About
Craig Alexander always dreamed of being a novelist. He spent countless hours reading as a youth, many times by flashlight after being instructed to turn off his light. The writers that influenced him the most as an adolescent were J.RR. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Louis L'amour. He remains an avid reader with varied interests. In 2003 with the help of an intriguing dream, he began plotting a story which turned into his first novel, The Nineveh Project.
A martial artist of eighteen years experience, Craig is a third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a second-degree black belt in Hapkido, and a first degree black belt in Han Mu Do, and has studied many other styles. He is an instructor at Sun Bi Martial Arts in Madison, MS and has competed and trained internationally.
Craig is also a small group Bible study leader. His writing is action packed with a positive spiritual message.
He loves to play Tennis, watch good movies, and of course read. He lives in Mississippi with his wife and daughter.
Craig Alexander can be reached at:
craigalexander@bellsouth.net
Author pens 'divinely inspired' page turner
By Cyrus Webb
Guest Columnist: The Rankin Ledger
Probably one of the best-kept literary secrets of the past year originated right in Flowood. The name of the book is The Nineveh Project and its author, Craig Alexander, is just as fascinating as this page turner's plot. Alexander, who is blessed with a loving wife and baby girl, had always wanted to be a writer. He has been involved with martial arts for many years, and as a member of Pinelake Church in Brandon, he leads a men's group Bible study. In 2003, his desire to be an author began to materialize with the help of unique dreams that caused him to begin The Nineveh Project.
The book introduces Aaron Henderson, a man who seems quite unassuming if not ordinary. His life in Mississippi has all the trappings of the American Dream: a nice place to live, a beautiful wife and a baby girl who receives both of their attention. Yes, his life seemed perfect to many - and it would be if not for the dreams that rob him of peaceful nights and peace of mind. Two men - one real and the other imaginary - both faced with the realities of one biblical city: Nineveh.
So where did the story come from? Alexander explained: "The story was inspired by a dream that I ended up sharing with my Bible study group." This same group inspired him to take it to the next level. "You've got to write this story" they told him, and the result is the 258 pages that have been brought to life.
Regardless of whether you identify yourself as a Christian, the book will lead you down a journey of self-discovery for the main character and the reader. The book continually reminds us that there is a world that exists beyond the bubble of our lives. Henderson is a vessel who feels inadequate to do the assignment he knows has to be done. Though his personal world is without immediate danger, there is something happening in the world that shouldn't be - and like it or not, it is up to him to lead the charge of good against evil to prevent it. When he relies on a power higher than himself to lead the way, the result is an ending that makes life better for everyone.
The author seems faced with the same challenges in a sense when it comes to his gifts as a writer. Alexander's life, filled with its own excitement and accomplishments, is not about self but about reflecting God's love in all that he does. The humility he expresses in conversations and personal appearances does little to prepare you for the power he exudes on paper.
The Nineveh Project is an action-packed tale that can be seen as a rite of passage for anyone who has been given gifts that seem so much larger than they will ever be. It leaves you with the understanding that not only is anything possible, but there are no boundaries except the ones we create for ourselves.