Local Authors Overcome Challenges to Publish Their Stories

About this sponsorship: In honor of the 60th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, Patch and Grape-Nuts are teaming up to highlight those who inspire people around them to climb their own mountains.

Writers Chris DiGiuseppi and Mike Force, authors of The Light Bringer and The Fallen, faced challenges during their many years in law enforcement. They had no idea they would face a whole new series of obstacles in getting their first book published.

1. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve taken on? What's a goal you're trying to achieve right now?

Chris and Mike:

Although we’ve taken on numerous challenges though our many years in law enforcement, one of our biggest was becoming published authors. We had talked about writing a book for over ten years before we completed our first manuscript, which yielded a supernatural thriller that incorporated inspirational aspects revolving around the questions: "Why do people die?" and "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  

The editing process was grueling and proved to be a year and a half of rewrites which taught us many valuable lessons to include patience, determination and tenacity, along with the educational benefits of improving our writing talents. The acquisition of a publishing contract was the first step in overcoming this challenge. We remember opening the first box of books sent to us by the publisher, which yielded a sense of accomplishment. Our true goal was and is to change people’s lives for the better through our writing. Although we’ve seen some success in this endeavor, we continue to strive onward. We want our readers to think beyond their own mortality and come to the conclusion that there is a benefit in living their lives by doing what’s right, showing compassion and helping others. What you do in this life will follow you to the next one.

Our newest and biggest challenge lies in bringing our story to the world and attaining national or international exposure. We’ve been successful in the local market and have received wonderful and inspiring feedback from our readers. Currently we’re working with a production company in Los Angles which is developing a TV series for our first book, The Light Bringer. Taking the next step up to the national market will prove difficult but we will draw on those characteristics we learned through our past experiences which shaped our dedication to succeed. We believe that this message will bring people hope and help them find purpose in those difficult times in life. In dark times of despair there often comes great clarity of purpose.

2. What inspired you to take on this challenge? Or, how do you plan to achieve this goal?

Chris and Mike:

Our writing began as a therapeutic method for us to work through all of the tragedies we’ve encountered in our law enforcement careers and in our personal lives. Many of these instances chipped away at our humanity, so we had to find some outlet to help us work though the horrific things we’ve seen. We continue to be inspired by the many people who have read our books and relay their stories of tragedy while telling us how they appreciate our message of hope. We’ve been blessed with great family and friends who continue to inspire us, but ultimately it’s our faith and trust in God which makes our successes possible.

3. Did you succeed? Or, what will you do when you succeed?

Chris and Mike:

We have succeeded in becoming published authors but continue to strive toward reaching more people with our writing. We believe that helping others is our purpose and living a purpose-filled life leads to amazing results beyond imagination. True success seems to be accomplished through making people around you successful by inspiring them to reach their goals—as they rise, so will you.

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