All for One, One for All

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Remember the image of a lonely, starving artist struggling in the garret, unknown and unrecognised until after his or her tragic death? Okay, some of you will, and some will be saying, 'What's a garret?'

According to that wise source of the hive mind, Wikipedia, 'A garret is a habitable attic or small and often dismal or cramped living space at the top of a house or larger residential building. In the days before lifts (elevators) this was the least prestigious position in a building. In this era, the garret often had sloping ceilings.'

So most of us don't live in garrets and most of us are not literally starving - though we might be if we tried to feed ourselves from our royalties (if we get royalties). And being seen and heard in a noisy, crowded book market can be daunting. So the struggles of artists and creatives maybe haven't changed that much over the decades, but one thing we don't have to be is lonely.

But, but ... we all know artists, particularly writers, are introverts (mostly). And writing is after all a solo pursuit - right? We sit down in our cave (or garret) with the door firmly closed and tap, tap, tap away at our keyboards composing masterpieces, engaging with our recalcitrant characters, patching up plot holes or wrestling with section headings, or daydreaming (hey, that's working) or reading, researching, (w)riting. Unlike musicians, scriptwriters and dancers - we do things alone and are responsible for set design, costumes, lighting, tempo, special effects, make-up, music, camera angles, and the gaffer's boy (whatever he or she does?!)- and also refreshments.

Well, yes, true the actual writing is often a solitary pursuit (though few strange writers like me don't mind writing in cafes and public places). Even so, it takes a team to bring a book into the world --- not just all the writers that have fed your imagination and inspired you to write, but also critique partners, beta-readers, editors, proof-readers, formatters, cover artists, publishers, printers, street team, reviewers and promoters. So yes, even writing is a team effort.

But what I really want to say today, is that we don't have to do this by ourselves. We don't have to be isolated and alone. We don't have to feel like we are stranded on a coral island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.

For one thing, God understands. And chances are, if He has placed the passion in your heart, He has a purpose for it - maybe not always exactly how we envision it, but for something even better than we can imagine.

And in addition to that - you are not alone.

In fact, you are part of a crowd. And it's in banding together, in helping each other, in lifting each other up that we can flourish.  And how is that done?

• Groups like Christian Writers Downunder (and Australasian Christian Writers, Faith Writers and Omega Writers) can provide encouragement, support, advice, inspiration. 
• Critique groups and chapter groups.
• NaNoWriMo  through buddies in November and cabins in April and July (we are forming one now), or Month of Poetry or other writing challenges.
• Conventions, camps and retreats.
• Courses, workshops.
• Giving feedback, reading and reviewing others' works (though be wary of review swaps on Amazon). 

And if you are at the start of this journey or anywhere along the way - there are four events coming up that may be of interest:

Omega Writers Book Fair (Brisbane)

This Saturday (10 March).  We have over 25 local authors, editors and publishers with their books, plus a great workshop by Gary Clark on Inspiring Humour and - we praying for a big crowd of book fans :) FB Event page here.

Omega Writers Retreat (Toowomba)

4th-6th May
Week-end retreat with great seminars and a relaxed program - time to network and to write. Read more here.

CALEB prize

Opportunity to receive feedback as well as recognising the talents of aspiring and established authors. Read more here.

Omega Writers Conference

This year run in conjunction with Tabor College in Adelaide with fantastic guest speakers, workshops and networking.  This October 2018. Read more here.

And then there are smaller more focused groups.

Omega Writers chapter groups - as well as some online groups (check the webpage). 

Brisbane group - meets first Sunday of each month (2 pm) at St Francis College, Milton (next one in June - due Easter & May Retreat). Contact Judy Rogers.
Toowoomba - meets on the third Thursday of each month for some writing (7-9 pm), but also have other events on through the year.
Sydney group - next meeting is 7th April, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm at St Joseph's Centre for Reflective Living, Baulkham Hills. Contact Raewyn Elsegood.
Wangaratta group.  Meet every second month. Contact Susan Barnes.
Screenwriters group - Screenwriters meets via Skype on the third Monday of the month. People can join the FB group to stay up to date on the areas covered.
Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - meet via Skype once a month.

Other groups are in the Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Geelong, Adelaide, New Zeland - or include special interest groups in Writing for Children and Young Adults (COWS group) and non-fiction group.

There is sure to be other groups around - both Christian and secular - and if not, why not start one up yourself?

I wrote in isolation for some time - until I enrolled in a Master's Course on writing and then, almost by chance, went along to an Omega Writers Conference (it was run by Rochelle Manners and called World Word Fair at the time). That lead to me joining Christian Writers Downunder and then, in time, Omega Writers. I can't tell you how much the encouragement and inspiration of other writers -- like Paula Vince, Anusha Atukorala, Nola Passmore, Adele Jones and so many others -- has meant to me. I love being part of the Omega Writers Sci-Fi/Fantasy group - with a monthly Skype call. I'm also a member of a secular Spec Fic group and Month of Poetry.

When burning coals are scattered the flames go out. Bunched together and they can set the world on fire.

Jeanette has just released her latest book, Ruhanna's Flight and other stories, a collection of short stories in the world of Nardva. She started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.

Neighbours

by Jeanette O'Hagan

Christmas Day is fast approaching - the official birthday celebrations of Jesus of Nazareth - born to be King, born to die, born to give us new life, born that we might be adopted into the family of God.  What does Christmas mean to you?

For today's post, I thought I'd share a story I wrote for the Faithwriters challenge. It's not a Christmas story—or maybe it is.

Neighbours

Joe sank into the plump leather armchair and flicked the foot rest up. He cradled his slug of aged brandy. The ice cubes chimed against the frosty glass and a contented sigh escaped his lips. The den was his well-earned refuge after a frenetic day at the office. His wife, Simone, knew better than to disturb him until after his half-hour of news. He reached forward, picked up the remote and flicked on the TV.

Several minutes later he jerked awake, his heart pounding. An ad for a slick red sports car flashed across the wide-screen on the wall, crowded with dancing long-legged models and a smirking windswept hero. He frowned. Surely it wasn't the cliched classical music blaring from the surround sound speakers that had disturbed him. His eyes narrowed as a deep beat seemed to vibrate the floorboards beneath the plush carpet. Throaty 90s lyrics drowned out the now dulcet tones of the weather presenter.

His neighbour; it had to be.

He stormed out of the den, ignoring the inquiring look from Simone juggling steaming saucepans in the kitchen and the twins excited calls of “Daddy, daddy.’ Stalking through the living room, he slid open the glass doors and stood on the deck, arms akimbo. Beyond the outdoor entertaining area and gleaming water of their pool, on the other side of the high fence, Matt Dodger’s yard was lit up like a Christmas tree. Swaying coloured lights zigzagged across the untidy backyard.  Matt stood at the barbie turning sizzling sausages and hamburger patties. A boom box belted out popular tunes. Tammy in white bikini and skimpy sarong wrapped around her ample figure plunked down food on a trestle table—large bowls of salad, bread rolls, heaped up plates of watermelon and two oversized pavlovas drowned in cream and fruit. A huge battered blue icebox overflowed with crushed ice and cans.

This had been a quiet neighbourhood until the Dodgers had moved in last year. Rumour had it that that Matt was a cars salesman and Tammy ran a beauty parlour in their downstairs room. When they had first arrived, Simone had dropped in with home baked cookies and a brochure for their church, but Matt had made cutting remarks about hypocritical Christians and churches only interested in his money. It was a lost cause really.

Simone came to stand behind him. “I've put the twins to bed. I hope they settle with this noise.”

Joe nodded and continued to glare into his neighbours’ back yard. The sounds of cars pulling up at the curb and the excited calls of guests intermingled with the jocular greetings of Matt and Tammy. The kids ran around with the new arrivals in some wild game, adding to the general cacophony. Soon adults and children alike piled food on their plates and pulled open cans of drink. Knives, forks and table manners seemed the only scarcity. Laughter and rowdy music spilled out into the night.

Joe snorted. It was disgusting how some people stuffed their faces with so little self-restraint.

Simone’s sigh was like a feather on his cheek. “Will you come and say good night to your girls?”

Joe stiffened as a tall bearded figure strolled down the concrete pathway to be engulfed in a bear hug from Matt.

“Isn't that the new pastor up at New Kingdom? What’s his name? John, no…Joshua Davidson. Reverend Kaifas says he’s attracted huge crowds with his high-powered trickery. He’s worse than that fire and brimstone preacher they used to have at the Jordan chapel.”

Davidson accepted a glass of punch from Matt. ‘Hey, kids,’ he roared, ‘Who wants a treat?’ He handed out candy canes and white Christmas. The children mobbed him and soon he was settled in an old garden chair, both children and adults listening to his flamboyant storytelling.

Joe allowed Simone to pull him inside. After kissing the sleepy twins good night, they sat down for dinner.

As the sounds of the party next door wound down, Joe and Simone moved out on the deck with mugs of pod coffee. The last guest called out a boisterous goodbye and the neighbours’ backyard plunged into darkness, except for a neon star over a battered nativity scene.

Joe savoured the rich brewed flavour. “I wonder what Pastor Davidson wanted with Matt.” He chuckled. “If he expected a donation, he’s in for a disappointment, but who would have thought that New Kingdom’s pastor would mix with that bunch of losers.”

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.    Titus 3:4-5a  (NLT)

New Living Translation (NLT)

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users. She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children. Find her on Facebook or at her webpages Jeanette O'Hagan Writes or Jenny's Thread.

Shoes, Bare Feet and a Christian Book Fair

by Jeanette O'Hagan

You have probably heard the story about the two shoe salesmen sent to Africa in the early 1900's to scout the territory.

      One telegraphed back: "Situation hopeless. Stop. No one wears shoes."

      The other telegraphed: "Glorious business opportunity. Stop. They have no shoes."

Now, I’ve seen a couple of interpretations of this probably apocryphal story – most laud the second salesman for seeing opportunity. Some point out that modern marketing often exploits people by creating a yearning for false and even unhealthy 'needs' (the beauty industry, for instance), while one suggested that salesman A went back to Europe to a lucrative career while salesman B struggled to sell shoes to people who didn’t want them.

Whichever way we look at the story, sometimes I feel that being an Australian or New Zealand Christian author is a little be like trying to sell shoes to barefooted people. We often struggle to interest people in our books.

Why is it so hard?

Now, partly that’s because Australian is a small market. We have a smallish population 22 million compared to 320 million in the US. And, hard as this is understand, not everyone is a reader and, if they are, not everyone reads fiction. A successful book run in Australia is 500 copies.

Then too, the percentage of people who not just vaguely identify themselves as Christian, but are actively involved in their faith in some way, is a much smaller percentage of our already small population – maybe 7-30% (depending on how the measurements are done).

But the problem goes deeper than this – I know many avid Christian readers who aren’t interested in reading ‘Christian’ fiction. They prefer the big name secular titles (yes, mostly US and British authors). Some may have read Christian Fiction in the past and not liked it (it might have been too sanitised or maybe the quality of the writing was the issue or the themes didn’t interest them).  And those who do read Christian fiction tend to read the big US names – Jeanette Oke, Francine Rivers, Dee Hendersen etc. rather than say Mary Hawkins, Meredith Resce, Paula Vince, Carol Preston or Jo-Anne Berthelsen. In part, this is because the big-chain Christian bookstores have often promoted US (& UK) authors and when they stock Aussie Christian authors, those books don’t always sell.  Why – because readers are spoiled for choice and they often don’t want to waste their time on a bad book, so they stick to the authors they know and love or follow the recommendations of friends. So you need to be popular to become popular.

And, to be frank, many of my avid reading friends don’t know about Aussie Christian authors except for the fact that I’ve mentioned them (at which point their eyes begin to roll).

So what do we do?

We can be Salesman (or Saleswoman) A

• We can give up on the Australian market and address our works to the overseas market, such as the UK or USA. But often, these readers may not interested in reading about Australian location or Australian protagonists (this is not always the case of course). And the Christian market in USA has it problems.
• We can aim for the general market in Australia or overseas – though again the gatekeepers in this market may be wary of books with obvious Christian content or may expect certain problematic content (like gratuitous explicit sex scene in some romance titles).
• We can decide that it doesn’t really matter if anyone buys our books, because it's more important that we are obedient to God in writing them.
• We can sell our books to our fellow authors, friends and family; who will enjoy reading them.

 All these can be valid and realistic responses. I’m not critiquing them (in fact, I think there are good arguments for writing 'crossover' fiction or aiming for the general market  – but what I do ask myself is, are there other opportunities we are not seeing? What would Salesman (or woman) B do?

What would Salesman B do?

In other words, how can we give Aussie & NZ Christians greater choice – so that they are aware that there are many good Aussie Christian authors and books available? Which they might enjoy if they knew about them?

I’m thankful for our pioneers – our ‘veteran’ authors who have been writing and publishing for decades, for the writing groups like Omega Writers, Christian Writers Downunder, Faithwriters and Australasian Christian Writers. For Christian publishers who often struggle to stay afloat and have a passion to have books of quality and influence published.  For efforts to get Aussie Christian writers in bookstores or to reach new readers (through Book Fairs, Light the Dark, Books in Stock etc).

One thing I’m sure of is that this is something we can do together – as we promote to our friends and fans not only our own writing, but work of our fellow Australasian authors that we read and enjoy – or think they would enjoy.

By encouraging, promoting and helping each other we ensure that our books are not lonely little pin points of light struggling against the wind of indifference – but a bonfire that is visible for kilometres around.

Here some ideas:

• Taking time to read, enjoy and review Aussie & NZ Christian books
• Give Aussie & NZ Christian books (that you enjoy) as gifts at Christmas or birthdays or as giveaways
• Participating in readers groups like book clubs, Goodreads, reading challenges etc,
• Being active on Goodreads and/or Booklikes – review books, add them to lists, recommend them to friends
• Author talks at schools, libraries, bookclubs – maybe even churches and youth groups?
• Have a book party
• Have a book fair
• Joint ventures like anthologies, boxed sets etc where fans of one author may discover another author to love reading
• Joint book launches

Perhaps you have some other wonderful ideas or stories – I’d love to hear them.

Christian Book Fair

There is one thing that Raelene Purtill and I are planning to do (under the umbrella of Omega Writers). In early September, we will be running a Christian Book Fair in Brisbane – with stalls from authors, booksellers and publishers. Others like editors, illustrators, cartoonists etc. are also welcome. The Fair will be run in conjunction with workshops run by Omega Writers. 

However, our primary focus will be on books and readers – as we aim to reach a wider audience for all our books. We (the organisers) will be promoting the event as wildly and as targeted as we can. However, I think this will be a success if we all own it. The best promotion is word of mouth.  And of course, we appreciate your prayers – for unless the Lord build the house we labour in vain.

The story about the salesmen reminds me of some other scouts - twelve to be exact; ten of whom looked at the giants in the land; two who saw the promise and had faith in God.

More information on the Book Fair coming soon. (And if you live too far away to come to the Book Fair this time round  – maybe this is something you could think of for your own local area :) )

Image source: Jeanette O'Hagan

See also What is Christian Fiction?  and Saints, Seekers and Sleepers or Cecily's Paterson's What is Christian Fiction?

 Jeanette O’Hagan enjoys writing fiction, poetry, blogging and editing. She is writing her Akrad’s Legacy Series—a Young Adult secondary world fantasy fiction with adventure, courtly intrigue and romantic elements. Her short stories and poems are published in a number of anthologies including Glimpses of Light, Another Time Another Place and Like a Girl.

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master of Arts (Writing). She loves reading, painting, travel, catching up for coffee with friends, pondering the meaning of life and communicating God’s great love. She lives in Brisbane with her husband and children.

You can find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites  JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes .

FaithWriters - An Oasis for Christian Writers

Way back in time, when the Internet was still new, dial-up reigned supreme (albeit slowly), and a blog sounded like a plank of wood in a mud hole, I was introduced to Themestream—a huge site where writers could share their work, get feedback, and develop their skill. For the first time ever, I looked at something and thought, Hey, I can do this.

Being someone who has always hesitated to try new things for fear of failure (do I have any brothers and sisters out there?), this was a dramatic step, and one for which I am very thankful. The Holy Spirit pointed me in the right direction and I jumped straight in. For two years, I wrote inspirational articles almost every day, gaining a large following, confidence, and skill. Which was just as well because Themestream went down the drain in April 2001, a victim to its own success.

By the time tumbleweeds were blowing down the old Themestream streets (say that six times fast), I had a website in place and a growing subscriber base. Another reason to thank God. Even so, there was a void. I missed that community of writers, encouraging and equipping one another. As a loner, it was something I never expected to miss—but I did.

Many other writing sites popped up post-Themestream, but they didn’t last. That’s when FaithMania arrived. Scott Lindsay, a young entrepreneur, saw the need for a site where Christian writers could share their work in a safe, encouraging environment, and he was right.

The demand for space on FaithMania very quickly outgrew the site’s ability to cope. That’s when Scott took the leap and created the much larger FaithWriters.com. That was well over a decade ago, and under current owners Mike and Bea Edwards the site continues to provide an oasis for writers to hone their skills, test the waters, develop their confidence, and enjoy community with likeminded people.

FaithWriters - an oasis for Christian Writers

So passionately did I believe in the need for this type of environment that I started working alongside the owner in 2003. Since then, it has been a constant joy to see countless nervous newbies develop into polished and professional wordsmiths.

There are many ways to participate in FaithWriters, and a quick exploration of the site can be overwhelming, but after all these years, here are my top spots:

1. The Writing Challenge. This is, without question, the backbone of FaithWriters, and that’s not just because it’s my baby. New prompts are posted forty times each year (ten topics each quarter), and members are invited to write to topic, word count, and deadline. The top ten entries each week are eligible to be published in future Mixed Blessings anthologies. Free Silver members of FaithWriters are able to enter the Challenge four times to test the water. Be warned, though, it has been known to be addictive.  


2. The Regular Articles. This area is open to any member to write and share their articles, poems, short stories, etc, and possibly receive feedback from their peers. 


3. The Critique Circle. This area is for upgraded members, and can be an excellent way to receive deeper critique on works in progress. 


4. The annual Page Turner contest, which is a manuscript contest offered by Breath of Fresh Air Press and FaithWriters each year to Platinum members, with the winner receiving a cash prize, editing, and the promise of publication.

From experience, I know the incredible value of FaithWriters for Christian writers. If I didn’t believe in it, I wouldn’t still be a part of the community after all these years. God definitely used it to change the course of my life in ways I would never have anticipated. I’ve seen the same unfolding in countless others as well. Maybe it’s time for you to rise to the FaithWriters’ Challenge, too.

DEB PORTER is a publisher (Breath of Fresh Air Press), writer, editor, and popular public speaker, with a particular gift for communicating in a way that is both enjoyable and easy for readers and listeners to understand. Deb has been the right hand person at FaithWriters.com since 2003, and is a regular speaker at conferences, but prefers to spend one-on-one time with authors at these events. As the Coordinator of the FaithWriters Writing Challenge since its inception, Deb has helped shape this weekly contest into arguably the most popular aspect of FaithWriters.com, and she now publishes the winning entries in the Mixed Blessings book anthologies.