The Books of Nancy Moser

t is such a miracle I got to write books. My degree is in architecture. I’ve never had a writing course. About 10 years ago, I started writing non-Christian novels, intent on being on the best-seller list. I wrote about murder, adultery, incest and greed— things I knew nothing about (well, maybe I knew a little about the greed part.). I wanted to be famous. I was a casual Christian then, using God only as I needed Him. The only thing I'd had published were a few inspirational humor articles. I began having doubts about my goals... how did inspirational humor fit in with novels about the vices of the world? I wrote five novels this way, tried to get them published, but got no where. Thank God...

Eleven years ago, I got a scathing rejection from a New York agent for one of these novels. Not a form letter, but a personalized rejection letter that said he didn't like my writing style. A huge blow. But after allowing myself ten minutes to be mad, cry, and pout, I became determined to change my writing into something this NY agent would like. After an hour of taking out everything that made the writing uniquely mine, I had a huge revelation for a rookie writer: I realized this NY agent was wrong! New writers tend to put all New York agents and publishers on pedestals. Not their proper place.

I turned off my computer and went on errands. I was drawn into a Christian book store. God was getting me close now... I asked a clerk, "Is there such a thing as Christian fiction?" Bingo. I bought three books, and cried all the way home as I realized God had brought me to a fork in the road. I had a choice to make.

From that moment on, I dedicated my writing to God—even though I didn't know much about Him. Suddenly, my inspirational humor fit with my novels. It seemed right. It was right. My motives may have been wrong (using a relationship with God as a means to a published end), but blessedly God is bigger than our flawed motives and can even use them to draw us close. From that moment on, I experienced a sudden hunger to know about Him. I started going to church (the first sermon I heard was on the Prodigal Son), started reading the Bible, praying, listening to Christian radio...

At first, I tried pasting God into my old novels. It didn't work. God deserved better. So after my writing group tore apart one of my attempts, we brainstormed and came up with an single idea: What if some people got an invitation to a town and their lives were changed? Driving home, I thought of the mustard seed verse (Matthew 17: 20) (and I didn't even think I knew the mustard seed verse!)

The next day, I started The Invitation. I wrote it in two months—and I can't write a book in two months, if you get my meaning. God was everywhere, giving me plot twists when I needed them, giving me the name "Haven"... I wrote the book with no clue about what would happen in Haven when the characters got there. God revealed it to me one step at a time (I recently read: God is not discovered, he is revealed. Indeed.) I learned as the characters learned. I grew in faith as they grew.

When Multnomah showed interest after reading two chapters, I was thrilled. I sent them the manuscript and expected to wait the normal 8-12 weeks. I ended up waiting 15 months for them to say yes! During this time, they encouraged me with phone calls, "We love it, but we're getting a new editor who will have to read it," etc. Many times I thought about withdrawing it and sending it somewhere else. But I didn't. Somehow I knew that Multnomah was the right place for this book.

God's timetable is different than ours—He is never late and never early. Fifteen months was nothing to Him, but was essential to my spiritual life. He needed me to grow. He couldn't give me a yes when I wasn't ready. So I began to learn patience (a weakness I still haven't mastered). I learned to trust Him. And most importantly, I learned how to give up my dream.

Two days after finally acknowledging that the book was not mine—that God was the owner of me, my talent, my work, and my life—I got a yes. Surrender has its rewards. Author Andy Stanley expressed it this way in his great book, Visioneering: "What God originates, He orchestrates." I like that.

God gives us "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" for His glory! (Ephesians 3: 20). I’m writing three books at the same time now. I have no idea how I keep them straight, but somehow, with God's help, I do. And yesterday, during a nap, I got an idea for another book... I have 70 ideas waiting to be written. I can't keep up with Him. Once He gets us on the right road—His road—amazing things happen.

Here’s the bottom line: accept the invitation to live out your unique purpose. Realize God's put you in a place where He's put no other. He sees you. He knows where you are and every desire of your heart. He can bring good out of every situation. Just let Him! Fall back into His waiting arms. Everything changes when you put Him #1. Everything. I know.

"I love those who love me,
and those who seek me find me."
Proverbs 8:17

"I just this moment finished Just Jane. I am astounded and deeply moved! How wonderfully you captured the essence of this beautiful woman!... This is one of the most powerful books I've read in a long time! I absolutely loved it!"

LaFayette, AL

"Just Jane was wonderful from start to finish. I felt as though you caught Jane Austen's personality perfectly…I wanted to tell you most of all that Just Jane encouraged me as a writer. I never imagined that Jane Austen had gone through so many of the same things I'm going through. I just assumed it was easy for her, that anyone who read a single page of her books would instantly recognize her genius. I felt blessed to know that she persevered and God finally made it happen for her. Thanks so much for writing this book. It was wonderful."

Alabama

"Just 10 minutes ago I finished reading Mozart's Sister. Fantastic, wonderful, brilliant do not adequately convey how great your book was. You deserve hearty huzzahs for such writing a compelling and moving portrait of dear Nannerl."

Washington D.C.

"The Good Nearby moved me to tears...of joy…It's the best illustration I've seen of how God takes our pain and makes beauty from the ashes of our lives." Arizona

Arizona

"I just finished your book Crossroads and got totally intrigued by the contents. In fact, I did not get any work done today as planned. I couldn't leave the book alone."

Grand Forks, ND

"I read The Invitation with more open-mindedness than I have ever read a book…after completing it my whole body felt numb…that's when I gave my heart, body, and soul to the Lord…that book changed my life."

Ocala, FL

For Time Lottery: "Too bad there's not a way to double rate this book, but suffice to say it should be a 10+. Nancy Moser hits another home run for me!"

Neenah, WI

For The Seat Beside Me: "WOW!! This book yanked me in and kept me spellbound until the very end. It took me through the whole gambit of emotions. Another great book Nancy!!"

Fergus Falls, MN

"I just finished The Invitation. It is one of those books you hate to put down. It makes you leave the dishes dirty, keeps the broom hanging, the clothes stay in the dryer, and who need to sleep anyway?"

Dayton, TX

"I have just finished all of your novels. I am sad to find out that this is all you are writing on the Sister Circle series. Please, please, please write some more. Peerbaugh Place has come to be a real place for me and the things I have learned about myself is astronomical. I just can't imagine not having anything else to read about things happening in this place and town. I started reading them in a time when I needed help and spiritual guidance. Thank you so much for these books."

Orlando, FL

"I just completed both A Steadfast Surrender and Ultimatum. I read them one right after the other. I feel as if I know the characters intimately because they seem so real."

Southern USA

"One of Nancy Moser's strengths is her creative ability to come up with some very thought provoking plots! I've read all of her books. Regarding her plots you first say, "That would never happen", but after reading for a while you say, "I wonder how people would react if it did happen that way." Crossroads may take you on a trip to Weaver, KS that you will never forget."

Liberty, MO

"I just finished reading Second Time Around and wanted to thank you for the inspiration your books have been to me. I started Time Lottery thinking this would be a fun, entertaining, and fluffy read and was surprised to find that the principle of choice found in the book has had a huge impact in the way I live my life - knowing that every choice I make has its consequences - and also choosing not to live with regrets but to take life as it is today and make the most of it."

Oregon