The One who makes the Difference!

 by Anusha Atukorala

I was enjoying an evening walk. Birds twittered as they flew home to their nests. A soft breeze stirred, chasing my cares away, like a toddler scattering a flock of pigeons as he runs towards them in glee. Trees danced to the tune of the breeze, waving their green branches with abandon. I looked up. There in the twilight skies wafted a large cloud, dressed in pretty Pink and announcing itself to the world. It pointed to its Creator and transformed my evening into a magical one. A few soft white clouds raced along to join their colour-splashed friend, but they weren’t a patch on that Perfect Pink Preamble!

 

I soon realised that this striking cloud made a difference. Wherever I went, the evening began to sparkle–all because of that Pretty Pink Parade. The horizon was laced with it. Gum trees grew tall in its presence. Our world was ablaze with colour because of its smiles. It was a reminder then, that just like this PPP, there is a Divine PPP who can turn an ordinary day into a special one and transform an unyielding moment into a joyful one. And of course, as a Christian writer, all that I create does need a PPP so that my writing bears fruit.

 

I’m not talking of a Perfect Pink Panorama this time.

What I point to instead is A Powerful Precious Presence.

 

God! Our Almighty God … the Author of our stories.

Jesus, the Creator of everything, past, present and future.

The Holy Spirit who writes our stories with us.

 

Yes, it’s He who does it all. He who directs. He who knows what He plans to do with our writing. It is He who reaches the world through our words. All that we write turns salty only when the Salt-Shaker is present. Words we write can reach hearts, only when the Heart-Warmer is at work. Words in books are brought to life in readers through the Author of Life!

 

There are seasons and seasons in a writer’s life, aren’t there? Some seasons are rich and fulfilling. Others are humdrum. Some are downright discouraging. I remember how hard it was to keep going when I was hunting for a publisher for my second book. I had rejections galore, and hope slipped away, pearls on a broken necklace falling, leaving an empty string in my hand. God showed me through that experience that perseverance is part of a writer’s package. Nothing always comes easy. It also meant that when the miracle happened and I did find a publisher, I knew it was not through my own cleverness or expertise or good fortune that I found one but that our Heavenly PPP - that Precious Powerful Presence was at work again.

I believe God allows dry times, hard times, unfruitful times to meander into our writing lives because it’s one way of letting us know who our Boss is. How’s your writing life these days? If it is productive, I’d like to shake your hand. Good job, friend! Well done! If it could be better, I still say Well done! I know you will make it. Keep it up, dear Writer! But if it is downright discouraging, I’d love to remind you of that PPP. That Perfect Pink Panorama. Or rather that Precious Powerful Presence! Don’t forget that He goes before You. He will do all He promised. It is all His work. Dry times are seasons when He is preparing the ground (and us) for more fruitfulness.

 

A couple of years ago, I was surprised when I heard from an unknown man whom I will call Paul. Paul wrote that he noticed I wasn’t blogging any more. He encouraged me to keep stirring up the gift that God had given me, letting me know my writing had impacted his life. I was so encouraged. Paul didn’t know it – but I had been blogging – using a new website, so I sent him the link. Recently, Paul wrote again, asking to buy all three of my books. Think Happy Surprise on this little writers’ face. Think eyebrows raised. Think happy dance! It was astonishing that an unknown man wanted to buy my books. While I’d hoped that both men and woman would enjoy my writing, I wasn’t sure if men would. But here was proof that at least one man did! Hooray!

 

And then … I realise afresh that unless God speaks, my words are just squiggles on paper. Unless God chooses to use them, nothing I write would make any impact. It is He alone who can use a weak little vessel in order to communicate His truth to His world. It is not what I write that is as important as the leading of the Holy Spirit when I do. It is not my writing that reaches hearts but it is God who speaks through my words to touch and bless and build.

 

You and I are a paintbrush in the Hands of the Master Painter. An instrument in His Symphony Orchestra. Isn’t it a great gift that He calls us to be co-creators with Him? When we allow Him to lead us and use us, our writing will have eternal consequences. So let’s keep writing. It is His purpose that matters. His Voice that reaches hearts, that Precious, Powerful, Peace-filled, Perfect, Personable, Patient, Picturesque Presence who Permeates His world. 

He alone makes all the difference.

 

Let’s look to Him.

Let’s write with Him.

Let’s worship Him.

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus.

 

Her first book Enjoying the Journey contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her 2^nd book Dancing in the Rain brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. Her 3rd book, Sharing the Journey is a sequel to Enjoying the Journey.

 

Do stop by at her two websites to say G’day and to read her blogs.

Dancing in the Rain 

Light in theDarkness

 

Your Lights are On!

His Grace Abounds

I enjoy discussing life’s deeper issues at our church small group sessions. Presently, we’re studying Max Lucado’s series on Grace. Last week, even though I’d tucked into a hearty breakfast before I left home, I felt ravenously hungry during our Bible study. So when I drove home at lunchtime, a single thought raced through my mind like a wild wind rushing by at 99 kmph. I HAD TO FIND A DELICIOUS BITE TO EAT. And SOON. The plate of rice, veggies and lentils awaiting me at home had lost their appeal. My insatiable stomach’s loud grumbles were insistent—I had to have something more substantial.

Drooling saliva, I drove to the local shopping centre and bought myself a toasted subway chicken sandwich, adding a decadent melting brownie for dessert. Mmmm. I couldn’t wait to get home to enjoy my meal with a good book. Unfortunately, I was waylaid. A saleswoman selling artificial grass thrust a brochure into my hands, pelting me a dozen questions. As politely as I could, I cut off her sales pitch and kept walking. A travel boutique loomed to my right. Oh! I had to buy a plane ticket to Sri Lanka. Should I pop in and have a chat with a travel agent? On reflection, I decided to do that another day. A good thing too.

When I reached my car, my eyes opened wide in surprise. A lady walking past called out to me ‘Your Lights are On.’ What? How come? As a new driver, I had already done that. Twice. It had of course led to a dead battery each time and a call for roadside assistance. So ever since, I have had Obsessive Compulsive Disorder whenever I leave my car. I check if the lights are off not once but three or four times. I make certain all four doors are locked. I walk around my car ensuring all is well.

How had I left my lights on? Perhaps my rumbling stomach had a lot to answer for?

I jumped into my car, inserted the key into the ignition and turned it on. Would it start? A few anxious moments passed and then … it did. Hooray! A miracle. Thank you God. Thank you so much. As I sped home, the lady’s words resounded in my ears like a loud symphony.

“Your Lights are On!’

 

His Grace Covers Me

I thanked God for saving my car battery. I thanked Him that I didn’t dawdle any longer in the shopping centre as I could have done. I thanked Him that He often over-rides my failures with His grace. And I even found a few writing tips from that experience!

1.    I had eaten a good breakfast that day, but I was still hungry. Note to self: Feed on God’s Word several times a day and let it nourish my spirit. If I make the Word of God a banquet I feast on, His truths will permeate my being. They will take root within and will colour both my soul and my writing.

A Christian writer's feast

2.    I was sure I could trust my compulsions when it came to my car. Apparently not. As a writer, I edit my words over and over again. But … I am human. In spite of all that effort, I will not always get it right, which is why I need other writers to come alongside me to critique my work. I need professional editors who’ll show me what works and what doesn’t. I need writing books to teach me. I need conferences and writing groups. Just like I needed that lady who walked past my car. They may sometimes state the obvious, but perhaps the obvious needs to be stated?

3.    I know it was God who nudged me to keep going after I bought my lunch. There were numerous distractions in that shopping centre and had I stayed another five minutes, my car battery might have died. Whew. Thank you God for your whispers. I need those murmurs in my writing journey too. His inspiration and my perspiration work well together. We are a team. He is the Leader and the Author.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we need YOU

4.    I deserved to have a dead battery that day. God’s grace  saved me. An undeserved gift. And so with my writing too. The Holy Spirit takes the words I write and uses them to bless and encourage others. Without His input—my words, no matter how clever or profound will miss the mark. Without His touch they will be dead and useless.

5.    The car lights being on that day could have led to a dead car battery. But it didn’t. My writing might sometimes seem to be a failure, but God can use that too. Only eternity will reveal what He will do with it. He is a God of second chances.

Let your Light Shine! 

'Shine your light' says Jesus to us Christian writers. As we continue to surrender every day to the Holy Spirit, His Presence will recharge and renew our batteries. Not only that, we would do as He asks in shining His love and light into a dark world in dire need of a Saviour.

Let Your Light shine through our words, Lord!

"Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16


Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus. 

Launch of Dancing in the Rain - May 12th 2018

Please stop by at her website Dancing in the Rain to say G’day. Her first book 'Enjoying the Journey' contains 75 little God stories that will bring you closer to your Creator. Her second book ‘Dancing in the Rain' was released in March 2018 by Armour Books and brings you hope and comfort for life’s soggy seasons. 

The Right Write-Life Formula

by Anusha Atukorala

Years ago when I was desperate to conceive my second child, a well-meaning friend suggested that I needed to pray in a certain way in order to have my prayers answered. Hmm...! Isn’t God more interested in my heart than in any prayer formula? God did not give me a second child. But many years on, He blessed me with two lovely daughters in Christ, satisfying my heart’s desires for 3 children—one son and two daughters. The parents of my "daughters" did all the hard work! I had the joy of having them without changing even one nappy! (A great idea, God. Thank you.) My prayers may have been frail and faulty, but they were answered.

More recently, when sharing my health struggles with another (also well meaning) friend, she asked if I prayed daily for good health, telling me it has worked for her. She implied that it was a must in order to receive healing. I do spend plenty of time with God each day. I do talk to Him often. But I don’t ask God for healing every single day, because I don’t think it matters. God knows my heart. Even if my words aren’t quite right or the number of times I pray not the perfect number, I can count on Him to give me His best. After all, it’s not my impeccable prayers which bring results but the mercy and love of a faithful God.

The only Prayer formula I know is not to have one. Instead I seek the Giver of all good gifts. And oh, it’s been a thrilling journey. So … what’s the correct Write Formula if there such a thing?  I’ve spent hours learning the craft. I’ve attended conferences (fabulous times), borrowed a plethora of books from the library, (and read them from cover to cover), written articles and essays, poetry and songs, books and blogs. Perhaps unlike prayer, there IS a right Write Formula? Yes, I believe there is!

It’s true that in order to do most things well, we need instructions to guide us and help us stay on par. We can’t play a game of Cricket or Tennis or Footy without rules, could we, or there would be mayhem. We can’t write a sentence without using grammatical rules or it would not make sense. But what about the right Write Life? Does that have rules too? 

Jesus did not come to bind us with rules and regulations. He came to release the prisoners and set the captives free. As Christian writers, we can take a joyful leap across the chasm of legalism and into fields of grace. Perhaps the biggest decree for our writing lives is that there are no rules? There is only GRACE! Precious, glorious, bountiful grace. The Grace that overflows into our lives as we seek to live for God and for His glory.

Grace means that …

1.     Despite my sins, mistakes and imperfections, He still calls me to write for Him.

2.     It’s not following His laws which will help me thrive as a Christian writer but desiring and seeking intimacy with Him.

3.     If He calls me, He will equip me and help me. It’s as simple as that!

4.     As Paula Vince shared with us so beautifully last week, success as a Christian writer is very different from the world’s view of success

5.     God will use even the deficiencies and failures in my Write Life to touch and bless others

6.     Perfection may often be unattainable but I can aim at excellence

7.     God’s ways are often unusual, unexpected and unfathomable but always trustworthy

8.     My writing may not be exceptional but when I do my best, led by His Spirit, miracles happen

9.     He will always give me a second chance

10.  When I yield to the Holy Spirit. He will use my words, weak and frail as they might be, to prod and poke, to lead and lift, to bless and build

11.  We are each not called to be a carbon copy of other writers but free to pursue our own calling

12.  Most importantly, it’s His glory that we are on about, not our own

So how do I grow into a Christian writer? By spending time with Him, by following the Spirit’s leading, by using my time wisely, by learning writing skills (yes, following those rules), walking in integrity, allowing Him to shape me. being part of the body of Christ and by helping other writers thrive.

Grace frees me to become the writer I was meant to be.

Grace gives me wings to partner with the Holy Spirit.

Grace spurs me on to dare to change the world through words.

Let’s do it! Let's dance in fields of grace!

Anusha’s been on many interesting detours in life, as a lab technician, a computer programmer, a full time Mum, a full time volunteer, a charity director, a full time job chaser, until one golden day (or was it a dark moonless night?) God tapped her on her shoulder and called her to write for Him. She has never recovered from the joy it brought her. She loves to see others enjoying life with Jesus and does her mite to hurry the process in her world through her writing and through her life. The goodness of God is her theme song through each season, as she dances in the rain with Jesus. Please stop by at her website to say G’day to her. Dancing in the Rain. She’d love to see you there.

Her first book "Enjoying the Journey" comprises 75 little life lessons and 16 colour photos. Her second book "Dancing in the Rain - words of comfort and hope for a sad heart" will be published in 2018 by Armour Books. Please stay tuned.

A Life of Their Own

Have you ever felt as if your characters have taken over your story? In one of my works in progress my characters keep taking over the narrative. I want the tale to go in a certain direction and voila I wake up the next day and the characters insist on doing their own thing. I mean, how rude? I’m the author and so I should be the boss of my story. Right?

I suspect something like this is happening:

It was quiet. The author had gone to bed but Chloe couldn’t sleep—not now that she’d found out what could happen to her. She stared at the screen that was the barrier between herself and her creator. What could she do? She didn’t want to die.

It was a conundrum. She had only just become aware of the screen and that there was someone on the other side determining her destiny. What right had the author to dictate her fate? That she could die in 1952? It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. But, other than Ethan possibly saving her, what could she do about it? She had to save herself.

Chloe reached out and touched the screen. She thought it might have been electrified but it was cool to the touch. She placed both hands on the shimmering surface and to her astonishment they went through the iridescence. She stumbled forward and found herself in another realm.

She caught her breath. How could this be possible? Then again she’d travelled in time and space from present day Melbourne to 1950s France. That hadn’t been impossible—not according to the author—so why couldn’t she leap beyond the story? She was real—in all the ways that mattered—and she could determine her own destiny.

Chloe glanced around the room. She was in a house not that much bigger than her own. She smiled to herself at the snoring coming from what must be the bedroom then jumped as a little voice behind her said, “Hello.” She let out a nervous giggle when she realised it was a small, pet bird.

The snoring stopped and she held her breath, cursing her lack of self-control. What would she do if she were discovered? But the snoring resumed again and all was well.

Chloe turned her attention to the computer. She’d memorised the password from the last log on and it was simple to find the file. She frowned as she read through the latest chapter. This would never do. She pondered for a moment. If she erased the text, the author would just rewrite it. Chloe didn’t know if she’d be able to escape from the pages again any time soon. The author usually shut the computer down at night. She bit her lip as she searched through the other files. Research … character … outline ... . That was it!

Chloe opened the file. Her eyebrows lifted as she read. She hadn’t thought of that outcome! She chewed on her lip again and a small smile quirked on her lips as she began typing.

The sky outside held the first blush of dawn when Chloe finished her work. She stood, stretched and placed both hands on the cool screen. In an instant she was back in her own world. At least now her destiny was surer.

The antagonist watched as Chloe reappeared through the shimmering screen and hurried away down a dark street. He’d been waiting for his chance ever since he’d seen her disappear into that other world. He placed his hands on the screen as she had done and leapt. He smiled with delight as he sat at the desk, cracked his knuckles and began to type.

Several hours later, the author plonked down into her seat and placed a steaming mug of coffee on the desk next to her computer. She yawned as she logged on but the yawn developed into a sigh. The outline file was open—again. Who was it this time? Last week it was Ethan who seemed to have a life of his own. Didn’t these characters realise that she, the author, was in charge? Why did they always want to take over? She pondered for a while then decided that this would be a great topic for a blog.

It fascinates me that this phenomenon happens again and again when I write. Well … characters don’t literally leap out of the screen and rewrite the story. Mind you, sometimes it would be good if they could. It would help me dig myself out of those dreaded plot holes. But most of us have experienced the protagonist who refuses to behave in the way we want them to. The characters take over the story and leave us, the creators of the work, to clean up the mess.

I once heard author Diana Gabaldon talk about the writing of her Outlander series. In the initial stages she tried hard to give Claire, her female protagonist, an eighteenth century voice but she kept sounding like a 20th century nurse. In the end Diana gave up and constructed a scenario where she could get this 20th century woman into the eighteenth century. The rest, as they say, is history.

There is an element to every creative process that goes beyond the normal workings of our rational mind. The creative brain (mind, soul, spirit) reaches into places we would never have dreamed of going ourselves (or maybe we would only have gone there in a dream). It makes writing a wonderful, crazy voyage of discovery.

How about you? Have you had characters take over your story. Do they have a life of their own? Did it help or hinder the story? Please let me know in the comments below :).

Sue Jeffrey was born in Scotland but moved to Brisbane, Australia with her family when she was just a wee lass. After a childhood spent reading, drawing and accumulating stray animals, Sue studied veterinary science and later moved to Adelaide where she worked as both a vet and a pastor. After a sojourn of several years in the Australian Capital Territory, Sue returned to Adelaide with two dogs, a very nice husband, and a deepdesire to write. Sue has a MA in creative writing and her short stories and poems have appeared in several anthologies including Tales of the Upper Room, Something in the Blood: Vampire Stories With a Christian Bite and Glimpses of Light. Sue won the 'short' category in the inaugural Tabor Adelaide/ Life FM 'Stories of Life' award and her e-book, 'Ruthless The Killer: A Short Story,' is available from Amazon.com. Sue also paints animal portraits.

That Elusive Creative Spark (Sue Jeffrey)

Amber, my own petulant cat,
and resident 'mews'.

I recently read through a wonderful series of mystery/crime thrillers by Canadian author, Louise Penny. Her Chief Inspector Gamache books are unusual in that the main character isn’t full of angst. He doesn’t drink to excess, smoke or sabotage every relationship he comes across. In fact he’s well adjusted, loves his wife and recites poetry, although this doesn’t stop his whole world from collapsing on occasion. The books are fabulous. But I digress.

I read three of the series while scrambling to complete NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) the goal of which is to write 50 000 words in one month. Now Nano (as it’s affectionately called) doesn't tend to allow time for reading. Usually the pile of books beside the bed, or in my case the line up on my Kindle, grows or at least remains static, as every ounce of energy is pressed into writing copious amounts of prose. 

But … I was stuck.

I’d spent the lead-up to Nano on another project. I had a vague idea in mind and thought I’d try out the pantser rather then the plotter approach. I began okay. I wrote a few thousand words but then they dried up. I felt as if I was writing rubbish and I hated it. I tried starting in a different point of the narrative. Yes, I could write pretty prose but my sense of story had deserted me. I panicked and jumped into another project and it flowed for a few thousand words but again my inspiration vanished. Throw in a flare of a chronic illness and I was not a happy writer.

My muse had deserted me – rotten thing – just when I needed it most.

Now I don’t personally think that The Muses, in the classical form of nine Greek goddesses, inspire the arts and sciences. As a Christian I believe that my ultimate muse is the Holy Spirit and he never leaves me. But for whatever reason my creative spark had been extinguished and I couldn’t figure out how to reignite the pilot light.

Now each time I’ve attempted Nano, it’s been more about my writing process than completing a usable novel in the time period. I’ve learned a lot about what helps and hinders my creative process. This time was no exception.

One friend suggested that I should think of my muse as a petulant cat. You can’t make a cat do anything. You have to cajole them and rub them around the ears and tickle their tummy. Then they might comply. So I tried to relax, put my feet up, do a bit of reading, which happened to include Louise Penny’s, The Long Way Home.

Essentially the plot follows a search for an artist, Peter Morrow, who is missing. As the detectives, Peter’s wife, and some friends look for him it becomes apparent that he has been on a quest in search of his muse, the creative spark that will set his work apart.

I won’t tell you the ending as it would spoil it and I highly recommend you read the whole series from the beginning as knowing the people (um, I mean the characters) well adds depth to the story. But the book made me think about my creative process. Peter was searching for a way out of his stuck-ness and essentially that involved deconstructing his perfectionist technique and finding the heart and emotion in his work.

I certainly struggle with perfectionism in my writing. I have an overactive inner editor who wants me to ‘get it right’ or not do it at all. I find it difficult to embrace the freedom that allows me to write a chaotic, messy first draft. But I believe it’s important to find that freedom. In fact I think it’s mandatory if our writing is to have the creative flair that sets it apart from a thousand other well-written stories.

This, for me, is the value of NaNoWriMo. You can try things you wouldn't normally try. 

In the midst of my stuck-ness I found that I had 8000 words to write and two days to go. I thought it was impossible.

‘Can’t do it,’ the inner editor said. ‘Just watch the cricket and be done with it.’

But something happened. I locked the fiend in a soundproofed cage and wrote. Even if I thought it was rubbish, I wrote. The result was a new approach to a story and a much more original main character. And I made the words easily. Whodathunk?

NaNoWriMo might not be your thing but I’d like to know how you tame your inner editor. What strategies do you use to silence her/him when writing a first draft? How do you ignite that elusive creative spark?

Sue Jeffrey was born in Scotland but moved to Brisbane, Australia with her family when she was just a wee lass. After a childhood spent reading, drawing and accumulating stray animals, Sue studied veterinary science and later moved to Adelaide where she worked as both a vet and a pastor. After a sojourn of several years in the Australian Capital Territory, Sue returned to Adelaide with two dogs, a very nice husband, and a deep desire to write. Sue has a MA in creative writing and her short stories and poems have appeared in several anthologies including Tales of the Upper Room, and Something in the Blood: Vampire Stories With a Christian Bite. Her e-book Ruthless The Killer: A Short Story is available on Amazon.com. Sue also paints animal portraits.