Olympus began more than ten years ago at the top of the White Mountains.  Mike (my second son) had cleverly managed to be born on Father’s Day way back in 1982, which made his birthday perfect for father-son outdoor expeditions.  We had celebrated his birthday with some hikes in previous years–they hadn’t been particularly challenging, but they were still wonderful.  Hiking always gave us plenty of time to crack jokes, tell stories, and make memories.

This particular birthday coincided with a trip up north to visit old friends at our old church in New Hampshire, a few hours away from some serious mountains.  We made big plans to make this hike special.  We invited Matthew Zelie and Chris Bressoud, Mike and Nathan’s two best friends from the good old days, to join us for an overnight trip and all-day hike up and down Mt. Lincoln, Lafayette, and Little Haystack.  We planned to head north right after church.

Our worship time that Sunday was sweet and special and ended with us breaking into small groups to pray for each other.  Woody Rollins asked me if there was anything I particularly wanted prayer for.  I explained that I was taking four teenaged boys hiking and could use all the prayer I could get–but I asked for more than just safety that day.  “I usually tell a story when I go hiking with my boys,” I explained.  “I’d like God to give me a story worth telling!”

Woody didn’t quibble about praying “outside the box.”  He and his dear wife Denise prayed up a storm for a story.  We wrapped up worship with hugs all round and I loaded boys and tents and packs into the van.

We camped that night and got up early next morning and headed up Little Haystack.  By the time we broke through the treeline, we were all lost in a high tech fantasy world of homeschoolers, dragons, and villains, dominated by the enormous mountain of Olympus.   By the time we were coming down the final foothills of Lafayette, Mike said, “Dad, you have got to write that story down!  It would be a crime to  waste it!”

It took two years of encouragement from my wife and prodding by my children, but I wrote the story down.  The last line was a cliff-hanger: “It’s not just a game.  And it’s not over!”  We printed up a few thousand copies in paperback and sold them here and there.  It was flattering to have young readers tell me how much they loved Olympus–but disconcerting to hear them ask when the sequel would be out.   Ten years after that birthday hike, they’re still waiting.  Some younger  fans have been waiting half their life for the rest of the story.

The sequel has been ready for years–but I haven’t.  I’ve been working from sixty to eighty hours a week since October, 2006, which doesn’t leave much time for writing novels.   I’ll be down to a more manageable schedule soon, and I’m eager to pick up the story–if God wills.

The first book started with a prayer request, and God answered it far beyond our expectations.  It seems right to start the second book by joining in prayer for the next adventure. To join our “Inner Circle” of prayer and support, click here.