Introduction

Circle of Doors had remained a secret for almost five years until just before publishing. Only my immediate family and a few close friends knew about the project. For a true entrepreneur, stepping outside conformity, taking risks and embracing atypical ambition is a normal way of life. But sometimes life can nudge you in directions so different from even a path of thinly disguised normality, that prudence suggests a quiet road.

In the midst of running a thriving business, the intensely focused interest that had fueled my professional ambitions since childhood literally vanished overnight. I woke one morning to the strange realization that a lifetime of direction was simply gone. It was as if someone had reached into my soul and taken it all from me while I slept.

Several empty and confusing months went by while I tried to find reason and understanding in what had happened. I struggled to complete existing business projects and kept waiting for the missing interest to return. It never did. Then one night I experienced an incredibly vivid and unusually organized dream, and the next night the conclusion of that same dream. My wife suggested that I write the experience down and while doing so, felt impressed and compelled to detail and expound upon what I had seen. One thing led to another and a new ambition was born.

With a certain amount of previous writing experience and a newfound fervor, my first novel was underway. After a few months of hard work, I eagerly went back to read what had been penned. It was disappointing. The story wasn’t just poorly written, it was weak and devoid of the feeling and depth I had originally experienced. Despondent, I deleted everything and stopped writing, becoming lost in self-doubt. I knew I was a decent writer, and the events that had inspired this new journey had not come about by coincidence or chance—of that I was sure. So what was wrong?

With the voices silent once again, introspection found my answer; I had become so single-minded about making this new endeavor successful that I was writing only what I thought people wanted to hear. The real story from within the dream had been carelessly run over by selfish ambition. It was time to pause and search for understanding that only comes from beyond one’s self. Inspiration comes through you, not from you. That’s something I’ve known most of my life, but had momentarily forgotten.

The desire to work had never left. So with my businesses now all but extinct, I sought honest direction. That spring and for part of that summer, I did nothing but work on our property clearing brush, moving dirt, terracing slopes, building walkways and retaining walls…and listening. I built fences, mowed lawns, planted trees, grasses, flower gardens…and listened. As I worked, the waiting story began to emerge in ideas, concepts, characters, plots, and purpose. True direction and motivation were coming together. It was all becoming clearer. The doubts were gone.

Professional writing advice was sought. I studied the works of others and started the journey over. This time everything was different. Many times the ideas that came were so powerful that I would became emotionally overwhelmed and had to stop because of flowing tears. Other times the ideas would simply come so fast that it was almost impossible to keep up. Weeks turned into months, then into years…

Circle of Doors is much more than just a story about adventure and mystery, it’s about all of us. It’s a testament to strength, purpose, conviction, hope, justice, love, and endless possibility. Many times our greatest accomplishments are met with the greatest challenges, but nothing of real and lasting value is ever easily achieved. Every choice we make continues to mold our character, and those who always reach for what is more worthwhile will always find themselves in some way better and stronger for their efforts. It is my hope that this work conveys at least some of those values.

When we begin to understand who we really are, then we can begin to understand what is truly possible. Greatness is within us all if we will only encourage the desire to search, to learn without prejudice, find the patience to understand, and develop convictions that endure. And sometimes finding direction can even be as simple as just closing the doors, and listening…

-Ranse Parker