Rachael Carter, like many children, looked forward to nightly bedtime stories.

But after she and her father read Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” they found themselves without a book to read one night.

That’s when John Carter, a Macon lawyer, started telling the story of Eli, a young time traveler.

Four years later, Carter is sharing Eli’s story with the world in “Eli Arnold and the Keys to Forever: It’s About Time,” available in paperback and e-book.

For more than a year, Carter dreamed up exploits for Eli, new places for him to go in time and the challenges he’d face as he added on to the story for Rachel at bedtime.

“I never really thought of where it was going,” he said.

Carter had no aspirations of writing a book until his wife suggested one night that he start writing down the stories he’d been telling Rachael.

Rachel’s now 14, but Carter is continuing to write as a creative escape from the rules and deadlines that come with his job as a criminal defense lawyer.

With law, “you’re on such a strict schedule with everything,” he said.

In telling Eli’s story, Carter has the freedom to write when he wants.

Most times, he grabs a legal pad to scribble down parts of the story when they come to mind. On other occasions, he sits at a computer.

The saga starts with Eli on summer vacation, thinking he’s a typical kid. He doesn’t know that he’s been chosen to save the world by continuing a centuries-old battle. That, of course, puts Eli in plenty of dangerous situations -- fun for the author and a great draw for readers.

Carter said the series of books is geared toward middle-schoolers, but they’re also an entertaining read for adults.

Although he self-published “It’s About Time” and its sequel, “The Myth of Mythology,” he hopes to get a deal with a publisher for broader distribution.

For now, the books are available on Amazon.com and through e-mail at JohnCarter2nd@bellsouth.net. E-book versions of “It’s About Time” and “The Myth of Mythology” cost $2.99. The first book is available in paperback for $8.99.

Carter said he has already started work on a third installment to the series.

To contact writer Amy Leigh Womack, call 744-4398.