A Fiction Novel Based on a True Story

Our story holds too many layers for a memoir, so Holy Spirit led me to write it as a fiction novel.

The Kincade's holding hands in the Early Summer sunshine on a grassy knoll

The Early Days Of Writing

June 12th, 2022, at 9:32 in the morning, I wrote, "How do I trust that God is truly faithful when I am accustomed to unfaithfulness?"

Over the past four years, the "Notes" app on my phone has held the weight of the book concept that began to form in my spirit from that single question.

My thumb scrolls down on... and on... and on when I open the "Notes" to add another thought, another Scripture reference, or another question.

God has all but proven His faithfulness just in my "Notes" alone. His consistency to whisper "Add that to the Note" to my heart over the course of years of healing, growing and maturing is truly remarkable.

Real Life Experiences

I started formally writing in November 2025. That book has since become the stage for a secondary workbook that I cannot wait to reveal in time. When I began writing our story, the concept of using our own names felt off. Our story is incredibly personal. To place it our life literally in the hands of strangers as a way to bring hope and truth, it seemed to lack a depth of reach due to the specifics of our experiences. Everyone has a story that is different and unique. Yet, the undeniable truth of God's everlasting faithfulness remains. Our story is only a facet of the reality of the God's infinite wisdom and merciful shepherding. I do not claim to be an expert. But, I will share what I have learned.

The Writing Process

I started praying about what to do for this book to be released the way God has intended it to. "Not my will, but yours be done" has been my constant prayer of open-handed surrender. Even if the book I am currently working on never gets published, His will be done.

I was seeking His wisdom; in the midst of putting my family's dirty laundry in the washing machine, Holy Spirit stopped me dead in my tracks. "Write the book as a fictional story set during the Prohibition."

I blinked a few times, staring straight ahead.

"Uh. What? I think I misheard you, Lord. What are you talking about?"

"Write the book as a fictional story set during the Prohibition." He replied again clearly.

I immediately started piecing together how perfectly that would work with layers of our story. Characters and scenes starting playing in my mind. God is such a creative genius!

Finding the Right Writing Enviroment

Our home is currently only a frame, a roof that needs redone, and some internal studs marking where walls will eventually be. We are rebuilding our home after finding our family's chronic health concerns were due to mold being in our walls and roof. It was so validating to know the "WHY" we have suffered as we have in our individual ways. Some more than others. But the demolition and rebuilding process is not simple... or fast.

Writing consists of, occasionally, going to the room we are settled in at my in-laws' house, with my headphones playing soft music and I am left alone. But, more often, I sit at the end of the dining table where I can keep tabs on my kids, listening to whatever they are playing, or how they are arguing. It is not calm, tranquil, or convenient. But, I am not complaining! His faithfulness is found in the constant interruptions and needs of my kids. If this is my "hard," PRAISE GOD!

Outlining and Planning

I dove head first in to outlining and planning this novel. The amount of research pages on a Google Doc reveals my hyper-fixation of the entire fiction writing idea! I scoured the recesses of the internet, finding out as much as my brain could contain about the Prohibition Era, people's lifestyles and so forth. It was/is fascinating to me that no matter the "era" or "time period" people are still people with challenges much like which we have today.

I would spend hours of watching silent films and Old Hollywood black-and-white movies with my Dad during my adolescents. While researching, they all came as a flood of memories. Gosh, those movies are so good. They just don't make movies like those anymore! The shadows, the tension, the romance... It is definitely something I am inspired by while writing.

The Role of Feedback

Feedback is an vital part of the writing process. I anxiously sit on the edge of my seat waiting for my husband's opinions and input when I am finished with a chapter. I take the criticism as a love language in this venture! Which, again, proves God's faithfulness. I am normally very sensitive to critique in any way. God has moved mountains in my life in this area! That being said, I am actually excited to complete my first draft and hand it off to Alpha and Beta Readers for their "red pen marks" to cover the pages!

I will be opening up the opportunity to apply to become a Alpha and Beta Reader soon!

Building a Supportive Community

I have a core of supporters who have my back in prayer and give honest feedback. Family and friends alike have stepped in to this role in such a beautiful way! It is humbling to be so surrounded. With that, I ask for your prayer as I continue to write. That it wouldn't be MY words or opinions that fill the pages. But rather, God's Words straight from Heaven and Scripture itself. Also that I would write a fun fictional story... No one needs a boring read!

The Joy of Publication

I am currently looking in to self-publishing this novel. It is a big responsibility but, so far, this option checks all the boxes for me and our family's personal life.

Final Thoughts

Leviticus is not a book that get's a lot of pulpit time. But it should! It is rich with the depth of God's mercy!

Leviticus chapter 5 verse 1 in the New Living Translation states, "If you are called to testify about something you have seen or that you know abut, it is sinful to refuse to testify...."

So, here is the end of my soapbox, but testifying to the Faithfulness of God is far from over. In fact, this is just the beginning!