Using Our Writing to Share God's Comfort

 

Many years ago, I did an 'Introduction to Biblical Counselling' course with Youth With a Mission (YWAM). The key verses for the course were 2 Corinthians 1:3–4. 

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (NIV)

Notice how it says that God comforts us in all our troubles, but it doesn't stop there. We're then meant to take the comfort we've received and pass it on to others so that they too can know the Father of All Comfort. 

In that counselling course, we spent the first five weeks working on some of our own issues and receiving ministry. The next seven weeks were spent learning some basic counselling skills. 

Then we went on a two-month outreach to New Zealand, where we had the opportunity to apply what we'd learned.

We ran workshops at various churches, YWAM bases and a Christian healing centre; and participants also had the opportunity to make counselling appointments with team members. 

Even though we were still working through some issues ourselves, it was wonderful to be able to share with others what God had been doing in our lives.

There are many ways of passing God's blessings on to others. It could be through counselling, teaching, prayer ministry, hospitality, mercy ministries and a variety of other ways depending on the gifts and talents God has given us. However, writers are in a unique position to offer something of value.

It's probably safe to say that if you're reading this post, you've been through some difficult circumstances or challenges at some point in your life. 

Some people may have gone through major life upheavals, even tragedies. For others, it might be the day-to-day challenges that pop up along the way. 

But no matter what you've experienced, there will be people who need to hear how God has helped you along the way. 

Does that mean you have to have completely overcome all of your obstacles and have it all together before you can help anyone else? I think you can predict that my answer will be 'No'. We're all on a journey that isn't finished this side of heaven. If God has provided you with some comfort and encouragement, then you can share that with others, even if you're just a little bit ahead of them on the road.

And sharing God's message of comfort and encouragement isn't just something relegated to true stories, memoir, devotionals or teaching materials. If you write novels or short fiction, you can have one or more of your characters working through different issues and learning to trust God in the hard times as well as the good. If you write poetry, you can prompt people to think of questions and perspectives they may not have thought of before. While some of us might write specifically for the Christian market, some of these ideas can be addressed in any form of writing that is based on a Christian worldview. 

In a world where many are losing hope, we have a message of hope to share. Let's take the comfort we've received from God, and turn it into words and actions that will help heal a hurting world.

Author Bio

Nola Lorraine loves weaving words of courage and hope. Her new book 'Comfort Zone' is a 40-day devotional on the Father of All Comfort. It is published by Armour Books and is currently available on Koorong and Amazon. She would love to connect with you through her author website at www.nolalorraine.com.au 

Photo Credits

Featured photo by Ben White on Unsplash, Rock climbing by Cocoparisienne on Pixabay,  Author photo by Wayne Logan from Encouraging Photos, other photos from the author's collection.

Find a writing routine that works for you

by Jen Richards

A recent discussion in the Omega Writers Facebook Group got us thinking about the different types of writing routines, and how it’s important to find a writing regular rhythm if you want to be productive. What that looks like is different for each of us.

Your writing routine can also change as the seasons of life change, or as your creative
process matures. Whether you are new to writing, or just feel the need to shake things up
here are a few common types of writing routines—and tips on who they might work best for.

1. The Early Bird

Some writers thrive on early-morning energy and set aside quiet time before the day begins 
to write. The calm of dawn can be inspiring, but distractions at this time are also minimal. 
Critically, the mind is fresh. Writers start their day with dedicated writing hours, sometimes 
finishing their daily word count before most people wake up!

Best for: Morning people, writers with daytime commitments, and those who like a quiet 
start to their day.

2. The Night Owl

Others prefer writing late at night, embracing the solitude of the dark hours. Night-time can be a haven for creativity, with fewer distractions and a sense of uninterrupted focus. Night Owl writers can keep writing long into the evening, for as long as the creativity flows.

Best for: Night owls, those who find inspiration after the day winds down, and people with
evening energy peaks.

3. The Blocked Schedule

Some writers use a block schedule, setting aside a few days or half-days each week for intense writing sessions. This routine is ideal for people with demanding schedules who prefer focused, extended periods for writing. A monthly writing ‘event’ like NaNoWriMo might work for this group.

Best for: Writers with packed schedules, those who prefer immersion, and project-oriented people.

4. The “Little and Often” Routine

For many, short but consistent daily writing sessions work best. Spending 15–30 minutes daily can make writing a habit, leading to impressive progress over time. Stephen King’s habit of writing every day, even if just for a short while, reflects this routine’s power. 

Best for: Beginners, writers building discipline, and those with limited time.

Writers groups can be a great way to meet other writers and see what kinds of routines work for them! Check out the chapter groups at Omega Writers, Australia’s Christian Writers Network for how you can connect with other like-minded writers in your local area.

Jen Richards

Copywriter | Food Writer | Author

jenrichardswriter.com AKA Jennifer Mistmorgan

Read Heart in the Clouds and The Mapmaker's Secret today!

“Perfect for both World War II buffs and for those who simply enjoy a lovely story and characters who feel like friends.” ~ Sarah Sundin, bestselling and award-winning US author of The Sound of Light and Until Leaves Fall in Paris

My Favourite Jam. A true, Rare Aussie Delight.

 

Unique, Sweet Story Telling

I like all sorts of jam (conserve, preserve, jelly, spread, confiture). 

I grew up having it on sandwiches for lunch at school, on toast for breakfast and special occasions with scones and cream. But I have discovered a jam that is by far the most pleasing when I get a chance to enjoy it. Perhaps these few thoughts may be inspiration for you to look beyond your usual, safe jam. 

I hope to inspire adventure in your writing enjoyment.

This is my favourite jam.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients

•              700 g Fruit (revealed below)

•              700 g sugar

•              1 lemon or orange, juiced

•              ½ vanilla pod, cut in half lengthways

Instructions

1.            Start off by washing your fruit

2.            Put the washed whole fruit into a a non reactive stockpot with the lemon/orange juice and                   water. Bring slowly to a gentle simmer.

3.            Cook the fruit over medium heat for about 30 minutes until they change colour, release their                 juice and become very soft. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.

4.            Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

5.            Once cool, squish the fruit with your fingers and remove the seeds from each fruit. Discard the             seeds and keep the fruit, skins and juice, adding them back to the non reactive pot.

                Weigh the fruit and add equal parts sugar.

                500g = 500g sugar etc.

6.            Add lemon juice and vanilla pod and heat the mixture over a moderate heat.

                Stir occasionally until the sugar dissolves.

                Bring to a light rolling boil and allow to simmer for an hour or until the mixture has slightly                     thickened.

 7.            Test the mixture by putting a small amount on a saucer and place in the freezer for a minute to                 see if it sets.

8.            During the last phase of jelly cooking, clean and boil your jars and lids ready for the jelly.                         They need a good rolling 10 minute boil and should be used hot when filling with the jelly.

9.            Once the mixture is ready, pour out into to jars.

                Put the lids on immediately and allow to cool before storing.

 

The Special Ingredient Revealed

•              The fruit : DAVIDSON PLUMS

 

Davidson Plum jam is a rare preserve as the fruit has traditionally only been found growing on native trees endemic to limited rainforest micro-climate environments of Queensland and the  North Eastern part of New South Wales. This beautiful palm shaped tree has graceful fronds with fine hairy stems and on the underside of leaves. It produces clusters of large dark blue to black brilliant coloured fruit that resemble plums 4-5cm in diameter. It is one of the thousands of native edible plants, yet not many people know this. It was enjoyed by Aboriginal people and is now popular with chefs around the country – particularly for jams, sauces, chutneys and even wine. The dark red flesh contains two unusual flat seeds and has a wonderfully acidic plum flavour. The skin is thin but on the tougher, leathery side, and is covered with very fine hairs.  It might resemble the shape of the European plum, but they are not closely related and the native plum is far more sour than the fruit we are used to.

 There are three identified species of Davidson Plums (Davidsonia)  Davidsonia jerseyana, Davidsonia johnsonii and Davidsonia pruriens. All three trees are slender, but D. pruriens, also known as Ooray or Queensland Davidson’s plum, is tallest, growing up to 12 metres high. There are a few small-scale plantations producing the fruit in New South Wales and Queensland.  D. jerseyana, native to lowland subtropical NSW, is considered endangered in the wild, but is widely cultivated. It reaches five metres high. D. johnsonii is a small tree with a spreading canopy and smooth leaves, also considered an endangered species in the wild.

Health Benefits

In 2009 the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) – now AgriFutures Australia released  the a report on the evaluation of health benefits of Australian native foods. This report makes for compelling reading when considering the health benefits of the OORAY fruit (Davidsonia pruriens).The report states:

“Native species evaluated in this study exhibited superior antioxidant capacity as compared to the Blueberry standard, renowned worldwide as the ‘health-promoting fruit.’ In comparison to commonly consumed fruits that comprise predominantly hydrophilic antioxidants, native foods contained antioxidant activity in both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions. This suggests more comprehensive protection from oxidative stress, and possibly more pronounced health benefits.”

In 2012 RIRDC  released a further report on the evaluation of the The Potential Physiological Activities of Selected Australian Herbs and Fruits. This report contains a substantial amount of information regarding possible health benefits of OORAY. One of the impressive things going for the Davidson’s plum is its nutrients. It has more antioxidants than the blueberry, which is known worldwide for health benefits. It also contains potassium, lutein (a compound important for eye health), vitamin E, folate, zinc, magnesium and calcium. It is best to eat the skin as well as the flesh of the fruit as the skin contains most of the nutrients.

Another benefit of Davidson’s plum is its intense colouring which can act as a natural food colour.Meanwhile, research is being done into its preservative properties. When tested on some meats, a product made from Davidson’s plum extended the shelf life of the meat by 21 days in chilled conditions.

Davidson’s Plum is not recommended for eating fresh but is excellent stewed, or preserved or made into jam using recipes for European plums.  Some say you should double the amount of sugar that you would use in such a recipe. The flesh can be used in savoury dishes as well.

A personal friend of mine grows the fruit on his conservation and environmentally sustainable property in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. His produce has been used extensively by a native bushfoods Aboriginal owned business founded from a love of quality Native foods. Their native bushfoods products are grown and handmade in South East Queensland. They are available in restaurants, online, across the shelf and even featured in museums. This company notes that “Davidson Plum Jam is great used as conventional jam, or with crackers and cheese”. Interestingly they add that it is also “perfect to add on a piece of meat”. Their collaboration is making a sour, hard to attain bush food into a sweet, accessible reality for others. 

I hope my writing has similar outcomes. 

 

Unique, Sweet Story Telling

 

There are a few interesting aspects to my favourite Jam that intersect with my writing journey. Maybe these points are an inspiration for you too ?

It is rare. I hope my writing is attractive for others who are after some rare, meaningful and inspirational treats.

It is Unique. I enjoy challenging myself as an author and researching and trying new forms of writing expression and practice. For example narrative structures come in many forms, and unique ones might have more than one main character, a delayed inciting incident, and a nonlinear storyline that challenges readers. I am also trying my hand at a "tragedy" set in an alternate history cybernetic 1980's.

It has potential health benefits. In the back of my mind whenever I am writing is a sense of missional call: I hope my writing makes a positive change in the world.

It is a unique collaborative blend of indigenous wild knowledge and introduced food culture. I enjoy delving into stories that express cultural meaning and humble learnings that have been guided by impartation from valued mentors and cultural elders. I aim to embrace and highlight Australian distinctives in my writing style, characters, settings and themes.

It is a very sour raw fruit that when processed makes for it’s appeal as a notable confiture. Writing sometimes is hard work and even a challenging process but it is made sweet by our persistent testing of our recipes.

It is a pleasant surprise when enjoyed for the first time. Give new things a go

I have enjoyed (on damper) with a strong coffee, making the experience even more delectable. I love writing in inspirational places (with good coffee and good people)

I have not made it yet. I hope I can make a jam that I do justice to and continue to publish as my ‘opus’.

I have tasted and tried those made by others. I know I enjoy this jam because others have made it and I know I can too.

I am looking forward to making my own. 

 

 

I have discovered a jam that is by far the most pleasing when I get a chance to enjoy it. Perhaps these few thoughts may be inspiration for you to look beyond your usual, safe jam. Perhaps these few thoughts have inspired you to be adventurous in your writing enjoyment.

What is the unique, special, “tasty” ingredient in your writing?

Or what ingredient are you keen to explore ?

Why don't you try a new jam!

 

May the fruit of all your labours be sweet :) 

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Glowinski L. (2008) The complete book of fruit growing in Australia. Hachette Australia.

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) 2009 Report on The Evaluation of the Health Benefits of Australian Foods

Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC)  2012  The Potential Physiological Activities of Selected Australian Herbs and Fruits.

photos various public sources

Scribbling in the dark, a lightbulb! —by Ruth Bonetti

Remember January's inspiring Worship of Writers? Brisbane authors met to discuss, pray and dedicate our writing goals to God. We plan a reprise for 12 January 2025. What a year of writing 2024 has been!

 

This year, I joined WriteLinks, an inspiring Kids' Lit network. Why didn't I find this earlier, in my home town? Well, the time was not right. They offer critiques. Workshops. And (drumroll!)  Amazing opportunities at StoryArts!

 

After a decade engrossed in my heritage Midnight Sun to Southern Cross Trilogy, I turned the page. THE END. Cocooned in a lethargic niche of a Resting Author. No sparks of light. Moi, who so resonates with light! 

 

Lightbulb! WriteLinks offers opportunities at its bi-annual weekend conference StoryArts Brisbane: 3-Minute Pitch Party; Your First Page (submit 250 words); book 15-minute appraisals with publishers or agents. 

 

An already busy month escalates one night with grandsons sleeping over. Seven year-old Archie is delighted to read me his chapter books. (Hallelujah! Whole word reading is passé, long live Phonics!) He wants to read a second Weird-Oh book before tomorrow. But Archie has another goal; to write a book with Grandma. Concept by Archie. Words by Ruth. Before pickup time we'll craft our first collaboration.

Marshmallows are toasted, fave books read. Wiggling and giggling in bed subsides. Two cherubs sleep. 

 

Grandma does not sleep. Her brain buzzes long into the wee hours. She scribbles in the dark a myriad of ideas for more stories. At 3 AM a lightbulb flashes! 

That social media post... more interview spots have opened up with an agent. 

 

Why not? 

Because...I don’t have a completed manuscript in my new genre of Kids' Lit. But I have myriad ideas scribbled in the dark. 

Next morning, I channel Grandad's advice, 'Do it now'. 

So I sign up. I book an appraisal with an agent. Who expects completed manuscripts, not two scrambled chapters, a stir-fried synopsis, and a query letter that breaks all the rules according to web searches. 

 

God help me! What have I done?

 

Admin emails: How soon can I submit? So the agent can prepare beforehand.

Gulp. Can I have a few days? Multiple edits. Submit. 

Next email; We need a query letter. 

Eek! Web search: how to write query letters. 

Submits at 12:21am Friday. Can I relax now? Err, no.

 

Submit First Page, 250 words. On my next topic about the Singing Revolution. My previous books have lived-experience of their countries. Not Estonia. But what a story! Internet overdose fries my brain. 

 

Coming up are two exciting opportunities; Saturday's Writers' Training Day (to demystify tech) and next weekend's StoryArts. 

 

The former offers professional PR photographs for a reasonable fee. Can I justify the outlay? Head says no; heart and spirit say yes. Hairdresser. Op shops. If I sell books on the day, that's my sign to face up for a mug shot. After all my suitcase bursts with various options of clothes and shoes, tech gear. Judy, who hosts me the night before quips 'You're here for one night?'

 

Because I’ve taken the long way round from Noosa, where, after a day's bread and butter teaching I'm on the bus to Brisbane. Memo to Self, write book titled Too Much Stuff.

TRAINING DAY

Rebekah Robinson teaches us to edit sound files with Audacity. I’ve done this. Three years ago when pandemic lockdowns put me out of work I killed time by narrating Burn my Letters. Invested in equipment, learned to edit sound files and uploaded to SoundCloud.

Work resumes. Audacity goes in Another-Time basket. Use it or lose it. Au revoir.

 

Now, I'm sitting in the front-row, try-hard seat. My big bag of tech recording gear is full of earphones, microphones, cords.  Nothing works! (Have crucial plugs gone AWOL?)

 

Computer says NO. Head says NO. Brain is fried by the past two weeks' hectic writing, editing, fiddling, proofing. Deep-fried by web searches: how to write a synopsis, how to write a query letter, how to how to how to. More edits, fiddles, tweaks.

 

I can't even record a clip to edit in the workshop. 

Chorus: Computer says no. Head says no.

 

I resist the demon self-sabotage and tell myself: 'God says this isn't Tech time. It’s time for your new writing venture in your new genre, singing a new song.'

The queen of self-sabotage abdicates. 

 

My time isn't right for the second workshop 'Upload Your MS to eBook' either. It’s time to write. I excuse myself to presenter Jenny O'Hagan and sit outside, preparing three-minute pitches. Anne Hamilton's illumination of 'Canva for PR' gives way to the photo shoot. Cate is adept at relaxing her sitters. She captures quirky me, poised professional author me, and forward-looking me. Forth in thy name, oh Lord.

 STORYARTS

A packed weekend inspires, motivates, uplifts. The agent appraisal? I'm encouraged by her positive response to my work in progress about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his sister Playing in Palaces. From a brainstorm emerges a series of books about musicians who changed history. 

 

Topics set in Austria, Estonia, Finland and Russia require more research. Resting author is sparked into new life, grateful for renewed enthusiasm and horizons. The glory of God shines in dark hours when I’m scribbling words—that I can’t read the next morning...

Arise and shine. Your time has come. Thank and praise you, Lord.

 

 

Diary Entry: SHOWCASE 5-6 APRIL

Inspiring speaker and motivating panel discussions. Book launches including Palette of Grace #2. (Memo to team: Book Cate for mug shot ops.) 

BE THERE!  bookings

Ruth Bonetti founded Omega Writers back in 1991 and is awed by the prolific harvest of published authors since then. 

She has published a dozen or so books in her primary fields of music and education, moving on to her passion of heritage which led to her award winning trilogy Midnight Sun to Southern Cross. Ruth is excited to channel her extensive research into middle-reader/YA readers.

https://www.ruthbonetti.com/

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The Untapped Mine of Fan Fiction

I shared very similar thoughts on my personal blog a few weeks ago.

What is Fan Fiction?

It is a fascinating genre that sometimes receives an undeservedly rough reputation. The term 'fan fiction' may suggest to you a bunch of obsessed and wacky novices pouring out stories that ooze with gratuitous detail. This shortsighted assumption may blind us to a myriad of polished and famous examples which have been enjoyed by discerning readers for decades and even centuries. 

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as 'stories involving popular fictional characters that are written by fans and often posted on the internet.' It is sometimes abbreviated to 'fanfic.'

I'd define it as a wealth of stories derived from other celebrated or well-known sources. When another author's work is used as a springboard for something new and original, that's fan fiction.

Why Do People Write Fan Fiction?

a) I'll start with the reason which may first spring to the minds of many. It is easier in some ways, to craft our writing to fit a worldview we're already familiar with, rather than creating a totally fresh world with brand new characters. When we and our potential readers already know and love a cast of familiar faces and their setting, we are free to dive straight into the action, because there is already a fan base.

Some fan fiction authors simply love the characters in pre-existing fictional worlds, feel they can't get enough of them and wish to add even more beyond the canon. Howard Pyle's 'The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood' fits this category. The legends of the heroic outlaw and his loyal band had been circulating since the Middle Ages when he decided to compile his own omnibus of stories in the late nineteenth century.

b) Sometimes authors feel triggered by an original canon. When source material seems sadly shortsighted or lacking, they may decide it needs to be threshed out, or even totally redressed. If something in a story presses our buttons, taking steps to set it right in our own way may be a pro-active move, or skillful literary protest. This may be by re-telling the tale from the point of view of another character.

A famous example is Wide Sargasso Sea, Jean Rhys' answer to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. Rhys explores Edward Rochester's doomed first marriage from the point of view of Bertha, aka the mad wife in the attic. This fan fiction, now a classic itself, brings out Bertha's vulnerability, her powerlessness and lack of advocates to stand up for her.

Another revealing example is Longbourn by Jo Baker, who decided to re-tell the story of Pride & Prejudice from the servants' perspective. When events made famous by Jane Austen play out against the lives of the Bennet family's hired help, we readers get a chance to see familiar characters in a way we've never considered before.

A very recent example is Adventures of Mary Jane by Hope Jahren. This author is a great Mark Twain fan, yet the gullibility and passivity of the appealing character Mary Jane in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn galled her. Jahren explains in her introduction how she decided, 'We can fix this!' In her mind, Twain's version left much to be desired, which she deftly expanded upon without changing his canon. This includes making Mary Jane more intrepid by giving her a set of her own adventures.

c) Sometimes we may simply wish to draw from source material as a creative way of making some new social commentary or observation. Barbara Kingsolver's award-winning Demon Copperhead mirrors Charles Dickens' David Copperfield from start to finish. Using the framework of a famous Victorian classic to tell her own contemporary story about the deplorable foster care system and horrific opioid crisis in the Appalachian region of America is Kingsolver's ingenious way of suggesting that human nature hasn't changed.

Barbara Kingsolver certainly isn't the first author to have had the brainwave of adopting a well-established older story to mold her own take on it. The popular Broadway musical West Side Story is a mid-twentieth century re-telling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, focusing on New York city's rival gangs. And speaking of Shakespeare, The Taming of the Shrew became Pygmalion which morphed into the musical, My Fair Lady, starring Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison. And not all that long ago, American author Anne Tyler did her own take on it in Vinegar Girl.

One of the most ambitious examples of all may be C.S. Lewis' re-telling of the Christian gospels as fantasy in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, with his majestic lion Aslan taking on the role of our Lord and Savior.

d) A fourth reason authors may decide to write fan fiction is to bring out more nuances or finer points from the original material which fellow fans may relish. Sometimes inspiration about book friends we all love and admire seem too good to keep to ourselves. This is the main reason why I decided to have a go.

I hope I've succeeded in showing that other important reasons for writing fan fiction exist than simple self-indulgence in prolonging our attachments to our favorite characters (although isn't the fun of that enough?) And I've hopefully proven that some quality, highly acclaimed examples may even fly under the radar of being fan fictions, although that is certainly what they are.

Introducing my own attempts.

I've worked hard since February on a fiction project totally different from anything I've ever worked on before. It really ignited my imagination and took off, and I've now completed it.  

Two side characters from Louisa May Alcott's Little Women series have become main characters in a spin-off which I've shared on Archive of Our Own, an extensive site devoted to fan fiction. I always thought my two young men (for I now consider them mine) had huge potential, but Alcott was burned out by the time she wrote their incidents in Jo's Boys. She'd written just enough to capture my imagination, so this year I indulged my passion and developed their storylines into an all consuming project I named Longing For Home.

The first of these is Jo March's nephew, Emil, who follows his dream of going off to sea, but gets caught in a shipwreck. I've extended his couple of chapters from Jo's Boys to include a supporting cast of new characters, and a longer, slower burn of his romance with the captain's daughter. The other character is a destitute former foundling who the family send overseas to study music. Nat is a talented violinist who battles anxiety and an inferiority complex from his impoverished background.

Giving these two young men voices of their own has been an extremely satisfying writing project, especially since I set out to stick within the parameters of canon. I resolved to weave in as much from Alcott's original source material as I could without ever deviating outside of the lines. I like to think Louisa May Alcott might have been happy with my result, because it's my tribute to her writing.

If I've stimulated your curiosity, please check out Longing for Home. You don't need to be familiar with Alcott's work to enjoy it. Archive of Our Own (AO3) is full of gifts such as this. Having spent time reading stories by many others before I ever dreamed of having a try, I now regard fan fiction authors as an extremely generous bunch of people who I'm happy to count myself among. For writing free novels and stories for fans to enjoy is surely a painstaking random act of kindness and labor of love.

And if you don't choose to commit to something so long at the moment, you might like to start with this shorter fan fiction I wrote. It's the perfect size to have with a cup of tea and slice of cake. And it features somebody we surely all know well.

Keep your eye out for my further upcoming posts about fan fiction. I will soon share some of my initial experiences about the fan fiction site, where I initially feared to tread but am now so glad that I did. It is a venue full of pseudonyms, and the one I've chosen (Ada Sage) is combination of my grandmother's given name plus the embodiment of wisdom, which also happens to rhyme with her maiden name, which was Ada Gage.

Paula Vince is a South Australian author of award-winning fiction with themes of faith, family, and inspiration. Formerly from the Adelaide Hills, she now lives along the beautiful coast of Adelaide with her family. Paula loves to use her local environment as settings for her stories. She also enjoys the challenge of making readers care for abrasive and unlikeable characters despite themselves. 

Walking a path through loss

 

Some of my favourite stories involve characters facing major losses in life – one that springs to mind is The Hawk and the Dove by Penelope Wilcock. In it we see the agonising losses experienced by a gifted monk, Brother ‘Peregrine’ as he is called for his hawk-like appearance and manner. Grievous and unjust losses tame the hawk, ultimately leading him to a more dove-like character. No one wants to travel this path, but Wilcock shows us that by determination and humility, Peregrine becomes a man greater than his celebrated intellect, and more compassionate towards others who suffer.

We all experience losses. Some are merely inconvenient or frustrating. Others are devastating and we wonder if we can possibly survive them. We need to grieve them so that we can regain hope and purpose. If we don’t work through them, they shape us in unhelpful ways; bitterness, resentment, cynicism, and resignation can grow from them. These don’t lead to the healthy relationships and abundant life that God intends for us.

Perhaps your hero is someone who has overcome huge obstacles of loss: injury, illness, loss of loved ones, financial ruin, loss of reputation, loss of belief in their own worth or competence. What you admire them for is the way they haven’t allowed the loss to derail their lives. It’s not that loss hasn’t changed them. It has. But we lap up stories of people who make the hard choices, day after day, to direct the change in themselves towards something better so that loss doesn’t have the final word.

I have finally begun to recognise the truth of this in my own life. I fall so easily into despair, wanting to lower my expectations as my sense of competence plunges. But here’s the thing: loss can be approached as a gateway to something new and good. It’s much easier to be aware of what you have lost than to know what you will gain in the end. Like all pathways, the journey through loss turns corners you can’t see around until you get there.

I have known some big losses in life – the death of a brother, both of my parents to dementia (you can read about this in my newly-released book, Unravelling: loving my parents through dementia) and some ongoing health challenges. But as we work towards moving out of the home we have lived in for 25 years, in a community where I have spent three quarters of my life, I am struggling with the approaching loss. This is a loss that draws closer each day, quite different from the unexpected losses of accident. Changing house and maybe having to move to a different community are not the worst of losses (though they rate right up near the top of those charts of stressful life events). Somehow, though, the slow approach is uncomfortably like exam day – it looms larger the more you think about it.

Some of the ways I am learning to work through loss and the fear of loss are:

• ·       acknowledging it. Pushing it out of my conscious mind doesn’t remove the feelings, it just ignores them.
• ·       appreciating what I have now. It’s a conscious act of gratitude and appreciation, dwelling on the good things I have enjoyed in this place.
• ·       accepting that a sense of loss can exist in the same place as hope. I don’t have to feel only the sadness; I can, at the same time, feel excitement about future possibilities.
• ·       allowing loss to be part of a process that results in gain – new home, new community, new shops, new places to walk. It’s easier to live with pain when you expect it to be temporary (or at least to become less intense).

When we like something, we don’t want it to change. But nothing in life stays the same. Some of the people in our lives come and go, and those who remain change with experience. Trees die and new plants take their place. Our perspectives change as we live through different seasons of life. Even buildings and roads age and need to be modified. Change means loss and gain. Living through loss is a skill we have to learn and practice all our lives. 

Do you have strategies for dealing with the pain of loss and change? I'd love to learn from your experience with what helps you 😊.

Better Together: Omega Writers Cross Post

 by Jen Richards

How Australia’s Christian writers are better when we’re together!

 Some conversations you can only have with other writers. You know the ones. Conversations where you talk about your characters as though they are real people. Thoughtful chats about how to breathe life into your memoir. Heart-to-hearts about the creative life, its dreams and disappointments. And then there are other conversations you can only have with Christian writers. Ones about how you mesh faith and creativity in your work. Ones about how you find your writing community.

‘On the same page as other writers’

The Omega Writers Conference in Sydney at the end of September was choc-full of these sorts of conversations! It was a creative time of fun and fellowship and a testimony to how God can work when we gather together.

 

Attendees at the 2024 Omega Writer's Conference. Source: Omega Writers

Here’s what attendees said they loved about meeting together:

●      “I'm very glad I came. I came away very encouraged and ideas were going round in my head all week. It was also great to mix with people all 'on the same page' so to speak with regards to genre and faith.” (Karen K)

●      “You gave each of us a beautiful, safe space to connect and equip ourselves in our writing. I had many a chat with newbies and as overwhelmed as they were with all the information, God was at work giving clarity.” (Raewyn E)

●      “You can learn so much from the experience and wisdom of others who have gone before. And having a cohort of likeminded new friends is so special.” (Anonymous)

●      “The Omega Writers' Conference is a weekend of learning, inspiration and fun. With a Christian focus, it's a valuable opportunity for connection with like-minded writers and professionals. I've attended at least five onsite Omega conferences and have always come away energised and better equipped.” (Jean S)

Let us not give up meeting together!

There’s just nothing like the energy and encouragement Christian writers can give and get when they meet together. But it doesn’t have to be at a big conference. Here are some other ways to meet with other Christian writers for encouragement and inspiration.

1. Find a writing buddy: Sometimes you just need to connect with one other writer to gain the encouragement you need to keep going. They don’t need to write the same genre as you for you to be able to encourage each other.
2. Find a writing group: Omega Writers has chapter groups across the country who meet regularly to encourage one another. Not one near you? We are working on resources to help you start one.
3. Pray: Easy to do alone and powerful to do in a group. Omega Writers runs regular (every six weeks) prayer meetings via Zoom. Connect with our Facebook group for details.

Omega Writers welcomes new president

Omega Writers welcomed a new president at the recent Annual General Meeting. Carolyn Tonkin was joyfully voted in with the support of the membership present. Carolyn is a writer, teacher and the leader of the Melbourne chapter group. Read her vision for the organisation.

 

For more information about Omega Writer’s, Australia’s Christian Writers Network, go to: https://omegawriters.com.au/

Writing goals when you’re nearly 80

by Barbara McKay

My story

Since my husband died from metastatic cancer in 2014, learning to write creatively has been therapeutic.


‘Don’t you think I’m too old to be writing?’ I was speaking with a lovely author, Anne Hamilton at a Writer’s weekend in Brisbane early this year. She answered me ‘No’ she said,

‘You are showing cognitive plasticity’. I could have jumped for joy at those words, but I couldn’t because I’d broken my leg


My creative writing journey began when I saw an ad ‘Write your Memoir’ course by Cecily Anne Patterson. In 2018, I was 73, and a widow coping with grief and loss. I contacted
Cecily, and slowly worked through every session. Lots of new terminology, and eventually, I wrote my first chapter, getting to about 80,000 words.


In 2022, Vanessa Vankcom said ‘Why don’t you send 10,000 words into Omega Writers for the CALEB Unpublished Adult Nonfiction section? I did. I received an email to say ‘You are a finalist’. I cried all day. What was God saying to me?


I was 77. I faced my fears, and decided to go to the conference at Kingscliff. I met Cecily, and many other amazing authors. They weren’t scary, but normal human beings, fun and developing their writing to bless others.


After that weekend, Nola Passmore, the encourager who specialises in nagging us to write, invited me to join the Toowoomba Omega Writers – again, a scary experience but exciting. I told the group ‘I’m in Year 3 doing a subject titled ‘Creative Writing’. Some of them told me off. ‘No, you cannot say that. You are on a creative learning curve, just like all of us.’ Mazzy even said that with my life’s experience, I’d have plenty to write about from a mature perspective.’ She’s a great encourager.

Some Writing Tips

Tips for organising your writing goals when you’re nearly 80, when you feel you’ve left it too late. Why did I ask that question?


Firstly, the ageing process does bring deficits with chronic illness, hospitalization, loneliness, and discouragement. Those of you who have older members in your families see their decline.

Secondly, our lives do have an expiry date. I do feel a sense of urgency with my writing because none of us know when that time will come. What creative work is a priority? What do I leave undone? What stories do I tell? I am in the final season of my life. I’m in my 80th year – unbelievable. To think that I’m learning at this age is surely a gift from my loving Heavenly Father. I do lose heart and that’s why I love it when the apostle Paul says ‘Do not lose heart. Though outwardly, we are wasting away, yet inwardly, we are being renewed day by day.’ 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV

Thirdly, the gift of encouragement. Why is it that many of us become discouraged and long for words of affirmation? How do I finish my life with few regrets?

What makes me a feisty nearly 80-year-old who feasts on life?  Many of your comments bring the sparks that light up my life.

1. Meredith said ‘my mother finished her memoirs at the end of last year. She was 85. She passed away four months after she finished writing them. ‘What a wonderful story, and no doubt Meredith gave her loads of encouragement. We need to get a rough draft down, even if it isn’t published.

2. Nola mentioned a lady who died at the age of 96. ‘She was writing a monthly column into her 90’s. She turned in her last column on the day she died.’

3. Sue Jeffrey is the one who said ‘you inspire me’ and called me ‘feisty’

4. Christine O’Malley said ‘build yourself a group of praying supporters who will laugh with you, cry with you…and keep on asking how the writing is going to make sure you don’t give up.’ Let’s do it. That’s not easy for some of us who live in rural places, but it is do-able. We have ‘zoom’ and a ‘mobile’.

5. One young author, Stephanie said ‘I want to keep on encouraging others. The gift of encouragement is such a kind, generous gift.

6. Anusha mentioned ‘I make writing goals each year’.

7. Recently, I read a letter from my aunt, Hilda North. She was writing to me to give instructions on organising her 90 th birthday’. God nudged me. ‘Look at that aunty of yours – cognitively, as sharp as a tack. She lived until she was 101.

8. I have learnt not to compare myself with others. The more I learn about creative writing, the more I realise there is so much that I do not understand. People have said to me ‘you have to start somewhere’.

Finally 

This year, I suffered, I broke my left leg badly – hospitalised for 77 days, moon boot for 11 weeks, and transition care for 12 weeks. ‘What was God trying to tell me?' 

Again, God placed wonderful people on my radar, surprising me with heavenly hugs. I wrote two stories about my suffering, and I’m pleased they are being published in Stories of Life - His love to me during the tough times.


Now I want to hear from you, stories about those who persevere when tempted to give up – stories from those who are in their 70’s and 80’s. What legacy are you leaving?

Brought to you by Barbara McKay