tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22086270296054027282024-03-18T02:00:31.421+10:00Christian Writers DownunderJeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.comBlogger1195125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-34951951513295604722024-03-18T02:00:00.001+10:002024-03-18T02:00:00.165+10:00Can you help judge the 2024 CALEB Award? <div class="separator"><figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-full is-resized" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="wp-image-12173" src="https://australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/ACW-Omega-Writers-News-1.png" style="height: 400px; object-fit: contain; width: 400px;" /></figure></div><!--wp:image {"align":"center","id":12173,"width":"400px","height":"400px","scale":"contain","sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none"}-->
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<h3 class="wp-block-heading" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Call for judges in the 2024 CALEB Award</strong></h3>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The CALEB Award from </span><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Omega Writers</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> recognises the best in Australasian Christian writing each year. The awards are an opportunity to celebrate excellence within our Christian writing community. We invite you to help us celebrate the talent within our community by volunteering to be a judge of the 2024 Award. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><strong>Entries will open on 1 April and instructions for writers wanting to enter will be available shortly on the Omega Writers website.</strong></span></p>
<h2><strong>Why be a judge?</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">There are so many reasons! If you are a writer, it helps you interact with some of the best Australian Christian writing from the past two years. If you are an aspiring author, it can help you learn about your genre. If you are a reader, it can help you discover new Australian books. Being a judge is an opportunity to elevate the great work of others in the Christian writing community</span></p>
<h2><strong>You don’t have to be a writer to be a judge!</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anyone who enjoys reading Christian books (not just writers) can volunteer to be a judge. You don’t need specialist writing knowledge, just a bit of time to read and give your feedback on the entries. Books (except picture books) are entered electronically, so you can read them on your e-reader or computer.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">First-round judges need to read and judge the first 10,000 words (of between 4 and 10 entries) between 1 May and 18 June 2024. Final-round judges will read and judge 3 or 4 whole books (up to 120,000 words each) between 1 July and 20 August 2024. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you are entering the CALEB Award you can still be a judge in a category that you have not entered. Volunteer to be a judge </span><a href="https://forms.gle/ZNnGBPseHSKsGWYv9"><span style="font-weight: 400;">here</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<h2><strong>Are all entries Christian?</strong></h2>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The CALEB Award recognises and celebrates excellence among Christians who write. This may include the writing of books for the Christian market or for the general market. As such, judges can expect the writing they read and judge to be consistent with Christian worldviews and values, even if they do not contain overt Christian content.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This year the award is for books published in 2022 and 2023 in the following categories:</span></p>
<ul>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Published Adult Fiction </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Published Young Adult Fiction</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Published Middle Grade and Early Reader</span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Published Picture Books </span></li>
<li aria-level="1" style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Published Adult and Young Adult Nonfiction (excluding Devotionals)</span></li>
</ul>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Entries for the 2024 Award will open on 1 April 2024. Winners will be announced at the gala dinner as part of the </span><strong><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/omega-conference-2024/">2024 Omega Writers Conference</a></strong><span style="font-weight: 400;"> in September.</span></p>
<p><strong><a href="https://forms.gle/ZNnGBPseHSKsGWYv9">Click here to volunteer to be a judge of the 2024 CALEB Award.</a></strong></p>
<!--/wp:paragraph-->Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-9459109166936380432024-02-19T04:30:00.001+10:002024-02-19T04:30:06.549+10:00The 2024 Omega Writers Conference<h2 style="text-align: left;">Looking to take the next step in your writing journey but not sure where to start? </h2><div><p style="text-align: left;">The Omega Writers Conference is the premier event for Christian writers in Australia, gathering writers at all career stages for a weekend of learning, encouragement and collaboration in a relaxing environment.</p><p><img alt="2024 Omega Writer's conference" class="alignnone wp-image-12161 size-full" decoding="async" height="361" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px" src="https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=640%2C361&ssl=1" srcset="https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?w=1640&ssl=1 1640w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1 300w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=1024%2C577&ssl=1 1024w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=768%2C433&ssl=1 768w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=1536%2C865&ssl=1 1536w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=800%2C451&ssl=1 800w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=710%2C400&ssl=1 710w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?resize=1568%2C883&ssl=1 1568w, https://i0.wp.com/australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Conference-FB-cover.jpg?w=1280&ssl=1 1280w" style="border-style: none; box-sizing: inherit; color: #2eb2fe; font-family: Merriweather, sans-serif; font-size: 24px; height: auto; letter-spacing: 1px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-width: 100%; position: relative;" width="640" /></p><h3>More value than ever before!</h3></div>
The 2024 Omega Writers Conference features:<ul><li><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Keynote talks by best-selling, award-winning US author, Susan May Warren. Susan is an author of over sixty-five novels, a writing teacher and publishing powerhouse. </span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Ticket to the Caleb Award gala dinner</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fiction/Non-fiction focussed craft workshops</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sessions on writer health</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Agent, editor and mentor appointments</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Bookseller speed-dating</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Prayer support</span></li><li style="box-sizing: inherit; line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: inherit;">Networking opportunities and much more.</span></li></ul>Plus a bonus workshop opportunity! Susan May Warren will offer an additional day-long romance fiction workshop only available to conference attendees. <div><br /></div><div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/omega-conference-2024/" style="background-color: transparent; box-sizing: inherit; color: #0073aa; text-decoration-thickness: 2px; transition: color 110ms ease-in-out 0s;">See the full program here.</a></h2><h3><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167924"></a></h3><h2 style="text-align: left;">
What people say about the Omega Writers Conference </h2></div><h4 style="text-align: left;">“I really love the in-person conference…it was my first Christian one where I found like-minded writers and…a hub appointment turned my attitude to my writing around.” <br /></h4><h4 style="text-align: left;">“It felt as though God had arranged everything and His presence was obvious. My favourite thing about conference is always the connection and encouragement I receive.” </h4><h4 style="text-align: left;"> “The conference is a celebration of the joy, quirks, challenges and privilege it is to write for the King of kings.” </h4><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Take the next step! </div><div><br /></div><div> Join us at the Metro Mirage Hotel Newport this September and experience the creativity that happens in a room of Christian writers and let 2024 be the year you get clarity and direction for the next steps of your writing journey. </div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1167924" target="_blank"> Book now!</a></h2>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-58660055847471262622024-01-25T05:00:00.014+10:002024-01-25T05:00:00.342+10:00BACK TO SCHOOL<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i> "I am a Yarigai Logophile” </i></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">As a school
Chaplain I work with parents, students and teachers to ensure families that may
be finding the back-to-school effort and outlays a little challenging are supported. Starting
school or transitioning back to school after the summer holiday break can be
stressful for some. Add to that the potential financial pressure on families of
getting all the necessary items on the book list, school uniforms, computers, getting
routines organized, and things can be a little difficult. For students this may
be compounded by social and emotional stresses. Reading the social cues correctly.
Saying the right words at the right time to the right people. Not saying
anything at the right time. Timetabling. Behaviour expectations. Learning. Homework.
Assessments. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aIEYpqmYraizvmEI2yACMYs8DqWU3gf3Ch8oCYkxhJ5GsPoPBSnG8qCMdTXlbMe2JHwWuU-3QdnC-jw4fhkYhze1oJgj4oAO9nte0xbtidcjGfr99DS4VIoXDpkbaucHotZTysK8FFDM9-v1J12pYcPj3iw2jnhSfjH1GJZ-Uz_5cF0L3rjprp9lznE/s1300/BFA9D11C-A442-458A-8A6D-D153C56AD6A4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4aIEYpqmYraizvmEI2yACMYs8DqWU3gf3Ch8oCYkxhJ5GsPoPBSnG8qCMdTXlbMe2JHwWuU-3QdnC-jw4fhkYhze1oJgj4oAO9nte0xbtidcjGfr99DS4VIoXDpkbaucHotZTysK8FFDM9-v1J12pYcPj3iw2jnhSfjH1GJZ-Uz_5cF0L3rjprp9lznE/s320/BFA9D11C-A442-458A-8A6D-D153C56AD6A4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the
beginning of my grade 4 school year, I was one of those students whose family
were struggling to face the challenge of making the budget work to pay for our
schooling necessities. Dad had been off work with an injury and things were
tight. I remember needing a dictionary as a required part of our schoolbooks acquisition
at the beginning of the school year. I remember going off to school with Dad’s
old Webster's dictionary and being told quite obtusely by my teacher that it was
the “wrong dictionary.” All the other kids had the correct one. I was the odd
one out. I think there were tears. I remember a letter home. Embarrassing
stares from my table group. I remember my honest wish to not just fit in, but
also have access to the learning tools I needed. I loved words and wanted to
get this part of my schooling right. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I love
words.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I am sure I
have said that before. Many times. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">In Primary
School I was the kid at school who spent hours of my lunch time sourcing fresh
inspiring books in my school library. Particularly, I borrowed every book I
could get my hands on about Dinosaurs. Yes. I loved the Palaeontology and the amazing
forms these creatures <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>had. Yet, perhaps
more telling I fell in love with their names, their meanings, and where their
names came from. I started with the the word “dinosaur” which is from the Greek
deinos (terrible) and sauros (lizard) ‘<b><i>terrible lizards’. </i></b>Then
came words like<b><i> Tyranosaurus rex </i></b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(which is derived from the Greek words tyrannos,
meaning "tyrant" and "sauros" (lizard) and the Latin word rex (meaning
"king"). I became a junior etymologist (at least about all things dinosaurs).
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAban2HOnXfrSj0V1CmEzqJ0xTtdR7ZRceGIsJblnX1YAKDLQV-iuH_DiezfV473KY_-a8v9yx7xsbkA6XUq4wwSfSYe7JYIsTIYa7gQp7aJ8bZR0pdC1WjGOMupTuQ4ybxoAhEG2P0VeiNumFmra6AxDpb4KiWCWaW62YECLBxNiQJD-kCaRkrrZZHY/s640/269264755.0.x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqAban2HOnXfrSj0V1CmEzqJ0xTtdR7ZRceGIsJblnX1YAKDLQV-iuH_DiezfV473KY_-a8v9yx7xsbkA6XUq4wwSfSYe7JYIsTIYa7gQp7aJ8bZR0pdC1WjGOMupTuQ4ybxoAhEG2P0VeiNumFmra6AxDpb4KiWCWaW62YECLBxNiQJD-kCaRkrrZZHY/s320/269264755.0.x.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Getting my
first personal dictionary boosted my logophilia. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">I was so
very excited when Mum bought me that book with the green cover: “ The
Australian Pocket Oxford Dictionary”. Mum worked extra hours to buy me that new
dictionary. What a precious gift. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">By the way, it didn’t fit in my pocket: it
was so loaded with beautiful, prepossessing words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMP1zrHrXEmidrrIHXf1AEMCYa0t4vnYBjGz_SygTC5l8kRrxIZwvDmWPU1633T_vg9J0wYzGP-6S4koOEEY4vPlouOUHgk3PGS6wa6I38adotr6ydg-1W6UZEKiPkYrIMib1kCNypfE5geUXtue4SmmdMc-JmKUCiFBn-y8GwLshShUCOXhiAFesezE/s640/The-Australian-Pocket-Oxford-Dictionary-Vintage-HBDJ-Book.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnMP1zrHrXEmidrrIHXf1AEMCYa0t4vnYBjGz_SygTC5l8kRrxIZwvDmWPU1633T_vg9J0wYzGP-6S4koOEEY4vPlouOUHgk3PGS6wa6I38adotr6ydg-1W6UZEKiPkYrIMib1kCNypfE5geUXtue4SmmdMc-JmKUCiFBn-y8GwLshShUCOXhiAFesezE/s320/The-Australian-Pocket-Oxford-Dictionary-Vintage-HBDJ-Book.webp" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My love of
words grew. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">A couple of years later, I started year 6 in an entirely different school.
My new teacher placed a challenge in front of us to learn a list of hundreds of
Latin and Greek roots and suffixes and prefixes. I was an average student academically,
but she inspired a passion in me to learn more. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At the end
of year 6 (before year 7 began in yet another school) I started to “read” the
dictionary. This was at the prompting of my grandfather who was an inspiring word
smith and cruciverbalist. I started in “A” and learnt and put into practice all
the new words I encountered. I then dove into a 22-volume encyclopedia of
animals and began to learn their names (including their Latin names). I was a
rabid lexophile. I read every book in our year level reading list. Year 7 I was
dux of my new school. I went on to being the first person in my family to go to
university. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVzkwZhVGwTBD12GxGqPDaV-Bzr1KmB7xxvMjDci0TDT884epZoJ8S8Zq_J6bU_ZViR0-yHNVTsY4slD9qytH3mauuU6tSQa6eindyUj7oj6_qXRD9FTwb7zwR4OsHXRj3B7j5f9_bZGDxkiE4qTy8_lBAECOH5qcOym491OT40tQgbHphz32B2ysq8k/s1440/01g7a36fg7q4f3n9d2nh.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1440" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaVzkwZhVGwTBD12GxGqPDaV-Bzr1KmB7xxvMjDci0TDT884epZoJ8S8Zq_J6bU_ZViR0-yHNVTsY4slD9qytH3mauuU6tSQa6eindyUj7oj6_qXRD9FTwb7zwR4OsHXRj3B7j5f9_bZGDxkiE4qTy8_lBAECOH5qcOym491OT40tQgbHphz32B2ysq8k/s320/01g7a36fg7q4f3n9d2nh.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><i><b>(I loved
words even more. Words seemed to love me. I began to read the bible. I
discovered that The WORD loves me and saved me and has a plan and purpose for
me in sharing his love and words with others) </b></i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My wife and
I were inspired recently with the story in movie form (The Professor and the
Madman) of Sir James Murray (lexicographer)</span><span lang="EN-US"> </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">who was invited by Oxford University
Press to take on the job of capturing all the words then extant in the English-speaking
world in all their various shades of meaning. He is known as the first editor
of the Oxford English Dictionary. This fueled my back to school/ New Years resolution
which was to be more intentional about my reading list (actually finish that
pile of books I have waiting to be read) and ignited the other goal which is reflected
in my thoughts above: to embrace my love of words. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eS3r_bPNeAUvaZtLlJMD1z6UZIrurfpe8K1AsWpsyYmuYQmOQhZupzdGCT50zie36qIx1EwvhAJjL6wlLh7orYbeoXT3Uu0rfDkLRDKdyb-Fol4qZHwOxtZGpG-6Nq5fFg4KOP-PSLEpHILUk9mmfHK8jhd79cXHeDB-rCnHkM1wF19Zjm_H9dvuykU/s1023/James_Murray_in_a_scriptorium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1023" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4eS3r_bPNeAUvaZtLlJMD1z6UZIrurfpe8K1AsWpsyYmuYQmOQhZupzdGCT50zie36qIx1EwvhAJjL6wlLh7orYbeoXT3Uu0rfDkLRDKdyb-Fol4qZHwOxtZGpG-6Nq5fFg4KOP-PSLEpHILUk9mmfHK8jhd79cXHeDB-rCnHkM1wF19Zjm_H9dvuykU/s320/James_Murray_in_a_scriptorium.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sir James Murray in Scriptorium</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">At our staff
personal development at the beginning of this school year our guest relayed some
mind-set thoughts with us and challenged us with this question: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What is
high performance in your context? … Discuss with your partner.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">My
discussion with my partner (our teacher of Japanese) went something like how I aim
to do things that are worthwhile and supporting the efforts of others to
discover their purpose and meaning. My teacher friend grew excited as she
explained that there is a special word in Japanese that expressed my
sentiment. “Yarigai” she said “You are talking about Yarigai: it means
something worth doing especially when you are helping someone else, you are
helping yourself too.”<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic";">やり甲斐 = </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "MS Gothic"; font-size: 20.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "MS Gothic"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Yarigai</span></b></p> <br /><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">So allow me
to pose that question to you : <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">“What is
high performance in your context as a writer?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">For me it
is continuing to grow in my writing prowess and embrace my love of words to
help others fall in love with narratives that empower, motivate, inspire, and mobilize
them. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">What is Yarigai
for you? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is your back-to-school
resolution?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">Perhaps for
you - like me - it is to fall in love with words again. I plan to go “back to
school”, dust off my old dictionary and start reading it again. Noting the
words I need to learn. Finding out what they mean. I will put these words into action
by utilizing them creatively, and helping to inspire others in their worthwhile
living. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO0fl8C0i0l7soekAgOzf7WHohZmaFH16j9hHZYjs7Xhngssehyphenhyphen2lDIGVu4G2NQVu8qw7fryRI1tpxzciFUf2CegpilwUbyhju2RqZkRyJNrzftfe6TKdiKYxzXYLnZdXkOBhQSa2obuQSrGfgCJVBNShOuEhrS1P2JMdaA-YCZtAvhWLgsPPNkpyPZ8/s865/20220702_124122(0).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="502" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZO0fl8C0i0l7soekAgOzf7WHohZmaFH16j9hHZYjs7Xhngssehyphenhyphen2lDIGVu4G2NQVu8qw7fryRI1tpxzciFUf2CegpilwUbyhju2RqZkRyJNrzftfe6TKdiKYxzXYLnZdXkOBhQSa2obuQSrGfgCJVBNShOuEhrS1P2JMdaA-YCZtAvhWLgsPPNkpyPZ8/s320/20220702_124122(0).jpg" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane Brigg - "I love words"</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Shane Brigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17697277411190167984noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-844206275574751432024-01-18T03:00:00.001+10:002024-01-18T03:00:00.131+10:00In for the long haul<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRILF0HDybDlq1pnnl2GpGt-8TsQhm239irvOwIeyeEsFZ8jX5esCbYUSfzs5cGnTs6w97-ncL-N7rEHnL2vieO2UzCUO5P79czeB6PqyUMRnZMAI3iVnsvbVtNO9Jxwqg-UT8BpV2xpo_i2M_I1518c_z3I0EaUoOlpBEXsLBlWhyDrwhzngzPbtU46xG/s2339/Swansong%20Cover%20E%20Final%209781736123133%20V2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2339" data-original-width="1535" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRILF0HDybDlq1pnnl2GpGt-8TsQhm239irvOwIeyeEsFZ8jX5esCbYUSfzs5cGnTs6w97-ncL-N7rEHnL2vieO2UzCUO5P79czeB6PqyUMRnZMAI3iVnsvbVtNO9Jxwqg-UT8BpV2xpo_i2M_I1518c_z3I0EaUoOlpBEXsLBlWhyDrwhzngzPbtU46xG/w131-h200/Swansong%20Cover%20E%20Final%209781736123133%20V2.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>I began my writing
journey in earnest almost twenty years ago now. Back then, if you had told me I
would have ten books published by 2024, I would not have believed you. I
thought I had one novel burning inside me, but that turned out to be seven in
the end. I also remember declaring back then that I could never see myself
writing non-fiction. Yet, just last week, my third non-fiction book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swansong</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, was released.<o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Some have asked me
why – and how – I keep going with all my writing and speaking. I usually respond
by saying that I still feel I have things to say that I hope will encourage and
draw others closer to God. Also, I still enjoy both – so why stop? As to the
‘how’ question, I can honestly say I would not still be writing if it were not
for God’s guidance and strengthening over the years through the words of Scripture,
through others and directly into my spirit. While I did not know I would still
be writing all these years later, God knew and has constantly given me the
impetus to keep going and the opportunities to be published.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I remember with
gratitude how, when I was struggling to find a traditional publisher for my
first novel, a young mum in a group I was part of prayed earnestly that my
novel would indeed see the light of day. Later, she told me she thought she had
seen a new Christian publisher advertised in a magazine at her mother’s place.
She promised to email me the relevant information and I thanked her – but, in
my heart, I was sure she would forget. A few days later, however, her email
arrived – and, eventually, this was the publisher who released my first
manuscript.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Fast forward to
around eighteen years later when I was again looking for a publisher, this time
for my third non-fiction book, </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Swansong.
</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">In October 2022 at the Omega
Christian Writers’ Conference in Kingscliff, at what I believe was God’s
prompting, I booked a Zoom interview with a representative of an overseas
non-fiction publisher, Authentic Media UK. A wonderful online meeting ensued –
and, soon after, I was offered a contract with Authentic</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">When I started my
writing journey, I did not fully believe those who told me writing is a ‘long
haul’ undertaking. Yet, they were right. After all, it can take months or years
for one book to emerge – and it can take even longer to build up any
significant body of writing and gain a wide readership. But God of course knows
that – and God also knows what shape our writing journeys will take. Perhaps
God has just one book for you to write – and that is absolutely fine. But
perhaps God wants you in for the long haul too and has given you many ideas
that are waiting to see the light of day. In this case, I want to encourage you
to keep trusting and walking with God, who is more than able to strengthen and
guide and bring the right publishing opportunities your way. Our role is to
listen, to obey, to persevere and to give of our best, whatever shape our
writing journey may take. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">May God enable us
all to do exactly that in 2024.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVyyzzPIkEe4zT-WacrUP-AEBv-SqxKFuZC403gbiVnkEbxtKmPDYThAzV5kX4yohg8QLseVkyJZAyDRP2HzOeXlQYYhrWWHtLGMG_dmxBg7JOYo1OkiZZt1rDxZcJDgFbrEG-1amLslWKehSwp1gV_2yTcG1i6XciBBjQcaW61vpKqvw33sJ43bSeaeY/s1104/J%20Berthelsen1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="828" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsVyyzzPIkEe4zT-WacrUP-AEBv-SqxKFuZC403gbiVnkEbxtKmPDYThAzV5kX4yohg8QLseVkyJZAyDRP2HzOeXlQYYhrWWHtLGMG_dmxBg7JOYo1OkiZZt1rDxZcJDgFbrEG-1amLslWKehSwp1gV_2yTcG1i6XciBBjQcaW61vpKqvw33sJ43bSeaeY/w150-h200/J%20Berthelsen1a.jpg" width="150" /></a></i></b></div><b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br />Jo-Anne Berthelsen </i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">lives
in Sydney but </span>grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and
Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well
as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and
lives through the written and spoken word. She is the author of seven published
novels and three non-fiction works, ‘Soul Friend’,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Becoming Me’ and ‘Swansong’.. Jo-Anne is
married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and four
grandchildren. For more information, please visit </i><a href="http://www.jo-anneberthelsen.com/">www.jo-anneberthelsen.com</a>. <o:p></o:p><p></p>Jo-Anne Berthelsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09775045057529728396noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-69453691446778754062023-12-18T02:00:00.002+10:002023-12-18T02:00:00.134+10:00Merry Christmas from Australia’s Christian Writers Network<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSOzbJk2_094_uJKnHiSQJUYj96J0whHAyvrXUu9UNhnJHAWmt8W5O6RCX4vxhz4EuPmgGn1ECNWU2f83FUgUyf3NvXhUcPF6bv1ZdKI9Qc67O0jkIV_Zu5sgPriUtzh4REgUjgRiQFrKnEmTwLUO1ZI_3LScCm1XOmTC2K08im65W7535fW_buqaRRs/s1080/Omega%20Writers%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSOzbJk2_094_uJKnHiSQJUYj96J0whHAyvrXUu9UNhnJHAWmt8W5O6RCX4vxhz4EuPmgGn1ECNWU2f83FUgUyf3NvXhUcPF6bv1ZdKI9Qc67O0jkIV_Zu5sgPriUtzh4REgUjgRiQFrKnEmTwLUO1ZI_3LScCm1XOmTC2K08im65W7535fW_buqaRRs/s320/Omega%20Writers%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"> A message from Meredith Resce, Acting President of Omega Writers</h3><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Omega Writers: Australia’s Christian Writers Network</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;"> has had a wonderful year––full of activities,
successes and a few challenges. I want to take this opportunity to express my
gratitude to the Omega Writers management team who have worked tirelessly
around their own day jobs and family responsibilities to make the year a success.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">Please
pray for our team as we continue to plan for activities for next year,
including our bi-annual </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/events/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">face-to-face conference</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">, planned for September 20-22<sup>rd</sup>
2024. Lots of work still to do for that. If you are keen to help, please let us
know where your talents lie, and we’d be pleased to include you in our team of
helpers.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">We
have begun to plan for another round of </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/events/"><span style="color: #1155cc;">masterclasses</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;"> next year. Our first will be with indie
author Christine Dillion looking at “What to focus on at the different stages
of your author career”. You can </span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1155756"><span style="color: #1155cc;">book your spot on this masterclass here</span></a></span><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">After
a hectic year, the committee are stepping away from their Omega Writers’ desks
and taking a well-earned break. You won’t hear much from us until the new year
when we start to tell you all the exciting things we have planned for the
conference!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="color: #222222;">On
behalf of the management committee, may I take the opportunity to send you
Christmas greetings and many blessings as you and your family welcome a new
year. Have a restful holiday and we look forward to resuming our activities in
February.</span></p><p></p>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-2228389782717917092023-12-07T04:00:00.005+10:002023-12-07T04:00:00.142+10:00A Spiritual Practice For Growing Healthier Writers<p><span style="font-size: xx-small;">by Charis Joy Jackson</span></p><p><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPtjzoRar01nibArqoy3dRCNbVLpJTAJ_pkqb78usVYcH5dh-iJwH8xvY7HDc36Z6ZTVxZNsiLdYFq_osj5UuZ9X8Ac8Ytw2q1yFvCEjxnyNa71CtHXXQywtLtk7p3TltBsennsPoAOakfXeEJ8ZrlNAHJnOFN83swq-fRRVlkHN2u_ltcUkrT1SToDb0" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPtjzoRar01nibArqoy3dRCNbVLpJTAJ_pkqb78usVYcH5dh-iJwH8xvY7HDc36Z6ZTVxZNsiLdYFq_osj5UuZ9X8Ac8Ytw2q1yFvCEjxnyNa71CtHXXQywtLtk7p3TltBsennsPoAOakfXeEJ8ZrlNAHJnOFN83swq-fRRVlkHN2u_ltcUkrT1SToDb0=w418-h278" width="418" /></a></span></div><p> Earlier this Autumn (or summer depending on which side of the world you’re in) I found myself stuck. It wasn’t exactly writers block per se but a paralyzing fear that kept me writing a sentence only to delete it and start over again. <br /></p><p><br />And again, and again.<br /><br />I’d been asked to write an article for a magazine read by missions leaders around the world and the topic was close and heavy, and out of reach. <br /><br />One of the founders, Loren Cunningham, of Youth With A Mission, the movement I’ve worked with for over 15 years, and been around since I was six, passed away and they wanted someone, a YWAM leader specifically, to write an article about him. How I was offered this incredible honour, only God knows.<br /><br />Every time I went to write though all these thoughts kept intruding and had me deleting every five seconds. <br /><br />Who was I to have the authority to write about him?<br /><br />What if I didn’t have all the information that would be best for this piece? <br /><br />What if, what if, what if?<br /><br />When these questions have come in the past, there’s always some part of me that knows I’ll get the piece written because I always find a way. But this time, one of the deepest and scariest questions was: what if I don’t this time? What if I have to pass the job to someone else?<br /><br />In the end, I went back to my leader and told him I wasn’t sure I was the right person for the job. The magazine was looking for someone who was a Leader, with a capital ‘L’ and right now, I have limited responsibilities as a leader. And even my past experience as a full-on leader, lower case ‘l’, I felt, was still not the right type.<br /><br />What was my leader’s response? <br /><br />He shrugged his shoulders, and said, “So. You’re a leader.” I tried to protest with my lower case ‘l’ and he said, “Would it make you feel better if we co-wrote it?”<br /><br />The relief I felt at having his covering was palpable. <br /><br />And. It helped me get the article written. <br /><br />An article, I might add, I’m pretty proud and honoured to have been a part of. <br /><br />I share this story for a few reasons. One, because that pesky fellow, Fear, seems to constantly gnat away at me and I want to continue to expose him for the Liar he is — capital ‘L’. Two, writing really does flourish when we’re able to do it with other people’s help/advise/feedback. And three, the only way to get the job done is to persevere.<br /><br />I feel a bit like a broken record as “fighting fear” and “recognizing that we need people around us as writers” tends to be something I often write for CWD. Maybe it’s just me that needs to process it through the act of writing about it, but I don’t think I’m alone with these struggles and if my vulnerability can encourage you to keep going than it’s absolutely worth it. <br /><br />When my leader offered to co-write the piece with me, it was such a blessing. Not only did I feel covered by him but his surprise that I wouldn’t think I could be that capital ‘L’ leader was a real boost too. A few years ago, I’d probably have seen this interchange as a failure on my part but I’ve been learning something lately about how God created us. And realising that Fear often doesn’t allow us to see ourselves the way God sees us.<br /><br />Have you ever heard of something called the Tension Examen? It’s a spiritual practice I’ve been exploring over the last few months. <br /><br />Imagine a string with a knot tied on both ends and another right in the middle. Each knot represents the tensions we hold every day between areas of giftedness, areas of brokenness and in the middle our natural limitations. <br /><b><br /><span style="font-size: medium;">Giftedness ——————— Limitedness ——————— Brokenness</span></b><br /><br />Giftedness — areas where you flourish. Ex. Writing, singing, art<br /><br />Limitedness — areas where there is a natural limitation. Sometimes lasting for a lifetime, sometimes just a season in our life. Ex. sickness, finances, gravity ;)<br /><br />Brokenness — areas where you need to see healing. Ex. How you view yourself because of lies said over you<br /><br />You see, I’ve always felt my limitations were areas of brokenness that needed to be fixed/healed. But the truth is, limitations are a gift from God. If we didn’t have limitations we would be like God and, I’m sorry, but you and I would be horrible at that ‘job’. <br /><br />But it wasn’t just limitations that I struggled to have grace for, it was also giftedness. It felt prideful to say things like: I’m a good writer or I’m a great teacher, etc. <br /><br />I thought I was being humble by not saying those things. Even though I’ve often said that humility is being known for who you are, the bad AND the good. But I wasn’t living like that.<br /><br />Anyway, as I practiced the Tension Examen, and learned to accept the areas I’m gifted in, and the areas of Limitedness, the less shame had room to condemn me for things like the above story. Does that make sense? <br /><br />I’d like to encourage you, my fellow writers, to take a week (or more if you can) to explore the spiritual practice of the Tension Examen. Take 20 minutes every day and write down what’s causing you tension in your day and then ask Holy Spirit to show you where you’re limitations are, where your brokenness is and where your giftedness comes to play in that tension. <br /><br />For me, it’s helped free me of that pesky ‘friend’ I mentioned earlier. I’m not done, by any means, but Papa God has definitely used the practice to help me peal another layer of fear away. <br /><br />Let me finish with this … About a month ago, I was talking on the phone with a good friend about how much I hated thinking and mulling over past hurts and painful situations. I didn’t want those things to take any more of my time or energy but they just don’t seem to want to relent. <br /><br />We talked about the analogy of the peeling onion and how these were layers that needed to be dealt with. Then my friend said she hated that analogy because once you’re done pealing away, there’s nothing left. <br /><br />“Have you ever heard of the rainbow eucalyptus?” she said, and then went on to talk about the stunning process of how it grows. “It sheds sections of bark in order to grow taller, and when the new bark of trunk is exposed to oxygen it reacts by turning different shades of greens and reds. Even blues and purples! <br /><br />You have to admit it’s a better analogy of a life of continual growth — we outgrow the layers and though it may require a bit of perseverance on our end, think of the vibrant life you’re growing into. <br /><br />All this to say, keep going. As we get ready to celebrate Christmas and then look back at what we’ve done this year and start planning ahead for those New Years resolutions, keep making room to sit with I AM and grow in your understanding of what you’re good at, what areas you need healing, and learn to have grace for natural areas of limitations. <br /><br />This doesn’t mean we use limitations as the excuse for Fear to be victor, but rather, it frees us us from Anxiety/Fear. And we won’t be kept back from the thing we were gifted and created to do — tell stories, write.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uGeI66M_ZCjPXhsLdUsBYXX2mLC5vZpcmTm-HjoCsLTThyphenhyphen1N1jjSClvq8tFikTOIeBq6-ylegN-Zr9Fwth55VHC4_sId58WyG-99-wWdUi_bVm9-JVgli2OzGPBhAk0ZQbKURc-9-LsFAK3PFLChQeHYqsjfQAdPfhZs-mRgUupfMNcHDXNXVFci-o/s1800/244721181_10159383945941830_3069658471331892582_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO4uGeI66M_ZCjPXhsLdUsBYXX2mLC5vZpcmTm-HjoCsLTThyphenhyphen1N1jjSClvq8tFikTOIeBq6-ylegN-Zr9Fwth55VHC4_sId58WyG-99-wWdUi_bVm9-JVgli2OzGPBhAk0ZQbKURc-9-LsFAK3PFLChQeHYqsjfQAdPfhZs-mRgUupfMNcHDXNXVFci-o/w141-h177/244721181_10159383945941830_3069658471331892582_n.jpg" width="141" /></a></div>Charis Joy Jackson works as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international Christian missions movement. Currently located in a village north of London, she spends as much time in the great wide outdoors as the weather will allow. In her spare time she spins stories of speculative fiction, capturing her crazy dreams in print. Literally. You can read them in her anthology <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Too-Bright-stories-inspired-Dreamcatchers/dp/1692615629/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TIVTUW18N494&keywords=Too+Bright+CHaris&qid=1682345904&sprefix=too+bright+charis%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1 ">Too Bright</a><br /><br />She has also begun a new initiative on Instagram called <a href=" https://www.instagram.com/aminuteofstillness/ " target="_blank">A Minute Of Stillness</a>, where she reflects on what God’s creation can teach us about being still and slowing down. Her heart is to see it be a moment of peace for those who happen across her reels, and hopes it will help people to stop the endless hours of scrolling in the wee hours of the night. A recovering scrolling addict, she found the few accounts that had reels telling her to stop scrolling and go to bed helped give that extra nudge to turn off her phone and either get outside, back to work or, indeed, go to bed.<br /><br />C h a r i s J o y J a c k s o n <br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/charisjoyjackson/ " target="_blank">Instagram</a> || <a href="https://www.facebook.com/charisjjackson/ " target="_blank">Facebook</a> || <a href="amazon.com/author/charisjoyjackson " target="_blank">Amazon</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <p></p>Charis Joy Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15274372117691594529noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-77212112119689580712023-11-16T04:30:00.010+10:002023-11-16T04:30:00.155+10:00A Writer's Resilience<p>by Claire Bell </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTzqLuzaPrKG4sKDbI6jNulV3_z4EnSFkbS-s3SmrBba0BPScLE47MpD6_JR6MgapVOL7Vflhb1wd-RlmoO_j9iyw3oIiqb6b9EdylCrpiI4PtVC_eX0wbotoFoRNiitET7ROEYaGRZinqVaX1pavyriixYNKeu4Kp2lxG-0FaE14PIFLBKD_iP2p/s5184/pexels-pixabay-106155%20roller%20coaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3292" data-original-width="5184" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiTzqLuzaPrKG4sKDbI6jNulV3_z4EnSFkbS-s3SmrBba0BPScLE47MpD6_JR6MgapVOL7Vflhb1wd-RlmoO_j9iyw3oIiqb6b9EdylCrpiI4PtVC_eX0wbotoFoRNiitET7ROEYaGRZinqVaX1pavyriixYNKeu4Kp2lxG-0FaE14PIFLBKD_iP2p/w400-h254/pexels-pixabay-106155%20roller%20coaster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal">I said to a fellow writer recently that creative writing is
my counselling room. As a long-time counsellor and a new writer, he got my
analogy straight away. It’s not that I have had an especially hard life or a
history of trauma. I considered myself a relatively even-tempered person, with
some good coping strategies and a great God who is the foundation of all the
wonderful support I receive from others. So how do I end up in this unexpected
counselling room?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">I've not had to work as hard at any other role in my life as I do in professional writing. I love writing; the act of writing is the easy
part. Words flow out of my fingertips with ease. I was the student who had to
learn editing early because my essays were always thousands of words too long,
not because of waffle but all the ideas I wanted to include after extensive
literature research.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">The hard work of writing for me has been largely emotional.
I have plenty to learn in the way of craft but I find that can be fun. It’s the
emotional roller coaster that throws me. That was the inspiration behind my
blog, <i>The Character Forge</i> – as I develop characters in story, I am
having to develop character in myself. And I have a suspicion this might be one
of God’s reasons for calling me to write…</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">It’s ironic, really. My first degree was in Psychology but
my intention to become a counsellor faded as motherhood took my attention. When
I took up writing in my 40s, having had a lifelong interest in it, I thought it
was a creative channelling of my earlier desire to help others with their
emotional challenges. But here I am, dealing with mine more obviously than
anyone else’s!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Perhaps you don’t suffer the emotional reversals that
accompany my writing journey. I know I am not alone, but I also recognise there
are all sorts of people who write, each with their unique personal make-up. So
let me list the triggers for my emotional flip-flops:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>plotting. I love the internal experience of
characters but working out how to make the external story work does not come
naturally. It’s like opening a treasure chest and finding it empty.</li><li>finding beta readers. I don’t have good networks
of readers who I feel I could ask to help me this way, especially the target
audience of my YA novels.</li><li>finding publishers who are interested in what I
write. I can’t even find suitable ones to attempt submission. All of
us are discouraged when we submit and get no response or a rejection, and we
have all had to find ways to manage those. It’s the battle to find someone to
submit my manuscript to in the first place that stresses me more.</li><li>promoting my published work. This is the biggest
trigger. It registers as an existential threat! With each book, I have pushed
myself to try a new promotional platform (blogging, book talks, newsletters,
Goodreads, reading and commenting on others’ blogs and reviewing their books).
It’s exhausting, and takes so much of the time I set aside for writing. Putting
myself out there is not something I feel at all equipped for.</li></ul><!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">What’s this all about? For me, the biggest answer is that
God is teaching me resilience. I am having to learn to do what we learn in
prayer: to ask and keep on asking, to trust when the answers don’t come or they
come differently from what we had hoped, to be patient for however long it
takes, to not lose sight of the goal (which is ultimately our relationship with
God and serving his purposes). I am learning (slowly!) to dream big and manage
disappointments; to keep on writing, submitting and promoting; to turn my
sorrows, my fears and my sense of failure over to Jesus and to let him comfort
and re-energise me; to step up to activities that stretch and threaten to
overwhelm me.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">When I let go of the dreams or shrink them to something that
looks more achievable, it’s God who eggs me on to think big. He hasn’t given up
on me in this writing gig even when I have given up on myself. I think he’s
plotting something I haven’t seen yet!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">We all face challenges as writers and, while you may not
fall apart emotionally as I do, we’re all growing in craft and character as we
pursue this crazy writing life. If you have a particular encouragement that
helps you in your times of struggle, please share it in the comments.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN3YZi5FsTzNTt2z1HdEGyAxCF4LaIFa69AjvLM3RO2F75g7yyH2jS67gWZnG-ZW6zuQKW8wL7CKet13n6FbRvx5g0odzok0njTO2yP5jiIrtbE30KPNh-Vg_PgHMCuCbEynxSRuozx4hiJvrdNi_TLCi0Rpe_SoMKje0_H2vsm9U8nW6MOsy7eykG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2205" data-original-width="1654" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhN3YZi5FsTzNTt2z1HdEGyAxCF4LaIFa69AjvLM3RO2F75g7yyH2jS67gWZnG-ZW6zuQKW8wL7CKet13n6FbRvx5g0odzok0njTO2yP5jiIrtbE30KPNh-Vg_PgHMCuCbEynxSRuozx4hiJvrdNi_TLCi0Rpe_SoMKje0_H2vsm9U8nW6MOsy7eykG" width="180" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Claire Bell writes as Claire Belberg, and has published two short YA novels in a genre she calls
‘speculative realism’. She also writes poetry and is currently working towards
industry engagement with her poems about the impact of her parents’ dementia (<i>Unravelling:
A story of dementia</i>), yet to be published. She has had poems and short
stories included in various anthologies, including <i>inScribe</i>, and in the
independent Adelaide news service <i>inDaily</i>. She writes an occasional blog
called <i><a href="http://clairebelberg.wordpress.com">The Character Forge</a></i> loosely exploring the development of personal
character through the act of writing. Claire lives in the Adelaide Hills and
loves to watch birds wherever she can find them.</span><br /><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Claire Bellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14594856860122507009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-62031422530773132252023-10-19T04:30:00.169+10:002023-10-19T11:08:49.254+10:00What did God say?<p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i> by Anusha Atukorala</i></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaWhgXRYaR-_LOSIxCdZKM2LXFvc-lH_aSxsGUzF6FTvgXGTqu1gIJc48ocU85eknFNrETylVzTfU_C3_p4LSKD6T4R3RUkqUUV5r6bPRLL6H7Jbn0mk1mBCuktP9gHxBQt3pgJ5x501IQy0pJlQFjf4tXKiDFOyYfQH0dLb6jQLxwkIQaG2B05lHmYwX/s2631/Using%20a%20Magifying%20Glass%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="2631" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeaWhgXRYaR-_LOSIxCdZKM2LXFvc-lH_aSxsGUzF6FTvgXGTqu1gIJc48ocU85eknFNrETylVzTfU_C3_p4LSKD6T4R3RUkqUUV5r6bPRLL6H7Jbn0mk1mBCuktP9gHxBQt3pgJ5x501IQy0pJlQFjf4tXKiDFOyYfQH0dLb6jQLxwkIQaG2B05lHmYwX/w400-h269/Using%20a%20Magifying%20Glass%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Recently, my phone seems to have a bumble bee buzzing blearily inside its bright blue
bouncy bonnet! (A bee in its bonnet?) When its battery power falls below 50%, a red light starts to
flash, warning me that my battery will soon be flat. My phone then switches
into power-saving mode and its google chat function‘s background turns dark. In
actual fact, there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. It
can function very well for the rest of the day even with the charge dropping
steadily.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">When my phone was new, the warning was given only when its charge was
below 15% which was of course the right time to give it. Now obviously, something in the phone's power circuit has gone awry. I decided to humour my phone. Each time it starts
to flash, I recharge it and pretty soon it’s well above 50%, and stops its
urgent summons.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM8T_ikwX_oQvLJEmvX3eIdEhWQewPhw0mh6LFyGw55WTwBEMVIVEGC3bSJKtrxXXvIvU0HnnbOHJGDmGgu9MePjykypBM9Q_mnRwFcqW88hT5qSSuVeyYuctyg4Pc6PuDBvO15Twx23c8GDTHb2O6rI5iyMQLWUOSbdsu5AbZRVrB9mS5LkAh13ljOwq/s402/P9020505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="336" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnM8T_ikwX_oQvLJEmvX3eIdEhWQewPhw0mh6LFyGw55WTwBEMVIVEGC3bSJKtrxXXvIvU0HnnbOHJGDmGgu9MePjykypBM9Q_mnRwFcqW88hT5qSSuVeyYuctyg4Pc6PuDBvO15Twx23c8GDTHb2O6rI5iyMQLWUOSbdsu5AbZRVrB9mS5LkAh13ljOwq/s320/P9020505.JPG" width="267" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">My temperamental phone reminds me of us human beings who are often prone
to sink into catastrophe mode at the drop of a hat. Or into worry mode. Or to
dip our toes (and minds) in the murky pool of anxiety. My health issues with chronic
fatigue and debilitating pain of many years caused additional problems. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">After
12 years of the illness, I discovered that I was unable to manage negative
emotions – something I’d never had a problem with before. If triggered, I’d spiral
downwards into a state of anxiety and fear, unable to think my way up again. Arrrgh!
Thankfully … I was given an unexpected gift this year. From an unusual quarter
too! Thank You God!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">I was offered a place in a clinical trial conducted by the University of
NSW. Researchers had discovered that the part of the brain that controls pain also
controls emotional regulation. Now I knew why I’d easily sink down like a rock into the ocean and with no warning. It wasn't me.
It was my little brain, depleted of its feel-good chemicals due to a large amount of stress
hormones that chronic pain had unleased! Because I now knew what caused it, I
could take action.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFcfd4_Wh3cCx8Pc89KSXS9o1SuI002erTNhkvfIzNLXFIGnJTb2bnveNC5iWxs2eJlCR1GJSYT5iP6owyw3tWwYP2nC6ZODZ1eYfZ-01VOfGav9ZkJIWI9KFmPFzj3l7rL6N-0gaOqVzwNjpE3skBFUvvjg25MCO48Hp3pg3-TJxRXROHFrIwMq2-acP/s4000/What%20did%20God%20say%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFcfd4_Wh3cCx8Pc89KSXS9o1SuI002erTNhkvfIzNLXFIGnJTb2bnveNC5iWxs2eJlCR1GJSYT5iP6owyw3tWwYP2nC6ZODZ1eYfZ-01VOfGav9ZkJIWI9KFmPFzj3l7rL6N-0gaOqVzwNjpE3skBFUvvjg25MCO48Hp3pg3-TJxRXROHFrIwMq2-acP/w400-h225/What%20did%20God%20say%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Eleven of us from all across Australia took part in the trial. We had 12
weeks of face to face Zoom meetings and were given an App to use daily to
practice new skills– to help us manage our emotions better. They included
mindfulness meditation (I turned it into Christian mindfulness), filling our
emotional tanks using helpful activities, learning healthy ways of responding
to stress and so on.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">When my fear circuit gets activated, I am now able to use my new skills to
reach a better place. Recently I decided that each time my brain goes into
panic mode, to ask myself a simple question, the question being: ‘</span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">What did God say?</i>’ </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c3XynjJ0JxqFwz0esdN9G3UM1pB2XWYSrmidtV_nUDVHS_iLZeiO4caVmPJyGiov4eZj31-bE2oI5XW3D5M355B57VuP4MN_z8NDYzQo82z8jNIFCIs54id4KuUAOqdBfA-OvBiFCK695Jql-EHZ1nuH9y5DoeMdfxD6vdsfpOqL2jwQOxuQFM2vOedq/s408/Why%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="336" data-original-width="408" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5c3XynjJ0JxqFwz0esdN9G3UM1pB2XWYSrmidtV_nUDVHS_iLZeiO4caVmPJyGiov4eZj31-bE2oI5XW3D5M355B57VuP4MN_z8NDYzQo82z8jNIFCIs54id4KuUAOqdBfA-OvBiFCK695Jql-EHZ1nuH9y5DoeMdfxD6vdsfpOqL2jwQOxuQFM2vOedq/s320/Why%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">Now, that was a good
move … remembering God’s answers to my fearful thoughts is always soothing and brings quick
relief - <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>like a storm tossed boat reaching
quiet waters and finding safe harbour. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God says</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> ‘</span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large; mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Trust me.</b></i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">’ </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God says <b>‘</b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>I will never leave you nor forsake you.</b>’</i> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God says <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">‘<b>Don’t look at circumstances. Look at me</b></i><b>.’</b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">God says </span></span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">‘<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>I'll work everything out for
your good.'</b></i></span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b> </b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">God says</span><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"> </span><i style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;">‘<b>All is well’</b></i><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b>.</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6JR8TA4OfN5OfX5Slq67lbT8IzsAKVRAOjNpoKUsRPpR0BarDWigCGAdGYbrsi5es9mXGnVndy-hzLvgGxu-4apxIYMumLrQoaFRNqAeLZyt9HvLHDDWMwef2HvpX0FYAtoR60ZhdmSq06_jvc6mv1u9KUZpSwYDxl2XyNDdAOSZFQDGO_dKCXYSxYMx/s960/Treasure%20in%20Unlikely%20Places%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="960" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO6JR8TA4OfN5OfX5Slq67lbT8IzsAKVRAOjNpoKUsRPpR0BarDWigCGAdGYbrsi5es9mXGnVndy-hzLvgGxu-4apxIYMumLrQoaFRNqAeLZyt9HvLHDDWMwef2HvpX0FYAtoR60ZhdmSq06_jvc6mv1u9KUZpSwYDxl2XyNDdAOSZFQDGO_dKCXYSxYMx/w400-h224/Treasure%20in%20Unlikely%20Places%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><span style="text-align: left;">Such a simple question, but a powerful one. We Christian writers too are
often hurt by words thrown at us from the world. Publishers tell us our work is
not good enough, or our books receive negative reviews. Our own thoughts
reprimand us, telling us that our writing is dismal. We might compare ourselves
with other writers and feel we have little to offer. We may be sad at how few
of our books are sold and assume we are failures. We hear the voice of the
Enemy screaming lies at us, lies that we believe. We might even question our
calling. ‘</span><i style="text-align: left;">Did God really call me to write
for Him?’</i></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALeVMttDVijoYQV2zK9MEcILRxybbwLlfNiMKUrwRgnynUVOP9X3wvnGVOVUmBsfuDX2hNYWOwjLDLE1m2dsYDGmMjq5oFQK_b5cJzpm89_bomGPhWjELxD_1jf45yunXKdsOxgJrJu9tcvfVfd7uQBd9_MQ9KqNPJU7f0OF0VOD3feyDIfkHtPuEABxp/s4000/What%20did%20God%20say%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALeVMttDVijoYQV2zK9MEcILRxybbwLlfNiMKUrwRgnynUVOP9X3wvnGVOVUmBsfuDX2hNYWOwjLDLE1m2dsYDGmMjq5oFQK_b5cJzpm89_bomGPhWjELxD_1jf45yunXKdsOxgJrJu9tcvfVfd7uQBd9_MQ9KqNPJU7f0OF0VOD3feyDIfkHtPuEABxp/w400-h225/What%20did%20God%20say%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">And so today, I ask you dear writerly friend, on days when life gets
difficult, “What does God say to you?” About your writing. About your life.
About your walk with God? The Enemy of our souls is present and active and clever
at smearing our hearts and minds with murky unsubstantiated lies. Do not
believe him. Believe God instead. His Word is true. It is the only truth we can
depend on. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If God has asked you to write … go ahead. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Write! </b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If God has said you are enough, you are. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>Of course, you are! </b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If God has said your failures are pillars of success – then, believe Him.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>You are a winner!</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If God says ‘All is well’ then yes, all is well. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>You can rest!</b><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTf1RJxQqfSVIh1zdagngShpat1hK4aWCX-uHn6m9WzWrj2vaVIpSEeuqcmXPzLqOkjYG2OD5VCAYALolFEOsiAKWSwGgk3SYZHXkRH5pgyqnx4B3_-EHpThXecyUnrsMlo6gtPVFd9wuIky4WkamKli_-NqvxeD1En_BraMcy-pbRk19BDvEuuofxRIJ/s4000/What%20did%20God%20say%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTf1RJxQqfSVIh1zdagngShpat1hK4aWCX-uHn6m9WzWrj2vaVIpSEeuqcmXPzLqOkjYG2OD5VCAYALolFEOsiAKWSwGgk3SYZHXkRH5pgyqnx4B3_-EHpThXecyUnrsMlo6gtPVFd9wuIky4WkamKli_-NqvxeD1En_BraMcy-pbRk19BDvEuuofxRIJ/w400-h225/What%20did%20God%20say%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;">If God calls you to write for Him ... </span><b style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: medium;">He will use your words to achieve His
eternal purposes.</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>And what could be more significant, </b></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>more magnificent, more thrilling than that?</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i>“As the rain and the snow come
down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making
it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the
eater, so is My Word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me
empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I
sent it.” </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><i><b>The Lord God Almighty <o:p></o:p></b></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="font-size: large;">Isaiah 55:10-11</span><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSruQ1cLwDYzPejD_yICbZwY6X-lKT7HLSpLnb9WVoHmfbl4HP6TAYQhL7ceZGIk8VEqnvJ2aPzJrK7AKkkrOlqp-7dn3QgECkyL3px4n761NdTYDqOLT6wae_kK5ULCOxbECmh1dJVq4uayeOLwx-KV3LdJj43TRcZKRus4A04byGrBD2Uczw5pqzwNG5/s496/Me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="426" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSruQ1cLwDYzPejD_yICbZwY6X-lKT7HLSpLnb9WVoHmfbl4HP6TAYQhL7ceZGIk8VEqnvJ2aPzJrK7AKkkrOlqp-7dn3QgECkyL3px4n761NdTYDqOLT6wae_kK5ULCOxbECmh1dJVq4uayeOLwx-KV3LdJj43TRcZKRus4A04byGrBD2Uczw5pqzwNG5/s320/Me.jpg" width="275" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Anusha’s been
on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer
programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full
time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God
tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never
recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life
with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her
writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through
each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.</span></i></i><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><br /></span></i></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">Her first book
<b>Enjoying the Journey</b> contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer
to your Creator. Her 2<sup>nd</sup> book ‘<b>Dancing in the Rain’ </b>brings you
hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. H</span></i><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: large; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">er 3rd book, <b>Sharing the Journey</b>’
is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey'.</span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLUUKGvn5FSK0QrG_iAD3lyoFYy70reLddPX4vwpkUX_sfo7rXpiLC3_eB06gDiHx6HNEvyBbjaO8uXKdAg9KVIKmo0KOIpPIhStwFjVpLW0FtmlzEI0uWt9QAeDrA8_ixugWqwA2EclHaiWMlBVPggBIg2qhpl1nVUgxjenBWcaBI_8ZTULjjV4eIKpg/s480/Book%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLUUKGvn5FSK0QrG_iAD3lyoFYy70reLddPX4vwpkUX_sfo7rXpiLC3_eB06gDiHx6HNEvyBbjaO8uXKdAg9KVIKmo0KOIpPIhStwFjVpLW0FtmlzEI0uWt9QAeDrA8_ixugWqwA2EclHaiWMlBVPggBIg2qhpl1nVUgxjenBWcaBI_8ZTULjjV4eIKpg/s320/Book%20cover.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gsdjeq1uJy282JnV8O2GLHRyMAjk24LJ3tWDqeWpbHoPHIlUbX0Q69qjNnnd7A4wzMMzShL9fPX1xTQ98POR4mYbDvMr2xYiWJbRxXxkTwMTaV_jgeTUFS7jO9TCbtSq2SJEn0vfNrVxPkPc4wtZrps_tsOnMMeRsxA16PMqazAwzfzw75y3MQIrA4GI/s424/Dancing%20in%20the%20rain%20cover%20photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gsdjeq1uJy282JnV8O2GLHRyMAjk24LJ3tWDqeWpbHoPHIlUbX0Q69qjNnnd7A4wzMMzShL9fPX1xTQ98POR4mYbDvMr2xYiWJbRxXxkTwMTaV_jgeTUFS7jO9TCbtSq2SJEn0vfNrVxPkPc4wtZrps_tsOnMMeRsxA16PMqazAwzfzw75y3MQIrA4GI/s320/Dancing%20in%20the%20rain%20cover%20photo.png" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGurvauu-nLN_7Jri8MvhNETg9c0HyNMQSGyiH2Uquq08rYYE6NTwr_m72HIA9yMTeWW1WTNAb8qcmZLRG1M73OB0G_rbMlQnGa5Ee8Nod4h0Az1jr-iCjVXxbukgV3J5by6fQp5-U16Fw0fljzrtxT5XmnqxOX3sObIvKSiIHde4KG0vZjcB2Y3WOqEi/s314/Sharing%20the%20Journey%20Front%20Cover%20-%20Smaller.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="199" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGurvauu-nLN_7Jri8MvhNETg9c0HyNMQSGyiH2Uquq08rYYE6NTwr_m72HIA9yMTeWW1WTNAb8qcmZLRG1M73OB0G_rbMlQnGa5Ee8Nod4h0Az1jr-iCjVXxbukgV3J5by6fQp5-U16Fw0fljzrtxT5XmnqxOX3sObIvKSiIHde4KG0vZjcB2Y3WOqEi/s1600/Sharing%20the%20Journey%20Front%20Cover%20-%20Smaller.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><br /></b></span></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b>Do drop in on her two websites to say G’day! </b></span></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: georgia; font-size: medium; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"><b><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>She’d love to connect with you.</b><o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: medium;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> <a href="https://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/" target="_blank">Dancing in the Rain</a></span></i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;"> <a href="https://light-in-the-darkness00.webnode.com/ " target="_blank">Light in the Darkness</a></span></i></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></i></b><p></p>Anusha Atukoralahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-2372417463092257852023-10-16T02:00:00.003+10:002023-10-23T13:05:56.481+10:00Omega Writers | There We Were, Together!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nE5tTHoZB09qWy6hcbeaOSOKj-Vp-DEIi0qiu9VRwEyGVOr1kq3z_3DUPt6JK4zoIE9UKxFLqzcqn8Ur4Mzbuvi-jByYLcJ6zuAkfINPuIeTx9F8yOY2DWHsTUhPg5IG4wtj-aMPZCBeIWj2Nwvuq19lckp5UkENG38ZjX4jTx8x23BRPeJUutQwfPM/s1080/Omega%20Writers_%20Round%20no%20words.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nE5tTHoZB09qWy6hcbeaOSOKj-Vp-DEIi0qiu9VRwEyGVOr1kq3z_3DUPt6JK4zoIE9UKxFLqzcqn8Ur4Mzbuvi-jByYLcJ6zuAkfINPuIeTx9F8yOY2DWHsTUhPg5IG4wtj-aMPZCBeIWj2Nwvuq19lckp5UkENG38ZjX4jTx8x23BRPeJUutQwfPM/s320/Omega%20Writers_%20Round%20no%20words.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />By Jen Richards<br /><br /><div><div style="text-align: center;">The 2023 Omega Writers online retreat was a fantastic time of togetherness for Australia’s Christian Writers Network.</div><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">The 2023 Annual General Meeting…</h1><br />The retreat started on Friday night with the 2023 Omega Writers AGM, where members gained updates on the business side of the network. President Penny Reeve announced she was stepping down midterm, which was a great loss to the network. <br /><br />Thankfully, Meredith Resce is willing to step in as interim president, bringing with her a wealth of experience and a passion for supporting Christian writers, while the committee searches for someone to formally fill the position. <br /><br />Members were treated to a walk-through of the brand new <a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/">Omega Writers website</a> by Cecily Paterson, who pointed out the exciting <a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/omega-writers-member-content">new exclusive members content</a>. For those who were keen to kick on after the meeting, committee member Karen Roper ran a fun game of Scattergories.<br /><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">A day of deep learning</h1><br />The main part of the retreat began on Saturday morning when around 60 writers from across the country joined together via zoom for learning and encouragement. First up, participants broke into genre groups to get to know each other a little better, before hearing our keynote speaker Rosanna M White. Rosanna spoke on the importance of reading and living with authenticity and self-reflection so that we can inject that into our writing and ultimately write deeply and move readers with truth. Her talk would set the tone for the rest of the day. <br /><br />In the second session, Meredith Resce and Tamara Wenham spoke on Christian writing in a post-Christian world. They explore the big picture of western culture and the role that a Christian voice has played in that over the last 2000 years. <br /><br />After lunch, Meredith chaired a session on Hopes, Dreams, Expectations and Disappointments where she invited other writers, editors, and agents to talk about approaching the inevitable ups and downs of the writing life as Christians. The learning part of the day closed with a devotion from Karen Roper and genre groups. <br /><br />In the evening, Iola Goulton presented <a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/caleb-award-2023-results/">the 2023 Caleb Awards</a>. It was thrilling to see so many friends, new and old, learning, connecting and celebrating together across the day.<br /><br />Thank you to the extraordinary team behind the scenes who made the day run smoothly and especially to Tamara Wenham who balanced calm, professional planning with the excitement of being nominated for the CALEB. Thanks to the work of tireless volunteers, Australia’s Christian Writers Network is going from strength to strength!<br /><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">Save the date for 2024</h1><br />A few years ago, the Omega Writers committee made the decision to move from yearly in-person conferences to having an in-person conference in even years, supplemented by an online retreat in odd ones. This approach allows us to hold a highly professional in-person conference but still provides an opportunity for interactive learning for writers at all points of the writing journey. <br /><br />To that end Carolyn Miller introduced the 2024 Omega Writers conference.<br />Emerge: Connect, equip, inspire<br /><br />Dates: Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September, 2024<br /><br /><a href="https://metrohotels.com.au/hotels/metro-mirage-hotel-newport/">The Metro Hotel, Newport</a> | Sydney<br /><br />Keynote speaker: <a href="https://www.susanmaywarren.com/">Susan May Warren </a><br /><br />Register your expression of interest and get early updates <a href="https://forms.gle/bp4aQg7Nw6CsX4pWA">here</a>. <p></p></div>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-55246961260293151932023-10-12T04:00:00.025+10:002023-10-12T04:00:00.146+10:00CWD Highlights April-October 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE8tvPKiZaSWx-lIO6w-CxB1SmQWyI0gDVQN1xcZqX4SOeUGF1OMK62uQx2KvZDui5TcQY_7IgWQGFGCKmMAyskypeIgjBVBiqlZEcT-y5oXTAIdVFZf0aNAAFLU1HqXaSiJCZ1j7CvVz5IPJr2UFL6yvA63AHnMpIUtRFTR-HKKFqjviy03_WBT9jA/s2048/BalloonsJOH2x250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1845" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKE8tvPKiZaSWx-lIO6w-CxB1SmQWyI0gDVQN1xcZqX4SOeUGF1OMK62uQx2KvZDui5TcQY_7IgWQGFGCKmMAyskypeIgjBVBiqlZEcT-y5oXTAIdVFZf0aNAAFLU1HqXaSiJCZ1j7CvVz5IPJr2UFL6yvA63AHnMpIUtRFTR-HKKFqjviy03_WBT9jA/s320/BalloonsJOH2x250.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><b><i>Christian Writers Downunder is a diverse group of writers, editors, bloggers, illustrators. As a group we support each other through our Facebook page and blog.<br /><br /><br />Today's blog will highlight some of the achievements of our members from April-October 2023</i></b><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">New Releases & Launches</h1><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">Elizabeth Klein</h2><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Dreamscape: Saving Mermaid Lagoon Book 3 </h3><div>Dreamscape: Saving Mermaid Lagoon Book 3 on August 31st, 2023. Paperback on September 9th 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RwBU1YfBVNNWlhh7zEYyhc3q6ATZ5jmvidTaFKcWxtHIV0JWiel4DYSLAR3WMyyU77AO_FF1R6tcEfy3zdW42-xMAz4pJxUVBGQKn82nOnC72qzlindGNdlSPHmvYSRqhr3EeaM8JvoP_D7RgTAH8nsDnXVVEkH26oiQ-YG4cOvHXvXuZp8DDWycrA/s900/Dreamscape%203%20final%20ebook%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2RwBU1YfBVNNWlhh7zEYyhc3q6ATZ5jmvidTaFKcWxtHIV0JWiel4DYSLAR3WMyyU77AO_FF1R6tcEfy3zdW42-xMAz4pJxUVBGQKn82nOnC72qzlindGNdlSPHmvYSRqhr3EeaM8JvoP_D7RgTAH8nsDnXVVEkH26oiQ-YG4cOvHXvXuZp8DDWycrA/s320/Dreamscape%203%20final%20ebook%202.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Against his will, Sam Flynn is sent on a crazy mission by a bumbling fairy godmother to save a colony of mermaids. Instead, a group of pirates capture him and force him to become a member of their crew. To top off his bad luck, he’s snatched away in the middle of the night by a hideous Beast and carried off to its castle.</div><div><br />It’s a story that sounds all too familiar to Sam, except for the part where the daughter of a rose thief promised to the Beast falls in love with him instead. Will he survive the Beast’s wrath long enough to save the mermaids? <br /><br />Buy Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH393GDR">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH393GDR</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Short story, The Invitation</h3><div>Short story, The Invitation, was published in Short Tales 9 on 5th of May, 2023 by Storm Cloud Publishing.</div><div><br />Miriam accepts a mysterious invitation to a strange tea party in a meadow, along with white rabbits, a ginger cat with a huge smile on its face, an odd, long-necked bird and a man with orange hair and eyebrows that stick out and wiggle as he talks. <br /><br />FREE!<br /><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Short story, The Time-Keeper</h3>Short story, The Time-Keeper, was published in Open House 7 on Wednesday, 16th August, 2023 by Storm Cloud Publishing.<br /><br />Blurb: Lara is a Time-Keeper and her services are for hire, that is, if you can afford her. She locates people's traumas and then alters them for a different outcome. But if the government finds her, it's over for Lara.<br /><br />FREE!<div><br /></div><b>Elizabeh Klein:</b> Besides having written many short stories, articles, plays and poems, she's also authored YA and junior fiction books, as well as four educational books and has over 70 published works to date.<div><br /></div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">A Glimmer of Uncommon Fairy Tales anthology</h2><div><br /></div>A Glimmer of Uncommon Fairy Tales on April, the 26th 2023 and paperback on May 4th, 2023.<br /><br />Edited by <b>Elizabeth Klein </b>- and with stories from Elizabeth and ten other authors, <b>including CWD members Ann Hamilton, Linsey Painter, Sally Odgers, Debra Williams, Jean Saxby, and Jeanette O'Hagan</b><br /><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVaB_vrTwLVgq5ypT05uETrpPUDjKC2E5-geQiaZaZSsvwYGqW3h6g8MoO3pr6A8bE5hDmDa26YVTdOJl8y9w7Ynjccuccr0pC8tR1-D4fZ0VWiFhAiCFjOe_YgI7zxvUN3pJ-Hh5-Nh-Qls8YXQyaoRYc1cs93iP7i3tp4xK4CqushhBSA0-DXLjgA/s899/Glimmer1%20copyx600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLVaB_vrTwLVgq5ypT05uETrpPUDjKC2E5-geQiaZaZSsvwYGqW3h6g8MoO3pr6A8bE5hDmDa26YVTdOJl8y9w7Ynjccuccr0pC8tR1-D4fZ0VWiFhAiCFjOe_YgI7zxvUN3pJ-Hh5-Nh-Qls8YXQyaoRYc1cs93iP7i3tp4xK4CqushhBSA0-DXLjgA/s320/Glimmer1%20copyx600.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>A collection of unknown, untold and retold stories that will stir the souls of fairy tale lovers everywhere. Each tale is carefully woven together with a silver thread of starlight and a sprinkle of magic, along with the golden melody from the Boy with the Nightingale’s Voice.<br /><br />Buy Link: <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3QNLP44">https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C3QNLP44</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Ian Blight</h2></div></div>Book details: non-fiction, title: 'Singleness, Marriage & being God's Family', release date: 17 October 2023<div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3DlRoHaASGTwZXmSobCHucHW9BP9zMFF_eWoNQGszPTAGlux9vFcYMq4vSAF35qZlQDoJAXZc_5BWrD9WWTZarIjTXkPKLA74h7w3pYteKTlJzmtVpMKahFbFaANp38ZtpcdWVWlWL80SBY0YBvv-PXGtj8dzqIH81JWLic-3IoY1nLl8doR8ZpNCg/s872/Cover%20image%20Singleness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="872" data-original-width="578" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3DlRoHaASGTwZXmSobCHucHW9BP9zMFF_eWoNQGszPTAGlux9vFcYMq4vSAF35qZlQDoJAXZc_5BWrD9WWTZarIjTXkPKLA74h7w3pYteKTlJzmtVpMKahFbFaANp38ZtpcdWVWlWL80SBY0YBvv-PXGtj8dzqIH81JWLic-3IoY1nLl8doR8ZpNCg/s320/Cover%20image%20Singleness.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><br />This non-fiction book looks into the contemporary church, at a marriage and family focused culture, with the intent of working toward a better biblical understanding of where singleness belongs in God's family.<br /><br /><b>Ian Blight </b>is from Adelaide, and has written this book drawing from a lifetime of experience as a single person and motivated by an acute sense of the need to delve into the topic of singleness within the church in Australia.</div><br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Dienece Darling</h2><div><br /></div><div>In Freeing Defeat will be available in December. </div><div><br />In Freeing Defeat (available in December), a socialite and a poor clergyman wrestle with God over the inconvenient appearing of each other in perfectly ordered their lives.</div><div><br /></div><div>In Pursuing Prayer (available now), a sister grapples with unanswered prayer.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaee-sTaQLPJ2kyz4p9AGuz0lqbvNV_5J7WpF5XG3cbNFtOFyAeLgDWGe_EwPSsNUvRhJzqq9KYzmqQt07p9MkWvwiuW37juz-7NNh3svXHmD68x7a_elV_-9ILE2kjhfFGcuhwVIuaMY2MichrlpAOamhhPQnvrdqQAwpgMkuy-kK5jcOQQ8g3VxkNg/s1080/4%20Spring%20Deal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaee-sTaQLPJ2kyz4p9AGuz0lqbvNV_5J7WpF5XG3cbNFtOFyAeLgDWGe_EwPSsNUvRhJzqq9KYzmqQt07p9MkWvwiuW37juz-7NNh3svXHmD68x7a_elV_-9ILE2kjhfFGcuhwVIuaMY2MichrlpAOamhhPQnvrdqQAwpgMkuy-kK5jcOQQ8g3VxkNg/s320/4%20Spring%20Deal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br />Sign up here to get both of these books for free! <a href="https://www.dienecedarling.com/copy-of-free-short-story">Free Story | Dienece Darling</a></div><div><br /><div><div><b>Dienece Darling,</b> an inspirational historical author, is running a 2 for 1 deal. Sign up to Dienece's blog and receive a short historical story now and a historical romance novelette in December. Both set in England.</div><div><br /></div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Accepted for publication</h1><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Stories of Life</h2><div><br /></div><b>The Stories of Life anthology</b> is a ollection of true stories of faith will be launched on Thursday evening, 16 November 2023, at Tabor College, Adelaide. At the launch, prize winners in the Open and Short category will also be announced. The event will be live-streamed on Facebook. </div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations on the CWD members whose stories weere among those accepeeted to be published in the 2023 Stories of Life anthology, inclulding:</div><div><br /><b>Jeanette Grant-Thomson</b> Piercing the Silence<br /><br /><b>Jenny Woolsey </b>Dad and Jesse<br /><br /><b>Jo Wanmer</b> Dagger in the Heart<br /><br /><b>Jo-Anne Berthelsen</b> Dear friend<br /><br /><b>June Hopkins</b> A God-Given glitch & Kisses for Me</div><div><br /><b>Steph Penny</b> Kindling</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Hazel Barker</b> Help from Heaven</div><div><br /></div><div><b>RJ Rodda</b> Praying for Princess</div><div><br /></div><div><b>DJ Blackmore</b> Home Remedy</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Karen Roper</b> The Voice</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Barbara McKay</b> Out of the ashes</div><div><div><br /><b>Cherie Love</b> ‘Let the Children Come to Me’ and God is Our Provider<br /><br /><b>Esther Cremona</b> The Heart of a Midwife</div><div><br /><b>Kylie Gardiner</b> People Matter<br /><br /><b>Liisa Grace-Baun</b> No More Tuna Mornay<br /><br /><b>Roslyn Bradshaw</b> Learning to Ride a Bike and Classic Road Trip<br /><br /><b>Ruth C Hall</b> Solo with God and Along for the Ride</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>CONGRATULATIONS on all who have had their story accepted. For a full list of stories check out<a href="https://storiesoflife.net/stories-selected-for-publication-2/" target="_blank"> the Stories of Life website.</a> <br /><br /><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">RWR Retreat antholoyg - A Spash of Love. </h2><div>A number of CWD members have had their stories accepted for the RWR anthology - including Raelene Purtill, Jenny Woolsey and Jeanette O'Hagan - the anthology will be released next year with the 2024 Rainforest Writers Retreat.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /><h1 style="text-align: left;">Awards</h1></div><div><br /><h2 style="text-align: left;">CALEB Awards</h2></div><div><br /></div><div>Congratulations to the winners of the CALEB Award announced last Saturday. This year was the unpublished prize, as well as the Barnabus and Encouragment awards</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Unpublished Young Adult fiction</h3><div><br /></div>The Winner is <b>Julia Archer </b>with The Drone Guy Project</div><div><br /><div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">Unpublished Adult fiction</h3><div><br />The Winner is <b>Kate Mackereth </b>with Tradings Wings</div><div><br /><div> </div><div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Barnabus Award</h3><div><br /></div>The Barnabas Award recognises writers who give selflessly to support and encourage other writers in the writing journey. This award celebrates the invaluable impact of such encouragement and acknowledges the often unseen work these writers do to lift others up.<div><br /></div><div>The winner this year was <b>Jo-Anne Berthelsen </b>for her "For for “showing an unserving commitment to encouraging other Christian writers."</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Encouragement Award</h3><div><br /></div>Encouragement Awards are opportunities to celebrate emerging writers who Omega Members believe are worthy of encouragement and recognition for their commitment, attitude and development of their writing craft. <div><br /></div><div>The joint winners were <b>Jo Wanmer</b> "who is always encouraging others. Keep writing!"<span style="background-color: white; color: #606060; font-family: Montserrat, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span>and <b>Carolyn Bourke</b> "as she finishes her debut novel."</div><div><br /></div><div>For the full list and statements about the winners and prizes check out <a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/caleb-award-2023-results/?fbclid=IwAR0nST3eBq2X9-YY5tOv7b_S6Kx7MHr8lArPMaKuIUsyPCsVHUnnd293elE" target="_blank">the Omega Writers Website</a>.</div><br /><h3 style="text-align: left;">CALEB 2024</h3><br />Entries for the Published CALEB Awards will open in the first half of 2024. Check the Omega Writers Website for or 2024 entry dates in 2024<br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><h1 style="text-align: left;">Events</h1><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">May Retereat 5-7 May 2023</h2><div><br />Toowoomba Omega Writers Chapter Retreat was held in May at Somerset Dam, South-east Queensland, with Guest speaker: Best-selling Australian Author, <b>Meredith Resce</b>, and publisher <b>Rochelle Stephens</b> practical workshops, time to referesh, write and/or network. Thanks for the Toowoomba chapters - <b>Nola Passmore, Adele Jones, Kirsten Hart, Mazzy Adams</b> and others who made this a inspiration time. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Brisbane Omega Showcase 6-7 October 2023</h2><div><br /></div><div>Omega Showcase was two days of non-stop inspiration and fun with Judy Rogers as compere, a full program on a range of subjects plus some interesting workshops culminating with a dinner on the second day. A great way to network and to get the creative juices going. Big thanks to presenters including <b>Simon Kennedy, Mazzy Adams, Rebekah Robinson, Nola Passmore, Rendered Realms (Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeanette O'Hagan), Raelene Purtill</b> and especially to the organisers, especially <b>Anne Hamilton, Judy Rogers and Ruth Bonetti</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65lfGIRXAajcjipkZ43u5OzJg3aXwIwSq1DUP3-DQKZWlqSW4no7Opnl88VSlHepcMxpTAAATsgO-7oAU-FL7PWYuMI1yrFV234P6NnV4EPlhoDWSGLbfoLe5vx96pq3iwmR9ChV_P834GQ3Lu8mtDceQrZS1ye8_sUCKkI5VrX_l_sAH37Wyyz3cQ/s2048/Ruth%20and%20Anniex600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2048" height="284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz65lfGIRXAajcjipkZ43u5OzJg3aXwIwSq1DUP3-DQKZWlqSW4no7Opnl88VSlHepcMxpTAAATsgO-7oAU-FL7PWYuMI1yrFV234P6NnV4EPlhoDWSGLbfoLe5vx96pq3iwmR9ChV_P834GQ3Lu8mtDceQrZS1ye8_sUCKkI5VrX_l_sAH37Wyyz3cQ/w400-h284/Ruth%20and%20Anniex600.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><b>Ruth Bonetti </b>presented <b>Anne Hamilton</b> At Brisbane Omega Showcase the <b>inaugural Founder’s Award</b> to honour Anne Hamilton for her many decades’ faithful service. She shares my vision and ethos to support fellow authors in sharing Christ through our words.<div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Omega Writers Zoom Conference 6-7 Oct 2023</h2><div><br /></div><div>Omega Writers Zoom Conference was held online from Friday 6 Oct - Saturady 7 Oct , including the Omega Writers AGM and culminating in the CALEB awards. </div><div><br /></div>The next Omega Writers conference will be held in 20-22 September, 2024 in Sydney.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Margie Lawson Immersion on the Gold Coast</h2><div><br /></div><div>A number of CWD members including <b>Andrea Grigg, Elaine Frazer, Jeanette O'Hagan, Kate Mackereth</b>, joined in on the Margie Lawson Immersion at the Gold Coast last week. A fantastic of intensive learning and practice on powering up prose hosted by the wonderful host Andrea Grigg. Margie Lawson is awesome with a stack of resources and courses to help improve writing power.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: left;">Rendered Realms</h2><div><br /></div><div>Rendered Realms is a trio of Sepc Fic authors - <b>Lynne Stringer, Adele Jones and Jeannette O'Hagan.</b> This year we've been to Gold Coast Supanova (April), Oz Comic Con (September) and, for the first time, Frazer Pop (July) at Maryborough.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq4iP2GFMiMDAx9B_Ne6XZeSzb3Lqh3nqyeT9XE5Oqf_wLt_Ise965ys3mjxh5RKJrfNwTLm0rSP8anZtFjH8Hp2Tau1rhFMITXQ7Q2qCE0y6ciZmkvV6E8H9rRyZUZPIYc17ECa1teLE7trsarba-rN3j6G6SDAGPJoiq5eoqtoEcP95J9xX8fOU-Q/s1711/OzComicCon2023x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1711" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgq4iP2GFMiMDAx9B_Ne6XZeSzb3Lqh3nqyeT9XE5Oqf_wLt_Ise965ys3mjxh5RKJrfNwTLm0rSP8anZtFjH8Hp2Tau1rhFMITXQ7Q2qCE0y6ciZmkvV6E8H9rRyZUZPIYc17ECa1teLE7trsarba-rN3j6G6SDAGPJoiq5eoqtoEcP95J9xX8fOU-Q/s320/OzComicCon2023x600.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Rendered Realms were invited to present a session at the Omega Showcase. We had fun talking about taking our books to pop-festivals and connecting with potential readers, including cosplaying as characters in our own books. </div><div><br /></div><div>Our next event as a team is at Brisbane Supanova on 11-12 November at the Brisbane Convention Centre.</div><div><br /></div><b><i>Did you have a new release or event or brag point that didn't make it to the Highlights Post? Keep an eye out for the next call for information from members - the next Highlights post will be in end of December 2023.<br /><br />Congratulations to all our members for your milestones and achievements.<br /><br />Jeanette O'Hagan</i></b><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jeanette O'Haganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11057798704247611224noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-34879651485616984862023-09-18T09:16:00.004+10:002023-09-24T18:42:05.665+10:00Omega Writers | Introducing the 2023 Online Retreat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqAGEubdNwAk0HYZHH8wnacChYCg6eXxemdCL5VUZQTYWFhecMsn99jTCHRc_pCjbpgzvyavYOZ_JrzIsvVWtzGgHL5sKvJn_bbmRGnBq9xoMdGI_zd7MfrhanZ95W1RaPMqIrakwvbQ5Vkr67bHbMlqBGRZe778dwJmirJhXeltIwzUWbfKRg6wt2a0/s1640/Omega%20Writers%202023%20Retreat.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="924" data-original-width="1640" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqAGEubdNwAk0HYZHH8wnacChYCg6eXxemdCL5VUZQTYWFhecMsn99jTCHRc_pCjbpgzvyavYOZ_JrzIsvVWtzGgHL5sKvJn_bbmRGnBq9xoMdGI_zd7MfrhanZ95W1RaPMqIrakwvbQ5Vkr67bHbMlqBGRZe778dwJmirJhXeltIwzUWbfKRg6wt2a0/s320/Omega%20Writers%202023%20Retreat.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p> It’s that time of year!</p><!--wp:paragraph-->
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<p>Spring has sprung. The trees are blossoming, the bees are busy, it’s time to plant tomatoes, the agricultural shows are popping up all around the countryside AND Omega Writers’ Zoom Retreat is happening.</p>
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<p>I read a lament – or maybe just an observation – that many people prefer face-to-face. It’s true. There’s nothing like getting away from the grind of daily routine, settling into an accommodation with writing friends, sharing meals together, and generally enjoying not only the input and teaching, but also the fellowship.</p>
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<p>Omega Writers management committee had been considering cutting our conferences to bi-annual because of the enormous cost in terms of human resource (which is mostly volunteer), and also the cost of flying interstate (and for some, internationally). We felt if we had a rest year for the organisational committee that would give delegates time to save up over the two-year period.</p>
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<p>While these talks were still in the pipeline, the pandemic hit, and we had to cancel the face-to-face conference scheduled for that year. Most everyone was barricaded in their homes from compulsory lockdowns and were going a little stir-crazy. In South Australia and Toowoomba we had opportunity to move about within our own communities, so it wasn’t quite as bad, but we couldn’t travel interstate. So COVID-19 and the rapid changes in technology offered, dare I say it, an opportunity.</p>
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<p>Our president that year, Penny Reeve, decided to push forward with a Zoom Retreat instead. Those of us in Adelaide and Toowoomba met together in our chapter groups and dropped into the zoom together. It was cost effective and successful, and so it fit well with our plans of having the face-to-face only every other year. In line with this bi-annual pattern, it was decided that the CALEB award would split in two: Published work entered on the year we hold face-to-face, and unpublished on the year we hold Zoom Retreat. This also helped with the human resource situation where we need to find judges for the CALEB award.</p>
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<p>And so, here we are in 2023, gearing up for the online retreat, and excited about the things we have lined up. You can make it true to the tag line: </p>
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<p>Here we are, TOGETHER, by joining with your chapter groups and organising for locals to meet together. (To find your nearest chapter group click <a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/resources/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://omegawriters.com.au/resources/</a>)</p>
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<p>Please make sure that you register for the Saturday (cost of $50 members/$70 non-members). You can also register for the Friday evening AGM and social session, and the Saturday evening CALEB awards. Different zoom links will be emailed to you from these registrations. There is no cost for the Friday or Saturday evening sessions.</p>
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<p>Our keynote speaker is Roseanna White – author, publisher, graphic designer. She will be zooming in from the US (another benefit of having an online retreat), and will be speaking on the following topic:</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-medium" style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Roseanna M White" class="wp-image-9842" src="https://australasianchristianwriters.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Roseanna-White-244x300.jpg" /></figure>
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<p>WRITE DEEPLY, READ DEEPLY, LIVE DEEPLY – We all want to write stories that leap off the page and into the readers’ hearts, but how do we dig deep enough? Join author Roseanna White as she shares the secrets of writing that resonates… by starting the process long before you sit down to write.</p>
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<p>While we are on the topic of in-person conferences, we have a conference committee already at work and well underway planning next year’s event. Conference 2024 – Emerge – Connect, Equip, Inspire - will be held in NSW this time, so all of us from out of state will know to save our pennies for flights.</p>
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<p>One last thing that should be mentioned: Omega Writers – Australia’s Christian Writers Network, has been focused on growth this last year. </p>
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<p>We have gone through the process of rebranding and launching a new website; adding regular masterclasses which can be accessed from home; and increasing our online presence through social media. </p>
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<p>I’m sure it is obvious that none of these new things, or any of the old things facilitated by Omega Writers, happens by magic. There are no fairies who pop in to do all the work necessary. Yes, there is a solid team of volunteers, people who don’t get paid and who take very little credit. </p>
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<p>If you have a heart for the writing network that is Omega Writers, and have skills you think might be useful to us – particularly administration or IT - please let us know.</p>
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<p>Don’t forget to book in for our Zoom Retreat and get ready to be blessed.</p>
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<p><a href="https://omegawriters.com.au/elementor-27455/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Click here for more information and to book</a>. </p>
<!--/wp:paragraph-->Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-65224852513573733812023-09-07T06:02:00.002+10:002023-09-07T06:02:38.881+10:00Learning to Listen and Love through Research. by Shane Brigg<p> <span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
have always enjoyed inquiring deeper about topics of interest to me. When I was
in primary school I signed out every book about dinosaurs I could get my hands
on. Then I learnt all those latin names of the well-known extinct species like
Tyrannosaurus Rex and also obscure ones like Ornithomimus (which means
bird-like). Then I made my own stories, picture books and notes about them. I
did the same with World War 2 history, bush tucker, survival techniques, Sci-Fi,
and other topics. This turned from little childhood projects into major writing
projects (some for formal education, most for personal interest). I guess I was
just a keen learner. I loved research.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOAlrGph7NRwnBwe8tEQo3489mKgsiJLWJd-lX6l7A7dmtFaVk0W-K0v8KysIKTUYwZe-mFrN7j6yJkl8_V13gjF2ZJ-VkGkX8jF6Xyi3uBS2z4zRDLjgYdkQPcZVFqKm5ZN38chTYNrR0w-NAgRko6uVnthaVpoI7G5o-S7k3vTAYbAN3MUPadPhdw0/s1124/dinosaurs%20and%20books.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="1124" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOAlrGph7NRwnBwe8tEQo3489mKgsiJLWJd-lX6l7A7dmtFaVk0W-K0v8KysIKTUYwZe-mFrN7j6yJkl8_V13gjF2ZJ-VkGkX8jF6Xyi3uBS2z4zRDLjgYdkQPcZVFqKm5ZN38chTYNrR0w-NAgRko6uVnthaVpoI7G5o-S7k3vTAYbAN3MUPadPhdw0/s320/dinosaurs%20and%20books.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Research
is useful for writing</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">.
In writing non-fiction, it is expected that our writing flows out of research.
In fictional writing, research is often undervalued but necessary. In both
occurrences some authors are effective at their research. Some authors, are
perhaps, less effective in their research. I thought I would share a few simple
thoughts about research that I have gleaned over many years of formal research
(I studied my Bachelor of Environmental Science in 1987-1991 (this included
Anthropology) and completed my Masters in Ministry (with loads of research) a
few years ago) and a life time of learning and how to learn. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS--iJaEJvWXw3MfLiFdGaUPK__RAo74vBVQHja-EfHM6Tcqh-Lo_cpP6orKnaIF2WmCPjYo00cK3ErNTeOuRBFLcQJs9mevMkraEeYTWyNRTgj8TsXB8TKWAYgUoZsSl4dfQB4T13kik8eX2Dnf9m49eGkgZYiroSRqUnetenubXEnIRXFkFkzFXXucc/s960/explore%20viet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS--iJaEJvWXw3MfLiFdGaUPK__RAo74vBVQHja-EfHM6Tcqh-Lo_cpP6orKnaIF2WmCPjYo00cK3ErNTeOuRBFLcQJs9mevMkraEeYTWyNRTgj8TsXB8TKWAYgUoZsSl4dfQB4T13kik8eX2Dnf9m49eGkgZYiroSRqUnetenubXEnIRXFkFkzFXXucc/s320/explore%20viet.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It
is interesting to note that much scientific and social research (at least
formatively) was designed by Christian's seeking to understand and write about creation
and people God had called them to (examples of Scientists such as Nicholas
Copernicus (1473-1543), Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1627), Johannes Kepler
(1571-1630),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Galileo Galilei
(1564-1642), Rene Descartes (1596-1650), Isaac Newton (1642-1727) who were
instrumental in helping to design the scientific methodology and contemporary
Anthropologists such as Kraft and Holloway who reflect a 'scientific'
methodology).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PdiII5GaVfz2AaINcMOVBs2OEekpfgervci0qt3HfpPIwZeFy9oUu4z5O5nWyRlzR7XXcsBIIn76WZSaHqukKKKJVEm6pfyU4yz84buBkUSPGTXXNUNhSBz5n9Ti-Jup-XgRIqiY2jC5g-q5oZRkDTfuF9rsSfet2Cs846n0ipQHv6Su97igSGWYsVI/s2000/Science-and-the-Bible-picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="2000" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PdiII5GaVfz2AaINcMOVBs2OEekpfgervci0qt3HfpPIwZeFy9oUu4z5O5nWyRlzR7XXcsBIIn76WZSaHqukKKKJVEm6pfyU4yz84buBkUSPGTXXNUNhSBz5n9Ti-Jup-XgRIqiY2jC5g-q5oZRkDTfuF9rsSfet2Cs846n0ipQHv6Su97igSGWYsVI/s320/Science-and-the-Bible-picture.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Research
is useful as a means of critical reflection and a source to evaluate the
reliability of our written material</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">, so that when we write we write from a
point of clarity, reality, integrity and wisdom. Wisdom might be seen by some
as how we take different information, data, insights and theories, how we
understand them, test them, and create an interpretation that informs our narratives,
communications and potential informing of practice (Anderson <span style="color: black;">2001).</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A
basic premise that I use when weighing diverse information or ideas for use is
that often the best insight is that “it is not either or but both”. Perhaps
this is similar to the Kantian/Hegelian concepts of the process of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hypothesis, antithesis , synthesis.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.0pt; margin-left: 12.55pt; margin-right: 22.85pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 5; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #330033; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">THESIS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.0pt; margin-left: 12.75pt; margin-right: 23.05pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 5; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #330033; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">ANTITHESIS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;">
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 21.0pt; margin-left: 5.25pt; margin-right: 15.55pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-outline-level: 5; text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #330033; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">SYNTHESIS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;">
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-right: 10.3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">A thought is affirmed which on
reflection proves itself unsatisfactory, incomplete of contradictory ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-right: 10.3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">which propels the affirmation
of its negation, the antithesis, which also on reflection proves inadequate
...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
<td style="padding: .75pt .75pt .75pt .75pt;" valign="top">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-right: 10.3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">and so is again negated ...<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.0pt; margin-right: 10.3pt;"><span style="font-family: "Georgia",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU;">but a potential combining of different
ideas to make a thought that is new and different from the items
considered separately<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: red; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwP79mxh2izURJ3gHO_98OwSTUrBatQPv0-SyJE167XkoDwyndl1oxOJEX8lnWeGuAZHQZvoMigb4cY1sUfmH5WoD8FJN6Z_mmGHr9i-B-O7TzfopeP-453JZ7dk_qmspbgY526neGFKCEAxhbthB45pOev-gywYfA-438e0ck9nnvKcSQgLpz3mihpE/s2560/Health-care-researchers-working-in-life-science-laboratory-1120-scaled.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1707" data-original-width="2560" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrwP79mxh2izURJ3gHO_98OwSTUrBatQPv0-SyJE167XkoDwyndl1oxOJEX8lnWeGuAZHQZvoMigb4cY1sUfmH5WoD8FJN6Z_mmGHr9i-B-O7TzfopeP-453JZ7dk_qmspbgY526neGFKCEAxhbthB45pOev-gywYfA-438e0ck9nnvKcSQgLpz3mihpE/s320/Health-care-researchers-working-in-life-science-laboratory-1120-scaled.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">There is an abundance of information in books and online about how
to actually do research. Many books on writing only discuss the topic
peripherally. There are mentions of research in chapters examining the craft of
writing, or planning. However, <b>there is little ‘sagely wisdom’ for writers
to access ideas for reasonable research</b>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Considering that reasonably integrous research requires the interplay of
thoughtfulness, theoretical interpretation, and wise judgement it is good to briefly
consider a trusted proponent of this research acumen who is an esteemed
Christian thinker and author on the subject.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Richard Osmer described the importance of research (in the
framework of practical theology) that is useful for us as writers to consider.
The material that Osmer presents is useful as an introduction to this field. I
have found his material to be empowering and useful for further discussion in
considering the use of social and scientific enquiry and evaluation within a
Christian writer’s context. Osmer notes that research is vital for Christian
practitioners to gain knowledge and skills to help confront the challenging
situations they encounter with sensitivity, creativity, and confidence. The
overflow of this thinking in our writing is that as authors, we too might be
more sensitive, creative, and confident. Osmer develops a unique treatise to
make sense of any situation by focusing on four reflective questions and then
taking action (Osmer 2008:4): <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Gb8-ReJXr73wT2egeL_B1RP_GYsWg3WlTwvuWU4-ZVK8M2d2wjE8zzTYWwx6kIeYxw0w32QSK7Q8_03essTuBsAOmrjdDqT49ACEZQYRR1cElG1uT_JZwnkWUqEHNGTPtKXI6loS29Cbgl5HyPo-MYbZji1dkhdpu5cngZhtUQbybQWjDq5N3jbpC8/s960/11137100_1027871097222961_4880442230573113088_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10Gb8-ReJXr73wT2egeL_B1RP_GYsWg3WlTwvuWU4-ZVK8M2d2wjE8zzTYWwx6kIeYxw0w32QSK7Q8_03essTuBsAOmrjdDqT49ACEZQYRR1cElG1uT_JZwnkWUqEHNGTPtKXI6loS29Cbgl5HyPo-MYbZji1dkhdpu5cngZhtUQbybQWjDq5N3jbpC8/s320/11137100_1027871097222961_4880442230573113088_n.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Osmer outlines four tasks (with four questions) that are useful
for us to employ as researchers and writers: <o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">1)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
descriptive-empirical task which asks “What is going on in a given context?” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">This requires us as authors to discern any patterns or dynamics in
episodes, situations or contexts. It requires “Priestly listening”. This begins
with a willingness to humbly understand lives, actions and practices of peoples
and situations. As an author this may include investigating a specific
situation, with a specific context, or it may be less formalised listening and
communicating of what is discovered with compassion and empathy. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">2)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The imperative task
asks “Why is this going on?” It is based on wise judgment guiding people to
potentially consult any theories, ideas from others, even considering other
disciplines. In our own research this is a useful proposition : listen, look and
learn from outside your usual (maybe comfortable) worldview or perspective. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">3)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The normative task asks
“What ought to be going on?” It uses a framework and understanding that is
prophetic in nature (spiritual discernment). It focuses on hearing God’s Word
for specific situations to construct ethical norms and learning for humble
empowerment, communication, and encouragement of ‘good practice’. As Christian
writers this is a salient reminder : Consult God. Pray. Seek His heart and will
and understanding. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">4)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The pragmatic task asks
“ How might we respond?”. How someone might shape the context of various
situations to better embody Christian witness and mission? It requires a
transforming service that creates strategies<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>supported by values of servant leadership (Osmer 2008:28-29). As writers
this is where the ‘rubber hits the road’ or the ‘pen hits the paper’. Be
encouraged : Your writing is a transformative service that is important because
this task has the power to bring influence and empower action. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Core to Osmer's thinking is Jesus' priestly, royal and prophetic
mediation of salvation with daily reliance on Holy Spirit’s leading. Osmer
helps determine a mobilisation of servants to help people become more like
Jesus. That is you and I as writers too. Simply put Osmer encourages us to be <b>l</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">earning to listen
and love through research.</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg-rj0vJUvrpRnmmjuMlNo6vp06PSquRQ_2g5L96vJXDQr3EdB960KifGveq3VUHJEcWwWK7xXY2TBOOzYC4hd_IBChV_n5n0RFQjlQtU9v6M3KflRBu2HhEk0F4ZVgOwcoel-3eHaYbj4cvDdnJRIxyZGOK9XG81POhzt-29WGFKnoMj0g2fvgvd54M/s960/bible%20study%20jewish%20scribe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjg-rj0vJUvrpRnmmjuMlNo6vp06PSquRQ_2g5L96vJXDQr3EdB960KifGveq3VUHJEcWwWK7xXY2TBOOzYC4hd_IBChV_n5n0RFQjlQtU9v6M3KflRBu2HhEk0F4ZVgOwcoel-3eHaYbj4cvDdnJRIxyZGOK9XG81POhzt-29WGFKnoMj0g2fvgvd54M/s320/bible%20study%20jewish%20scribe.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">One of the best resources for ensuring wise interpretation of our
research are our colleagues. This is what Brookfield (1995) suggests is a key
critical reflection tool for ongoing personal and professional development. For
Brookfield and others (like for example, Cartledge (2003)) research is seen to
occur primarily in a community setting. Our support systems and social capital
have valuable input potential into the interpretation task. Having other people
who help you work through issues is vital to a writer’s effectiveness and
survival. <b>As writers we must be willing to have qualifying conversations
with our colleagues or peers.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6s5YeoaVSEhTpT_Wb3W8nK_4BFiw3qbnbor3FbbRd6q--bUYLY4O0WRKZMkNh-Z9i2MoPkyLzm63d7LdAvGTX2u76roHjK2X-ZDDyc8eVy6Pccr2qGCcUWjvTqiJCCn9aXR-j41lcRtvAFClBVroJVXCFVFfhN2qCvHWbLYU1WK9hMvnxpXUJ-5bE9U/s1512/000095240007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1512" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE6s5YeoaVSEhTpT_Wb3W8nK_4BFiw3qbnbor3FbbRd6q--bUYLY4O0WRKZMkNh-Z9i2MoPkyLzm63d7LdAvGTX2u76roHjK2X-ZDDyc8eVy6Pccr2qGCcUWjvTqiJCCn9aXR-j41lcRtvAFClBVroJVXCFVFfhN2qCvHWbLYU1WK9hMvnxpXUJ-5bE9U/s320/000095240007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In my own context I frequently allow myself to be challenged about
preconceived assumptions of thinking, research, ministry practise and ideas or
narratives I write about. I do this within the framework of reflection
conducted in accountable relationships with my work colleagues, friends, godly peers,
study mentors, and my wife (the greatest leveller). I keep Journals and Diaries
that date back to 1986 to self-review as well. Some things I wrote and
practiced years ago, I would never do again, but other things that I do now
have become 'best practice' in my ministry delivery and writing, that is
constantly being honed. I have discovered that this humility in yielding our
assumptions to a broader reflection process with others is vital to effective
research and writing. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The type of research we utilise as writers must be determined by
what is appropriate and useful to evaluate a particular idea or situation. Both
Osmer and Cartledge give several examples of how research and evaluation and
methodology link with theology useful for Christians. Cartledge explained the
actual methodology he used in his practical research, which consisted of
participant observation, study of documents, interviews with and surveys of
people, and analysis of data. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2FZ0ShoCXqnCsADX-db2odWjGRGujg0z91tEM_ljSv8ciBEsxcjFhfu90nmGXHsvht0YtHDaCZflm6Tk0GJlch5ELAtVeV5ewuCteQF507fj5nrMBQorLrs5Umph5b4BPRQjSkNnBOyNjQIVo27XSJ7en6wxnXtYAxRjjgbUZWcfvr37HiN2P_zKiL8/s1512/000095240014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1512" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2FZ0ShoCXqnCsADX-db2odWjGRGujg0z91tEM_ljSv8ciBEsxcjFhfu90nmGXHsvht0YtHDaCZflm6Tk0GJlch5ELAtVeV5ewuCteQF507fj5nrMBQorLrs5Umph5b4BPRQjSkNnBOyNjQIVo27XSJ7en6wxnXtYAxRjjgbUZWcfvr37HiN2P_zKiL8/s320/000095240014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Osmer discussed six specific types of research that are useful for
us to consider using as writers: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(a) narrative research: telling individuals’ stories; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(b) case study research: studying a small number of cases in
depth; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(c) ethnographic research: describing a cultural or social group; <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(d) grounded theory research: developing a theory related to the
context of a phenomenon;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(e) phenomenological
research: seeking the essence of an activity or experience for a group of
people; and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">(f) advocacy research: contributing to social change (with an
explicit agenda). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2LuiUmFcu1Gx-vzSbf_Q5YLthO6g5UGa7iuciIJzHIw1OLh3P4ksBwYzhLn9mijBEz-DhR4rLsz3QgzxH9BnpO_D_IJTSFtXLNwQd9DbymZTLp6te9O4pa11OoQzNJmQeBWfBRIKRKXhTPsNzKE9d7Q--RloJ54BB8_ZwllP7Vk6js946TlslZqo92s/s1000/mission%20study.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="695" data-original-width="1000" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid2LuiUmFcu1Gx-vzSbf_Q5YLthO6g5UGa7iuciIJzHIw1OLh3P4ksBwYzhLn9mijBEz-DhR4rLsz3QgzxH9BnpO_D_IJTSFtXLNwQd9DbymZTLp6te9O4pa11OoQzNJmQeBWfBRIKRKXhTPsNzKE9d7Q--RloJ54BB8_ZwllP7Vk6js946TlslZqo92s/s320/mission%20study.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">With all the above said, it is sometimes claimed that research is
a poor substitute for what you have experienced yourself. Perhaps a better way
to consider this idea is that writing through direct and indirect experience,
is a valuable mechanism for research. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Direct experience is life experience. Direct experience means to
take your situations, happenings in your life, your memories and create the
basis for a piece you are writing (like creating the inspiration for your
narrative in a novel), you can begin by looking at your own unique past. You
may have gone places and done things in your life, engaged with people,
experienced challenges, resolved situations, and this is researching your topic
through direct experience. This is the basic idea that anthropologists utilise
in participant observation for researching ethnographic material</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> (Babbie1986).<span style="color: black;"> If you have direct experience, you begin transcribing
those experiences and making them interesting, coherent, and structured enough
for the reader to receive in story form. Novels created from direct experience
can be unique, personal and intimate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeD9SFX-VSka82obHckz-p8Y5L3smqNR3tJqFXe5bQ1nVLm1SVt7j4bpKYDR0_2xaPFssJ_zc4JaHgEAWRo1Mg3Gftd7fMcEUo7qGDoMGrjAPGE21h8v4_ohHbgSicoEnpehUBjHgYzMLYfnoD9tgm17sdTWvADSVgbIjjtfhIoO7MktEmbY60c9qq8Y/s960/1galilee%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYeD9SFX-VSka82obHckz-p8Y5L3smqNR3tJqFXe5bQ1nVLm1SVt7j4bpKYDR0_2xaPFssJ_zc4JaHgEAWRo1Mg3Gftd7fMcEUo7qGDoMGrjAPGE21h8v4_ohHbgSicoEnpehUBjHgYzMLYfnoD9tgm17sdTWvADSVgbIjjtfhIoO7MktEmbY60c9qq8Y/s320/1galilee%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shane with team Sea of Galilea</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Where direct experience is not possible, indirect experience can
be accessed. This can mean you may delve into the descriptions of what and how
others experienced the situations of life during a specific circumstance, time
in history, or theme. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few basic ideas of how direct and indirect experiences have fuelled
my research and created authenticity in my writing include beginning with reading
copiously. Spend time Listening: Interview, if possible, to derive from firsthand
experiences of people. Communicate with others who know about your subject.
Travel, seek out experiences, sit in other’s spaces, walk in other’s shoes. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TzhAm2527jJKeMciuKa9J7Mb5clWNNUXgEeGGQV6HaDl6gHhztIE8Dm7yEYbZN-esRnpg23kGj3hTA95QGZ4FCPpzSasuaVjBr1VxIAcRlNXb7ghH8Cdunpl9qd-YxI7CyCgcMjIQmXFaX92hOor9QZCgItdgKQPjVul2X6K-FIfHuUAy2rBEBxzdEM/s810/Bloody%20Long%20Walk%20finish%20line.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="810" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2TzhAm2527jJKeMciuKa9J7Mb5clWNNUXgEeGGQV6HaDl6gHhztIE8Dm7yEYbZN-esRnpg23kGj3hTA95QGZ4FCPpzSasuaVjBr1VxIAcRlNXb7ghH8Cdunpl9qd-YxI7CyCgcMjIQmXFaX92hOor9QZCgItdgKQPjVul2X6K-FIfHuUAy2rBEBxzdEM/s320/Bloody%20Long%20Walk%20finish%20line.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Good research lends credibility to your work and gives the reader
the feeling of direct experience. Imagine your readers feeling that they have
lived the life of your characters as they read your narrative in a novel and
have therefore had a direct (maybe God inspired) experience. What about that
for a writing goal?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I have found that experience linked with intentional research is a
potent mix for catalysing creativity in my writing. It brings joy to me and
others as integrity of material and insights meld with wisdom and a richness of
authenticity to produce a valued work. Research helps the reader trust your
work. For us as authors, research is learning. Research is listening. Research is
loving. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I hope you discover this joy too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA3b8Gaa54C5EuUA2h6JhKwzuAAFxsvXhqleyXQk1_VEgNOvSZKlepZ4JMH19ozkp6NTbHtxMXP1E4yIFd_a_uzntvcKdnw9CvxRFtJxAhLcXwpyyLLdmGvhoWK36peQ0im0-PwB4FPHY59eU9FdG3pubbt6qXVhN6J4j9YHfuE9LsmJZag_ZynfMohw/s960/39394551_10217032963482136_3947986229710028800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSA3b8Gaa54C5EuUA2h6JhKwzuAAFxsvXhqleyXQk1_VEgNOvSZKlepZ4JMH19ozkp6NTbHtxMXP1E4yIFd_a_uzntvcKdnw9CvxRFtJxAhLcXwpyyLLdmGvhoWK36peQ0im0-PwB4FPHY59eU9FdG3pubbt6qXVhN6J4j9YHfuE9LsmJZag_ZynfMohw/s320/39394551_10217032963482136_3947986229710028800_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">BIBLIOGRAPHY<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><a href="http://www.google.com.au/search?tbo=p&tbm=bks&q=inauthor:%22Ray+Sherman+Anderson%22&source=gbs_metadata_r&cad=8"><span style="color: black;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anderson</span></a>,
R. (2001) The shape of practical theology: empowering ministry with theological
praxis . InterVarsity Press, 2001: <st1:place w:st="on">Downers Grove.</st1:place></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 200%;"><st1:place w:st="on"><br /></st1:place></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Babbie,
E (1986) The Practice of Social Research. Wadsworth Publishing Co: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Belmont</st1:city> <st1:state w:st="on">California</st1:state></st1:place><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 11.25pt;"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Brookfield</span></st1:city><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">, <st1:state w:st="on">S.D.</st1:state></span></st1:place><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">
(1995). Becoming a Critically Reflective Teacher. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:city></st1:place>: Jossey-Bass. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cartledge.
[2003] Practical Theology: by Paternoster Press. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Osmer,
R.R. [2008] Practical Theology. An Introduction. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Grand Rapids</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Michigan</st1:state></st1:place>:William
B Eerdmans Publishing Co.<o:p></o:p></span></p>Shane Brigghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17697277411190167984noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-3897347632334486412023-08-31T06:30:00.081+10:002023-08-31T06:30:00.160+10:00Group Writing Sprints: A fantastic productivity hack—by Susan J Bruce<span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /></span><p style="color: #244084; font-size: 21.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDRQjvCLw7PyqbOfI_Goerh0ZDE-4grGJ_9j5Gdsc9Pg1fxCEsUb8VcO6sUmwdzkfbt_T8XYai4IYZajmiw4m19bcp1sZATWG4eevggCdcP2c5_3Bv1ANlN32SPEIEO_XT5iBls-_iMeH_VdebBhqdHF8LSIY_xNExbxF0QpASVDe1k4jicPjhYRzNw/s1920/Untitled%20(1920%20%C3%97%20960%20px).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Track athletes feet in starting blocks, ready to sprint" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDRQjvCLw7PyqbOfI_Goerh0ZDE-4grGJ_9j5Gdsc9Pg1fxCEsUb8VcO6sUmwdzkfbt_T8XYai4IYZajmiw4m19bcp1sZATWG4eevggCdcP2c5_3Bv1ANlN32SPEIEO_XT5iBls-_iMeH_VdebBhqdHF8LSIY_xNExbxF0QpASVDe1k4jicPjhYRzNw/w547-h274/Untitled%20(1920%20%C3%97%20960%20px).jpg" title="Photo by stefanschurr on Canva Pro" width="547" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are so many great insights available about writing nowadays. Head over to Amazon and you’ll find thousands of books on the writing life and productivity hacks. These books are detailed and thought provoking and if you’re like me, you’ll devour them and…</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">It makes no difference.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">None. Nada. Zilch.</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">You want to write. You’re compelled to create art through words. You love having written. But resistance to writing leads to feelings of futility. You know you’ve got a lot more words and stories in you than <i>that. </i></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><i> </i></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">This problem led me to write my earlier blog post: <a href="https://christianwritersdownunder.blogspot.com/2021/11/resistance-is-futile.html" target="_blank"><i>Resistance is Futile</i>.</a></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">But…</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">This year I found a way that worked for me.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 17.3px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">I discovered group writing sprints</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">I’d been praying for the ability to be more productive for a while, and I had the chance to attend a mini conference run by Craig Martell of 20 Books to 50K fame. </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">As with most short conferences, the real power is in the networking. After the conference, one writer I met asked me if I’d like to do writing sprints with her a day a week.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">Nothing fancy—just meet on Messenger on Wednesday mornings and write together. Three lots of thirty-minute sprints with some chatting in between.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">For me, sprinting is a misnomer. It’s more like a writing 'plod'. A bit like when you are out for a walk and you overtake the person 'jogging' because they are moving slower than you are.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">But, miracle of miracles, I began to get words down and make progress in my stalled story. </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">These sprints were so helpful that I started another sprint group on Friday morning and invited people from The Christian Writers' Downunder (CWD) Facebook group to join. Then some of that gang joined in on the Wednesday sprints.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">Writing. Began. Happening.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">And it was fun! </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Xh-Eu0bBw27Ik6HQxU0Uo0M7uwMln7bNsJuI5uHfjJKrBTg4yIoVZcceVvRaxIqqH3zQEfqCJInv0OHog7YEXKSSsb6v0qkDqGGQAre9ZxSb-o2W02Sm2Gd9TwB8JMHs3XeaVc9G8sYKutGVBD7ALX44RiO9p48UDHNhEQ2fRh0n6oub1a4FKU-u8Q/s1500/Canva%20Pro%20typing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Person typing on laptop and there's a magical golden glow coming out of the screen" border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="1500" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Xh-Eu0bBw27Ik6HQxU0Uo0M7uwMln7bNsJuI5uHfjJKrBTg4yIoVZcceVvRaxIqqH3zQEfqCJInv0OHog7YEXKSSsb6v0qkDqGGQAre9ZxSb-o2W02Sm2Gd9TwB8JMHs3XeaVc9G8sYKutGVBD7ALX44RiO9p48UDHNhEQ2fRh0n6oub1a4FKU-u8Q/w460-h291/Canva%20Pro%20typing.png" title="Photo by ra2 Studio via Canva Pro" width="460" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">I’m still slow by many authors' standards. I know people who can write in one day what I can in a week, but it’s working.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">I finished my second draft of my new cosy mystery novel (more on that soon). I’ve written most of my new lead magnet and I’ve started plotting the second in the series.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Is this me? I’d pinch myself, but I bruise easily and don’t like pain 😎</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">.</span></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">It’s <i>sooooo good.</i></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><i><br /></i></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">The Pomodoro Technique </span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></h2><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">This whole idea is based on tomatoes. They’re great in a salad, but who knew they were so good for writers?</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">I’m talking about a tomato-shaped timer 🍅</span><span style="font-kerning: none;">. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none; font-size: 16px;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="font-size: 16px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6hc4d-dahUM2l4Fa7K_etiuqqaRBPq3CcB4FLXSz4yDPljDHtpBsP3XRhVUCmGaOTrJItsn90zdYqI-bAwhEqHffWF0pdB0HXBEqeN9nZDjsymrl-BHwVXz8O0fI6mDDfdDooKtyOT8oOCxN21_8e5C0h8b3z5XnG_t3GZ2q831vYjCHAee8JiOp7Q/s1442/Pomodoro%20Timer%20(1920%20%C3%97%20960%20px)%20(1442%20%C3%97%20960%20px).png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Pomodoro Timer: Tomato shaped kitchen timer" border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1442" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi6hc4d-dahUM2l4Fa7K_etiuqqaRBPq3CcB4FLXSz4yDPljDHtpBsP3XRhVUCmGaOTrJItsn90zdYqI-bAwhEqHffWF0pdB0HXBEqeN9nZDjsymrl-BHwVXz8O0fI6mDDfdDooKtyOT8oOCxN21_8e5C0h8b3z5XnG_t3GZ2q831vYjCHAee8JiOp7Q/w400-h266/Pomodoro%20Timer%20(1920%20%C3%97%20960%20px)%20(1442%20%C3%97%20960%20px).png" title="Photo by Alessandro Zocc via Canva Pro" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Pomodoro Timer</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">The classic Pomodoro Technique (pomodoro is Italian for tomato) involves productivity sprints of 25 minutes followed by a 5-minute break—all timed with a tomato-shaped timer. You do this 4 times, then take a longer 15-to-30-minute break. You can find more detail via this <a href="https://youtu.be/dnt2lTdcn8g"><span style="font-kerning: none; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">YouTube Vide</span></a>o. But you don’t have to do all that in-depth analysis to benefit. </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">And I use my phone timer. No tomatoes come near my desk. It’s a rule.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-kerning: none;">Why group writing sprints work for me</span><span style="font-size: 16px;"> </span></span></h2><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczTkE6B5HvAClF-1ZXGmTdCbICfUc9RujxLNMlnvVnwTZYJwDwKsAJ9kAK0suGaouV44jIdUvTC_42mC1OrrszVOU1SyWA62EjJ0ywro7XBBDKRodAMLSft_mwobUYYMvkMGalNic9ASLVDuKnQp_mJQYZLv4Anku7m8irg1HxDCkpuoTrdxGab91Ww/s1500/Untitled%20design.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><img alt="Exhausted pug lying with its head on the keyboard of a laptop" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjczTkE6B5HvAClF-1ZXGmTdCbICfUc9RujxLNMlnvVnwTZYJwDwKsAJ9kAK0suGaouV44jIdUvTC_42mC1OrrszVOU1SyWA62EjJ0ywro7XBBDKRodAMLSft_mwobUYYMvkMGalNic9ASLVDuKnQp_mJQYZLv4Anku7m8irg1HxDCkpuoTrdxGab91Ww/w550-h366/Untitled%20design.png" title="Photo by JomKwan via Canva Pro" width="550" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">After a hard morning of 'sprinting'</span><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">We're all different, and if the idea of writing online with others is anathema to you, ignore all of this. But here’s why it works for me:</span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">I’m a people person—a mild extrovert—and I get energy from being with others. I work from home as a content writer, so I need P.E.O.P.L.E. around me or I go stir-crazy. Group sprints are the next best thing.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">I overcome resistance better when I do tasks with other people. </span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">I have a strong sense of responsibility toward others and I’m better at keeping appointments with other people than I am with myself.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">I like getting to know other writers—encouraging them and praying for them. And, hey, I also like being encouraged/ prayed for. Group writing sprints create an environment where this can happen.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">It gives me a point of focus. Even if I only do two hours of work on my manuscript twice a week, I do those two hours.</span></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; text-indent: -24px;">Once I’m in a manuscript, I can keep going. There have been days where I’ve written a thousand words in the 2 hours of sprint time, but then I’ve tripled that in the afternoon because I’m into the story. And then I’ve written again on the following weekend.</span></li></ul><p></p><p></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">If this sounds like you—If you’ve been having trouble focusing, or you’re plagued with resistance to starting writing, then I’d strongly encourage you to get together with another writer or a group of writers and try group sprints. </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">Start for two hours, once a week, then take it from there. It could make a huge difference to your writing life.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;">If you’re already doing sprints (or focused ‘plods’), I’d love to hear about your experiences, so let me know in the comments below. Similarly, if you’ve questions about writing sprints, I’ll be happy to try to answer them.</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> Happy writing!</span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbANoqj_HusB-qCmiUy9uRy5EwxWYzPDaGyV79amk4Lmt6bOPL6sIPEytFLlWvPBq47ywFlhw5k4Yskm6gsPmAFBs8MAKmjPvkJK9abgF6ge27LXFbGBuwry8dbRTRPCxFbIEa32aTkhHGCMMAq5FwFTa2FWOSXECD-PkF_Zov8SbPUhcnfKrFbQ-3JQ/s496/Susan%20J.%20Bruce%20social%20media%20image-2.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="496" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbANoqj_HusB-qCmiUy9uRy5EwxWYzPDaGyV79amk4Lmt6bOPL6sIPEytFLlWvPBq47ywFlhw5k4Yskm6gsPmAFBs8MAKmjPvkJK9abgF6ge27LXFbGBuwry8dbRTRPCxFbIEa32aTkhHGCMMAq5FwFTa2FWOSXECD-PkF_Zov8SbPUhcnfKrFbQ-3JQ/w200-h174/Susan%20J.%20Bruce%20social%20media%20image-2.png" width="200" /></a></span></div><p></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Susan J Bruce is an author, artist and animal addict who writes mystery and suspense stories—with heart. Susan is a former veterinarian and animals often run, jump, fly or crawl through her tales. Her writing group once challenged her to write a story without mentioning any animals—she failed! Susan has a MA in Creative Writing and her first novel (YA), </span><i style="font-family: Arial;">Running Scared,</i><span style="font-family: Arial;"> was awarded the 2018 Caleb Prize for an unpublished manuscript. </span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Get <i>Running Scared</i> <a href="https://books2read.com/u/3RLoLB" target="_blank">at your favourite online retailer.</a></span></span></p><p style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-kerning: none;">Visit Susan at <span style="color: #0000e9;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 233);"><u><a href="http://www.susanjbruce.com">www.susanjbruce.com</a></u></span></span></span></span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><p style="font-size: 16px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"> </span></p><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-kerning: none;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><style class="WebKit-mso-list-quirks-style">
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</style><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><br />Susan J Brucehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01020859162801279149noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-78956443895621996062023-08-24T01:38:00.000+10:002023-08-24T01:38:22.309+10:00Why Write?<p><span style="font-size: medium;">Mazzy Adams</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I’ve been a fan of <i>Time Team</i> for many years. Classic episodes from the British television series, which enjoyed a twenty-year run from 1994 – 2014, can still be enjoyed via their new YouTube channel, together with new episodes. As their <a href="https://www.timeteamdigital.com/" target="_blank">website</a> states, this ‘ground-breaking history series presented by Tony Robinson helped to popularise the field of archaeology’. While I’ve no doubt that statement is true, it was my father who piqued my personal interest in archaeology when I was little more than knee-high to a grasshopper. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau2LdVbP7ZLmQWT88_0KrUO_WvrwouGiU-iK-9ww8Anmj18ODISLJO5jPHXP0vPfNYvA7fWIv6YRzzkfyAuPXJIacyXD0_yMXJeQkMIiCgO_chTOutB8oriZOIIQy3EME4Neg0MypETEKLNqD10EDUttYEAuIHwxEyrd2v5wVFuvjPynuisMONnjOPrk/s2968/Cyrus_Cylinder_front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1788" data-original-width="2968" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhau2LdVbP7ZLmQWT88_0KrUO_WvrwouGiU-iK-9ww8Anmj18ODISLJO5jPHXP0vPfNYvA7fWIv6YRzzkfyAuPXJIacyXD0_yMXJeQkMIiCgO_chTOutB8oriZOIIQy3EME4Neg0MypETEKLNqD10EDUttYEAuIHwxEyrd2v5wVFuvjPynuisMONnjOPrk/s320/Cyrus_Cylinder_front.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br />Cyrus Cylinder (Image by <span style="text-align: left;">Prioryman)</span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In the mid 1960s, in connection with his work, my father was involved in a tour of archaeological artefacts and replicas that came through our hometown. I still remember him holding a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder (pictured above) while he explained how those strange markings were an ancient form of writing, called cuneiform. The actual words were commissioned by Cyrus the Great, the same Persian King spoken of in the Bible. I’ve never forgotten the thrill of seeing those 'words' that had been written more than two thousand years before I was born; words that people living thousands of years later had learned to read.</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Fast forward a few decades, and I can still remember that same little girl's intense concentration as she wondered which ancient princess had also gazed upon these pretty lapis lazuli beads long ago.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFvt4Nz_iE5r_9AI1c3t_ZFhjHAUU_lBauwChUI_OO_0Kgzt6JCOK-UGnDQix7GywMqoC1_MJeI-aMS0Q4L3z_J2ZR3AFzFobfGMZy0lP-pp0RCzz1z4ZbQvCMjNz8INgxgXuE_1fam6XBadTMazSzgC2FKE5nKz3DuNpu9nwK10jGMTs8s5aYwiAhIY/s1700/Mazzy%20Adams%20Lapis%20Lazuli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="1136" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFvt4Nz_iE5r_9AI1c3t_ZFhjHAUU_lBauwChUI_OO_0Kgzt6JCOK-UGnDQix7GywMqoC1_MJeI-aMS0Q4L3z_J2ZR3AFzFobfGMZy0lP-pp0RCzz1z4ZbQvCMjNz8INgxgXuE_1fam6XBadTMazSzgC2FKE5nKz3DuNpu9nwK10jGMTs8s5aYwiAhIY/s320/Mazzy%20Adams%20Lapis%20Lazuli.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><p style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-size: medium;">I see that same excitement in the intrepid <i>Time Team</i> experts when they uncover ancient artefacts, or notice discoloured patches in the soil or strata which, to their trained eyes, reveal a wealth of information about the people who occupied the land in centuries, or millennia past. Other experts read the lumps and bumps in the landscape, or old hand-drawn maps, or written records that describe everything from the purchase of land and cost of construction materials and wages to the ideal qualities of a Roman soldier. Satisfaction and certainty grow when archaeological discoveries are confirmed by written records and vice versa. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I must admit that, while I find the process of <i>Time Team’s</i> explorations fascinating, it is the affable, often mischievous, way host, Tony Robinson, brings the whole story of discovery together that clinches the program’s entertainment value for me. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Nevertheless, uncovering one piece of archaeological information, no matter how intriguing, does not reveal the entire story; it takes two, three … or many … pieces to bring the stories of our predecessors and their interactions with each other, with creation, and with the spiritual realm, to life.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE871hsN4yQl97KVTi-LS9H6GQ_F8cgEmml9_rcPPSU6gR5_fEypeLokod40zaOwpre-Ico01wpAMaWEyqw9Jn_wzydjugkdgronu3qdeJk8BEiA3znFknMhsKQojRR3TAWZbI55TVXSoKS7mDhOStMyqWwqN1qDXfN3Gqm5wrzx0f8cwNdBXPb4cCMMk/s1920/archaeology-59167_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1920" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE871hsN4yQl97KVTi-LS9H6GQ_F8cgEmml9_rcPPSU6gR5_fEypeLokod40zaOwpre-Ico01wpAMaWEyqw9Jn_wzydjugkdgronu3qdeJk8BEiA3znFknMhsKQojRR3TAWZbI55TVXSoKS7mDhOStMyqWwqN1qDXfN3Gqm5wrzx0f8cwNdBXPb4cCMMk/s320/archaeology-59167_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; font-size: 14px;">Image by </span><a href="https://pixabay.com/users/jamesdemers-3416/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=59167" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191b26; font-size: 14px;">JamesDeMers</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #191b26; font-size: 14px;"> from </span><a href="https://pixabay.com//?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=image&utm_content=59167" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #191b26; font-size: 14px;">Pixabay</a></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I don’t know about you but, when God shows me something three times in succession, I pay attention. In recent weeks, on three separate occasions, in three different ways, via three different sources, I've been challenged about the importance of leaving a written legacy for future generations. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On the first occasion, the challenge arrived via a comment from my beloved, who tempered my concern over the monetary cost vs return aspect of writing and publishing by saying, ‘But now your book is out there. You’ve created a written legacy.’ </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Two days later, after a blessed time spent lifting up the Name of the Lord in praise and worship, I sat with a bunch of writers at the recent Brisbane Omega Showcase to listen to an inspirational message by Andrew Stone of <a href="https://www.stonecreative.com.au/about-us/#team" target="_blank">Stone Creative</a>. Andrew’s key verse was Psalm 45:1:</span></p><p></p><blockquote><i><span style="font-size: medium;">My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.</span></i></blockquote><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There, in the midst of the manifold wisdom he shared, God reiterated His message as Andrew spoke of how words could transcend time and space. ‘Your book will outlive you,’ Andrew said. ‘When you write, you’re going to speak to generations.’</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Once, twice … I might have missed the subtlety of the third iteration of God’s message, had its impact not already begun to settle deep into my spirit.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It came a few days later, as I watched a dramatic piece of historical fiction which implied King Alfred the Great had a passion for writing things down in English because a written message could not be forgotten, or misrepresented, as easily as a verbal message. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">But … television … fiction … I decided to check out the historical accuracy of the reference.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I found it in the printed pages of my trusty, if voluminous, Norton Anthology of English Literature, which speaks of ‘a king totally committed to, and actively engaged in, learning’ who could ‘see “the footprints” of former lovers of knowledge’ and was ‘determined not to allow recent forgetfulness and destruction to obscure those traces forever’. As a direct consequence of that commitment, I’m able to read a contemporary English translation of King Alfred’s <i>Preface to the Pastoral Care</i> more than 1124 years after his words were first inked onto parchment. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Unfinished Business</b> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I’m looking at another page now, one I printed out in 1988. It holds the words of a two-part duet I composed back then, based on Psalm 102:18-22. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><blockquote><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">‘Let us record,’ my first verse says, ‘for a generation to come,<br />Record … what the Lord our God has done,<br />So that a people yet unborn will know He came,<br />So that a people yet unborn will know,<br />And praise His Holy Name.’ </span></div></blockquote><p><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">There’s a second verse and a chorus. I can still hear the melody, complete with the interchange of parts and harmonies in my head. I can read the letters I added to indicate which chords to use. But I lack the expertise needed to record the tune in musical notation, or competently play it on a musical instrument. Without that record, as a song, it remains an unfinished project, its melody a fading shadow.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEEkJ01A4PUnHf1aihsXGw6ECppJjx6RUaLlFJLEETRaHblnyuNmYJm2FPczuUVqYRWCtSZty6djR111S7J3NMkeQ-o_TF3K4XkLG_tqfW9EJCeG-lrkz1g3GBPWspfOmz9XU54joqtqPkqbVDLT_HcMKLMS8LupNz1w5s2dlz-F_VXDEtOmn1aeUisI/s1920/music-sheet-5117328_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="1920" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqEEkJ01A4PUnHf1aihsXGw6ECppJjx6RUaLlFJLEETRaHblnyuNmYJm2FPczuUVqYRWCtSZty6djR111S7J3NMkeQ-o_TF3K4XkLG_tqfW9EJCeG-lrkz1g3GBPWspfOmz9XU54joqtqPkqbVDLT_HcMKLMS8LupNz1w5s2dlz-F_VXDEtOmn1aeUisI/s320/music-sheet-5117328_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">I hear the words of Psalm 102:3 echo and I ask myself, will I let my words, like my days, ‘vanish like smoke’? Or will I heed verse 18 which says, ‘Let this be written for a future generation.’</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">On one <i>Time Team</i> episode I watched recently, they uncovered an ‘unfinished pot’. It had softened over time in the damp surrounding soil because it had not been fired. An expert commented that, in all likelihood, the maker of the pot had not bothered to finish it off in the kiln because it was not intended for daily use, but only as a vessel for holding a grain offering to the gods, buried with the dead …</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It all makes me wonder …</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What kind of literary vessels are we making? Are they filled with the fruit of our experience, with offerings gleaned from the harvest of wisdom and blessing we have reaped during the rich and the harsh seasons of our lives? Will they endure as a legacy for future generations? Or are they temporary? Unfinished? Perhaps discarded because they’re chipped, or broken, or not worth the effort … half-hearted enterprises buried in the ground of failure, sacrificed to the gods of death …</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Here's the challenge:</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">If our literary vessels, filled with the words God gives to us, are to endure as a legacy for future generations, we need to finish them, and dare to submit them to the fiery kiln of public scrutiny. Sure, there’s a risk that some of our vessels might crack in the kiln. The heat may reveal imperfections, but isn’t it worth taking the risk if it means future generations will one day discover the whole glorious story?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">What unfinished project is God prompting you to finish so that future generations will benefit? </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YgJB1tisGf5TIV6rY6T6zVAAvntg6JKRXaYFj-eihCibRKyz7xgptRWaAloZAoYNk98YNSh3XfhCwolvcawFtuDe2kaPGYCVAAmzZPvRElzTQZR5uY33DbSdHgG4ICg5apUc44G4KHoZyIV82rBbuKqBogTXLy7UxYd8syH2UtwLkGGGymrJ8isiTkc/s950/Mazzy%20Adams%20Author%20Genre%20Rebel%20cc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="950" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YgJB1tisGf5TIV6rY6T6zVAAvntg6JKRXaYFj-eihCibRKyz7xgptRWaAloZAoYNk98YNSh3XfhCwolvcawFtuDe2kaPGYCVAAmzZPvRElzTQZR5uY33DbSdHgG4ICg5apUc44G4KHoZyIV82rBbuKqBogTXLy7UxYd8syH2UtwLkGGGymrJ8isiTkc/w190-h200/Mazzy%20Adams%20Author%20Genre%20Rebel%20cc.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><b>Mazzy Adams, Author, Genre Rebel</b><br />Intrigue and Inspiration with an Upmarket Down Under Vibe<br /><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>A published author with a passion for words, pictures, and the positive potential in people, Mazzy Adams happily identifies as a bona fide genre rebel. Her picturesque, tongue-in-cheek writing style injects a quirky Down Under vibe to intrigue and inspiration alike. Mazzy's debut thriller, <i>Licence to Die (GRUnGE.001)</i> hit the market in September, 2022. Mazzy also employs her think-outside-the-box neural pathways and passion for words, pictures, and the positive potential in people to guide students through the perplexities of English written expression. Best of all, her wonderful husband, amazing children and delightful grandchildren make Mazzy’s otherwise ordinary life most extraordinary. For that, she is eternally grateful. <br /><p style="text-align: left;">Discover more and connect via <a href="https://mazzyadams.com">https://mazzyadams.com</a></p><div><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div><div>References:</div><div><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cyrus Cylinder image attribution: Prioryman, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons</span></div><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quotes about Alfred the Great selected from page 109 of The Norton Anthology of English Literature Eighth Edition Vol 1 Greenblatt, S. Gen Ed. published by W W Norton & Co New York</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;">Time Team website: https://www.timeteamdigital.com/</span></p><p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></p>Mazzy Adamshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03945841786696357456noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-88105850856486141322023-08-21T03:00:00.006+10:002023-08-21T03:00:00.141+10:00Omega Writers | From the Known to the Unknown<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIMvC-9I-ZPGx2fyM71yT6C_VvCftxUEX-tmSRbKua1zAOhFeUm6buw3WgbVSHZ-8EXzG_R46ugk5MxDN7mnsShprlcQJ4eXeESeLxMvP0mRMxLYBh_4oMEYWW1Tnm-cX01w8PCOp7PVCJ9mvJzyQzbxG4FjRLiFdYP8IESVVfMoMYLKn5RD9OJcduQY/s600/Omega%20Writers%20Header%202023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="600" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOIMvC-9I-ZPGx2fyM71yT6C_VvCftxUEX-tmSRbKua1zAOhFeUm6buw3WgbVSHZ-8EXzG_R46ugk5MxDN7mnsShprlcQJ4eXeESeLxMvP0mRMxLYBh_4oMEYWW1Tnm-cX01w8PCOp7PVCJ9mvJzyQzbxG4FjRLiFdYP8IESVVfMoMYLKn5RD9OJcduQY/s320/Omega%20Writers%20Header%202023.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><h4><br /></h4><h4>By Jen Richards</h4></div>When you sit at your keyboard or notebook to write, there are parts of the craft that come naturally – the comfortable, well-worn patterns of practice you’ve employed since you were first inspired to write.<div><br /></div><div>Then there are techniques you’ve sniffed out through reading, tasted through blog posts, or feasted on at conferences. </div><div><br /></div><div> Perched between blog posts and conference lectures are Masterclasses. These professional development opportunities for writers of all levels of experience are: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Short (usually an hour) </li><li>Accessible (online, economically-priced, and spread throughout the year) </li><li>Taught by experts in their field. </li></ul>Feedback shows these courses are particularly valuable for emerging writers, but also for writers in the early stages of their development, and established writers.<br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">“I would highly recommend Omega Writers Masterclass to others as professional development in the writing industry. The presenter brings a knowledgeable perspective as well as expertise with which to sharpen your personal writers armoury.” (April 2023)</h4><div style="text-align: left;">Since September 2022, Masterclasses have been part of Omega Writers’ commitment to equipping and encouraging Christian writers. Masterclasses so far have included: </div></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Focus on Fiction with Meredith Resce, September 2022 </li><li>Writing for the US Market with Carolyn Miller, November 2022 </li><li>Author PR with Katrina Roe, April 2023 </li><li>Amazing Book Blurbs with Laura Tharion, June 2023 </li><li>Hunting for History with Tamara Wenham, August 2023 </li></ul>Our next Masterclass will focus on marketing principles. Jen Richards will help authors understand and utilise their unique selling point (USP) in their marketing. The workshop is suitable for authors at all stages looking to hone their marketing, including those who are pre-publication.<br /><h4 style="text-align: center;">6 November 2023 at 7:30pm AEST
Save the date. We’ll have registration links soon.</h4>
<h2>So… we’d love your input!</h2>
The Omega Writers Committee is planning out the Masterclass program for 2024. We already have excellent feedback from past participants, but would love to know what you would like to see on the program.
Please take a couple of minutes and <a href="https://tinyurl.com/OmegaMasterclassSurvey" rel="noopener" target="_blank">click here to complete this survey</a>.
<h2>Future Events</h2>
Keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OmegaWriters.acwn" title="Omega Writers Facebook Page">Omega Writers Facebook Page</a> for these and other upcoming events.
We also share external events and competitions via the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/omegawriters.acwn" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Omega Writers Group</a>.
<h3>A word about the Omega Writers website and membership</h3>
Many of you have been asking about the progress of our website refresh and member access.
The site is very close to launch and is just awaiting testing for our new member platform. We plan to be in touch with all current and recent members to confirm the status of your membership once the new system is up and running.
<h4 style="text-align: left;">Thank you for your patience and prayers during the last few months. If you have any questions or concerns, please email secretary@omegawriters.org.</h4></div>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-92120125105945395952023-08-17T06:40:00.002+10:002023-08-17T06:40:25.355+10:00Know Your Reader by Jeanette Grant-Thomson<p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucvM6h67FJQMZwOcHb3Zc0yLAZ-5M5h-LV8snHN9H2GsKZDbkHVngq_Cz52XVYpWtdTiMZCFZ0xAX2SKMCPXTzBQnXMwV473KJPXfyPS6OKRDiWuBahgHCePYfG0N1k-sMjn7NmfOgifKwB8HKKyEfX8Q4-dF-2J5nu7gp73ZRGREaVtF8o7ooZMMj056/s3264/first%20Kenilworth%20photo%20-%20light%20on%20river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucvM6h67FJQMZwOcHb3Zc0yLAZ-5M5h-LV8snHN9H2GsKZDbkHVngq_Cz52XVYpWtdTiMZCFZ0xAX2SKMCPXTzBQnXMwV473KJPXfyPS6OKRDiWuBahgHCePYfG0N1k-sMjn7NmfOgifKwB8HKKyEfX8Q4-dF-2J5nu7gp73ZRGREaVtF8o7ooZMMj056/w400-h300/first%20Kenilworth%20photo%20-%20light%20on%20river.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">So you’ve written a good novel. It has likeable characters, an interesting story line, even some gripping suspense. But now … who will read it? And how will you keep their interest after your initial year or so of online spiels, pics, blurbs, emails, and other promotion?</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">One key I believe is often overlooked. In getting started, we writers are lucky these days. We’re swamped with books, articles and teaching on how to write well. Many of these focus on plot and structure, characters, writing style and various other aspects of the craft. Even the necessary thing, marketing. But one of the keys I found most important at first is <b>Knowing your Readers</b>.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM4i6zuwZxeKl6tDK3CoV9-buiGZyeYgzs786h1cXShBSQMRgWtkVSkdHV2kSUCIcIcitYQDVl46qcYXMSbLFuX6ZoAsM3EBTw7phYpGdfqRu9FJLT2cvWHg9n_6rxtnIJE4YLT_DTWm4HEoALzJ67SuZcid0Wx6MMzuAjPHE4iUFXKFm57U1HZGbzCXm/s314/Jodie's%20Story.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="314" data-original-width="224" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzM4i6zuwZxeKl6tDK3CoV9-buiGZyeYgzs786h1cXShBSQMRgWtkVSkdHV2kSUCIcIcitYQDVl46qcYXMSbLFuX6ZoAsM3EBTw7phYpGdfqRu9FJLT2cvWHg9n_6rxtnIJE4YLT_DTWm4HEoALzJ67SuZcid0Wx6MMzuAjPHE4iUFXKFm57U1HZGbzCXm/s1600/Jodie's%20Story.JPG" width="224" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">The birthing of <i>Jodie’s Story</i></span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">When I wrote <i>Jodie’s Story</i> (my first novel after having many shorter pieces and Sunday School books published), I broke all the rules. I squished my writing into any bits of spare time, even writing a chapter in squiggly lurching handwriting on the train going to Brisbane. I didn’t do any re-working at all. None. I didn’t have it edited before submitting it to the then largest Christian publisher in Australia. (NOT recommending any of this!) I knew nothing at all about current popular writing techniques as it was about twenty-five years since I’d been to an in-person writing course. I attended a writers group in Nambour and found them helpful but they didn’t touch on many issues that had arisen in recent years. And I was shocked to hear a visiting speaker tell us, ‘If Peter Carey submits a handwritten novel written on butcher’s paper, we’ll probably publish it. Ouch! After all my trouble and having had my sister type it up beautifully for me. (I didn’t even type then!). As an unknown, what hope did I have?</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I’d gone from writing the Teen Challenge newsletter about rehabilitating drug addicts and other troubled young people, to teaching Speech and Drama to all ages but especially teens. Perhaps you’d think there’d be no overlap there. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">But I soon learnt that some of my pupils were struggling at home or school. There were drugs in some schools. Some pupils wondered what life was all about. Several made Christian commitments (not with any pushing or input from me. Some attended Christian schools.) </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kh3rCIJKtcPAhEurbvSpnDL_2GHY4Ex0DM18lJCPJamEqGkZ-8P1xMrnj9s3VEpyYLtysGJaS8vEMqtzWVzm1zCojlqPp-eF0S8FUMwP9hhcvfVkCeKSWZBpwY9fUk3BimlrHaSRRskOT0YNUJgKnLLGpEGiCYOxxBhWX4pG8iIRN1kCup9cvYjWS9uY/s726/teenage%20girls%20-%20free%20image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="482" data-original-width="726" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kh3rCIJKtcPAhEurbvSpnDL_2GHY4Ex0DM18lJCPJamEqGkZ-8P1xMrnj9s3VEpyYLtysGJaS8vEMqtzWVzm1zCojlqPp-eF0S8FUMwP9hhcvfVkCeKSWZBpwY9fUk3BimlrHaSRRskOT0YNUJgKnLLGpEGiCYOxxBhWX4pG8iIRN1kCup9cvYjWS9uY/w400-h265/teenage%20girls%20-%20free%20image.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">I came to know some of my pupils well and cared deeply about their futures. So … out of that, I wrote <i>Jodie’s Story</i> for them, praying it would abort their following in Jodie’s footsteps.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"> My publisher was dubious at first, as Chris Kline (the ex-girlfriend of one of Mick Jagger’s managers) had just published <i>A Brilliant Deception</i>, which targeted similar readers. But I believe God wanted Jodie’s testimony published and it ‘just so happened’ that Teen Challenge decided to celebrate their first twenty years in ministry. They offered to buy the first 1000 books, so … Anzea Publishers said ‘yes’, in 1991 <i>Jodie’s Story</i> was launched at the Teen Challenge celebratory dinner … and it was popular!</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Why? </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">After all, it’s not an appealing topic. But I knew those teenagers and what they cared about. I wrote it for them.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">This little book has continued to be popular with teenagers in particular and has sold many copies. It is in its third edition and has been sold in many countries.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">After <i>Jodie’s Story</i> was published, I was asked by a small magazine to write an article sharing some keys to successful writing. So I wracked my brains and came up with <b>Know Your Readers.</b> Know what they like, what they fear, and what issues they care about. It had been a real key for me.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">My WIP</span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq59jRZB7LQEPHkUJfNe6O4GPI4yI0e5KxkaN6xshI1sAzUqB8dc6qDztOdiI_wwYM7d4GCECJnMu0x3KnD-O3V8mBQZpv2i5zIGde8MdcuyjelSnmFGkaAWVu8lLJpj2y9Mknz-Rp3qsVKhUL-Fc2h2IbQjigH3JG-LIAcExrVPO5SxXsNPLd5P7ZtzcC/s960/kenilworth%20-%20second%20photo%20-%20misty%20morning.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq59jRZB7LQEPHkUJfNe6O4GPI4yI0e5KxkaN6xshI1sAzUqB8dc6qDztOdiI_wwYM7d4GCECJnMu0x3KnD-O3V8mBQZpv2i5zIGde8MdcuyjelSnmFGkaAWVu8lLJpj2y9Mknz-Rp3qsVKhUL-Fc2h2IbQjigH3JG-LIAcExrVPO5SxXsNPLd5P7ZtzcC/w400-h300/kenilworth%20-%20second%20photo%20-%20misty%20morning.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">My current work in progress – <i>Riverview</i> – is also a novel. I’ll call it women’s fiction but … who am I really writing for? Theoretically, some of my friends again – baby boomers or middle aged women. A few men. I know my immediate friends will almost certainly read it. If they like it, they’ll recommend it to their friends or families. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Needless to say, I now rewrite – and again and again. I also pay to have my work professionally edited. The ball is really in my court now to give it my best shot so my friends and associates, when they read it, will like it so well they talk about it to their own friends. I keep an ear open to hear what my friends enjoy reading about. What they care about. Good reviews are a great help but over a long period of years, I think word of mouth (or online ‘mouth’) is the most significant factor in promoting our books. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Another type of writing</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">It’s worth remembering though: there is another type of novel-writing. Writing for oneself or for God. I think it’s so important we don’t lose the joy of writing in our quest to get results. Writing simply because we love it is so fulfilling. We writers enjoy creating and words are our medium. </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9AkNsPo674W8SKBCineT8N4ROJWAcUwIYAzpfrjw0cCQhf6c4tGywjFCd3fsQVJG3rqhCueYQZxsYzdEWSmMKiATG-HF7-NCiLY7nD2TSdUzxPHH3dqiyvu-u4-YC_XbSd7hJJcLdRs9OiKpDunM7N0KbO5f1hqMJpcwfZJANdxdXfdVAXpzVVq0iyUo/s2821/Jeanette%20about%20to%20sign%20A's%20Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="2263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq9AkNsPo674W8SKBCineT8N4ROJWAcUwIYAzpfrjw0cCQhf6c4tGywjFCd3fsQVJG3rqhCueYQZxsYzdEWSmMKiATG-HF7-NCiLY7nD2TSdUzxPHH3dqiyvu-u4-YC_XbSd7hJJcLdRs9OiKpDunM7N0KbO5f1hqMJpcwfZJANdxdXfdVAXpzVVq0iyUo/s320/Jeanette%20about%20to%20sign%20A's%20Island.jpg" width="257" /></a></div><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><br /></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Jeanette Grant-Thomson is a S.E.Queensland based author. She has been writing and having work published since she was a child and has enjoyed writing in most genres.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Her first novel <i>Jodie’s Story</i>, now in its third edition, is a true story which opened the door for her to write several other works.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">Apart from writing, Jeanette enjoys the mountains, the beach, swimming and having coffee with friends. She is a sincere Christian and attends church regularly.</span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">She can be contacted on Facebook, LinkedIn or Goodreads and her books can be seen and ordered on her Author Page - <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jeanette.grantthomson"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">www.facebook.com/jeanette.grantthomson</span></a> Her blogs are </span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet;">godwhispersjgt.blogspot.com and Jeanette’s Journalling.blogspot.com</span></p><div><br /></div>K.A. Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484195910759085281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-48880088916369695542023-07-17T03:00:00.013+10:002023-07-17T03:00:00.170+10:00Have you found your writing community?<p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;">By Tamara Wenham</h3><p class="MsoNormal">Writing can be a solitary business, with long
hours spent alone at a keyboard. That’s just the nature of the beast. While
there’s no other way to get a book written than to sit down and slog it out,
when you come up for air you need a strong writing community around you. Such a
community can support you in your writing goals and provide valuable learning
opportunities to deepen your knowledge about the writing craft.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Omega Writers: Australia’s Christian Writers
Network aims to provide a supportive writing community for Christian writers to
encourage, educate and equip them to be the very best writers they can be. </span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Here
are a few of the ways we do that:</span></h3>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Online masterclasses</span></h2><h1><a name="_heading=h.30j0zll"></a></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Throughout the year Omega Writers runs online
Masterclasses for writers to help them develop their writing craft and
marketing skills. These masterclasses offer expert advice at an accessible
price and are open to everyone. Omega members usually receive a further
discount.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Our next masterclass is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hunting for History: Tracking Down Sources in Original Sources.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
In this masterclass, you
will learn about when and how to use archives or libraries for different
research purposes. You will gain some tips and tricks for digging up archival
gold from a range of collections, as well as how to tap into communities of
fellow history hunters in Australia and abroad. The class will be led by
professional archivist Tamara <span lang="EN" style="color: #050505; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%;">Wenham.</span> <div><br /></div><div>Book now for Monday 7 August at 7.30pm AEST: <a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CJTHF?fbclid=IwAR3Xeq8fpxY5Wor65CRmzRufzooNe9MDaHeyJfzq2QGbAvJTw5kgQdHBAbA"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-size: 11.5pt; line-height: 115%; text-decoration-line: none;">https://www.trybooking.com/CJTHF</span></a>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Chapter group events</span></h2><h1><a name="_heading=h.1fob9te"></a></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Omega Writers is an Australia-wide network for
Christian writers. We have chapter groups all over the country who hold regular
meetings to support Christian writers in every stage of the creative journey.
Our active Brisbane group is a great example of the benefits of a strong
writer’s community. In fact, our Brisbane chapter contains many original
members of Omega Writers!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">In August, they are holding the Brisbane Omega
Showcase. This
is an opportunity for writers —both established and aspiring—to showcase their
work in a supportive environment. The weekend will feature presentations from a
range of writers and publishers as well as prize draws that offer practical
assistance in the form of editing, proofreading and book vouchers.</span></p><h4 style="text-align: left;">
Book now for 11-12 August<o:p></o:p> </h4></div><div>Friday and Saturday: <a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBQ">https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBQ </a></div><div><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;">
Friday only: </span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CHZPW">https://www.trybooking.com/CHZPW</a></span><u><o:p></o:p></u> </div><div>Saturday only: <span lang="EN" style="color: black; mso-color-alt: windowtext;"><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBC">https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBC</a></span>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Online Community</span></h2><h1><a name="_heading=h.3znysh7"></a></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Communities these days aren’t just in person!
Writers can benefit from a range of online writing communities that help them
at all stages of their journey. If you are looking for a supportive online
community, our <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/196006267212092"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Omega Writers Facebook Group</span></a> is the place to
ask all your questions about writing craft and Christian publishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Join here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/196006267212092."><span style="color: #1155cc;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/196006267212092.</span></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<h2 style="text-align: left;"><span lang="EN">Writing Prizes</span></h2><h1><a name="_heading=h.2et92p0"></a></h1>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN">Omega Writers also runs the CALEB Award. Each
year we alternate between awards for published and unpublished writers. Our
2023 (Unpublished) finalists were recently announced <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OmegaWriters.acwn"><span style="color: #1155cc;">on
our Facebook page</span></a> while our website is down for maintenance.
Congratulations to all the finalists!<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p></div>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-38688058186635632772023-07-13T05:30:00.173+10:002023-07-13T09:22:55.573+10:00Using a Magnifying Glass!<p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b> by Anusha Atukorala</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj69IGq3Crjm_UFpNNrxorTu9mFamZ09heqT_flHONOoAgdaOWdEgeiArVPm9xJ8JnBGf-kPc4jvPuCgnzY7I0kat3NdApRppI7b70ZVKYa6ybl8kcBAT0hArUtR4BEoYi8oIHRC4qVPnuryYh_N8pbRwcdYwaPsq07URYg_u-JN0zyVMYewBfC3RelhS/s2631/Using%20a%20Magifying%20Glass%202.jpg" style="font-family: trebuchet; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1764" data-original-width="2631" height="269" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjj69IGq3Crjm_UFpNNrxorTu9mFamZ09heqT_flHONOoAgdaOWdEgeiArVPm9xJ8JnBGf-kPc4jvPuCgnzY7I0kat3NdApRppI7b70ZVKYa6ybl8kcBAT0hArUtR4BEoYi8oIHRC4qVPnuryYh_N8pbRwcdYwaPsq07URYg_u-JN0zyVMYewBfC3RelhS/w400-h269/Using%20a%20Magifying%20Glass%202.jpg" width="400" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Recently, I had the joy of having a new friend over for afternoon tea. Beautiful
Susie (not her real name), came bearing a warm apple and sultana cake she’d
just whisked out of the oven. How Susie managed to bake a cake while caring for
her three small children beats me! Amazing! Her cute treasures aged 4, 2 and 6
months were a delight. The cake was delicious. We enjoyed a happy time together,
even if it lacked as much adult conversation as Susie and I would have liked.</span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I brought out some of my son’s old toys for her little girls to play
with. Amidst cars and hand puppets, plastic animals and an assortment of paraphernalia,
was a tiny magnifying glass. The two older kids were fascinated by it. They
used it for a long time, gazing intently at everything around them. I was a
little surprised at first how something so small and seemingly insignificant
could have given the children so much pleasure, until I realised that I too
still enjoy using one. Nowadays though, they are useful mainly to read the tiny
print on medicine bottles or on items off the supermarket shelves! </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGLwgNum7Pr6BPcUTP2evvelUeb-4Qait3izUU0Xhj27DZypUsyZG4czWOSc7iMdJv9RHs8ilGETJg8KZELrXj2Va8mt0U3QyDPuyxyzh4JGNBmkj1-5ZxFDl1hXFQubM5NEsutVq7NOyyg2axcwJ5s3XdQrVtDOf8EBnjhRjmREPmQ86aGRaHQU7BWIn/s1989/Using%20a%20Magnifying%20Glass%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1624" data-original-width="1989" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGLwgNum7Pr6BPcUTP2evvelUeb-4Qait3izUU0Xhj27DZypUsyZG4czWOSc7iMdJv9RHs8ilGETJg8KZELrXj2Va8mt0U3QyDPuyxyzh4JGNBmkj1-5ZxFDl1hXFQubM5NEsutVq7NOyyg2axcwJ5s3XdQrVtDOf8EBnjhRjmREPmQ86aGRaHQU7BWIn/w400-h326/Using%20a%20Magnifying%20Glass%201.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">As a disciple of Jesus, I could do with a magnifying glass, well … a
figurative one! Don’t you think? And … whom can I magnify today? How about … <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Christian Writers Downunder?</b> It’s the
best place to start, isn’t it? Christian Writers Downunder began in 2011 with
a handful of writers but grew very quickly and now boasts of 1350 members (when I last checked). CWD’s help and support to us Christian writers has been immense
and far reaching and I am so grateful. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I was new on the writing scene when I joined CWD, having just published
my first book. I remember the thrill of attending my first interstate Writing Conference in Queensland in 2012. It was lovely to be able to recognise many
who came that year, the moment I saw them, because we’d already connected
through CWD. A big shout out and THANK YOU to CWD’s current dynamic Admin duo –
Jeanette O Hagen and Kirsten Hart. You do a fabulous job! And thank you too to
Mazzy Adams (whose currently having a well deserved break)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God bless you three richly for all you do. We
are very grateful!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb-O4mp-H4UlgEAjcvbWkJD84COASkz6bZ91i8Z6IW25Fsx8hKlXbduKIaPCSK_-spciBodwXAHiEVjvJ7h600pSaqFBfhC1l-fLOP8KnPTQVyuhL-2evw934U4SBgG7cuxHBGs_9F_V0m1wVRglo8_fQaT5zwSTMwXnlr3-Y1B5WO9qWlnxz7trwC28r/s2048/A%20Tree%20of%20Life%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibb-O4mp-H4UlgEAjcvbWkJD84COASkz6bZ91i8Z6IW25Fsx8hKlXbduKIaPCSK_-spciBodwXAHiEVjvJ7h600pSaqFBfhC1l-fLOP8KnPTQVyuhL-2evw934U4SBgG7cuxHBGs_9F_V0m1wVRglo8_fQaT5zwSTMwXnlr3-Y1B5WO9qWlnxz7trwC28r/w400-h225/A%20Tree%20of%20Life%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">I’d also like to magnify a few of the books I’ve drunk deeply of over the years, that
have brought me closer to Jesus. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Celebration
of Discipline</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Richard Foster</i>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7
Lessons from Heaven</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mary C Neal</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Imagine Heaven</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">John Burke</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Life without Lack</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dallas
Willard</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Satisfy my Thirsty Soul</b>
by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Linda Dillow,</i> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sanctuary of the Soul</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Richard
Foster</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">A Call to the Secret Place</b>
by <i>Michel Ann Goll</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Reclaiming Love</b>
by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ajith Fernando</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Revelations of Divine Love</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Julian of Norwich</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Way of Blessing</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Roy
Godwin</i>, </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer</b> by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Richard Foster</i>. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Appointments with Heaven by </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dr
Reggie Anderson. </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And these are but a small snapshot of a myriad assortment of books that have wooed me to our Saviour. I am so grateful for
numerous great men and women of God over the ages and their writings that have
grown my soul. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><span style="font-size: medium;">When times are tough, it’s easy to focus on what’s wrong rather than
what’s right. We human beings are good at moaning about the bad rather than extolling
the good. But God’s blessings abound. Daily, hourly, moment by moment. The
jewel studded night sky that fills me with awe, the gentle sound of waves
lapping on a sandy shore, a bright silvery moon on a dark cold night, the perfect
yellow rose which displays my Creator’s magnificence, a colour splashed rainbow
that thrills my soul, sunshine and cool breezes which that bring warmth and refreshment
to my being. These are but a few of them.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: trebuchet; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aM5lxh_TwA__7sv6g25J-XvuPb-zQdX1tNoRwpI4iYmTEiLeOw3z9Uin8uF24XnE1qxh6HZAKXaHLN98Lju_KsPw_dIpw6Tzijm3_gGQrRwuuE5iKwECAWMJ8lXntYc8dlc37O6qs-Lb4F6Qj6Hs6cNbqyriAJ5RKxtJD4V9Aj7ar2v_1o1HuK9hT572/s4000/The%20One%20who%20makes%20the%20Difference%207.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aM5lxh_TwA__7sv6g25J-XvuPb-zQdX1tNoRwpI4iYmTEiLeOw3z9Uin8uF24XnE1qxh6HZAKXaHLN98Lju_KsPw_dIpw6Tzijm3_gGQrRwuuE5iKwECAWMJ8lXntYc8dlc37O6qs-Lb4F6Qj6Hs6cNbqyriAJ5RKxtJD4V9Aj7ar2v_1o1HuK9hT572/w225-h400/The%20One%20who%20makes%20the%20Difference%207.jpg" width="225" /></a></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">And of course we are blessed, not only through material gifts. Paul
informs us in the book of Ephesians that we have <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">every</i> spiritual blessing in Christ. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Every</b> spiritual blessing? Wow! Isn’t that something? Our lives are made
richer through family and friends. We are blessed by circumstances both good
and bad – even the tough times can be stepping stones to becoming more like
Jesus. Thank You God. I magnify all the rich blessings You bring my way. Every.
Single. Day!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I also seek to magnify the family of God – and as Paul urges us to do, consider
their needs as more important than mine, their accomplishments as deserving
higher recognition than mine. As a Christian writer, I magnify and showcase
other writers. All of you on CWD! Thank you writers – your writing blesses our world.
I won’t mention you by name in case I leave some of you out. But be assured … you
do make a difference. And <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… there needs
to be a word for the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">good</i> kind of gossip
- talking behind another’s back of admirable traits we discover in others? I
magnify the unique and wonderful people in my world – who make it a better
place. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b>Yes, you too dear Reader! You too!</b></span><span style="font-family: trebuchet;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"></span></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mKQcQgzLqRE2mzBODALM3UkYO9UuZdTAnlH8qKlJCgTBsSX3_cSIddp8FyR5MIrCIXQXZcH2a59Us7ZVZh5V4U93_67BDlFIzyzlBMZsfEI25SL8BpUAqFNXIRPvLkAd7ZYOYup-k6Oocgo-aCUrbvrhoFELhiUi3OEffo_QgwnjUW_T6Zq5z-tN1CQs/s960/Treasure%20in%20Unlikely%20Places%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="960" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mKQcQgzLqRE2mzBODALM3UkYO9UuZdTAnlH8qKlJCgTBsSX3_cSIddp8FyR5MIrCIXQXZcH2a59Us7ZVZh5V4U93_67BDlFIzyzlBMZsfEI25SL8BpUAqFNXIRPvLkAd7ZYOYup-k6Oocgo-aCUrbvrhoFELhiUi3OEffo_QgwnjUW_T6Zq5z-tN1CQs/w400-h224/Treasure%20in%20Unlikely%20Places%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Over the last few years, I’ve been struggling with an issue that often
diminishes the joy in my life, like a mosquito that keeps buzzing in my ears. I realised recently that when I had turned 60, I desired
one thing for my new decade. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">“<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">One thing
I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the
LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him
in his temple.” </b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Psalm 27:4-5.</b> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Perhaps I need to make an exchange? Each time
I am triggered by the one thing that trips me up … I can exchange it for the
<b>ONE THING</b> I surely need. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">To behold the
beauty of God!<o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VvjVodYz6TfZzLe0Nud3rKc3sDXscNUe2T9_Bwnm8D3EKMs1S26_sRz7idbomKipdanfTkEHf2ZsoXgs06y3N9Lsx2WZNzJ6892QMscHrhCnfXvaEerCwZzvqQ5UupYCcA3zXxM0XAPmLxA0Rc3E3lmj74sYB8nVRQkyZE6IYj009sxpQO1gF5SzxxJw/s2048/Wrapped%20in%20Warm%20Words%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9VvjVodYz6TfZzLe0Nud3rKc3sDXscNUe2T9_Bwnm8D3EKMs1S26_sRz7idbomKipdanfTkEHf2ZsoXgs06y3N9Lsx2WZNzJ6892QMscHrhCnfXvaEerCwZzvqQ5UupYCcA3zXxM0XAPmLxA0Rc3E3lmj74sYB8nVRQkyZE6IYj009sxpQO1gF5SzxxJw/w400-h225/Wrapped%20in%20Warm%20Words%206.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">Yes. There’s One we can’t help but magnify daily for all He is and He has
done for us. Our Awesome Great Triune God. The Alpha and the Omega. Who is like
Him in the heavens or the earth? No one. He stands apart. High! Holy! Creator!
Saviour! Lord! King! Redeemer! Friend! Majestic! Infinite! One who forgives! Transcendent!
Mighty! Faithful! Teacher! Wisdom!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-large;"> Light of the World. Jesus.</b></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3QSpedijeslEr4XBUx_A1eyYzlE2BgGBufaoTG3gWDVaydb1GGhzg75CUrR2vYCwAwJqZqKtDgCEhieQYdS20njLPVzqNrSR1JIQOJ-EKeLU2yXoWinAsEGlN-GrAOe69bLzWhm0KkdNYrjzcnLubgMKpn_T4TnHkEXdgGTsIPV_bih-q0WwHMdjlNOu/s2048/Called%20to%20be%20Different%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3QSpedijeslEr4XBUx_A1eyYzlE2BgGBufaoTG3gWDVaydb1GGhzg75CUrR2vYCwAwJqZqKtDgCEhieQYdS20njLPVzqNrSR1JIQOJ-EKeLU2yXoWinAsEGlN-GrAOe69bLzWhm0KkdNYrjzcnLubgMKpn_T4TnHkEXdgGTsIPV_bih-q0WwHMdjlNOu/w400-h225/Called%20to%20be%20Different%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p></p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">"Oh give thanks to the Lord
for He is good; </span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">for His steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 118:1</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> “The LORD is compassionate and
gracious, </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> slow to anger, abounding in love.” Psalm 103:8</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> "O magnify the Lord with me. </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"> And let
us exalt His Name together.” Psalm 34:3</span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"> </span></o:p></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BzYBoeeTF5bQVmlbhrBzmcb1YwovgCLyCcqMXrK4FDmMv8OQqf1hVuHEY1GgNdTXb4ZJoVzI9DZW1BOddXWDwCMjjH4AOc-BFq4KXTjgUB4ZDCIKGf3fTVWpQjxaR6IN_zuookqWgwCmZtwvqbx8xMNhD-cOeTgsz8k99Q7MNcx7Et7H4du7YEmE0fPB/s4000/The%20One%20who%20makes%20the%20Difference%204.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="4000" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2BzYBoeeTF5bQVmlbhrBzmcb1YwovgCLyCcqMXrK4FDmMv8OQqf1hVuHEY1GgNdTXb4ZJoVzI9DZW1BOddXWDwCMjjH4AOc-BFq4KXTjgUB4ZDCIKGf3fTVWpQjxaR6IN_zuookqWgwCmZtwvqbx8xMNhD-cOeTgsz8k99Q7MNcx7Et7H4du7YEmE0fPB/w400-h225/The%20One%20who%20makes%20the%20Difference%204.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></i></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;"><b>Would you like a peek through my magnifying
glass?</b></span></i><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP5cEN45YN3r3JNBdknQInX3NlwqomwNuPMC88wa7AjtpUjkFgCa6haVnsPGEen7NZgP3DQyDw4YAil2-owHCD-fyWNIFyExksJYmouWGEY2yXAkDpRtAV0Ru25rzk6RPMNrT9Q_01Fry-5PLgh3U9_h10G0_1DLKRjf_5Jub1sqvbyjogm-lu8ckkjys/s3043/Using%20a%20Magnifying%20Glass%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="3043" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkP5cEN45YN3r3JNBdknQInX3NlwqomwNuPMC88wa7AjtpUjkFgCa6haVnsPGEen7NZgP3DQyDw4YAil2-owHCD-fyWNIFyExksJYmouWGEY2yXAkDpRtAV0Ru25rzk6RPMNrT9Q_01Fry-5PLgh3U9_h10G0_1DLKRjf_5Jub1sqvbyjogm-lu8ckkjys/w400-h296/Using%20a%20Magnifying%20Glass%203.jpg" width="400" /></a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anusha’s been
on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer
programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full
time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God
tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never
recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life
with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her
writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through
each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.</span></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></span></i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudhWj7IsYKH1iJHLZ5D1aJloxJDpVw8Ya1KTTOuQOJMKlraMeARfagRsBglrPGFF84tcfRoQr3XzDJVJfYHMwvO6cTJedmzZpFf2F1EeO-U9iuQA9A50_zR2Tb83FWMTqyKwWzyXtbctDU1PDlI2Xy5IApVuYTN8yZjM4jeWJ5OsWGubWFhtfI3gmtbeH/s496/Me.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="426" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjudhWj7IsYKH1iJHLZ5D1aJloxJDpVw8Ya1KTTOuQOJMKlraMeARfagRsBglrPGFF84tcfRoQr3XzDJVJfYHMwvO6cTJedmzZpFf2F1EeO-U9iuQA9A50_zR2Tb83FWMTqyKwWzyXtbctDU1PDlI2Xy5IApVuYTN8yZjM4jeWJ5OsWGubWFhtfI3gmtbeH/w344-h400/Me.jpg" width="344" /></a></span></i></div><i><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /> </span></i><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Her first book
Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer
to your Creator. Her 2<sup>nd</sup> book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ brings you
hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, ‘Sharing the Journey’
is a sequel to 'Enjoying the Journey' and was released in March 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> </span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Do drop in on
her two websites to say G’day! She’d love to connect with you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href=" https://anusha-atukorala.webnode.com/" target="_blank">Dancing in the Rain</a></span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://light-in-the-darkness00.webnode.com/" target="_blank">Light in the Darkness</a></span></b><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; vertical-align: baseline;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6_UFNH_0m1SZpvCQqTYuk2y43jfrNqL--PaJvRPK6ymrItQDs_98ZW-15SX0bBqpl8Ynr7osvPbsCIbSU6iNzaBFPr_BasyETMpn6bdO0dgWEAALgncyPmWUJmppSXa0xzviTMrZCa284Tgj8XvTmQ0N6s15FNL_EntM7eHJIq7Cnj22vWujz3AApxF1/s720/Book%20cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="507" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6_UFNH_0m1SZpvCQqTYuk2y43jfrNqL--PaJvRPK6ymrItQDs_98ZW-15SX0bBqpl8Ynr7osvPbsCIbSU6iNzaBFPr_BasyETMpn6bdO0dgWEAALgncyPmWUJmppSXa0xzviTMrZCa284Tgj8XvTmQ0N6s15FNL_EntM7eHJIq7Cnj22vWujz3AApxF1/s320/Book%20cover.jpg" width="225" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WtvbT3RVzBg54N5LKMt2FsCxc3kuEFIrA5xbgeaKx24NvDHdc2VaTj_LdG61VRR2npCLqQ_1CneuwH2-SiCOblY_HGL_FC9owdtVbIv7Wt4jHwRPR8Mez3zZZCZ64eZ6EQhqxE_3Cr-SxpS89m5eZG1hTeB1JBBAAQw9FOr3JuKdbmqfns7rWk70-B0w/s424/Dancing%20in%20the%20rain%20cover%20photo.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="283" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-WtvbT3RVzBg54N5LKMt2FsCxc3kuEFIrA5xbgeaKx24NvDHdc2VaTj_LdG61VRR2npCLqQ_1CneuwH2-SiCOblY_HGL_FC9owdtVbIv7Wt4jHwRPR8Mez3zZZCZ64eZ6EQhqxE_3Cr-SxpS89m5eZG1hTeB1JBBAAQw9FOr3JuKdbmqfns7rWk70-B0w/s320/Dancing%20in%20the%20rain%20cover%20photo.png" width="214" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoy6zaC3j2QduIOhdDz87GsshONRKAd6mHJyydlQ1qnCqckVDVp_oFXusCbELi223DNG_xFGrviBIO9LfQpKkT1xYAZFrvY61-ggl5E2F_SO8QFPCPKbAOk5euJClap5W86mQXcIuBVdq3HX77wrGLiKHCooJFVt98dgvFg93zXlTgtpZu58wxVhq0Scn/s2048/Sharing%20the%20Journey%20Front%20Cover.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1298" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoy6zaC3j2QduIOhdDz87GsshONRKAd6mHJyydlQ1qnCqckVDVp_oFXusCbELi223DNG_xFGrviBIO9LfQpKkT1xYAZFrvY61-ggl5E2F_SO8QFPCPKbAOk5euJClap5W86mQXcIuBVdq3HX77wrGLiKHCooJFVt98dgvFg93zXlTgtpZu58wxVhq0Scn/s320/Sharing%20the%20Journey%20Front%20Cover.jpg" width="203" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">Thanks for reading!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: medium;">God bless you!</span></b></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p></div>Anusha Atukoralahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00859837228901127984noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-39248980128041396262023-07-06T05:00:00.323+10:002023-07-06T14:42:29.369+10:00How to Cite Scripture in Christian Books<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMsTxOoiL1Wwf4nJUNRjpm7pdNQLua4RjfY1OBSdSn4u8lS46FdUFV0mSI2So9JCt4mC5I2IprwepyIM77l2ZL9CSv5BfRetTaMObEJTzdJ-Jh7Hc7yD8Tf2WY8Xp7Y09OzxZX3OPw2t9GMPmjbLfI39_HJvDNucwQ4h0J1H73gO_ne1jkO0jt_M-fQU/s1866/moses-2715485_1920%20andremsantana%20Pixabay%20edit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1640" data-original-width="1866" height="351" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieMsTxOoiL1Wwf4nJUNRjpm7pdNQLua4RjfY1OBSdSn4u8lS46FdUFV0mSI2So9JCt4mC5I2IprwepyIM77l2ZL9CSv5BfRetTaMObEJTzdJ-Jh7Hc7yD8Tf2WY8Xp7Y09OzxZX3OPw2t9GMPmjbLfI39_HJvDNucwQ4h0J1H73gO_ne1jkO0jt_M-fQU/w400-h351/moses-2715485_1920%20andremsantana%20Pixabay%20edit.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal">Are you going to include scriptures in your dazzling
manuscript? Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, here are some things
you need to know. </p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Copyright and Permission Statements</span></b></h2>
<p class="MsoNormal">If you’re using direct quotes of any scriptures in your
book, you need to include a copyright and permission statement on the imprints
page at the front. (That’s the page that has fun stuff on it like publisher details,
copyright info, ISBNs etc.) If you’ve quoted from several different versions of
the Bible, you will need a separate copyright and permission notice for each
one.</p><p class="MsoNormal">The good news is that if you go to the websites for the publishers of the most common Bible versions, they will usually have information about permissions and may even have sample statements you can include. Sometimes you have to fish around on the site, go to the parent site, or use a few key words in Google. HarperCollins publishes a number of the popular Bibles and if you click <a href="https://www.harpercollinschristian.com/sales-and-rights/permissions/" target="_blank">HERE</a>, you will find their permissions information.</p><p class="MsoNormal">From there, you can find the specific version you want. For example, if you click on the link there for the New
International Version (NIV), they give a number of different permission
statements including the following:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: inherit;">Scripture
quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International
Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by
permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. <a href="http://www.zondervan.com/"><span color="windowtext">www.zondervan.com</span></a> The “NIV” and
“New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States
Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.®</span></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Please note that the above is a sample only. You would
delete the years that don’t apply to the version you used.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Also, be sure to read all of the information regarding what
is permitted and what is not. For example, they say you can use up to 500
verses of the NIV without asking for written permission, as long as those
verses don’t constitute a whole book of the Bible (among other things). So even
though the book of Philippians has fewer than 500 verses in total, you cannot
quote the whole of Philippians without asking for written permission.</p><p class="MsoNormal">If the Bible version you are looking for is not listed at
that link, you’ll have to go to the website for their publisher and find the
information. If you just do a Google search for the name of the Bible and
permissions, you shouldn’t have any trouble locating it.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">(Please note that I am giving advice here to the best of my ability, but I am not a lawyer or copyright expert. If in doubt, please check.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">How Many Bible Versions Should You Use?</span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal">This is like the ‘how long is a piece of string’ question. The
various Bible versions sometimes use different words to bring out different
meanings or nuances in the text. Some versions use plainer language than
others. You may simply like one version more than another because it’s the one
you grew up with or the one with which you’re most familiar. All of those are
valid. However, remember that you need a separate copyright and permission
statement for each. So unless the aim of your book is to compare various
versions of the Bible, you probably need to ask yourself whether you really
need to quote from ten different versions.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">If you have one version you mainly use, and you just have a
few quotes from other versions, you can also include a statement in your copyright
notice, such as ‘Unless otherwise specified, all scriptures are from the Such
and Such Bible’ and then give the rest of the copyright and permission
statement for that Bible. The copyright and permission statements for the other
Bibles would appear after that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">How Do You Actually Cite Scriptures in your Text?</span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p>T</o:p>here are a number of different ways in which you can cite
or quote scripture, but two guiding principles are consistency and accuracy.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Consistency</span></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal">When citing scripture, it’s good to use a consistent format
throughout your book. If you have a traditional publisher, they may have their
own house style for citing scriptures, so check that.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Although different formats are available, it’s typical to
use the full name of a book from the Bible if it’s part of a sentence in your
text, but to use the abbreviation if it’s in parentheses after the quote. For
example:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>‘In Galatians 5, Paul talks about the fruit of the Spirit.’ </blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">According to Paul, the fruit of the Spirit includes ‘love,
joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and
self-control’ (Gal. 5:22–23a NIV). </p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">You’ll see there that you also include the Bible version
when giving a direct quote, except where you have already included the ‘unless
otherwise specified’ phrase in the copyright and permission statement on the imprints page. (Please see above.) However, if you’re just referring to something that
was in the Bible and you’re not using a direct quote, you don’t have to note
the version.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Technically speaking, you’re also supposed to use an en-dash
rather than a hyphen to indicate a number range, including a range of verses
(e.g., 14–17 rather than 14-17).</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">There are also standard <b>abbreviations</b> for the books of the
Bible and different Bible translations. Again, these might differ depending on which guidelines you consult.
However, I find the recommendations in the <i>Chicago Manual of Style</i> helpful, as
they give a list of all abbreviations. Click <a href="https://hbl.gcc.libguides.com/BibleAbbrevChicago" target="_blank">HERE</a> for lists of
abbreviations for books of the Bible and versions of the Bible.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">One of my clients asked if she had to use abbreviations in
parentheses because she preferred to use the full names. From memory, I think
she was indie-publishing a devotional book or gift book. My advice was that she
could use the full names if she preferred, but be consistent. Either use the
full names or the abbreviations in parentheses, but don’t chop and change.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Another issue regards when to use a <b>block quotation</b> versus
just citing the scripture as part of a sentence.</p><p class="MsoNormal">If you have a long quote, you typically put that in a block
quotation format rather than having it running on as part of a sentence. There
are different ideas of what constitutes a long quote. One guideline is that you
use a block quotation if you have 100 words or more, or eight lines of text or
more, but some also use it for shorter quotes if they want them to stand out.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Block quotations are usually indented without quote marks,
like this.</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote>Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt. 11:28–29 NIV)</blockquote><span style="background-color: white;"></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">And then you continue on with your text. Please note that in
this case, there are no quote marks and the full stop comes at the end of the
quote. If it was part of a sentence, you would do it this way:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><blockquote>Jesus
says, ‘Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble
in heart, and you will find rest for your souls’ (Matt. 11:28–29 NIV).</blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">Please note that I've indented it as an example, but it would just appear as part of the regular text of your paragraph. Here, there are quote marks and the final full stop comes after the parentheses. An exception would be if the quote finishes with a question mark or an exclamation mark. In those cases, the punctuation mark would come before the closing quote mark.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">If you want to omit a few words or phrase from a longer scripture, use <b>ellipses</b> to indicate the missing part (...). However, be sure that the words you omit do not change the meaning or context of the quoted material.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">Should you use <b>single or double quotation marks</b>? Single quotation marks are more typical in Australia and double quotation marks are more popular in countries such as the United States. If you're unsure where you're sending your manuscript, maybe use double quotation marks initially, as they're easier to change with a global substitution later if need be. (If you try to do a global substitution on single quote marks, it will also pick up your apostrophes.) The same goes for dialogue.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">What about <b>quotes within quotes</b>, such as scriptures that include some speech or dialogue? If you're using block quotations, then you only need quote marks around the bit of speech or dialogue. If you're citing the scripture within the text of a sentence, and you're using double quote marks across the manuscript, then put the double quotes around the whole scripture and single quotes around the piece of dialogue within. If you're using single quote marks throughout, then it's the opposite (i.e., single quotes around the whole scripture and double quote marks around the bit of dialogue within.) Confused? Maybe that's a case for using block quotations or rewording so that you don't need to use the messy quotes within quotes. The challenge is yours!</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">Although the examples above show the format typically used, there are other styles. If you're being traditionally published, check with your publisher. If you're indie-publishing, you can use a different style, but just be consistent in whatever style you use. If you're not sure yet whether you're going to be traditionally published or indie-publishing, the examples above are a good guide.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="woj"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Accuracy</span></span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">When using direct quotes from the Bible, be very careful in transcribing the exact words and punctuation, including different spelling. For example, if you are using Australian spelling throughout your book, but the quote is from an American version that uses American spelling, then use that American spelling in your quote. However, there are a few things you do <b>not</b> need to copy in your quote.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span class="woj">You should not embed the verse numbers within your quote.</span></li><li><span class="woj">If the version you are using has red type for Jesus' words, just use black in your quote.</span></li><li><span class="woj">If the version you are using has superscripts for footnotes or endnotes within the passage, don't copy those over. Otherwise, your readers will think they refer to your own footnotes or endnotes, and they won't be able to find them.</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="woj">Speaking of <b>footnotes and endnotes</b>, you may prefer to use these as a citation method if you have a lot of scriptures and the constant inclusion of verse and version could break the flow of your points. For example, say you're writing about Jesus' miracles and you have a sentence that lists six of them from different parts of the Gospels. Rather than giving the scripture reference after each miracle, you could put them in a footnote or endnote instead.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h2 style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #0b5394;">Versions of the Bible in Historical Fiction</span></b></h2><p class="MsoNormal">We’re so familiar with some versions of the Bible, that it’s
easy to forget they haven’t always been around. For example, the New Testament
in the New International Version (NIV) was first published in 1973 and the complete
NIV Bible was published in 1978. (Click <a href="https://www.thenivbible.com/about-the-niv/history-of-the-niv/" target="_blank">here</a> for details.)</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">So be sure your 1960s heroine doesn’t quote the NIV. You
also might want to check that your 1940s characters don’t quote the <a href="https://www.lockman.org/amplified-bible-amp/" target="_blank">Amplified Bible</a> (it was first published between 1958 and 1965) and that your 1980s
characters don’t quote from the <a href="https://messagebible.com/faq/" target="_blank">Message version</a> (it came out between 1993 and
2002). My historical novel <i>Scattered</i> was set in 1882, so my heroine consults
the King James Version of the Bible. A quick google search should provide the
details you need for your version.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">This seems like a lot of information to take in, but just
remember the four things you need to be aware of—copyright, permissions,
consistency and accuracy. What could be simpler than that? Okay, a lot of things could be simpler, but hopefully these guidelines will point you in the right direction.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Author Note</span></h3><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XbBGicYEojnUEhEq6Bln019sHuQLhbpTjlWAjI08KVsvVmOqIrVnJs-CbLbQmgEV-PXF517CTecaLdGY31lSjgXj-ViJonXwOqdvUdlfXJ1qQhextXYfjmGJjpR94WC5F8taaASMmKpvI7sYEPnaREy38dV5vzNfyutVJm20OeY0MWXtbDX4kHCov0g/s1077/Nola%20park%20stripes%20green%20blurred%20-%20medium%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1003" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XbBGicYEojnUEhEq6Bln019sHuQLhbpTjlWAjI08KVsvVmOqIrVnJs-CbLbQmgEV-PXF517CTecaLdGY31lSjgXj-ViJonXwOqdvUdlfXJ1qQhextXYfjmGJjpR94WC5F8taaASMmKpvI7sYEPnaREy38dV5vzNfyutVJm20OeY0MWXtbDX4kHCov0g/w186-h200/Nola%20park%20stripes%20green%20blurred%20-%20medium%20-%20Copy%20(2).JPG" width="186" /></a></div>Nola Lorraine (aka Nola Passmore) is an author and editor whose poetry,
inspirational articles, and short fiction have appeared in magazines, journals
and anthologies in Australia and overseas. Her debut historical novel <i>Scattered</i> was short-listed for the CALEB award. She has qualifications in creative writing, psychology, and Christian
ministry. She and her husband Tim have a
freelance writing and editing business called The Write Flourish, which they operate from their home base
in Toowoomba. She would love to connect with you through her websites.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Nola Lorraine Author website - <a href="https://www.nolalorraine.com.au/" target="_blank">https://www.nolalorraine.com.au/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Write Flourish - <a href="https://thewriteflourish.com.au/" target="_blank">https://thewriteflourish.com.au/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Picture Sources</span></h4><p class="MsoNormal">Author photo by Wayne Logan from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/wrlphoto/?hl=en" target="_blank">WRLPhoto</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Featured photo by <a href="https://pixabay.com/illustrations/moses-prophet-writing-beard-person-2715485/" target="_blank">andremsantana on Pixabay</a>.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"></span><p></p></div>Nola Lorrainehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05484579374187759802noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-32084346576226740442023-06-29T09:00:00.001+10:002023-06-29T09:00:00.158+10:00Two Things Every Writer Needs<h3 style="text-align: left;"> by Charis Joy Jackson</h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvGmszrfRvjT_toKCEEW9QQtXLncT8CKkxi02oqfvpYdkg2yWM0uajN6-yhZeWoXXl72muwCyaQGFcMe59EA6cpADpB19S1Nbd_zrQDC1nvTW9nfyAzq2amexaCaZSSoNpcYvQEkjzOnq2ZlJ_s8tQBZmwFJlZhpDs9IIuNJhBnjLboDgRGuFsks5vuQ/s6000/rumman-amin-qBn-ZudR3yA-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkigHYaMcilNQjgu2Mw8Kk0_3Mj63sKhdXlIwwgLjBA4sA2u2jxTAxF6JhIzu7o8Gz6V8viIRPsiyjktG6EnjwsXDiPRTAVdmK_R7vMV0PcGFAbxpR19zCjGF-Szia1OpgV-6H9Kj453YG7usjSJkzT0HrF6gH2XIDcd_e2_iepgqXd8ZdepxX0COgtBs/s6000/rumman-amin-hRWrjqPUXnQ-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkigHYaMcilNQjgu2Mw8Kk0_3Mj63sKhdXlIwwgLjBA4sA2u2jxTAxF6JhIzu7o8Gz6V8viIRPsiyjktG6EnjwsXDiPRTAVdmK_R7vMV0PcGFAbxpR19zCjGF-Szia1OpgV-6H9Kj453YG7usjSJkzT0HrF6gH2XIDcd_e2_iepgqXd8ZdepxX0COgtBs/w400-h266/rumman-amin-hRWrjqPUXnQ-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>Photos by Rumman Amin <br /></span></div><div style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"> </span><br /></div><div> </div><div>Imagine with me, if you will… </div><div> </div><div>A romantic landscape of jagged, snow-capped mountains, meadows filled with wildflowers of every colour, a cozy stone cottage, warm lights filling the windows from the fireplace, complete with a welcoming, lazy trail of smoke rising from the chimney. </div><div><br />Inside you find the perfect writing nook, walls covered in ideas for stories, maps of your made up worlds, a bankers lamp — green glass and bronze base — magically lighting the space just right. Your desktop computer at the ready, screen open to whatever you use to write — for me it’s a blank off-white Scrivener Project, the left side full of different coloured binders and folders of what’s already been written. </div><div><br />Did I mention this place comes complete with a chef? And cleaner? Heck, let’s throw a gardener in there too, and set the cottage on the end of a farm, with a friendly woodland behind it. In the woods are many twisting pathways to stretch your legs from time to time. Oh and, I reckon there’s a cat. You can choose a dog if you like, but at my little writing escape there would most definitely be a cat. A big fluffy one, who loooooves cuddles and has the loudest purr. </div><div><br />Actually, I’d probably have a dog there too. A border collie, sharp as a tack and highly trained to go on walks, without a lead, through the meadow or wood with me, and who would most definitely get completely muddy from the river running through both. </div><div><br />I don’t know about you, but this type of setting calls to me. And if life with all its obstacles and restraints allowed, and finances weren’t ever an issue, I’d probably be living there right now, if such a place exists. <br /> </div><div>To me, it sounds like the perfect place to have a balanced writing life. </div><div> </div><div>But I don’t think even the most prolific writers have such a place. The great Stephen King talks about how his writing desk now sits in a corner of his office, while the rest is filled with couches and games and more for his family to come and be present there. </div><div><br />When I first began to dream of writing as a career, I thought it would be a fairly solitary existence. Quiet and contemplative. And maybe even a bit lonely. Which while it sounds perfect to get the writing done, isn’t the best for this ambivert who needs plenty of time with people and plenty of time without. <br /> </div><div>And to my delight, I’ve discovered that the best writers, who I also have the privilege of knowing, flourish when they recognise writing is not a solitary job. They flourish, and so do I, when I have two things: accountability and community. <br /> </div><div><b>ACCOUNTABILITY</b><br /> </div><div>Sometimes I get the sense that this word "accountability" is seen through a lens of dry and boring responsibility. Truthfully, it’s kinda hard for me to describe it this way, because I’ve come to see it as something living, invigorating. Something that helps keep me at it on days that are more conducive to curling up on the couch with a good book or show. </div><div><br />For example, this morning. </div><div> </div><div>I’m staying at a friends place in Wales, the great wide outdoors is definitely beckoning me, but today is cold and grey. I know there are haunts I want to explore, but my sleepy brain is telling me it’s a day to "just rest". <br /> </div><div>Only problem? </div><div> </div><div>It’s not a Day Off, it’s a Work Day. <br /> </div><div>And I’m on a Work Week Away. So I mustn’t listen to the sleepy voice in my head, and I mustn’t get distracted by playing ball with the black slobber machine currently lying at my feet. There’s time for that later, right now, I need to write. Specifically this blog. It’s to be published at the end of the week, so it’s time. <br /> </div><div>And thankfully, beautiful accountability was there in the form of a zoom writing group. <br /> </div><div>This morning, a mixture of writers jumped onto a zoom call, where we gave a brief sentence about what we were going to be working on in the next hour, and then muted our microphones, turned off our videos and began writing. It may sound a bit silly to jump on a zoom call where the majority of time is spent in absolute silence but it works. <br /> </div><div>It’s enough of a nudge to get “stuck in” and enjoy the thing I love most. Even though I love it the most, I often have a plethora of excuses for why I can’t write just now but I’ll get to it later. This bit of accountability helps to keep those pesky excuses at bay and it also gives me a community.<br /> </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvGmszrfRvjT_toKCEEW9QQtXLncT8CKkxi02oqfvpYdkg2yWM0uajN6-yhZeWoXXl72muwCyaQGFcMe59EA6cpADpB19S1Nbd_zrQDC1nvTW9nfyAzq2amexaCaZSSoNpcYvQEkjzOnq2ZlJ_s8tQBZmwFJlZhpDs9IIuNJhBnjLboDgRGuFsks5vuQ/s6000/rumman-amin-qBn-ZudR3yA-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxvGmszrfRvjT_toKCEEW9QQtXLncT8CKkxi02oqfvpYdkg2yWM0uajN6-yhZeWoXXl72muwCyaQGFcMe59EA6cpADpB19S1Nbd_zrQDC1nvTW9nfyAzq2amexaCaZSSoNpcYvQEkjzOnq2ZlJ_s8tQBZmwFJlZhpDs9IIuNJhBnjLboDgRGuFsks5vuQ/w400-h266/rumman-amin-qBn-ZudR3yA-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><b>COMMUNITY</b><br /> </div><div>While the beauty of that cabin in the wild sounds wonderful, the picture here, also reveals how lonely it could be. </div><div> </div><div>I’ll never forget the day, sitting in my grandpa’s green Mercedes, the leather seats squeaking under me as I answered my momma’s question of “Did you enjoy the movie?” I spent literally an hour and a half explaining every scene, every piece of dialogue, and every joke I could remember. The film was <i>Men in Black</i>, with Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Honestly, I think I've only watched it a handful of times since but, at the time, I remembered so much of the film I could just watch it on replay in my minds eye. </div><div><br />Why? Because I loved it. Loved the story-line, loved the creativity of the world building, the quirky characters and aliens and, well, everything. </div><div><br />If we love a thing, the passion for it tends to flow out of us — especially if we find someone else who likes it too. </div><div><br />It’s the same for what we write. At least it has been for me. </div><div><br />When I still lived in Australia, I’d sit at my local cafe and spend hours writing. But when I got home, I’d immediately seize whoever happened to be there and ask if I could read them what I just wrote. Thankfully, my lovely housemates and friends at, what we called, “Lower Buckingham House” were very gracious to me. They’d start chopping dinner while I read. And boy, oh boy, did I appreciate the little hmmm’s when a sentence made them think. Or the little chuckle when one of my characters said something or did something cheeky. <br /> </div><div>I can’t tell you how much I miss this. <br /> </div><div>If you have it, I hope you take a moment to stop and appreciate it because it’s special to have people in your life that support you in this way. <br /> </div><div>While I no longer have the privilege of living in Australia with my friends at Lower Buck, I do have a zoom group every Friday, where I gather with poets, novelists, non-fiction authors and more as we take time to fellowship, share about our projects, and even read what we’ve written. </div><div> </div><div>It’s encouraging, and instructive. <br /> </div><div>And as writers, we need this community. </div><div> </div><div>It helps us to sharpen our words, sentences and paragraphs. What may seem obvious to us, may not to our reader, and our writing community can help to point these things out to us. Likewise, they can help you know where you’ve written something glorious. <br /> </div><div>When I discover someone is a writer, I light up and turn into a small child asking all the questions. I know some people can be a bit private about their work, but I find the more mature you become as a writer, the more you’re willing to share — and turn into a five-year old full of excitement for what you’re creating. Not worrying or carrying that someone might steal your idea. Chances are, if it’s good, they’ll wish they’d thought of it first but won’t write it because you already did. <br /> </div><div>The above might not be the case for everyone and being open about your work isn’t the only path to maturity, so please don’t read that and think you’re not a mature writer. What I'm trying to say is, it’s good to bounce your ideas off someone to make sure what you’re writing makes sense.<br /> </div><div>I hope the next time you meet a writer you welcome them into your writing community and accountability group. And …. if you don’t have one, I highly recommend you start looking, I think you’ll find you write more — I have.</div><div><br />Being someone who’s had that community, moved to a new city, and had to basically “start over”, I’ve got some tips for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. What’s worked for me isn’t guaranteed to work for you but at least it’ll give you an idea of where to start and hopefully get those creative juices flowing for you.</div><div><br /><b>Social Media </b>— While there are positive and negative things about platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I’ve discovered a wealth of good, as a tool these platforms helped me find new writing groups in my local area. A quick search with my town name and “writing group” pulled up a few suggestions for me, which I was able to plug into.</div><div><br /><b>Local Book Shops </b>— one of my favourite towns to visit locally has an indie book shop with a thriving writing community. There are workshops, readings, and more. While I haven’t had the opportunity to plug into this just yet, as there is a cost for it, I’m soooo excited for the possibilities that come with knowing it’s right there. You may find the same.</div><div><br /><b>Coffee Hangs</b> — God is so faithful in providing for us, I’ve especially found Him to be such a help in having my path randomly cross several writers. When people find out I write, I often get, “Oh, do you know So-and-so? They’re a writer too.” And if I know the person, you better believe I’m like a dog on the hunt, quick to text and ask if they want to meet up for a coffee and talk about writing. If I don’t know the person, I ask my friend to introduce me. Like now, please.<br /> </div><div><b>Can’t Find One, Start Your Own </b>— when I first started to really pursue writing again in my late 20’s, I’d take the train into Brisbane's CBD, to the one cafe I knew that had outlets, and which at the time, happened to be in the old Regent Cinema on Queen Street Mall. I’d get an iced coffee in summer or a mocha in winter and sit there and write for hours. </div><div> </div><div>One day, a good friend of mine, who was also writing, texted with the news he’d found a place with outlets. He’d been searching high and low, and found one in a museum, I think. I wrote back and mentioned mine had not only outlets but coffee too. </div><div> </div><div>Needless to say, he joined me that next Saturday. <br /> </div><div>We didn’t know it then, but we’d begun the initial stages of forming our very own writing group, which we’d end up calling "Regent Writers". While we couldn’t financially sustain going into the CBD every weekend, we did continue to meet every Saturday, and two became three, and four, and at the height of the Regent Writers reign, we filled an entire room at our local cafe with something like fifteen writers, and their laptops, of course.</div><div><br /><b>FINAL THOUGHTS</b><br /> </div><div>While I still dream of one day having that stone cottage somewhere, I am glad I’ve learned to love, and utilise, these gifts of accountability and community as a writer. I hope it encourages you too. </div><div> </div><div>Here’s to doing this writing thing together, to encourage and challenge each other to grow in our gifts and skills, and to use it to the fullness God designed us for. <br /><br /><br /></div><div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: right;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLVv_Xn8It9p9hUNhM8pX0W62VhjrSBw6GD456Ye0HCr5OTy0flNt5WYg1j_mzzofSmW9A4j6bPT6__f1OPAxU8TnxZv8C2EatCbkx-AG9wAPJz9t17GK46k5L5y5qtb8M_-Wy_cZ5_15W4BHID_bseyCQ6sWKTO2GBELRYnSOquzNXWsEfcD-PVKjyE/s1800/244721181_10159383945941830_3069658471331892582_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLVv_Xn8It9p9hUNhM8pX0W62VhjrSBw6GD456Ye0HCr5OTy0flNt5WYg1j_mzzofSmW9A4j6bPT6__f1OPAxU8TnxZv8C2EatCbkx-AG9wAPJz9t17GK46k5L5y5qtb8M_-Wy_cZ5_15W4BHID_bseyCQ6sWKTO2GBELRYnSOquzNXWsEfcD-PVKjyE/s320/244721181_10159383945941830_3069658471331892582_n.jpg" width="256" /></a>Charis Joy Jackson is as a full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), an international Christian missions movement. Currently located in a village just north of London, she spends as much time in the great outdoors as the rainy weather will allow. In her spare time, she writes speculative fiction & captures her crazy dreams in print. Literally. Read <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Too-Bright-stories-inspired-Dreamcatchers/dp/1692615629/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3TIVTUW18N494&keywords=Too+Bright+CHaris&qid=1682345904&sprefix=too+bright+charis%2Caps%2C71&sr=8-1">Too Bright: And other stories inspired by The Dreamcatcher's Journal</a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;">She's also begun an initiative called <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aminuteofstillness/ ">A Minute Of Stillness</a>, where she reflects on what God’s creation teaches us about slowing down. A recovering scrolling addict, she found the few reels telling her to "stop scrolling" and "go to bed" helped give that extra nudge to get off her phone and either go outside, back to work or, indeed, go to bed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: right;">C h a r i s J o y J a c k s o n <br /></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/charisjoyjackson/ ">Instagram</a> || <a href="https://www.facebook.com/charisjjackson/ ">Facebook</a> || <a href="amazon.com/author/charisjoyjackson ">Amazon</a><br /></div></div>Charis Joy Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15274372117691594529noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-5440926331827975982023-06-22T05:00:00.042+10:002023-06-22T05:00:00.133+10:00News! Brisbane Omega Showcase - Ruth Bonetti<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m delighted to help on the organising team of the BRISBANE OMEGA SHOWCASE. This new event is an opportunity for authors, both established and aspiring, to inspire each other with the writing God has given us. It will be held at the Coopers Colonial Motel in Acacia Ridge on 11 and 12 August. </span></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Because it’s a </span><i style="font-family: Calibri;">showcase</i><span style="font-family: Calibri;">, it’s about celebrating the work of local Christian writers and connecting them with both readers and other writers. There will be </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">two-minute promotional spots throughout the day for already published writers to pop up and enthuse others about their books. Vie f</span><span style="font-family: Symbol;">or h</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; text-indent: -24px;">eaps of worthwhile prizes, including vouchers for proofreading, editing and designing;</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; text-indent: -24px;"> </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbF6UcWm-ShaiwkarOAmJ3LUh7YhjaqLCeEzid0eQhoHYN1XALMCJDensAOu8kNQwZnncx5q_H_jvpjGkmG5edwaObGBJty09vS8r6nH0dJT53cugPg0c9qA6FYrppT1yXyL3hDmE1eGvdr4yWJQqLaANitAU110PiqXV84OKHRpGz6sg2kYhMOmbKPw/s853/Omega%20Writers_Nola-Passmore.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="853" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidbF6UcWm-ShaiwkarOAmJ3LUh7YhjaqLCeEzid0eQhoHYN1XALMCJDensAOu8kNQwZnncx5q_H_jvpjGkmG5edwaObGBJty09vS8r6nH0dJT53cugPg0c9qA6FYrppT1yXyL3hDmE1eGvdr4yWJQqLaANitAU110PiqXV84OKHRpGz6sg2kYhMOmbKPw/s320/Omega%20Writers_Nola-Passmore.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There will be: </span><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->mini-book launches</p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]-->publishers, editors and designers to consult<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: 8pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-line-height-alt: 11.75pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><o:p></o:p></p><p><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> ·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: -18pt;">sessions on many valuable topics. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span> </p><p>Including...</p><p><b>PUBLISHER APPOINTMENTS</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Check in with Rochelle Stephens of <a href="https://wombatrhiza.com.au/"><span style="color: #954f72;">Wombat Books and Rhiza Press</span></a>. (This incurs an extra fee. But it’s well worth investing in yourself to see if your writing is at that point where a publisher is interested or needs more fine-tuning.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b>FREE CONSULTATIONS</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><a href="https://www.beckoncreative.biz/"><span style="color: #954f72;">Rebekah Robinson of Beckon Creative </span></a>is offering free consultations on cover and interior design for self-publishers. She’ll also be speaking on how cover design influences buyers with subliminal clues via colours and fonts.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b>SCREEN-WRITING TIPS</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/SongsWithSimon"><span style="color: #954f72;">Simon Kennedy </span></a>, co-creator of the award-winning drama series, <a href="https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/safe-harbour"><span style="color: #954f72;">Safe Harbour</span></a>, will be speaking on the ins and outs of screen-writing.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b>MEMOIR</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 8pt;"><a href="https://drdymockwriter.com/"><span style="color: #954f72;">Darryl Dymock, tutor at the Qld Writers’ Centre </span></a>, will present on how to create a safe place for people to talk about their lives through a memoir-writing group in your church —and getting local politicians to officially launch the resultant anthology! <o:p></o:p></p><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b>EARLY BIRD SPECIAL ENDS JUNE 24!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Tickets include BBQ on Friday evening, lunch on Saturday and morning and afternoon tea. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Friday and Saturday: <a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBQ"><span style="color: #954f72;">https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBQ</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Friday only: <a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CHZPW"><span style="color: #954f72;">https://www.trybooking.com/CHZPW</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Saturday only: <span style="color: #954f72;"><a href="https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBC">https://www.trybooking.com/CIDBC</a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">If you’re a paid-up member of Omega Writers and need the discount code, <span style="color: #954f72;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/761589812250535/">please contact us via Facebook.</a></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;"><b>SLEEP OVER</b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">Out of town? For accommodation, get in quick with your <a href="https://cooperscolonial.com.au/"><span style="color: #954f72;">bookings at the motel</span></a> because it’s more than half full already.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: medium; margin-bottom: 8pt;">We hope to see many of you there at the Showcase. It’s going to be fun as well as inspiring. Do you, like me, need an occasional fillip to get past the starter blocks and find enthusiasm to put fingers to keyboard? This may pep up your writing juices! Raring to go! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajbU9U5vtWU1NT3zPORSJwkhOW3Vwrndo2Mzo5UfZQHBFBI63KxoQK51pmwqoKokR1N5rlE7MJWQtyd-hddThhkT8I4GK7pE0yX403s8ek4kH-hb6GPPq-oE5Ct8VItNCnjf6mMM5lnybQTZo50wk1QBQa6vNRuZvmWDPPpsY-iSdsaKj9OVN99BJNko/s2660/Ruth%20Bonetti_St%20Lucia_organ_Midnight%20Sun%20to%20Southern%20Cross_.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2660" data-original-width="2548" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhajbU9U5vtWU1NT3zPORSJwkhOW3Vwrndo2Mzo5UfZQHBFBI63KxoQK51pmwqoKokR1N5rlE7MJWQtyd-hddThhkT8I4GK7pE0yX403s8ek4kH-hb6GPPq-oE5Ct8VItNCnjf6mMM5lnybQTZo50wk1QBQa6vNRuZvmWDPPpsY-iSdsaKj9OVN99BJNko/s320/Ruth%20Bonetti_St%20Lucia_organ_Midnight%20Sun%20to%20Southern%20Cross_.png" width="307" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">ABOUT </span></span><span lang="EN-AU"><a href="https://www.ruthbonetti.com/" style="color: #993322; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: medium; text-decoration: none;">Ruth Bonetti</a></span></p><div>Ruth's next project is <i>Uplifting Women</i> mooted for late 2023. Ruth's <span lang="EN-AU"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Trilogy <a href="https://www.ruthbonetti.com/art-deco-mansion/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;">Midnight Sun to Southern Cross</a> has won awards including the CALEB Nonfiction prize. <a href="https://soundcloud.com/user-799041961">Hear her narrate chapters</a>.</span></span></div>Available: Amazon, <a href="https://www.bookdepository.com/Burn-My-Letters-Ruth-Bonetti/9780987544223" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;">Bookdepository</a> etc. Autographed copies from <a href="http://www.ruthbonetti.com/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;">ruthbonetti.com </a>and <a href="http://www.ruthbonetti.com/burn-my-letters/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;">http://www.ruthbonetti.com/burn-my-letters/</a> </div><div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.52400016784668px;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RuthBonetti/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Ruth Bonetti</a><br />Burn My Letters: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Burn-My-Letters-Karl-Johan-Back-1573561346302969/" style="color: #993322; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Karl Johan Back</a> <br />Ruth founded Omega Writers in 1992. </div>Ruth Bonettihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07542313894716045515noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-79783634162229974382023-06-19T03:00:00.003+10:002023-06-19T03:00:00.143+10:00June News from Omega Writers: Australia’s Christian Writers Network<h2>Save the Date: Omega Writers online retreat program shapes up!</h2>
In the years between in-person conferences, Omega Writers hosts online retreats, featuring guest speakers, breakout rooms and closing with the CALEB Awards ceremony for our unpublished competition.
<h3>We are so excited with how our 2023 program is shaping up!</h3>
We are thrilled to reveal that this year’s program will feature Roseanna White as a keynote speaker. Roseanna is a best-selling, award-winning author of <a href="https://www.roseannamwhite.com/books">over thirty novels</a>, as well as an editor, cover designer and <a href="https://whitefire-publishing.com/">publisher</a>! She is also an authoritative and compelling teacher on <a href="https://classesforwriters.com/">writing craft and marketing principles</a>. <div><br /></div><div>Roseanna will help kick off a reflective program that will include collaborative sessions about how we represent the marginalised in Christian writing, and how to handle discouragement and setbacks.
Our online retreat is designed to allow you to meet with others in small chapter groups, watch the content together then fellowship over break-out sessions and meals.
<h3>Save the dates:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Friday 6th October from 7pm</li>
<li>Saturday 7th October from 9am to late.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Have you nominated someone yet for the Barnabas or Encouragement Award?</h2>
In May we let you know about the Barnabas Award and the Encouragement Award. </div><div><br /></div><div>Have you nominated someone yet? Time is running out. </div><div><br /></div><div> The Barnabas Award is a cash prize award that recognises the input Christian writers make into the lives and work of other writers. It’s about celebrating and giving credit to Christian writers who support their colleagues by mentoring, encouraging, cheering on, supporting, praying for, and spurring on others in their writing journey. </div><div><br /></div><div> The Encouragement Award is a sponsored award to encourage emerging writers. In line with Omega’s mission to encourage and equip Christian writers across the country, we look for writers who are working hard to hone their craft. </div><div><br /></div><div>Winners of this award may not have a full-length manuscript ready to enter in the CALEB award, but Omega Writers members want to encourage them to keep going!
<h4>If you know someone who fits this bill, please enter them by 31 July 2023.</h4>
Email iolagoultonauthor [at] gmail [dot] com up to 200 words explaining why you believe this writer should receive this prize. Be sure to include YOUR email and address details as well as the mail/website address of the author you’d like to nominate. </div><div><br /></div><div> Recipients will be announced at the Omega Writers Zoom Retreat in October.
<h2>Masterclass Program</h2>
Our Masterclass series continues to deliver professional development to Christian writers across the country. Attendees have been raving about our latest classes on Author PR, taught by Katrina Roe and Writing Amazing Blurbs, taught by Laura Tharion.
<h5>“Book promotion and media has always felt daunting to me, but this class helped me feel more equipped to tackle it.” (Misha Del Favero on Author PR)</h5>
The next masterclass is coming up in August. Professional archivist Tamara Wenham will teach <em>Hunting for History: Tracking down stories in original sources</em>. </div><div><br /></div><div> In October, Jen Richards will give a marketing and copywriting masterclass called “<em>Do you know your USP?… and other marketing questions all writers should ask themselves</em>”. Don’t know what a USP is? </div><div> Keep an eye on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OmegaWriters.acwn">Omega Writers Facebook Page</a> for more details.</div><div><h2>A new website is coming!</h2>
The Omega Committee has been working SO HARD on a brand-new website for several months now.</div><div><br /></div><div>The old one was on its last legs and we are SO CLOSE to launching the new one we can almost smell it! Thank you for your patience during the last few months as we have experienced difficulties with the site. </div><div><br /></div><div>We can't wait to show you the new one!
In the meantime, you can get updates from us on the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OmegaWriters.acwn">Omega Writers Facebook Page</a> or join the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/omegawriters.acwn">Omega Writers Facebook Group</a> (don’t forget to answer the joining questions!).</div>Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-75467338505529450242023-06-08T04:00:00.006+10:002023-06-08T04:00:00.134+10:00Is it Time to Update Your Author Website or Set One Up?<p>How many of you have a website that you set up years and years and years ago and it still looks the same as it did at the beginning? It probably has started to look a little outdated, a bit boring now that you've had it for so many years. Maybe you're not writing in the dame genre, so it doesn't quite match with your message anymore. Or maybe you set your website up so hastily that it was never quite what you wanted in the first place. </p><p>Maybe you don't have an author website yet and are not really sure where to start.</p><p>Whether you want to revamp your website or want to set one up but you're not sure where to begin, here are a few hints and tips to help you get started.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z0sVIk9l2NNKlywm_9mODEZdVNQwSUEAb39c43Gkig4cVKJhumaLmFLMu1W4ifFOWQLgw0V5YxjsvRocjbDBEkSljHtFnJ4iUrtXhHZPx_48KZAIi-v_-kzXSp1hTdObsBHwv3KXQMgbm5g49fMao6xT5gz5zOl5b3DBezPxrkmI58_YQ-ln8yYyCw/s5161/mailchimp-YTZOyio3Udk-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5161" data-original-width="3240" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2z0sVIk9l2NNKlywm_9mODEZdVNQwSUEAb39c43Gkig4cVKJhumaLmFLMu1W4ifFOWQLgw0V5YxjsvRocjbDBEkSljHtFnJ4iUrtXhHZPx_48KZAIi-v_-kzXSp1hTdObsBHwv3KXQMgbm5g49fMao6xT5gz5zOl5b3DBezPxrkmI58_YQ-ln8yYyCw/w251-h400/mailchimp-YTZOyio3Udk-unsplash.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@mailchimp?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Mailchimp</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/wallpapers/design?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">The Challenge</h4><p>You already know why you want a website, right? Someone told you needed an author platform or you've published a few books and have a blog you write every week ... or fortnight ... month ... when you get the time, I mean, when will a book get written if you keep writing blogposts all the time, right? Anyway, the why is because us author's need a place where our readers can interact with us, get news on what we are writing next or finally get to hear that your book is being published soon, yes!</p><p>The challenge is what do you want to include in your website, or new updated version? Will you have a blog? Do you need a space to sell your books? What is your 'brand' - your message? What are your books about?</p><p>This is something you need to figure out first. You all should know what a mind map is. It's a great technique to throw out ideas on a subject, no matter how weird and wonderful they may be. Try it out for your website. What do you want to include - don't be shy? If it's a cool cinematic space animation with a ship flying through or a love heart that follows the users cursor around the page, jot it down. So many things are possible these days. The more ideas the better. You can whittle them down later to something more manageable.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KlJzyOAZj4csbuxoyZA2PmhujjpqYtjQopnqhTznjYhjple1DxmP94RAjvaLBlUgJdRuEu3IrRjrBuXCiL5X1WuI_pJioFAetjzb2d12RRxAPAtvEmylaAoJ89mwnaCX-4juj30Y6f6vFhw8vni93D_yFYmyoo60k_gE06cfwpb1wnnd72Y2zqn5g/s4229/ux-indonesia-qC2n6RQU4Vw-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="4229" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg30KlJzyOAZj4csbuxoyZA2PmhujjpqYtjQopnqhTznjYhjple1DxmP94RAjvaLBlUgJdRuEu3IrRjrBuXCiL5X1WuI_pJioFAetjzb2d12RRxAPAtvEmylaAoJ89mwnaCX-4juj30Y6f6vFhw8vni93D_yFYmyoo60k_gE06cfwpb1wnnd72Y2zqn5g/w400-h266/ux-indonesia-qC2n6RQU4Vw-unsplash.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/pt-br/@uxindo?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">UX Indonesia</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/wallpapers/design?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p>Your Audience</h4><p>Regardless of whether you end up having people from all stages of life visit your website, you still need to consider your audience. Are you writing for the young adult, the confident twelve year old reader, the millennial who loves a good romance book or is looking for something more mysterious? Researching what your target audience is looking for from a marketing perspective is a great way to ensure your website relates to them personally.</p><h4 style="text-align: left;">Your Competition</h4><p>It never hurts to see what other authors writing in the same genre are doing on their websites. Check out some of the more popular authors, even the more mainstream authors. Have a look at how they are using their space. What neat tricks are they using to engage their viewers. Is it a click and drag feature? Little cinematic videos? Maybe they use sound every time you click on something. Write out the pros and cons. Is there something that works on their website they you could incorporate in yours?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccAa4YSmS4AjmeWCbK-5EXN3GbJj-vCxqHpgQBK_BV4ymyg_DAmWit2NMOKmAI1zPr7g1u5Xs1mpm9sCb6PyOrWyk8fUKL_SgA_YwQzG-QD7CC1gkDNBYLH2L7db_5FgReAPbZGcuZOQRlbq7XDzWF5SxB5OF1H6tGeo3BgDfFqxdoGdbSE8GTQyIyQ/s4032/faizur-rehman-dJpupM4LiS4-unsplash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="2268" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgccAa4YSmS4AjmeWCbK-5EXN3GbJj-vCxqHpgQBK_BV4ymyg_DAmWit2NMOKmAI1zPr7g1u5Xs1mpm9sCb6PyOrWyk8fUKL_SgA_YwQzG-QD7CC1gkDNBYLH2L7db_5FgReAPbZGcuZOQRlbq7XDzWF5SxB5OF1H6tGeo3BgDfFqxdoGdbSE8GTQyIyQ/w225-h400/faizur-rehman-dJpupM4LiS4-unsplash.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-align: start;">Photo by </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/@fazurrehman?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Faizur Rehman</a><span style="text-align: start;"> on </span><a href="https://unsplash.com/wallpapers/design?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText" style="text-align: start;">Unsplash</a></span><span style="text-align: start;"></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><h4 style="text-align: left;">Web Design Trends</h4><p>This year there are some fun trends happening in web design.</p><p><b>Experimental Navigation</b> is becoming more popular. The traditional fixed navigation menu on the top of the screen is becoming outdated and people are looking for something that is visually unique that exhibits an extension of your design 'brand'. The use of experimental navigation can generate visual interest and be fun for the reader.</p><p>One of the more popular trends is <b>scrolling effects</b> - animation which is triggered by as viewers scroll down a page. This can be as simple as a parallax scrolling effect that creates depth or interactive and dynamic which will encourage your readers to continue scrolling. You can use this to create a break in context or maybe even immerse the reader into a 3D experience.</p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><b>Drag interaction</b> is a great effect designed to mimic actual, physical action and allows your readers to pick up objects, move them around, make things jump, shrink, and grow. This type of gesture interaction is gaining popularity with more websites as the possibilities of what you can do are endless. If you want to create something dynamic, intense or inspiring - check out <a href="http://falter-inferno.at/#en" target="_blank">Falter Inferno</a>'s website. It might be the new way we do interactive Book Trailers ;)</span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><b>Layering</b> colours, images, shapes, typography, animations and other elements is an easy way to add something new to your website and has become increasingly popular in web design. This useful technique can add depth and texture to the design</span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap"> </span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">by using shadows and overlapping various elements to create a three dimensional space.</span></span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><b>Kinetic typography</b> has been used in the filming industry for decades. This animation technique is becoming more prevalent in web design due to its immediate attention grabbing ability. This has been used to highlight the importance of a section or text, guide your reader as they scroll through the website and gradually reveal information to their delight.</span></span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">If you're amazing at digital design or have some really great friends, <b>t</b></span></span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><b>hree dimensional artwork and immersive</b> web sites have been increasing in popularity due to the continued interest in Virtual Reality. From engaging three dimensional</span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none white-space-prewrap"> </span><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">branding to completely immersive world design, this trend embodies visual interest and engagement your reader. This would be a readers dream for those who write fantasy. Have a look at <a href="http://choochooworld.com" target="_blank"> Choo Choo World</a> - it is so much fun!</span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">These are but a few web design trends to consider and most of them can be accomplished using standard website builders like Wix, Wordpress or Squarespace. Otherwise, if it all seems too hard but you still want something with a bit more than your average website, there are many web designers who can look at designing something for you. The more engaging your website is, the more your reader will want to engage with you and your stories.</span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">Check out these author websites that are a bit different.</span></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none"><a href="https://rickriordan.com/">https://rickriordan.com/</a></span></p><p><a href="https://jenniferegan.com/">https://jenniferegan.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.jamespatterson.com/">https://www.jamespatterson.com/</a></p><p><a href="https://www.taylortyng.com/">https://www.taylortyng.com/<br /></a></p><p><span class="WdYUQQ text-decoration-none text-strikethrough-none">If you're still unsure what to do or how to go about setting one up or updating your existing one to something more engaging, ask your questions in the comments and I may be able to help out or give you some direction. :)</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7mrok2E8G6vBZgSW6Fyc8wkSz5fBvmBHr3B0R6R1Jpn3fLy_ibWarkd-rCuy27Qv1AZPR7ZF89ZoUql9VvnMDI7Zi3R9DcFsAzwLvMurpaf-2tdlhNft7CPCByUBIRFhz-DWbeSF4759aqhpVbfycebhm8ywGtfBuBjwiNwXuBOq_p4WTwx9qMmAYQ/s1185/IMG_0605.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1185" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM7mrok2E8G6vBZgSW6Fyc8wkSz5fBvmBHr3B0R6R1Jpn3fLy_ibWarkd-rCuy27Qv1AZPR7ZF89ZoUql9VvnMDI7Zi3R9DcFsAzwLvMurpaf-2tdlhNft7CPCByUBIRFhz-DWbeSF4759aqhpVbfycebhm8ywGtfBuBjwiNwXuBOq_p4WTwx9qMmAYQ/s320/IMG_0605.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">K.A. Hart aka. A.T. Richmond</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>K.A. Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484195910759085281noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-86532902573654988222023-05-25T04:00:00.001+10:002023-05-25T04:00:00.135+10:00The Power of Place by Jeanette Grant-Thomson<p><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6FTUM66d1EKgw6YDB2ZsCLTZPxyi1NbNfJxjjY95zFVvCf656QMG_7ju23NCUSDDan5IvjpyKInlWhdLxqrFOd44kGBcfB7fmxgOYh3_4F1fPi7bVK2xn2AT8quSTtzME15a3vjjIIk1vHfhI0aLPiHW0BZH3UgqXYG5HZyp8gR0YrVCKA9YWU6SGQ/s733/Kenilworth%20hills%20-%20setting%20for%20my%20current%20WIP%20(photograph%20by%20(%20Elvira%20White).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="733" data-original-width="684" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf6FTUM66d1EKgw6YDB2ZsCLTZPxyi1NbNfJxjjY95zFVvCf656QMG_7ju23NCUSDDan5IvjpyKInlWhdLxqrFOd44kGBcfB7fmxgOYh3_4F1fPi7bVK2xn2AT8quSTtzME15a3vjjIIk1vHfhI0aLPiHW0BZH3UgqXYG5HZyp8gR0YrVCKA9YWU6SGQ/w374-h400/Kenilworth%20hills%20-%20setting%20for%20my%20current%20WIP%20(photograph%20by%20(%20Elvira%20White).jpg" width="374" /></span></a></div><p></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Some of you may have noticed I love creating a sense of place. The setting of a novel can produce a definite atmosphere and can almost be like one of the characters. It can drive the plot, although not the underlying story. If you’ve read all my books, you’ve particularly visited Launceston, outback Queensland with Yandina and Nambour, Brisbane during the 1974 floods, New Ireland (PNG), and King Island or its counterpart in Moreton Bay.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">I love immersing myself in the setting, then seeing it through the characters’ eyes. I’m not alone in this interest. Have any of you read </span><i style="text-indent: 14.2px;">Poison Bay</i><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"> (Belinda Pollard)? Or James Cooper’s interesting S</span><i style="text-indent: 14.2px;">omething about Alaska</i><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">? And so many others. In Belinda’s novel, I felt the setting (the wilds of southern New Zealand in the Milford Sound area) was almost the main character. The awareness of that dangerous place dominated all the characters and, by its nature, steered important parts of the plot as well.</span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">Then there was </span><i style="text-indent: 14.2px;">The Light between Oceans</i><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">, Stedman’s moving story about a couple keeping a lighthouse on Janus Rock. Where would that novel be without the highly unusual setting?</span><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">(Obviously it wouldn’t be, as the story depends on the place.)</span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;">In </span><i style="text-indent: 14.2px;">The Lost Man,</i><span style="text-indent: 14.2px;"> author Jane Harper brilliantly brings to life Australia’s bare, scorching, unforgiving outback as a necessary backdrop and plot-driver of her story.</span></span></p><div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EhU_R4pQuR2NIVXhlhoVSPCf8X4121YF7EqUDUmNB7mXmt-9vK0bTl7ZYft-PhBzN799JxnKsY4fOXKBb2Xs65peynUHxgRreIMw-pv7cVbQXRLeS0A8RonGH52Ueiy7_vfNkePZDgP3apx6-UQZp2LUCTucehFjNuFbD8jha_l41oIyITbZwhQUIA/s2480/Lantern%20Light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2480" data-original-width="1594" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-EhU_R4pQuR2NIVXhlhoVSPCf8X4121YF7EqUDUmNB7mXmt-9vK0bTl7ZYft-PhBzN799JxnKsY4fOXKBb2Xs65peynUHxgRreIMw-pv7cVbQXRLeS0A8RonGH52Ueiy7_vfNkePZDgP3apx6-UQZp2LUCTucehFjNuFbD8jha_l41oIyITbZwhQUIA/w258-h400/Lantern%20Light.jpg" width="258" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> In <i>Lantern Light</i>, I’ve created a strong sense of place describing the brooding jungle with its sights, sounds and smells. The dangerous water areas, too, add a sinister feel to the atmosphere. This is then ‘fleshed out’ (well, typed out) in the ensuing events. The timely flood of the Brisbane River reinforces the underlying dark, ominous mood. Both these settings and the incidents resulting from them were times and places I’d lived through myself so I was well equipped to write about them.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Admittedly, I checked some of the exact details of the flood on microfilm in the State Library. The machine kept sticking and delaying me, or whizzing past the dates I hoped to look at. Frustrating! The library assistant was very helpful though. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">I realise we all know this, but it’s so important: to create a place with atmosphere, the writer needs to appeal to more senses than sight. How often has a whiff of salt air taken your thoughts to the beach? Or the song of a magpie reminded you of a happy spring day? All the senses – sight, sound, smell, touch and taste – are intrinsic parts of a particular place.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Walking along a jungle track, I was aware of the strange sweetish smell of rotting leaves underfoot as well as the colourful collage they made. The chittering of small animals and the sudden shriek of large birds. The mounting heat and heaviness in the air as the day grew hotter. I intended all this as a backdrop to the plot and a motivating force in <i>Lantern Light.</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">In some of the books I’ve mentioned, the setting provides obstacles so the theme is partly man against a hostile environment. (<i>Poison Bay, The Lost Man). </i>In others, the environment affects the characters’ moods and decisions (as in <i>Lantern Light).</i></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></i></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The plot of <i>Lantern Light ‘</i>lives out’ the feel of dread, the sense of ‘Before and After’ that even the characters acknowledge. This feeling of something sinister is echoed by the jungle with its dim, seductive paths and ever-encroaching growth.</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"> Apparently AI can now do your descriptions if that is not your forte. But that would lack the author’s own voice and types of observations. Those nuances of atmosphere. I love slipping in bits of description that nudge the characters in the right direction. As far as I know, at this stage AI can’t interweave those reactions to environment that I love writing. Please let me know if I’m wrong there<b>.</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b></b><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Above all, when one chooses an unusual place to set a novel, the question arises: <b>What might happen in a</b> <b>place like this?</b></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 14px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></p>
<p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-indent: 14.2px;"><b><span style="font-family: georgia;">Does anyone else enjoy creating settings? Or reading novels where the sense of place is an important feature?</span></b></p><div><b><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ4pjtrJug8xd5_7p_HykObr3tus93DgcMN8tbz05RRDGJJH6sGzujmtNSKhacYtv8JvG3tHyqZsZX-p42tZzj8JaREbkjPtGMM6bAf87j_RKoM-9ohGhUgkXxGLKM_204x9Wra9B40PgkIr0bwRuITLZ9dqq1h7aEPdm7PgRcpps8gpylOhh9q8wlA/s2821/Jeanette%20about%20to%20sign%20A's%20Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2821" data-original-width="2263" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicZ4pjtrJug8xd5_7p_HykObr3tus93DgcMN8tbz05RRDGJJH6sGzujmtNSKhacYtv8JvG3tHyqZsZX-p42tZzj8JaREbkjPtGMM6bAf87j_RKoM-9ohGhUgkXxGLKM_204x9Wra9B40PgkIr0bwRuITLZ9dqq1h7aEPdm7PgRcpps8gpylOhh9q8wlA/w258-h320/Jeanette%20about%20to%20sign%20A's%20Island.jpg" width="258" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><b>Jeanette Grant-Thomson</b> is a North Brisbane based author who has been writing and having work published since her childhood. Currently she is writing a novel set at beautiful Kenilworth where she lived part-time for about ten years.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<p style="color: #0b4cb4; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><i>You can find her books on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/jeanette.grantthomson"><span style="color: #0b4cb4;">www.facebook.com/jeanette.grantthomson</span></a></i></span></span></p></div></div><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span><div><br /></div>K.A. Harthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11484195910759085281noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2208627029605402728.post-39226330256778733182023-05-15T03:00:00.001+10:002023-05-15T03:00:00.157+10:00Omega Barnabas and Encouragement Awards open for nominations!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhcVjcU_OKUEg4KLWJko3PioBXbjG2fAOp6n-025FnSNd7jjxWRR4JVCq_flRi5fQETun99aFNti_e50mIu8Wge3OtlW267jrPNezc69ItQ_rSqBO0xodpmrJfJAq3Dhln2mvTXeBeRtlKEiz1b8dtyQUNA5RPzWA9B_Azh36kgY4JaFwuVVQFrx1/s480/CALEB%202023%20Barnabas%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="480" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhcVjcU_OKUEg4KLWJko3PioBXbjG2fAOp6n-025FnSNd7jjxWRR4JVCq_flRi5fQETun99aFNti_e50mIu8Wge3OtlW267jrPNezc69ItQ_rSqBO0xodpmrJfJAq3Dhln2mvTXeBeRtlKEiz1b8dtyQUNA5RPzWA9B_Azh36kgY4JaFwuVVQFrx1/s320/CALEB%202023%20Barnabas%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Every second year the CALEB Award includes two extra-special categories of awards designed to encourage and lift up Christian writers - the Barnabas and Encouragement Awards.
<h3>These awards are a little different.</h3>
For these, there are no books to submit, no manuscripts to polish. These awards are about recognising writers for who they are, their commitment to their craft, and their often selfless input into other writers.
<h3>The Barnabas Award</h3>
The Barnabas Award is a cash prize award that recognises the input Christian writers make into the lives and work of other writers. It’s about celebrating and giving credit to writers living out the heart of CALEB* by mentoring, encouraging, cheering on, supporting and spurring on others in their writing journey.
<h5>(In case you've forgotten, CALEB is Christian Authors Lifting Each other's Books.)</h5>
<h3>Encouragement Award</h3>
The Encouragement Award is a sponsored award that seek to encourage emerging writers who may be struggling but are putting in the hard yards to hone their craft, writers who may not be winning other competitions but who Omega Writers members want to encourage to keep going!
<h2>Nominations</h2>
If you’re a paid member of Omega Writers, we’d love you to nominate a fellow Christian writer for an Encouragement or Barnabas Award!
Writers eligible for nomination for the Barnabas and Encouragement Awards are:
<ul>
<li>Christian writers currently living in Australia, New Zealand, or the South Pacific.</li>
<li>Can be published or unpublished writers in any genre.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Here’s how:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Think of an eligible writer or writers you’d like to nominate.</li>
<li>Make sure you are a paid Omega Writers member (but the writer you nominate does not need to be a member).</li>
<li>Email caleb @ omegawriters.org with the following by 30 June 2023:
<ul>
<li style="list-style-type: none;">
<ul>
<li>Your name and email address</li>
<li>The name and email/website address of the author you’d like to nominate (so we can contact them if they win).</li>
<li>The Award you are nominating that writer for: Encouragement Award or Barnabas Award</li>
<li>Up to 200 words explaining why you believe this writer should receive this prize.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
The Barnabas Awards are awarded on the merit of nominations received by the CALEB Committee.Iolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17199141868703826943noreply@blogger.com0