A couple of days ago I let the world know that my new book is coming out this Fall, 2023, and I am really excited to get it into as many hands as possible.
My manuscript is currently in the editing phase which means it may look a little different…aka leaner, in a few weeks. While I work on other elements like cover design and back copy, I thought I’d share a bit more of the backstory and some fun facts about how this book came about.
1) My book was originally inspired by the Bourne Trilogy, especially the first two movies, The Bourne Identity and The Bourne Supremacy. (sorry Jeremy Renner)
The Bourne Identity came out in 2002 and I have watched the movie more times than I can count…well into double digits.
I love everything about this movie. The action, the characters, the themes, the score, the scenic views and you can never tire of watching that Mini Cooper car chase through the streets of Paris.
The story begins with Jason Bourne (played by Matt Damon) suffering with amnesia, and not having any recollection at all of who he was, so throughout the movie and sequels, Bourne attempts to rediscover who he is.
But when he begins to piece together who he is, a black-op assassin for the CIA, he begins to question everything he was and starts on a journey of rediscovering who he is and who he wants to be.
“I don’t know who I am”
“What is my name?”
“I don’t know what to look for”
“Can I change who I am?”
Bourne was asking many of the same questions you and I have asked ourselves, which only makes the movie that much more compelling.
2) I have pages of notes from rewatching The Bourne Identity over and over.
As I said, I’ve watched these movies more times than I can count, many times with pen in hand, scribbling down notes. Now I have pages and pages, in journals, on my notes app and in an ever-growing file.
3) The title was inspired by this famous scene in The Bourne Supremacy
Do you remember the scene in the second movie where Bourne tracks the CIA team, lead by Pamela Landy to Berlin? From an adjacent roof top, looking through the scope of high-powered rifle, Bourne calls Landy, wanting to come in and asks that the girl (Nikki) from Paris brings her in. Landy says, “What if I can’t find her?” to which Bourne responds, “It’s easy, she’s standing right next to you.”
It’s such an incredible scene. A scene where Bourne was in complete control because he had the advantage.
Over time, I came up with my book title…
Vantage Point: Five Perspectives to Live a Better Story
The title and the framework of my entire book are inspired from that scene. I offer (5) perspectives that when considered together will give the reader the clarity they need, to discover, or re-discover, who they are, why they are here and gain the confidence to know the next steps they should take.
I hear from so many people who are struggling to find meaning and purpose in their current lives and are wondering if it’s possible to experience true meaning.
I don’t just think it’s possible, I think it’s imperative that we know the answer to these questions.
Man, I get excited just writing that down.
4)I published another book, in part, as a way to delay writing this one.
It’s fair to say that I have been planning this book for almost twenty years. But circumstances, seasons of life, other obligations, and to be honest, I knew this book was going to be very difficult to write…so I put it off, and put it off.
I even wrote another book back in 2019, in part, as a way to delay writing this one.
Unplanned Parenthood: How To Successfully Raise the Children You Didn’t Ask For.
Don’t get me wrong, I wanted to write this book, I enjoyed the process of writing, and sharing how Kathy and I raised our now adult children Megan & Alex. I learned a lot about writing and discipline, throughout the publishing process. But admittedly, I knew I was delaying this book…again.
But that’s over now. 20 years later the book is written, the editing process is underway, the other components of the book are in the works, and I am excited to get this book in your hands. And now you know why?
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