Great Interview With the Author of “Night of the Cossack.”

* I have had the privilege of befriending Tom Blubaugh, the author of, “Night of the Cossack.” What follows is a very interesting look into how the books came about, and some looks back into Tom’s life. This is a must read. I particularly like his thoughts on the importance of joining a critique group.

Thank you Tom for allowing me to talk to you.

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Tom Blubaugh is a freelance writer living in Southwest Missouri with Barbara, his wife.  They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Tom has written non-fiction most of his adult life, but has recently written a historical fiction titled Night of the Cossack, published by Bound by Faith Publishers. This is Tom’s first novel. He co-wrote a devotional journal in 2009 for Barbour Publishing titled The Great Adventure. His other writings include articles for a denominational magazine and an insurance publication. He also self-published a book, Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974. 

Tom started writing poetry at the age of fourteen. His vision of turning them into lyrics for rock and roll songs for popular artists didn’t develop. He considers writing to be a God-given talent and feels led to develop it. His first novel was published at his age of 69. Tom says it’s never too late. He is now writing a sequel.

Tell me about yourself.

I’m a very transparent person. I have no secrets about myself. I’ve lived a tough life having been sexually abused when I was twelve years old.  I was out of control and a felon by time I was fifteen—I had been stripped of any trust or respect for authority, including God although I was afraid of Him.  Fortunately, I joined the Navy for four years and they had boundaries I knew better than to cross.  The Lord revealed Himself to me when I was twenty-eight and I became a Christian. My life has been on an upward path from that day—Dec. 13, 1970.  All of these are reasons why I direct my writing toward the YA genre. I didn’t plan to write to this genre in the beginning, it seems to be a subconscious thing.

 You’ve been a speaker for more than twenty-five years. What sparked your writing journey?

Although I was a speaker, I was writing along the way.  I had some articles published in company and denomination magazines.  I self-published a book back in the mid 70’s. Nonfiction writing has always been a part of my adult life.

How does your faith play into your writing?

Everything I do is an act of worship. I learned this from Julia Cameron in the Artist’s Way. Until then I thought only spiritual things could be a worship.  My favorite verses are Prov. 16:9 and 19:21.

 As a writer of faith, what is your philosophy on marketing?

Great question.  I believe my talents come from the Lord and that I’m to do everything to the best of my ability, which includes marketing. I think He expects me to do all I can do and He’ll do what I can’t.

What Makes This Story Unique?

What makes it unique actually works against me in determining the genre. Years ago I heard that if a speaker talks to a ten year old, she’ll reach the whole audience.  I never forgot this. When I was in business I used to use concepts to show people what I was saying rather than try to educate them with technical language.  I was also told in an English Comp. class to write like I talk. Night of the Cossack is classified by most—a YA novel. I consider it historical fiction.  I had readers from 12 to 86 read and enjoy it—more adults than YA’s by far. It frustrated me that it is considered YA because I was afraid adults wouldn’t read it. I still have that fear.

What is the best writing (or life) advice you have ever heard or wished you had followed? Why?

Join a critique group. This scared me. I never took criticism well.  I found out that the group I joined were caring and sensitive.  Most of them were published in one form or another and their goal was to see me published.  I love having my writing critiqued now. It’s healthy and I’ve learned so much.
What one issue ignites your passion? Does your passion fuel your writing? What would you do with your life if you didn’t write?

 Putting my thoughts into words and seeing people understand and accept what I’m saying or enjoy what I’m saying. It’s what my writing is all about. I’ve always expressed myself better through writing.  My deepest prayers are written to the Lord.  I would probably be a photographer.

Who or what most influenced your knowledge of the writing craft?

My mother wrote a lot. She was always sending articles into magazines. She really got excited when she got a rejection letter from Loretta Young.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When my first article was published in a denominational magazine. Up until then I wrote poetry, which, girls loved, and I self-published a book for my ministry. I didn’t consider any of that really made me a writer. When I actually saw my writing in a magazine, I believed I could write.

 Where do your story and character ideas come from?

From my life, for the most part.  One day I was out working in the yard and Barbara, my wife, called me to the phone. It was one of our granddaughters with a question. I answered her and I went back to work in the yard. Within forty-five minutes, in my mind,  I wrote a children’s story based on her question and my answer. I distributed the story to all of our grandchildren for Christmas.  I has become a part of my legacy never to be forgotten. Another time, our newly acquired black cat got into the duct work in our house and provided me with another children’s story—in fact, probably a series.  Our minds are awesome creations. In my newly released historical novel, the protagonist is based on my maternal grandfather. The rest of the characters are figments of my imagination.

Have you received a particularly memorable reader response or peer honor? Please share.

Two, in fact. I received a letter from a twelve year old boy who told me he read Night of the Cossack in one sitting and that it was the best book he ever read. Later, his mother put a review on amazon.com stating that her son raved so much about the book that she decided she better read it and gave me an outstanding five star review.  I also received a letter from an eighty-six year old woman who is Jewish.  She said she thoroughly enjoyed the book, but wept through a lot of it thinking about her own ancestors.  Both touched my heart.

What are the keys to success for a writer? 

Have a passion other than making a name for yourself and money. Never give up on your story.  Everyone has one, but most don’t write it. If it doesn’t ignite your passion, it won’t excite others.

Tell us about your future projects?

I’m thinking about that now. Everyone who has read my novel asks about a sequel. I’ve taken the summer off because I missed last summer due to my writing. However, I’m still missing the summer because of heat—107 degrees today.  I will continue building my author platform.  I enjoy public speaking so I’m working with elementary, middle and high school creative writing groups and classes. When it turns cold, I’ll stay in my office and probably work on the sequel. 

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book? 

Both of my grandfathers died before I was born.  I knew very little about either of them.  One of the things I knew about my material grandfather is that he was a Jewish Russian Cossack soldier. This always intrigued me. I took seven facts of him and wove them into a historical fiction book.

 What is a Cossack?

Cossacks were members of several peasant groups of Russian and Polish descent. They lived in autonomous communal settlements, especially in the Ukraine, until the early 20th century. In return for special privileges, they served in the cavalry under the czars. They were well known for their horsemanship. They raided villages for supplies, women and young men to increase or replenish their ranks. Eventually they became a part of the Russian army.

 The Night of the Cossack looks like it required quite a bit of research. How did you go about that? Did you encounter any obstacles?

Night of the Cossack did require a lot of research. I worked hard at it and took my first fifty pages to a Russian History professor at a local university and asked her to read it. She did and told me there wasn’t a word of truth in it, which really threw me.  At the time, I was tutoring English as a second language and there were some students from Russia and Ukraine.  One of them read it and told me it was all true. I told her I was confused. She asked me where the professor was educated and I told her in Russia.  She told me that was the problem—that there is one version of history taught in the universities and there was the true history written by those who escaped and immigrated to the USA.  After that, I continued researching and writing.

What two or three things would you do differently if you were starting your publishing career today?

 I would work diligently at building my platform starting the day I began writing and not wait until the book was being published. I thought I was fairly well known on Facebook and locally having been in business for twenty-five years.  It wasn’t enough.  Whether you are published or self-published, you need a deep platform to market and sell your book.

Share with us your journey to publication? 

I wrote poetry at age fifteen. There were always ads in comic books about turning poetry into song lyrics. I was really into rock and roll, sideburns and duck tails. I had a dream of my poems becoming lyrics for Elvis, Conway and others.  I would always get a packet back with a letter telling me if I’d send money, etc. I didn’t have money so the dream died.  My writing stopped until I was twenty-eight, when I became a Christian. I began writing nonfiction and I self-published a book for my ministry in 1974 and sold it at seminars. A few years later, I was published by two denominational magazines and a business magazine. In business I wrote newsletters and then text for websites. It wasn’t until my mother passed in 2005 that I started writing fiction.  As I stated earlier, both of my grandfathers died before I was born. I became a grandfather in 1998 and I didn’t have a role model to follow. The hole my grandfathers would have filled kept getting bigger. I didn’t know much about either of them, but one thing I knew—my maternal grandfather was a Russian Cossack soldier. This intrigued me enough to start me on a path of research. The Russian history of the Cossacks grabbed my interest and I started creating my grandfather for myself and my heirs. I joined an online Christian writer’s group and was encouraged to pursue publication. I found a local critique group and joined. They agreed I was on to something. When I was close to completing my manuscript, a friend called me and wanted help with a website. He and his wife were starting an independent Christian publishing company.  I didn’t think anything about it because I wasn’t writing a Christian novel. My grandfather was a Jew. During the process of developing their website, they read the first chapter of my book which was on my website. They wanted to read more and decided they would like to publish the story. This, of course, is not the usual process, but it was God’s way.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

There are several things I could say about writing, but if you want your book read by readers other than your friends and family, work diligently a build a platform.  Not after you’ve written your manuscript, but from the very beginning. People need to know who you are before they will want to read what you have written.

How can readers find the book and where can they find you on the Internet?

At the present time, if you do a Google search for Tom Blubaugh, nearly 90,000 results show up. This is hard for me to believe with my last name seemingly not that common. Not all of are me. One in particular was recently convicted of fraud—definitely not me.

Tom’s new blog: http://www.tnblu.com/theWriteTrailBlog

 I can be found at http://tomblubaugh.comhttp://nightofthecossack.com also feeds into my site. I’m on Facebook here and here .  I can also be found on Twitter @tomblubaugh and I have a blog.  My book is available on my site, Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

 

The Countdown has begun on the Release of a New Book

It is only a matter of days now before I can officially start letting you buy the book, “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.”

We have the “bookstore” all set-up and ready to go. Check it out.

I want to share with you what other people are saying about the book. What follows are the endorsements that have been coming from all over the nation:

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Endorsements

 

“Plentiful in wisdom and experience, Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, offers a lifeline to anyone adrift in the challenges of everyday living. Concentrated and easy to apply, Doug Bolton has smoothed the road for the weary traveler with Scriptural counsel that touches on the most paramount matters of life.”

-Chris Coppernoll, author of Screen Play and a Beautiful Fall

 We all love a story–especially one that leads us to answers for problems we may be struggling with. “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World,” is filled with encouraging and inspiring stories that lead us to God’s answers for all those personal struggles.

Sally E. Stuart, author of the Christian Writers’ Market Guide, stuartmarket.com

“Sometimes it is only after we go through the darkest of valleys that
the light-beams of wisdom can shine through and illumine our path.
Doug Bolton has walked through that dark valley and, by the grace of
God, has discovered some wonderful lessons for life. You will enjoy
his ‘bumper sticker’ nuggets of wisdom.”

Pastor Scott Nelson

Morning Star Community Church 

Are you trying to make sense of your life?  Do you long for purpose and meaning in your heart?  If so, Doug Bolton’s masterpiece Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World, is a must read for you.  Doug is passionate about his relationship with Jesus Christ and he wants everyone to know about it.  The words he writes on the pages of this book paint a beautiful picture of the truth from Scripture that God loves you and created you for a personal relationship with Him.  Just as Doug testifies in his book you too can find purpose, love, and hope by living your life all for Jesus!

International Evangelist Reid Saunders

Reid Saunders Association  
www.reidsaunders.org

‘Kind words make good echoes’ is a good bumper sticker to describe Doug Bolton’s book. The simple truths he has written echo the truths we know and love from the Word of God. It is a good reminder of God’s constant love and care for us who are seasoned Christians and an encouragement to those just beginning their walk with their Savior.

Stacey Womack, Founder and Executive Director of Abuse Recovery Ministry and Services (ARMS

 

This book that Doug has written is one to have on your shelf so that you can pick it up and read it time and time again. It could be used as a daily devotional. He gives us wonderful messages using his humor and personal experiences to make them real to each of us.  Doug’s use of Bible verses is so very relevant to each subject he is discusses.  I found myself writing them down to hopefully memorize later. The book ends with chapters challenging us to be witnesses of God’s salvation and then gives us tools and references to help us be fruitful. I will have this book on my shelf and I know I will give it as a gift to Christian and non-Christian friends.

Bonnie Nester, Author of “Moments this Good,” the story about a caregiver of a family member who has Alzheimer’s.

To anyone who hasn’t been able to experience a personal, intimate relationship with God, Doug Bolton’s book is a must read.  To the person who is exhausted from doing it all alone, who has lost their way, Doug’s beautiful journey to new levels of his purposeful life, will help you feel a most loving connection with a loving Father.  You will discover that you can never fail when following God’s quiet, most directive guidance.

-Mary Reynolds, Author of Make a Difference with the Power of Compassion

 

Doug’s collection of sayings from bumper stickers and other sources provides delightful—and usually profound—insights into the spiritual truths he draws from them.

 Sue Miholer, owner of Picky, Picky Ink, her freelance writing and editing business

 

Douglas Bolton is more than just an author – he is a fresh of breath air and beacon of hope to a hurting world. He addresses issues he’s struggled within his own journey -the journey we call life. His speaks openly and honestly about his own struggles with anxiety, hopelessness and depression that brought him to the end of himself. He brings a personal perspective into his story while weaving the truth he has found in God’s word as his means of finding a purpose that is larger than himself. He has an amazing ability to connect with and motivate individuals from all walks of life and provides them with a vision that leads to life-altering breakthroughs in their own life.

Chaplain-Addiction Counselor

Michael Clark

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Although this book conquers tough topics about why we must suffer, why loved ones leave this earth so soon, or why circumstances out of our control prevent us from helping someone in need, it is truly a book of hope. Doug’s insights, devotional-style encouragement, practical suggestions, and even his sense of humor, will guide you toward to a more intimate relationship with Christ, regardless of the complex circumstances you may be facing.            

I am delighted to recommend this book to anyone who needs encouragement, but especially those who live with chronic illness or pain.

Lisa Copen

Founder of Rest Ministries, joyfully serving those with chronic illness or pain

www.restministries.org

Someone Degrading you? Time for Selective Hearing

                 There is Hope for Those Who Seek

 I would like tro share with you an actual excerpt from my book: “Signs of Hope: Ways to Survive in an Unfriendly World.” It will be coming out in about sixty days. You can pre-order it at: www.winepresspub.com. If you do, you will save 27% of what the retail price will be when it comes out at Barnes & Noble, Borders, or Amazon.com.

It is for those of us who suffer the many afflictions that are going around now because of the economy.  

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Don’t Despair—Mighty Mouse Will Save the Day

 

I used to love the cartoon “Mighty Mouse.” The song always got me pumped: “Mighty Mouse is on the way. Mighty Mouse will save the day!”

Are you feeling like you are alone, and unwanted? I have been there.

I have some mighty answers for you. It is the Doug Bolton “Top 20 Countdown” that will help you save the day and love God. With apologies to David Letterman.

20. Do you have trouble getting to know someone? Is it hard for you to make friends? Remember: Strangers are family once you get to know them.

19. The world is divided into two categories: the ones who will accomplish a great deal, and those who won’t accomplish anything. You will be the one who will accomplish much, if you allow God to help you.

18. No one is going to love you more if you are fat or skinny. They will love you because of the person you are.

17. When you hate someone and want them to hurt, you hurt yourself. Spend more time trying to help others feel good about themselves, and you will feel good about yourself too.

16. You do not need to let stress control you. You do not need to be a workaholic. It is OK to rest. Jesus takes over when you can’t cope. 

15. When you feel depressed because of losing a loved one, remember God knows your pain. He saw His only Son buried.

16. When someone is trying to degrade you, it is time for selective hearing.

13. You just took another breath while you read this. Thank God for it.

12. When you marry, you need to stay together even when the skin starts to wrinkle and the excitement fades.

11. God’s goal is not to make us happy; it is to make us His. It is not to give us what we want; it is to give us what we need.

10. If God doesn’t come to your rescue right away, maybe He is waiting until you give away your pride.

9. Don’t apply labels to people until you have examined the contents.

8. Everyone is unique even down to the fingerprints and DNA. God has a plan just for you and wants you to use the talent He gave you. Yes, you!

7. The greater the future you have, the greater the attack will be from the prince of darkness. Pray for God’s protection, and Satan will be fish bait!

6. While you can’t control someone else’s heart, you can control yours.

5. Don’t say, “Thanks, God, I can take it from here,” and then not check in with God until the next crisis. Pray without ceasing.

4. All the great hitters in baseball fail two out of three times.

3. The most common command in the Bible? “Fear not.”

2. Practice makes perfect. Study God’s Word each day and learn more of His love for you.

AND the number one reason you will conquer depression is … (Drum roll please)

1. God made you in His own image. Shouldn’t that make you think He wants everything to go well for you? Trust Him to provide all your needs—emotionally, physically and spiritually.

The teacher blood left in me now has an assignment. Start your own positive list of thoughts to help you fight off depression.

Read it every day and add to it.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

You can make it through a life that is a swamp full of alligators and horrible storms!  Move on to more sunny days.  Move on to where there is hope. Move on to the light at the end of the tunnel. Move away from those alligators that will be made into shoes if they don’t leave you alone.

Depression and the many other mental afflictions do not go away in a flash. I still have bouts with them from time to time, but I quickly concentrate on the positive. I concentrate on God and all His love He has to share with me. I concentrate on my family, my children, my grandchildren. I concentrate on the good things that have happened in my life.

Because I do all that, I see that the pluses far outweigh the negatives every time. It is like the song says: “Count your blessings; name them one by one. Count your many blessings; see what God has done.”

If you can’t think of enough blessings, know that I love you with all my heart, and so do millions of other people who suffer with the many afflictions in their lives. We know your pain, and we are praying for you daily.

We are many, and Satan is only one stupid misguided angel. We can defeat him if we all work together. We are an unbeatable team when we have one goal. That goal is to live productive Christian lives in which we stand on solid ground, not on the shifting sands of our emotions.