By Megan Carradine/south news editor

It took 40 years, but one South Campus instructor has completed a decades-long goal — his first novel.

Dr. Morris Maniscalco, South Campus biology teacher and adjunct instructor since 1981, has written An Eternal Love, a religious romance story of the 21st century. The story carries readers through a series of decision-making issues, a life-threatening accident, suicide, rape, marital concerns and love.

Maniscalco has been dreaming of this book for 40 years. The book started off as a college essay, “My Son, My Son” back in 1955.

“I was a freshman at a junior college in Mississippi when I turned in my college essay,” he said. “It started off with only two characters, and it has grown since then.”

The novel’s title was based on a poem he wrote.

“I was really impressed with the essay, so I decided to turn it into a story,” he said.

Maniscalco said it took him 40 years to write this because he kept having writer’s block.

“I had a hard time at first. Then I decided to take my time writing, and it got easier,” he said.

The book has been fulfilling for Maniscalco.

“The Lord kept this story in my heart for such a long time, and if this book only wins one soul to Christ, then I feel my job is done,” he said.

Maniscalco is now writing his second novel, Our Confessions. He said he lay in his bed and dreamed about this novel about two people who will come together as one, only after they come clean about their pasts.

Maniscalco said the book’s title was inspired by a Josh Groban song, My Confessions.

“When I heard the song, it made me come alive, and I knew this is what I wanted to title my second book,” he said.

An Eternal Love can be purchased at any bookstore, or online.