My Novel Project - +rewards for YOU

**Be sure to scroll to the bottom to see the rewards you can receive when you become part of the mission to tell this story.**

This book is the life story of a friend who was placed in the federal witness protection program after his testimony helped bring down the organized crime group in which he participated. You can read more about how God brought the two of us together to get this story told on my blog (http://lisawomble.com/the-book-im-writing/), but for now I want to tell you ...

WHY I MUST FINISH WRITING THIS STORY – NOW!

My friend needs to have this book finished. Living in anticipation of his former identity being revealed brings with it a rollercoaster of emotions. Will the friendships and professional relationships he’s come to know in this new life be jeopardized once people know the details of his past? Will the demons he left behind come back to harm him, or worse yet his family, once they know where to find him? He’s willing to take on whatever may come, but needs to get on with it. Dealing with “what is” would be a welcome relief from pondering “what might be.”

He also needs his life to be unified instead of fragmented. There are many things he’s set out to accomplish, but the process is hindered by having to guard his secret. He is a pastor, the founder of an outreach ministry to help those who come from a background similar to his own, and a mentor to urban youth. Each of these roles requires a certain amount of transparency he is currently unable to offer.

My friend and I are both excited about the greater impact he will have once he can freely communicate the fullness of his own transformation. His is a story that will bring hope to many. 

WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO HELP ME GET THIS PROJECT DONE – NOW!

At this phase in the project, my two main goals are:  

1) To travel for research and interviews – 50% of the budget for this project will be dedicated to this goal. I would like to take two trips to the city in which the main events of this story occurred. I would like to take one trip with my co-author so he can give me a tour of the neighborhood he grew up in, show me where significant events took place, and introduce me to key individuals I plan to interview (news reporters and attorneys who were involved in his case, as well as friends and family). I would also like to take a second trip to that locale to continue interviews and write while soaking in the environment. There is also one additional location I’d like to visit in order to spend some time with the main FBI agent who worked the case.

2) To make time to get away and focus solely on writing – 15% of the budget for this project will be devoted to travel and lodging expenses for writing retreats. I have found that my most productive writing occurs when I can steal away for a few days. I’m a night owl and, when my creative juices are flowing, I can run on very little sleep. The problem is, this mode of operation is not sustainable when I try to work it in while also maintaining my usual obligations. I mean, it just doesn’t come across well when I show up to a meeting or event in my “writing jammies,” with unwashed hair and inability to change focus. Furthermore, I do not easily say “no” to distractions when I’m in my normal environment.   

Also included in the budget for this project is funding to cover the cost of rewards to contributors (25%) and fees from GoFundMe and bank processing (10%). Reward costs include postage, printing, t-shirts, and special events.