Will to Win by Jim Stovall
Well, it’s happened again. Another one my literary efforts has hit the market. This book is entitled, Will to Win, and is the third effort in my Homecoming Historical novel series. Each story takes place in a modern-day high school, but the namesake of the school gets involved with the students and the plot. The first two novels dealt with President Harry Truman and Napoleon Hill. Will to Win features the wit and wisdom of Will Rogers and how it impacts high school students here in the 21st century.
Everything that happens in our lives and in the world is a potential learning experience. Those who don’t learn from history are, indeed, doomed to repeat it. Some people can read a sign that says, “Wet Paint,” and avoid it. Others can observe people getting paint on them and avoid the hazard. But unfortunately, there are still people who, regardless of written warnings or real-life examples, just have to get paint all over themselves.
In Will to Win, readers will meet arguably one of the most famous influential people of his time, Will Rogers. Will was born in 1879 and tragically died in 1935 along with Wiley Post in a plane crash. He was a Cherokee Indian who grew up on a ranch in rural Oklahoma and, without ever holding political office or building a multimillion dollar business, influenced the whole world.
Will Rogers had a daily column, did national radio shows, and was one of the biggest box office movie stars of his era. Here in the 21st century, we would call Will Rogers a social media influencer. His commentary on the issues of the day and our elected leaders changed the course of history. Will Rogers’ humorous look at life and the issues of the day rarely told his followers what they should think, but instead, his comments made everybody think for themselves. I believe this is among the highest callings we humans can aspire to.
The Will to Win novel has already been optioned for a movie. The heroine of the story is a Cherokee Indian high school girl named Sky Forest. When her high school softball team is dismantled due to budgetary cuts, she decides to play baseball on the boys’ team. With grit, determination, and a few wise words from Will Rogers himself, Sky Forest impacts her teammates, her school, and the community.
My deepest thanks to those of you who read these columns and then decide to read my books and watch the movies based on them.
As you go through your day today, learn from history and avoid wet paint.
Today’s the day!
Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network as well as a published author of many books, including the Wisdom for Winners series. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. His latest book, Will to Win, is the third installment in the Homecoming Historical Series, and can be purchased from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, Porchlight Books, and other fine retailers. Follow him on Twitter (@stovallauthor) or Facebook (@jimstovallauthor).