by: Staci Stallings
Behind the Story of
“Whisper If You Have To”
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 to China for me to feel comfortable enough with you to really let you in to my world.
That is why my one of my newer fiction releases “Whisper If You Have To” has been 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 did so 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.
I loved reading the story behind the story, Staci. You’ve got me hooked…can’t wait to read it.
Thank you for sharing your story.
Sounds like an amazing story Staci. Thank you for writing it.
Thank you for following God’s lead and writing this story. It is hard to let people in.
You will encourage and comfort people with your story. As God comforts us, we can comfort others. (First Corinthians) God bless you!
This story touched me deeply. You have a special gift for writing and expressing the emotions and experiences many of us have but cannot put into words. Thank you for sharing this story and a piece of your heart with us.
Staci,
This was the first book I ever read of yours and I was so drawn into it. I had just started working in a middle school after years at a grade school so many things I could relate to. It helped me see these kids in a while different light and try to really see them. I loved your book! Thanks for being so honest.
I haven’t read this one yet, but it is on my wish list! I can also identify with this character. I grew up most of my life thinking I was never good enough, and It was a difficult road to be on. I still struggle at times, but know that the lord knows me loves me anyway! I believe it was an inspiration for you and others, that you wrote this book! Thank you so much!
I haven’t read the book. But I believe God will use this to help others that are going through the same thing. He’s just good like that. God bless you for your courage.
I really enjoy your books Staci. I had seen that this book had been released. I was hesitant to buy it since I was thinking it was geared to younger people. I will be buying the e-book and know I will like it as much as I have enjoyed your other books. Thanks for sharing the background with us.
I feel your pain, Staci. The book I wrote, kind of kicking and screaming because I didn’t want to “go there” and reveal that much of my own heart has had a lot of reader email thanking me for revealing that they were not alone in the struggle.
What a wonderful explanation of what writers struggle with as they put their hearts onto paper and send them out into the big, scary world.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts concerning this book and your reluctance to reveal your thoughts (also some experiences) to the world. I look forward to reading it.
It took courage from you!! BUT!! I believe you received healing & your story will be a blessing of healing to many readers!
I haven’t read this one of your books yet, but even without reading, I know I can say thank you for being real. Being real about our struggles is what helps us and others going through similar things get through them. Being open and honest, I think, often allows healing to begin to take place. We help others by sharing our own struggles. So thank you, for being real with us and sharing your own story and your own struggle.
Thanks for sharing! I’ve read a couple of your books and have really enjoyed them. I need to put this one on my TBR list.
I always love to the story behind the story.
Staci, thank you for sharing your heart! It’s tough to be really real, isn’t it? We all have things we’d love to hide forever, but the good news is we’ve got a Savior who knows exactly what those things are… and heals them according to His timing and faithfulness. May the release of “Whisper” be a part of that healing for you, just as I’m sure the writing of it was.
God bless,
Andrea
How did I miss this post? It’s been a week, OY!
Staci, thanks for sharing your heart, may God use it as a blessing to someone else going through something similar! I’ve found it to be true in my own life, He connects me to someone who needs to hear my story. He always brings something beautiful out of the ashes :-)
I sincerely hope you enjoy it, Jill.
You’re welcome. God bless!
It was not an easy one to write, but thanks for the encouragement!
Yes, it is very hard, but I’ve found others need us to sometimes more than we realize.
That’s really the ONLY reason I was able to put it out there, dlw. God bless you!
You are welcome. A lot of times, my writing feels a lot like ripping open wounds so others can see “real.” It’s very rarely easy, but I find others are helped the most when I’m brave enough to do that. God bless you!
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Marylin. I’m even happier that it helped you relate to the kids. So many are hurting so badly, and we never take the time to listen. Glad you learned how to do that!
I STILL struggle with this sometimes, but it’s getting better. I hope that means I’m learning… and maybe even helping others to learn too. God bless you!
God is my courage. If it wasn’t for Him, I probably would never have even written this one much less put it out there. I, too, believe God will use it. Thanks for stopping by!
One of the things I have learned about my writing is that “geared to” is pretty much a non-issue. I’ve had 50+ year old women change their lives completely by reading one of my high school romances. I believe God speaks into our lives through the characters. They are, in a lot of ways, archetypal, which is really a humorous thought with THIS particular story. I think that Chad and Allison would really laugh at me saying that.
“Being real” is one of the greatest lessons of my life, and one of the hardest. It always takes far more courage than I want to even find in myself or in God. Actually, I kind of talked to God about this one, saying if He would just let me go on my own courage, then I’d have an excuse not to put it out there. But I do know so many are facing this very struggle, and I know they NEED to know they are not alone! God bless!
What they don’t tell you is that writers often put not words on paper but their hearts on the paper. It’s tough.
I really hope you enjoy it!
Healing and courage… they so often go hand-in-hand.
I hope others find healing from it. God bless!
So glad you’ve enjoyed some of mine! Hope you like this one as well!
Thanks for dropping by! God bless you!
Thanks so much, Andrea! God bless!
“Beauty from ashes. Laughter from tears.” Yes, He does!