Author Feature: Zeke Lam

Welcome

ZEKE LAM

From Zeke's website:

ZEKE LAM is the founder of SUBMISSION Ministries—a ministry devoted to seeing lost souls encounter God and live lives fully surrendered to the risen Christ. A graduate of Liberty University, Zeke’s deep passion for following Christ’s will has led him through many years of youth ministry and itinerant evangelism. Both of these experiences have enriched and fueled his desire to hand others the keys to a Christ-centered life. Zeke resides in Virginia with his beautiful wife, Kathleen, and a growing family of future world-changers. 

Let's get to know ZEKE! 

What made you decide to write?  What did you do before becoming a writer?  

 The passion or call to begin writing was orchestrated by the Lord. Having never had ambition to author a book, this task certainly took me by surprise. Although I have enjoyed writing all my life, the reality that it may go beyond mere school assignments was faint. By trade, I do carpentry and concrete work. In addition to this, I have spent many years in youth ministry and evangelism. Although I currently remain in the trade and ministry, it seems obvious that writing is becoming a part of my life. In short, the decisions to write stems from the fact that it allows the chance to minister in places that I may never get to stand in a physical sense.

Tell us about the journey that lead to your current release. 

This journey had been incredible. It all began with a season of life that brought my family to our knees. It was here that the Lord began to instruct me about true submission. Immediately upon finishing my degree, I committed a few weeks strictly to writing. As I penned from an over flowing heart, the words seem to come faster than I could write. Next came a truly divine appointment with Burning Lamp Media and Publishing, and here we are today embarking on a journey to impact the world through writing.

Do you have a writing routine? What does it look like? Where do you usually write? 

I enjoy writing when it is quiet, but not necessarily in a secluded location. Most of my writing therefore takes place at the kitchen table during my children’s nap time!

Is the life of a writer what you thought it be? What is different? 

Being a writer is exactly what I pictured it to be. There is a considerable amount of work to do after release in terms of marketing and getting the message out. This part has taken me a bit by surprise, but I am thoroughly enjoying ministering in this fashion, and excited to see where the Lord will take it.

Do you have any special time management tricks for working in writing time and living a normal life? Since I have to juggle both work and writing, time management is critical. The last thing I want to see is my family suffer from trying to fit both in. With this in mind, I make it a priority to write during times where it does not take away from them. This means that either early morning or nap times are going to be my writing slots.

 What is the best advice you have received about this journey? 

“Don’t write it out unless you can walk it out”- God

What advice do you wish someone would have given you when you were starting out? 

Probably just a little insight into proper formatting and things of editorial nature. Lack of experience in this department created a little more work than was probably necessary.

 What do you do to fight burnout? Do you ever worry about "running out of stories"? How do combat that? I usually do not begin writing until I have something very strong on my heart. Up till now in my short writing career, I have not had to worry about running out of stories. However, I usually fight burnout or writers block by simply putting down the writing for a day or so.

 Do you ever write material based on your close relationships, such as a best friend?, and how do you balance that material with the need to tell an interesting story?  

I make certain to be respectful of the person’s privacy. If the story is important enough to be included in the writing, it will not lose its significance by altering the name and place of the event. Most of the writing I do however involves stories that serve more as testimonials for ministering purpose.

 What sources do you use for inspiration?

 Music and movies can certainly offer inspirational thoughts to provoke writing. Most of what I write generally flows out of life experience and my relationship with the Lord Jesus.

 What do you do when you aren’t writing? 

 When I am not writing, I am doing one of three things. Spending time with my beautiful family, ministering through discipleship/preaching, and working in my concrete business.

 Tell us a bit about your work in progress. 

I am working on getting the word out about our first release. In addition to this, I am about to begin work on the next book in the SUBMISSION series!

What is next for you? 

My prayer and vision in terms of writing is more books in the SUBMISSION  series. In addition to this however, our main focus as a family is to be an instrument of revival to this nation in any way the Lord sees fit.

 How can we find out more about you? Blogs? Facebook? Twitter? You can check us out online at www.submissionministries.org or on Facebook! Hope to meet you there.

Thanks for stopping by, Zeke! Best of luck with your new book!