Guest Blog: David Mathews and Pig-Sty

Dear Readers, I hope you are well. If all goes right, I will be in France when you read this blog post! Please keep my husband and me in your prayers. I hope you, too, have a wonderful summer!

Now, to meet this new-to-me author...

Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you.

     Greetings and salutations! Or for me, a simple “Hi there!” will do. I'm David Mathews, a Midwesterner through and through who's lived in Nebraska, Kansas, Indiana, and Ohio all my life, except for the five years I attended college in South Carolina—a span  sufficient to entrench the faint southern drawl I have yet to shed. I've enjoyed writing since I was old enough to correctly hold a #2 pencil, but my first book wasn't published until 2018 when I was 60 years old. I guess that makes me a bit of a procrastinator; however, in my own defense, I've made up for lost time since then! God has gifted me with a rather active imagination, and I desire to use that to encourage others and to glorify Him. My motivation comes from 1 Peter 4:10, “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” When people meet me, what they see is what they get. I'm pretty much down-to-earth friendly and have a corny sense of humor...the terrible pun is my constant companion. 

Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb.

     My latest Christian fiction novel (my third) is called Pig-Sty High: When Pigs Fly, a lighthearted, humorous, small-town tale with an uplifting spiritual message.

     “When Jason Wisniewski moves to Piggottsville, Arkansas, to start his teaching career, he never expected to find a town so much in need of a pick-me-up. Taking on the role of history teacher and football coach, Jason quickly realizes that he may have bitten off more than he can chew. Even the people in the community see the high school as a joke, and their attitude is rubbing off on the misfit students of Piggottsville High.

     But sometimes, it takes just one person to believe that a pig can fly before it will. Determined to turn things around for his new hometown, Jason decides to take on the impossible—with the help of the God of the impossible. As he sets about on changing things for the better, Jason will have to face his own fears and deal with an unlikely lot of football players, who may not be winners but can certainly tell you a thing or two about pigs!

     In a world focused on negative things, Pig-Sty High brings humor into some serious topics and helps the reader to lighten up a little bit when things get tough.”

Share one thing that you found difficult or challenging about writing this book.

     Having lived in small towns for most of my life, I found that the setting, story-lines, and characters fell into place rather easily, since much of what is in the book comes from personal experience. The most difficult part for me was editing out a lot of the humor that I first felt should remain in the story. But, since few want to read an 800 page tome—let alone pay for one—I settled on a more enjoyable read of just under 300 pages.

Excerpt from Chapter 6: “There's a Skunk in My Classroom!”

It was then that I caught another whiff of that strange, musky odor. It was stronger this time. I couldn’t begin to describe it—something between fresh manure and a dead animal. I sniffed to get a fix on the source. It was coming from the very back corner of the room.                

“Does anyone else notice that?” I asked, sniffing again. “What’s that smell?”                   “It’s Skunk!” someone blurted out.                 

  “Skunk!” My adrenaline shot through the roof. “There’s a skunk in here? Everyone, stay calm! I want you all to slowly get up and walk quietly out of the room. Leave your books and backpacks where they are.” I waved them toward the door, but they weren’t budging. Instead, they were laughing.

“Quickly now! I don’t want anyone to get sprayed or bitten. Wild animals can be dangerous!” They were rolling on the floor.

I stopped and stared at my class. “What’s going on here? What’s so funny?”                   “It’s not a wild animal, Mr. Wisniewski,” Jackson Pressley answered, laughing so hard he could barely form the words. “It’s Willard!”                  

That was just swell! First guns, then paint, then matches. Now a skunk named Willard. In my classroom, no less! I was beginning to wonder if I’d ever make it to graduation alive. “All right, then; so  where’s the skunk?” I demanded firmly. “Would somebody please tell me where this Willard is?”

           “He’s right there, teacher.” Jimmy Dean pointed to a scrawny boy slunk down in the corner desk,   which had been pulled apart from the others. His hair was a tangled, sandy-brown mop, and his face and arms looked like he hadn’t bathed in years. He was dressed in a soiled T-shirt and filthy jeans full of holes that weren’t meant to be fashion statements. His formerly white tennis shoes were a grimy gray color, and his untied, frayed laces posed a major tripping hazard. He eased up his hand and waved at me.

5. Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two.

     What humorous small-town situation have you found yourself in or heard about?

     What high school experience (good or bad) has shaped the person you are today?

6. Share your social media and buy links.                                                                                                

     Books can be purchased (e-book/audible/paperback/hardcover) through all major online retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Thriftbooks, Alibris, www.christianbook.com,  or from my publisher, Ambassador International.

     Author website: www.davidjmathews.com

     Author Facebook page: www.facebook.com/davidmathews.author

     Author email: davidmathews.author@yahoo.com

     Author Twitter/X: @davidmathewsau1

     Publisher website: www.ambassador-international.com

     Publisher Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AmbassadorIntl

    Publisher Twitter/X: @AmbassadorIntl