Dr. Michael J. Norman has owned a family health center offering chiropractic care and wellness programs since 1992. Since 2003, he has served as a staff doctor at a non-profit center offering health care and life services to the indigent and un-insured of his community. In addition to his practice, Dr. Norman enjoys writing, speaking, mission outreach and completing graduate studies in Theology. He lives with his family near Dallas, Texas.
Unbridled Grace is his first book. You can visit him online at http://unbridledgrace.com/.
Thank you for this interview, Michael. Can you tell us a little about yourself and how long you’ve been writing?
Currently celebrating my twentieth year, I am a chiropractor in private practice in Dallas. Ever since I can remember, I have loved to write. Unbridled Grace is the result of a 10 year, off and on, project about God’s victory and all the incredible blessings that have resulted from a life-changing experience my family and I went through a decade ago.
Can you tell us briefly what your book is about?
Unbridled Grace is the true story of our family’s nightmarish 6 year legal ordeal. Written for the Christian market, it is a riveting and dramatic account of unimaginable crisis, but interwoven with an inspiring testimony to God that will build your faith and give you the courage to face the challenges of life.
As a trustingly naive doctor, fresh out of school, just starting my career and life as a new father, it all starts with the answering of a two-line classified ad in the newspaper. In an unbelievable true story that could occur to any of us, I innocently took a part-time chiropractic job from employers who were later found to be a Russian-organized crime ring involved in money laundering, insurance fraud and other crimes. Despite my cooperation in a federal government investigation, I soon found myself surrounded by deception on all sides. As my cooperation was turned cruelly against me, I endured a federal indictment and an early-morning raid upon my home, where I was arrested at gunpoint by six FBI agents in front of my five-year-old daughter. I’m left with two choices: plead guilty to crimes I didn’t commit, receive probation and avoid prison time; or fight the injustice and risk going to prison for at least 10 years. The first means cooperating with the government and lying to put people in prison who may be innocent; the second means doing the impossible and taking on the government.
As all appears hopeless, it is at this time that a series of seemingly miraculous occurrences begin for my family and myself that exceed all human explanation.
Unbridled Graceis the true story of how we can rise from the forces of evil through a renewed faith in Christ as readers are taken on a journey to redemption through the bold use of our power of choice for God.
Who is your intended audience? Have you been able to crossover into other audiences as well?
I am a Catholic Christian and, naturally, this would be my first audience. However, the story’s uniqueness and the transcendence of the message serve as an inspiration and reminder to the entire Christian landscape (despite faith traditions) to avoid any lapse into a tepidity of faith.
Unbridled Graceis written in a refreshingly unorthodox way. A riveting and compelling true story builds in increasing intensity as each chapter unfolds. However, perfectly placed reflections follow each chapter, offering the reader time to pause. Readers remark how these themed chapter-ending meditations provide the lasting value of the book.
They are certainly moved by the powerful true story, but they enjoy the lessons my family and I learned through the ordeal most of all. Readers have told me how these lessons and meditations speak incredibly clear to their own life challenges and greatly assist in charting the course over the mountains currently facing themselves and their families.
Why did you choose your particular genre?
Much of the framework of the manuscript was a result of the journal writing I did throughout this ordeal. Non-fiction Christian Inspiration was a natural fit.
Do you ever experience self-doubts with your work?
Self doubt? No. However, I think it is inevitable, after experiencing an incredible life-changing ordeal such as ours, to be disappointed in the failure of human words to adequately express that which cannot be expressed.
I have come to a great realization that may be helpful to other authors. I consider my book a success if only my children and grandchildren would be able to read about God’s victory and the choices Laura and I made for them. That’s why I wrote it. All else is a bonus.
Where do you write? Do you have a favorite place?
For Unbridled Grace, I wrote in my empty (chiropractic) office on top of my adjusting table with my notes spread out all over the floor. As I wrote, my back was facing my wall of windows as the natural light poured in over my work (until the sun went down). Also, I had a crucifix and a statue of the Blessed Mother looking over me as I wrote.
What kind of research did you have to do during the writing process?
Following each chapter, I have included challenging meditations/reflections for readers that will speak uniquely to their own experiences. The themes of these chapter-ending lessons mirror their respective chapters and the events that unfolded within them. The organization of these passages (largely from my journal), proved very difficult, in that, they represent “classroom notes” of my conversion over several years time. It was pretty painstaking.
I cannot recommend enough, the value and importance of journal writing for all of us, not just authors.
Who is your publisher and how did you get accepted by them? Did you pitch your book yourself or go through an agent?
My publisher is Dog Ear Publishing. They are an independent hybrid publisher. Interestingly enough, I have saved my box full of rejection letters from literary agents as motivation to keep working hard. This two year endeavor served largely as a big waste of my time.
How are you promoting your book thus far?
What I have always heard has proved to be correct. Despite all the slick book marketing and promotional campaigns, it is the author who truly sells the book. I am accomplishing this through speaking engagements, radio interviews, guest article submissions and readers’ word of mouth sales.
If you could give one book promotion tip to new authors, what would that be?
Look at the previous answer.
What’s next for you?
My prayer is that Unbridled Grace helps many people and it could open the door to allow me to continue writing.
Thank you for this interview, Michael. Can you tell us where we can find you on the web?
Unbridled Graceis most easily available on my website www.UnbridledGrace.com. You can also find it on Amazon, Barnes & Noble or ordered through your local Catholic Christian bookstore.
I would enjoy answering any questions and comments you may have. Please feel free to contact me at my website, www.UnbridledGrace.com.
Comments