Meet Our Members - Elizabeth Klein

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's interview Elizabeth (Lizbeth) Klein

Question 1: Tells us three things about who you are and where you come from.

Good question. I was born in Mudgee, New South Wales, after my mother almost died carrying me for too long. My parents were refugees from Hungary who settled under the hills of a small village called Charbon. When I was in primary, I didn’t speak English very well and my schoolwork suffered terribly. In those days, there was no outside assistance for kids with language problems like there is nowadays. But it was during those early years that my love for the written word grew with a fierce desire. I loved reading—just couldn’t do it very well—and I would borrow truck-loads of books from our tiny, local library. Ironically, I ended up becoming a primary school teacher and taught in Sydney for nineteen years. I also tutored at four learning centres for nine years and lectured at the Jannali Community College, which I loved. A little over three years ago, we bought a caravan, a new car to tow it with and left that old life behind. Sorry, I think that’s more than three.

 Question 2: Tell us about your writing (or editing/illustrating etc).  What do you write and why?

I started writing seriously after I married Malcolm because he generously allowed me great swathes of free time. Plus the Lord kept directing me to leave full-time work, which I eventually did. I began attending the Sutherland FAW and a Monday morning writing group which met at the library. It was at these meetings that I began to connect with others of like mindedness, especially a friend called Jodie. We encouraged each other and as a result, we soon began to publish articles. These small, wonderful steps led to larger successes until finally, lovely Rochelle from Wombat Books contracted two of my young adult fantasy books. At present, she has a third.

Book 1: Firelight of Heaven

 Now, having travelled for just over three years, I’ve published lots of plays, short stories, poems and articles. This year I was contracted by Five Senses Education for my book: Comedy Theatre for Upper Primary, with provision for two more books for lower high school and lower primary, which I’ve almost completed. I’m also occasionally contracted by Blake Education to write for them. 

Writing is in my soul. God placed it there as a seed and it’s growing.

Question 3: Who has read your work? Who would you like to read it?

Although my two novels were written for young adults, surprisingly, many adults love reading them as well as children as young as ten years old. But I would love more Christians to read them and not reject the genre of fantasy. I see all fiction as someone’s fantasy; mine merely incorporates elves and fantastical worlds and amazing characters that aren’t always human. Fantasy is a lovely language, a language of the deepest part of me. Perhaps I’m dreaming, but it’s impossible to dream without myths and wonderment. 

Tolkien said it this way: “the Gospels contain … a story of a larger kind which embraces all the essence of fairy-stories. ... But this story has entered History and the primary world; ... It has pre-eminently the "inner consistency of reality."

Book 2: Greenheart of the Forest

Question 4: Tell us something about your process. What challenges do you face? What helps you the most?

Generally, I set my eyes upon finishing one text at a time—however long and laborious that may be—before starting a new project. Scenes become ‘large’ inside me before I write them or move onto the next scene or chapter. By that I mean that what I wish to write has to be ‘seen’ in my imagination first. I must see my characters, hear their emotions in their speech, feel the terrors and ecstasies of their journeys and perils. I must become one with them before setting out. 

Challenges? There are some. Because we are modern-day pilgrims living in a caravan and travelling all the time, weariness hampers the writing process. Computers, modems and cords all have to be packed away from my tiny workspace here in the van.

                     

Question 5: What is your favourite Writing Craft Book and why?

One book that springs to mind which has been like a gold nugget when, as a young, inexperienced writer, I wanted to know how to show, not tell. That book is called, How to Self-Edit (To Improve Your Writing) by Di Bates. It’s wonderfully filled with practical, step-by-step activities to help a budding, novice writer understand his or her craft. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Question 6: If you were to give a shout-out to a CWD author, writer, editor or illustrator – who would they be?

One writer I admire is Jeanette O’Hagan, fantasy writer and fellow lover of far-flung places. She has written some excellent fantasy books. Paula Vince’s stories are wonderful too.

Paula Vince

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2018? How will you achieve them?

My present goal is to complete the lower primary book of plays that I am currently writing for Five Senses Education. I have so many fresh ideas for future projects that I’d love to write, but time and circumstances keep them at bay. I’d love to write a children’s book about Merlin, who is such an enigmatic historical figure of myth and legend. But writing is such a slow process. One must be patient.

Question 8: How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

Actually, my love for Jesus is woven easily through my Bethloria series like a red woollen thread of His sacrifice for us all. Writing fantasy allows that thread to be seamlessly melded with other themes that non-Christians can enjoy without being struck by an overly Christian feel. The Holy Spirit can work with the offerings we present. He is in us after all. 

Here is a lovely quote by Tolkien I found today:

“And in that very moment, away behind in some far corner of the city, a cock crowed. Shrill and clear he crowed reckoning nothing of wizardry or war, welcoming only the morning that in the sky far above the shadows of death was coming with the dawn.”


Oh, please check out my website: bethloria.com.au

Elizabeth (Lisbeth) Klein is an Australian author who writes for children and young adults. She loves life, laughing, lounging and lumpy chocolate. Also, fantasy movies that make you cry at the end because they're beautiful. She is the author of the Bethloria series, the first two books Firelight of Heaven and Greenheart of the Forest published, as well as plays, poems and short stories.

Are Your Words Salty Enough?

I sometimes find myself pondering the implications of our profession as Christians and how it may differ to others. How do I experience and handle my writing and illustrating career differently to those who do not have the kind of relationship I have with God?  Is there a difference?  What does that mean, and how do I process that and how does that influence my decisions and outcome?

Personally, I believe there are some enormous and important differences!  

“Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavours of this earth.  If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness?  You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. 

 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept.  We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?  I’m putting you on a light stand.  Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives.  By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven. ~  Matthew 5:13-16
Matthew 5:13-16

I am not a big fan of the Message translation but I felt these two passages were a perfect for what I wanted to illustrate. 

God’s salt to the devil is like table salt to a slug - Let us be SALTY!

SALT & LIGHT...

SOURCE: The key to all I do is to do it safely through prayer and trust. Even Christ followers can underestimate the value of prayer – isn’t that crazy! Over time God has shown me the undeniable power in the name of Jesus. I would be crazy not to submit my career to prayer regularly, when I say prayer - I mean both speak and listen!

REASON: I need to be mindful of my intention and outcome when I create anything. I need to understand what God has placed in my heart for the Works.  Life is short, and we can only produce so much, so I want to make my Works count and have a little foresight in God’s direction.  For this reason (after considerate prayer) I wrote down the answer to why I write and illustrate and what I want my writing to say and do.  I cannot tell you how much this has helped me!

I came up with three significant words I call the ETrinity (edify, encourage and empower). The 3 e’s are at the centre and forefront of my mind when I work.  Should the enemy try to distract me, or should I take even the slightest detour, I can decipher this when remembering my 3 E’s.  These are my ‘SALT and LIGHT’, and at the core of my heart. This is what God wants me to have the courage to express through my voice.

OPPOSITION: In any business there is opposing or competing elements that can create resistance.  We are in the business of God. He has our back and we have a different opposition to contend with.  We need to be aware of how the business works in the world but we also of the fight unseen. 

Knowing how God works against this opposition I turn to my personal assistant; the one I need to consult each morning and makes a difference to every day. My assistant is wise beyond all measure and has the amazing ability to find solutions to every concern.  My assistant’s name is Bible. My days ignoring Bible or prayer are always harder than need be. I am trying to be more habitual about this essential time. 

MANAGEMENT: Less planning and more flexing. Am I truly letting God lead my career path and making my time count or am I just indulging myself?

If we haven’t already figured it out, we eventually will; life following Jesus is unpredictable, exciting and sometimes challenging but always incredibly fruitful. In my humanness to manage MY business, I can sometimes forget it is not MY business - I gave it to God! 

I am a great believer in planning. I have mind maps, lists and filing systems that probably look OCD to some, but I am also open to godly interruptions. God owns my time, my life and my career. This has come in the guise of a stressed and lost person at my door, a person broken down on the side of the road, a prayer meeting I have no time for and even shifts of well panned ideas. The interruptions to my time-deprived days are numerous but I know God is behind a generous life and when I feel at peace, I have to be flexible and trust.  He is my time manager. The challenge at times, is to determine what is a distraction from God and not one from the enemy.

Why are you here?  What is your salt and light and at the core of your career and who is managing your time and business?

I pray you use every minute and every written word to honour our beautiful Jesus. I also pray that you harness the awesome power of prayer and God’s anointing, and God blesses the words that fall from your hearts with salt and light. Whether writing for mainstream or a Christian audience, may all we do eventuate in multiplying our family, and somehow draw others into a more intimate relationship with a Father who adores them.

 

Kayleen West is a children's book Author and Illustrator from Victoria. Her new picture book Adoptive Father can be found at www.adoptivefather.org

Her portfolio can be seen at: www.kayleenwest.com.au

Okay, It's THAT Time!

What happened to my day - where did it go?  Sound familiar?

This a head-shaking question I ask myself all too often, usually as my phone alarm resounds a bothersome ‘STOP what you are doing and get the kids from school Mrs Author/Illustrator MUM!’ 

Then there are the times I notice my work day creep into ‘THAT’ time.  You know - THAT time, which is apparently important to the three hungry wolves sniffing at the door dividing my work area and the kitchen. I hear sounds not dissimilar to that of my companion toy poodle – Boaz, when separated from his first love (me). The whimpering and sniffing noises inevitably invade my space and interrupt my concentration.  Their tummies on a timer and smack on time too!

My mind is reluctant to free itself from the allure of the word-littered screen or pencil lines on paper, but sensing something akin to a Myer Stock Take Sale crowd about to burst through my studio door, I’m reminded of the demands of motherhood and its associated time restraints.  The will impedes the process and the battle of right and left side of the brain begins.  

I feel the shift but it returns long enough to envisage my 3 little wolves (the little pigs arrive only after food is served) licking the kitchen side handle and possibly devouring it any moment.  “Sorry kids I didn’t notice the time, I’m coming, just one more ...” …  STOP!  I switch worlds and land on the left side of the brain with a jolt.  

Ah the delights of working from home.  At least my kiddies (mostly) honour the boundaries of mum’s creative space – it only took 3 years to instil in them!

But isn’t it wonderful to have a job that captures us so much? Don’t get me wrong, I love my family time, but I love my job too.  I don’t know about you, but I have spent too much of my life waisted on the mediocre, feeling void of life when my creative inner self is kept on hold for too long.  There was a time I stopped creating but God’s Spirit told me to use the gift I was given so I searched for the direction through Him.  But once started, I soon saw His lead and got very excited.  Turning off the visionary mind isn’t easy.  Fuelled and motioned by enthusiasm it builds like steam in a pressure cooker.  

As I microwave my coffee a third time I thought, there is something about creativity that gratifies our soul and is a necessary in our life.  Is it because we are made in the image of a creator?

 

“Mum, is it dinner time yet?”
Whoops  – “Sorry, I’m coming now!”

Kayleen West is a children's book Author and Illustrator from Victoria. Her new picture book Adoptive Father can be found at www.adoptivefather.org

Her portfolio can be seen at: www.kayleenwest.com.au

A New Year's Gift from Dotti

Happy New Year… and welcome to another twelve months in the life of Aussie authors, here at Christian Writers Downunder. There’s much to look forward to as the year cranks into gear. Before we know it, the lazy days of summer will shift to familiar routines. School terms will shape the months for many of us, and even those who don’t march to the school bell will faithfully follow their schedules.

I’m a creature of habit. I love routine. I like to see the diary pages coloured in the predictable, with just enough white paper for a few surprises to sneak in.

Some days, though, I find myself stuck. Held back not by busyness or opportunity, but by inspiration. The calendar says I must write a blog post, but there’s nothing in my head or heart for it.  

Last March, I followed a list of prompts by Fat Mum Slim. She releases a monthly photography challenge and it hooked me at first glance.

I took on the challenge, and turned it into my blogging inspiration. For every picture I took, I wrote a blog post to fit with my love of all things romantic and old fashioned. As inspiration, it worked a treat. I had no trouble coming up with a blog post for 31 days straight, as the topic for each day bubbled away in my head, thanks to Fat Mum Slim’s list.

And I’ve been wondering how to make use of such prodding ever since. 

If you’re like me, stuck for blogging inspiration on occasion, I may have something for you. A gift, for the New Year. 

In 2013 I’m introducing a topic on my blog, Ink Dots, for each Friday of the year called 52 Steps to Yesteryear. I’ve plotted my topics right through to year’s end, and you’re invited to come along. You don’t need to be besotted by all things old, the way I am. All you need is a writer’s imagination.

Less daunting than a monthly challenge, this game is on only once a week. If Fridays come too soon and you’re not sure what to write, take my prompt and turn it into something incredible for next week. Write the first 300 words which come to mind. Imagine the myriad of thoughts we could share, all stemming from the one prompt, as various and flavoursome as the offerings in an ice-cream shop window. You can load them to your blog and I’ll have a linky button set up by next week for you to share them at Ink Dots as well.

I launched my 52 Steps to Yesteryear today. I’m hoping it’ll be a fun way to travel the new year together. I hope you’ll join me for inspiration with a dash of nostalgia and the occasional rosy ribbon of romance at Ink Dots. 

*****

Dorothy Adamek lives at Crabapple House with her Beloved, their three teenagers and five pampered backyard chickens. She writes historical romance, Aussie style. Follow her love of all thing yesteryear at Ink Dots.