Each Thursday in 2018 we will be interviewing one of the
members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about
them and their writing/editing goals.
Today we interview Shane Brigg.
Shane Brigg enjoys good coffee, chats and a walk with friends and family |
BOOKS MUSIC MOVIES PLACES
and PEOPLE
Question 1: Tells us
three things about who you are and where you come from.
In our bedhead we have a bookshelf. Beside my mind all night
long I have the key influential books of my life. It is as if the ink comes to
life each night in my resting and dreams and visions and scoping for the day
ahead. A little book with a faded cover is here. My Side of the Mountain by
Jean George. I first read it as a young boy who loved nature, wanting to find
my way in the world and seeking to know the Creator. I grew up in South East
Queensland. My Mum and Dad instilled in me a love of nature. I remember hours exploring the creeks and
forests near our home. Perhaps this is what lead me to study Environmental
Science. I love bushwalking, gardening, walks along our coastline and noticing
the wonders of the world. This has not only meant exploring and studying wild valleys,
forests, swamps, caves, mountains, deserts, animals, plants and landscapes worldwide.
It has meant stepping through the open doors, gateways, arches, and homes full
of human life in towns and cities across our globe. I have
an intense passion for the things of creation but particularly for the humanity
our Creator died for to reveal His love.
Adventuring in Life and Nature. Shane on top of Mount Cooroora |
I love people. All sorts of people. Those environmental
studies lead me into discovering more about humanity as anthropology and sociology
was offered to me. Assignment work amongst homeless young people living on the
streets of Brisbane, ministry amongst Indigenous communities, leading teams cross
culturally into South East Asia have punctuated my journey. A song that has become a theme for my life is “Rose
Coloured Stain Glass Windows” by Petra.
When I first heard it, it moved me so much I cried. For me it
was the story of my passion for seeing what I had discovered of a saviour who had
stepped out of His position to save me and the world around me, and He wanted
his people to do the same. Go into the world. Reveal His love. That is what
defines me. I am a Chaplain of one of the largest schools in Queensland. Loving
families from all walks of life. We live in the University of the Sunshine
Coast precinct. Here our missional community reflects the more than 40 Nations represented.
Each week we connect personally with dozens of new friends from many different
tribes, many of whom are only just realising that the Creator is real and loves
them intensely. We are blessed to call them family.
Connecting with International Students inspires a global depth to Shane's Writing |
Question 2: Tell us
about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc). What do you write and why?
My writing reflects all this framework. I write about and
for people. My writing expresses the needs these populations have. Most of my
writing happens because it must. Communicating happenings, helps, honest
musings and happy celebrations. Things like articles produced in magazines,
school newsletters, newspapers, online platforms are a regular happening for
me. Academic writing, helping students, training, resources for learning,
coaching, empowering ministry tools are also prime to my writing.
More creative pursuits provide a personal outlet
for me. I have several projects concurrently underway that many of the aforementioned
writings take pre-eminence over due to real time constrictions. And yet a
Trilogy that I started some 33 years ago continues to take shape. It started as
random writings that seemed to come together miraculously and now has a
reasoned synopsis, powerful authentic characters, and situations that are reflective
of my own life journey expressed as a fictional pre-dystopian narrative. Other
projects include a young adult Graphic Novel, a fun Aussie school-based reader
for junior primary, and a fantasy novel that delves into the principles highlighted
in the book of Ephesians. I have also written scripts and screenplays, with storyboarding
and artwork to compliment.
Creating Narratives with a Challenge in mind for Young People |
Question 3: Who has
read your work? Who would you like to read it?
The primary audiences for what I have written have been those
within the communities I have the honour of serving as Pastor, bible college lecturer,
Chaplain, and friend. Students, families, readerships across entire regions in
newspapers, our families of faith, deliberate, opportune and often nonintentional
audiences. I look forward to watching how publishing my major creative works
can impact lives as they are read by the young adults and children they are aimed
at.
Question 4: Tell us
something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the
most?
Much of my creative work is an expression of occurrences and
real-life situations I have encountered. They are a sort of journaling on my
behalf. But I write through the lenses of my key characters in a fictional world.
I am inspired by the works of Stephen
Lawhead, Tolkien and various adventure and fantasy sci fi writers. Movies such
as Blade Runner, Hacksaw Ridge, Lord of the Rings, Blood Diamond, and They
Killed My Father motivate me to write to themes that move people to action.
Creative Journaling is a foundation for Shane's Writing. My Son Vietnam. |
Question 5: What is
your favourite Writing Craft Book and why?
I do not have a favourite writing craft book, but a major
premise I gained from a book about
CS Lewis’s writing style has been very liberating. Truth
does not have to be factual. What this means is that often Truth is discovered
in unreal settings. For example, Aslan in CS Lewis’s writings is not a real
entity but holds Truths about Christ. He is not a tame Lion.
Question 6: If you
were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who
would they be?
I have been blessed to reconnect recently with Nola Passmore.
When I was ministering at the Uni she was lecturer at in the 1990’s, we prayed together
with a group of academics, started a forum for students we called Catalyst, and
now I am blessed to have her inspiring my journey as a writer. http://www.thewriteflourish.com.au/
Question 7: What are
your writing goals for 2018? How will you achieve them?
The main goal I have is to create the structural framework
around each of my works so that much of what is (at the moment) in handwritten
form can be easily transferred into a digital format. I have about 3 archive
boxes of handwritten material. sigh.
Question 8: How does
your faith impact and shape your writing?
My faith journey is dynamically (if not overtly) reflected in
everything I write. I aim to write from a point of authenticity and passion. I
hope the love I have discovered in our Creator is revealed in humble
expressions that bring my characters, plots, teachings and inspirations to life.
Family is vitally important in my faith journey. Our own family is a huge inspiration.
The family that we embrace within our faith journey brings light into a world
that needs the brilliance of the Saviour’s love. This has a vital influence on
my writing too.
Shane's Family. |
I really enjoyed your interview Shane. Your childhood sounded idyllic - being able to explore creeks and forests near your home when you were young would certainly have instilled a love of nature. I love it how you are able to live a life of passion and service to our Creator and also invest in many lives. All the best with all your creative writing. It sounds like there's a lot ready to spring forth! Every blessing in your writing journey Shane. God bless you.
ReplyDeleteSo good to hear someone interviewed that I haven't seen interacting on the FB group. Sounds like there is lots of potential there that hopefully we will one day see in some accessible books.
ReplyDelete