Wheaton College student writes book of devotionals

Beginning Wheaton College with enough credits to qualify as a junior and with a published book under his belt, Richard Morris, 18, certainly isn't the typical first-year college student.

Morris hails from Washington state, where a dual enrollment program allows high school students to earn an associate's degree along with their high school diploma.

Morris has definitely taken a running start, not only toward his biblical studies major, but also toward his goal of entering the Christian ministry.

During his high school years, he wrote a book of devotional studies for young people titled "The Grace to Glory Gap: A 31-Day Youth Devotional." It was published in August of 2007.

"I went to a youth leadership conference in Jamaica," he said. "At 15, I was the youngest there. They challenged us to get into God's word on a daily basis. I started in the Old Testament and decided to write about what I was learning. It took two summers to write."

Each day in the book opens with a verse or passage from the Bible.

"Then I explain it in context," Morris said. "I move into how I think about it or make a directional focus, what it should mean in their lives. The overall importance of the book is that it's trying to guide the reader forward to living a Christ-centered life."

He found his publisher, Tate Publishing, online. The company targets first-time Christian writers.

"I sent in my manuscript," Morris said, "and 10 weeks later I got a contract in the mail."

But his work wasn't over. As any writer knows, the editing process is a major part of writing.

"They (Tate) have an editing staff," Morris said, " but it was my responsibility. It's a really challenging process. I had to lay aside weekends. My mom helped me a lot. The ideas and the days didn't change much; the wording was the major problem."

Morris finds the book signings more difficult than the initial writing.

"The most unnerving part is the actual signing in the book," he said. "You have to come up with something to say. Then you have to date it properly and make it out to the right person. I have a few books in my room that I made out wrong."

Morris has already begun writing his next book with the help of some other Wheaton College students.

"Although I have 28 days written, my goal is to have co-authorship," he said. "The guys on my floor have had experiences I haven't had. No one person has the whole answer. I plan several devotionals from several people."

Morris will have another book signing after Christmas at Wheaton's Barnes and Noble. In the meantime, the book is available for $11.99 online through Barnes and Noble, Borders, Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon or Tatepublishing.com. It is also in the Wheaton College Bookstore.