Than has a lot of things from my fight for my son through his walk with dyslexia. I’m just trying to pass on what I’ve learned so maybe others can benefit too.
Thanks for spending some time with me!
The scene on the lawn broke me in this story because it let me “say” some things I’d never been able to before about what had happened and how it affected me.
God bless!
Lucy,
Thanks for stopping by!
God bless you!
Lincoln,
So true on all counts. I think that’s one thing I try to do in my stories is partner hurting people with the person they can be real with–like you with your wife. I give them a place to heal. In doing so, I think the reader is allowed into that sacred space to learn to be that person for others. That is one of my goals.
Peace & Blessings!
Debra,
It definitely is not easy. I so wanted to hide this one and keep it in a safe place. I am, however, glad I didn’t do that because I do think it has helped so many people.
God bless you!
Pam,
I truly hope you enjoy it!
Peace.
Natalya,
I hope you enjoy it and get a lot out of it.
Peace & Blessings!
It can take me a while to get to pleasure reading but try to squeeze them in around proofing jobs. Reviews are a great guide to choosing what to read so I post mine as well.
Cool! Enjoy!
This book sounds incredible, Staci. Books written truly from the heart of the author always makes the very best books. I am looking forward to reading yours. I read and edit books for author, Charlene Carr, and I can tell when I am reading stories straight from her heart. They are full of hope, love, pain, and heart. The best books to read.