Writing His Own Stories
“I’ve always been drawn to obscure stories,” says Copeland. “The tug of inspiration does something to you.”
Copeland found inspiration in 2011 when Briscoe invited him to the Interstate Church of God Softball Tournament in Roanoke Valley, Virginia. The annual tournament invites church softball teams from around the country to support missions work in Paraguay. Copeland was moved by the stories of diverse people — all playing softball for one cause. He was so interested that he went back year after year, collecting the stories of people attending.
The person whose story most moved Copeland was Briscoe’s best friend and Paraguayan missionary, Norberto. After losing his wife and son in a car accident, Norberto displayed relentless faith and hope in God despite tragedy — a hope that impacted Copeland immensely.
“Never had I looked into someone’s eyes who had suffered so much,” says Copeland. “My faith at that time was in shambles. Norberto displayed a hope in Christ that I could trust in, that I could believe in.”
Norberto’s story was the key piece of Copeland’s first memoir, ,” released in 2018. The book prompted Copeland to discover more stories that connected him to his own faith journey — including his most recent book which he worked on for seven years. It centers around the Double Door Inn, a Blues venue in Charlotte, North Carolina, which Copeland’s mentor introduced him to.
“I’m juiced up about my new book right now,” said Copeland. “The Double Door Inn is a place where time slips away, and you feel connected to everything around you.”
Though the Double Door Inn was flattened in 2017, its impact on the community has been preserved through Copeland’s memoir. He is excited about what the book means, not only to his fellow Charlotte residents and former patrons of the Double Door but to all readers.
Through his degree in journalism and experience at ӰAV, Copeland developed the skills and character needed to be a successful writer.
Interested in making a difference with your writing career? At ӰAV College, we train excellent communicators and storytellers. Check out ӰAV’s degree in journalism. Also, discover our majors in communication and English, as well as a minor in creative writing.