CWD Member Interview – Simon Kennedy

 

Most Thursdays this year 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 - Simon Kennedy

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

Since graduating from physiotherapy at the University of Queensland in 1998, I’ve had three main careers: physiotherapist, music and film.

I continue to practice physiotherapy, filling in at the army or air force with the odd casual shift. My highlights were working with the Queensland Academy of Sport soccer team and visiting the State of Origin camp (my boss was the Qld team’s physio).

Music took me to some strange stages, including the top of skyscrapers, the back of a semi-trailer, and under the shark tank at Sea World. I was in a rock band while also serving as a worship pastor so would often play in pubs and clubs on Friday and Saturday nights and then in church on Sundays.

Like the Wiggles, I also changed from adult to kids’ performer, and my YouTube channel of kids’ songs, Songs with Simon, now has over half a billion views. That was part of my transition from music to film and has opened up several opportunities to write spec scripts for animated kids shows.

But my biggest success in film/TV so far was to be co-creator of Safe Harbour, an Emmy award winning show.

Safe Harbour

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

I often spend more time writing emails and pitch documents than I do on scripts! Meetings with graphic designers, producers and animation studios are also a big part of the process, and though I enjoy it all (usually!), writing the script is my favourite bit. After all the planning and talking, it’s great to see the story come to life on the page.

I’ve been blessed with opportunities to work with wonderful people and have written for factual feature films, kids comedy/adventure, adult thriller and drama TV shows and movies. For most projects, I look for an underlying kingdom heart, even though I tend to work on general market shows and movies. What kind of themes can I explore underneath the surface action?

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

My wife is usually the first person to read my work. She’s not in the industry but I value her encouragement and gentle feedback before sending it out to co-writers, producers and distributors.

One producer I’m excited to be working with is Brian Bird. He made Touched by an Angel and When Calls the Heart and is a perfect fit for a historical adventure/romance show that we pitched to him. Ultimately, I’m looking forward to the audience viewing more of the stories I write but I’ve learned that budgets in the millions tend to lead to a slow development process.

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

The hardest thing for me is juggling the several projects I have on the go. This month I’ll do a couple of drafts for a kids’ animation show, start pre-production on another series of Songs with Simon, take feedback on my first draft for a medical show set in the outback, and prepare pitches for three or four factual TV shows.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

If I have time, I’ll write the first draft of a low budget feature and finish post-production on another YouTube series, but I think they might have to wait till March!

Every morning I pray through the day and ask God for guidance. I have regular chats with other friends in the industry, often to be reminded that they’re facing similar challenges and that I’m not alone. And at least once a week, I check in with my wife, a very wise woman, who helps to keep me on track (and sane!).

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

The first book on screenwriting I recommend is Save the Cat. It introduces the three-act structure and a fresh take on genre in a light and easy-to-read way. Theme and character aren’t strong points though, so if you want something deeper, feel free to drop me a line.

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

There are so many! When I started to take writing seriously, Anne Hamilton’s advice was invaluable in helping me to see how superfluous most adjectives and adverbs are. Rochelle from Wombat opened my eyes to how tough a writer’s life can be without scaring me too much!

Anne, Jo Wanmer and Ruth Bonetti graciously welcomed and encouraged me when I joined the Omega Writers committee with big ideas, Amanda Deed helped us to keep everything in the black and Susan Barnes kept everything running smoothly. Raewyn Elsegood runs an amazing conference, and I’m probably most grateful to Meredith Resce for taking over as Omega President!

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

I’m prayerfully pondering whether I cut back on writing to put more effort into getting the things I’ve already written onto screens. My first step has been to organise my projects into genres and formats so I can take several similar shows or movies to market at once. Then I need to go to a few markets and meet the money people.

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

God guided me to writing with a few amazing incidents acting as signposts to confirm my inner desires. I started out chasing every opportunity and entering any writing competition I could find until a friend shared a vision with me.

He pictured me in a room full of doors, but instead of considering what was on the other side of each one, I was simply running through them all. From that, I felt God prompting me to ask about the kingdom merit of each concept before chasing after it.

I followed that thought a bit too far and ended up only doing “worthy” projects for a couple of years until He reminded me that joy is meant to be an integral part of our journey. Recently I’ve adopted a Paul Colman album title to summarise my approach: Serious Fun. I’m more balanced and am enjoying my day to day practice a lot more while still feeling like I can contribute to deeper and thought-provoking discussions through much of my art.

CWD Member Interview – Anne Hamilton

Most Thursdays in 2019 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: Anne Hamilton

Question 1: Tell us three things about yourself.

I’m from Brisbane in Queensland, I used to teach mathematics and a fair chunk of my time is taken up in prayer ministry. 

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

I’ve been incredibly blessed to be able to develop a unique niche both in terms of content, as well as style. Back in 2010, I wanted to get a book about names off my chest and it was fortunate that Rochelle Manners of Rhiza Publishing was interested in names. I didn’t know that the book, GOD’S POETRY, was going to open up a floodgate of inspiration about name covenants and threshold covenants. I’ve now written eleven books of devotional theology I have plans for at least eight more. (“Devotional theology” means “theology with a devotional purpose, not an academic one.”) I also write YA speculative fiction—but it’s been pushed to the backburner in recent years. 

In terms of style, all my writing has built-in mathematics. Mostly because I love mathematics. But also because that’s the way it was done back in the first century and because it forces me to think when I’m editing. 

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

Hundreds of people have read my books. I’d like to be able to say thousands, but I’ve only got half a handful of titles in that category. I’m not a big name writer and I haven’t pastored a church, so I don’t have the street cred to make a big splash in either devotionals or theology (let alone a combination.) 

It’s been extremely hard to build a platform from scratch without the benefit of a church network—but it’s a testament to God’s grace that I’ve been able to get so far. Because I write on the kind of topic that very few authors address—the constriction and wasting that just about everyone experiences as they try to come into their calling—people in desperate trouble tend to be my readers.  And then they contact me and ask me to pray for them. 

I am (finally!) confident that my work has longevity. Most books in the publishing world get 90% of their sales in the first three months and then fade to nothing. The books I’m publishing (I’m now my own publisher as ARMOUR BOOKS) start very slow and grow steadily. As each book pays for itself, I publish a new one. I’d like millions of readers, of course, because then I’d be able to publish many other authors as well! 

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

The process varies, depending on whether I’m writing fiction or non-fiction. Non-fiction is a snack compared to fiction (though having said that, most of the awards I’ve won have been for my fiction). For non-fiction, I write a blog-length piece and then another and then another (all carefully mathematically crafted) and then string them together. For fiction, structure is a challenge—as well as the fact that you can’t hide your heresy in fiction behind standard Christian clichés. I like tackling deep issues in fiction—and making it seem simple. DAYSTAR, for example, is the children’s fantasy version of GOD’S PANOPLY. I tried very hard not to let the theology get in the way of the story and wasn’t entirely sure I’d succeeded until it was nominated as a Notable Book in the CBCA Awards. To say I was stunned was an understatement: I thought it was too Christian for the secular market but not Christian enough for the faith market.

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

Tough question. Truthfully, and I hope this doesn’t sound too pious, it’s John’s gospel. Not just because of the mathematical structure built into it (which I’ve copied a lot) but because it’s got a mirror-pattern in its scenes. But that aside, I think it’s THE SEVEN BASIC PLOTS by Christopher Booker.

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

The Quirky Quills group of Toowoomba!  Amazing supportive writers who run a Writer’s Retreat each year and who truly understand how much you have to be committed to hard work (and faith) to achieve your writing goals.

Question 7: What are your writing goals for 2019/2020? How will you achieve them?

I’m currently working with two different writers on some co-authored books. I really love doing this as I can help others start to build their own platforms. I’ve also got a series in the pipeline on JESUS AND THE HEALING OF HISTORY. I’m expecting that one or perhaps two in that series will be out next year.  

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

Faith forces me to hold off publication when something’s not right and sometimes it forces me to publish without delay! DAYSTAR sat in my computer for over twenty years because, although I had many great assessments of it, I felt the Holy Spirit say there was something wrong with it and that the ‘wrong’ was a spiritual problem, not a craft problem. It took two decades to work out what that ‘wrong’ was. DEALING WITH ZIZ, on the other hand, was written and published in three months. I simply wrote down different things I felt God was telling me, and very quickly I realised they all belonged together in a book on the spirit of forgetting. 

So faith is never a formula when it comes to writing or publishing. It’s a way of learning more about God.

What God Wants

by Lynne Stringer

My latest novel, Once Confronted, was launched on 1^st October 2016, and in the lead-up to its arrival, I was running around madly, trying to make sure everything was in place. I managed to remember everything and both the online and physical book launches went off without a hitch.

Unfortunately, this proved a draining experience, especially given the personal nature of the story of Once Confronted, and the fact that I put my protagonist, Madison Craig, through an armed robbery, a scenario which I have also experienced. This meant that any vestige of energy I had left fled the moment the book launch was over. This was a bit of a problem because, as we know, the launch is only the beginning. The hard work goes on long after that.

It’s been difficult to find the energy I needed to keep going. However, one thing has driven me—the firm belief that God wants this book out there. There’s no doubt in my mind that God gave it to me for a reason.

Why else has He spent my whole life preparing me to be a writer? It was not my career of choice. Writing was something I did for fun when I was younger. I knew there was no point trying to make any money out of it. My father’s a writer too. I could see from his experience that it was not the path to a quick fortune.

Yet God trained me in every aspect I needed to become an Indie writer. He gave me jobs in two different bookstores so I learned how to sell books, then took me to the Baptist Union of Queensland, where I started writing small articles for The Queensland Baptist newspaper (The QB) to help out the editor. Some of the other staff encouraged me to do a journalism course, which I wasn’t too enthusiastic about. But I did it, and shortly after, the editor of The QB resigned. Who took his place?

Me.

I was the editor and chief journalist for The QB for seven years. Once I left that role, I started to write fiction again. I had already written the novel that was to become Once Confronted but other things had crowded it out, so it simply remained a file on a computer program.

After I wrote my first published novel, The Heir (the first book in the Verindon trilogy) in 2010 and Rochelle Manners of Wombat Books agreed to publish it, I thought of Once Confronted again. By this time, I was editing both fiction and non-fiction for Rochelle.

Once my trilogy was published, Rochelle asked me if I had an idea for a contemporary book.  Once Confronted, which had been waiting in the wings since 1998, immediately came to mind.

Perhaps it’s not this book specifically that God has plans for. But I’ve always felt that this one is special because of the prominent theme of forgiveness, as Madison has to decide whether or not she can forgive the men who hurt her. While I have no idea who my attacker is, if he ever seeks me out, desperate for forgiveness, I have to decide if I can offer it to him.

Perhaps this is why God wants it out there so badly. It’s a public statement of not only what I think it is a good ideal but a challenge to myself to go beyond what I might think I’m capable of. I hope it will challenge others in this way too.

Lynne Stringer has been passionate about writing all her life. She was the editor of The QB for seven years, and currently works as a professional editor and proofreader.
Lynne is the author of the Verindon trilogy, a YA science fiction romance. Her latest book, Once Confronted, is a contemporary drama set that was released in October 2016.

For more information on Lynne, her books and her writing, visit her website: www.lynnestringer.com 

Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair

Image in header courtesy of Apolonia at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Almost two years ago the idea of a Christian Book Fair was mooted in a vigorous Facebook discussion - there was a lot of enthusiasm and ideas at the time. Earlier this year, Raelene Purtill and I were chatting. I'd loved the Rivercity Conference which Raelene had organised and I put it to her, why don't we get a Book Fair organised in September. She took up the challenge and, after a chat with Simon Kennedy, we enlisted the help of Omega Writers. Rochelle Manners will also present with Books in Stock as well as a number of authors (Indie or traditionally published).

Our vision is to connect readers with the range of great books available and the talented Christian authors, publishers, booksellers, editors, illustrators and others that make these books possible.

For now the Book Fair is in Brisbane, though we trust and pray that there will be others both in Brisbane and in other locations (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Auckland) in the future. We do appreciate the past efforts of Rochelle in staging previous book fairs, now over a decade ago. We are the beneficiaries of her vision and the vision of other pioneers at Omega Writers, Christians Writers Downunder, FaithWriters and Australasian Christian Writers.  

At the inaugural Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair - there will be authors, table displays, books for sale, readings, and presentations. We are also pleased to have two fantastic workshops: The Power of Story by pastor, author and radio personality, Paul Clark and The Writing Life by our own Raelene Purtill.

Attendance at the fair is free (or gold coin donation) - but we would love you to sign up on the FB event page and keep up with the updates and tidbits of news.

You will need to pay and register on the Omega webpage, if you want to:

• Host a table display
• Do one or both of the workshops
• Wish to join in the catered lunch with a bunch of crazy - er - fabulous authors.

If you are an author and want your books represented but can't be there on the day, there is an opportunity to make your books available through Books in Stock (contact me to find out more). 

What can you do to help:

• Come to the event - with your family & friends
• Tell others (especially readers) about the Book Fair
• Share this post and/or the FB event - with friends, on your blog or among groups you think might be interested etc
• Give out flyers to friends, groups, churches, schools ...  (flyers available soon)
• Host a table display  
• Register for and attend one or both workshops
• Register for and enjoy the lunch
• Talk to the authors, have you books autographed, enter the competition
• Buy books
• Be a volunteer (we need volunteers for setup, on the day & takedown)
• Pray - even if you can't do anything else we'd love you to pray

While, obviously, not all of us can be there on the day due to distance or prior commitments - you could still supply your books through Books in Stock and/or support the event through prayer and by telling your fans, friends, family, and interested others about the Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair.

When and Where

Saturday 3rd September 2016

The Hills Church

79 Queens Road,

Everton Hills Qld 

Brisbane

The venue is close to public transport and has plenty of parking (drive past the Op Shop up the top).

Stalls, Show bags, Prizes, Giveaways:

Come and meet a range of authors, booksellers and others related to the book industry. Discover new books for all ages and tastes: picture books, chapter books, young adult, romance, adventure, fantasy and science-fiction, biographies, memoirs, poetry and devotionals.

We will also be having readings and short presentations from different authors, books for sale, show bags, goodies, a competition and two great workshops. 

Admittance for attendees is free - though we would love you to sign up on the Facebook Event page (and share it with others).  You will need to book for workshops, to host a table display or for a catered lunch. Sign up is on the Omega Writers webpage.

Program: 

10.00 am Doors open. Peruse books, chat with authors, listen to readings from stage. 

11.00 am Workshop with Paul Clark (in separate room, until 12.15 pm). Auditorium remains open during workshop.
12.30 pm Auditorium closed for lunch
1.15 pm Doors re-open. Peruse books, chat with authors, listen to readings from stage.
1.45 pm Workshop with Raelene Purtill (in separate room, until 3.00 pm). Auditorium remains open during workshop.
3.15 pm Book fair closes

Workshops:

Morning Workshop: The Power of Story with Paul Clark

Paul Clark’s workshop: The Power of Story – Doing the impossible

Paul Clark loves to find new ways to tell the old, old stories of God’s love. His Car Park Parable series has over 30,000 books in print. His voice can be heard on radio across Australia with his At the Top spots. He has told stories, often using puppets, in schools across Qld, with the Mt Isa School of the Air, Stable on the Strand and Scarborough Lights. He is on the team that organises Qld’s largest Children Ministry Conference – Ignite.

11am-12:14 - at The Hills Church, 79 Queens Road, Everton Park 3rd September
Registrations on the Omega Website

Afternoon Workshop: The Writing Life by Raelene Purtill

Raelene Purtill’s workshop: The Writing Life

What do the weather and housekeeping have to do with the writing?
What sort of writer are you? What does your perfect writing life look like? Raelene will help us reflect on our writing life. Using image prompts, we will consider issues of time management, boundaries and focus and how they affect our practice. We will discuss strategies to overcome these issues. We will explore our relationship to our writing and spend time sharing.

Bring writing instruments of your choice.

Raelene enjoys all sorts of creative writing and she loves connecting with other writers at conferences, retreats and workshops. Having been involved in a variety of writing groups, she now facilitates one in the northern suburbs of Brisbane. She is a member of the Writing Anthology group which produces an annual anthology. Her virtual world consists of a very understanding and long suffering husband and three techno-absorbed teenagers.

1:45 - 3:00 pm - at The Hills Church, 79 Queens Road, Everton Park 3rd September
Registrations on the Omega Website

Links to Follow:

If you would like to register for a workshop or lunch, go to http://www.omegawriters.org/events/omega-writers-brisbane-book-fair/.

If you would like to book a table to promote your book/s, follow this link: http://www.omegawriters.org/events/omega-writers-brisbane-book-fair-table-registration/.

If you are coming to look at books, chat to authors, engage in the workshops, promote your own books - join up to the Facebook Event, follow this link: https://www.facebook.com/events/2029393053953063/

For more information, would like to pray for the event or would be interested in volunteering, please email Jeanette O'Hagan: jenny@ohagan.name

Jeanette is excited about her upcoming launch of Heart of the Mountain this Saturday (30th of this July, 2016)  and the upcoming Omega Writers Brisbane Book Fair.

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. She

Jeanette has practised medicine, studied communication, history, theology and, more recently, a Master’s in 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 .

Inspiring Advocates to be Carriers

I'm sorry! I really am. I ignored you, all my fellow Aussie authors, for years. 


What is my excuse for such rudeness? Although I love to read, I'm picky about my books. I like a GOOD novel. You know what I mean - a book that, in my opinion, is...well... good. One that satisfies me. I like a strong story that is low on sex but high on relationships, relating minimal violence but deep with intrigue. Having read many books I didn't like, I stopped buying books unless perchance I stumbled across one that looked good or was written by Francine Rivers.


In my ignorance I didn't even know there were Australian authors! I had never heard of Mary Hawkins, Paula Vince or Meredith Resce. The shame! I was so Americanised, that I hadn't considered the possibility there were Australian books, let alone good ones.
So I humbly seek your forgiveness for my appalling ignorance and bad manners.


But then I became and author - an Australian author!


When I began to write, I assumed I would seek a publisher in the US. After all isn't that the centre of the book universe? Fortunately fate (God) intervened! I met Rochelle (Even Before Publishing) and Omega Writers. Little by little, I was introduced to the rest of you in CWD, and this rookie learned the truth about the richness of Australian Christian writing.


So having  morphed from an ignorant Aussie reader to a rookie Aussie author I asked myself; how will I be able to sell my unknown book written by an unknown author to a public that is largely as ignorant as I? I've talked to other authors and publishers.I have attended every seminar I could on marketing books.  Julie Cave challenged me when she told me that successful authors spend 25% of their time writing and 75% marketing. I put down my keyboard. I had a lot of hours of marketing to catch up on!  


So I began to build a platform. Then loomed the greatest marketing opportunity of them all. My book launch! I invited everything that moved! If I had a contact, they received an invitation. If I met someone in the street, a pink and black brochure was quickly offered. Two days before the event I was still tracking down another phone number or email address of someone who I thought might be interested. 


And we planned a great event, determined that everyone would enjoy themselves. The aim of all this activity? Sell books? Yes, but much more. Our aim was to inspire and train advocates for my book. There were 200 people in the room that night. We talked about the message of the book and explained that they were responsible to help spread the novel like a virus. Every person went home with a pink rose and the postcard below.


Has it been effective? I believe we built a strong awareness. Some are carrying my book to sell at conferences, others keep ringing to get another couple of copies for friends. Some have written reviews or talked to schools. Many are making way for speaking engagements. As I told the crowd at the book launch, I have multiplied myself 200 times!


I love the family of Aussie writers and readers that have embraced me so warmly. In the same manner, we too can support each other and continue to encourage the Australian reading public to embrace our wonderful literature. Here's to lots more great Australian books!


My apologies for any strange highlighting. Blogger added white highlighting to odd passages and not being able to remove it, I have changed it in an attempt to make it blend with the background!


Jo Wanmer has just released her first book, Though the Bud be Bruised. Although this faction tells a strong story of one family's recovery from their child's sexual abuse, it is a book of hope and grace, relating the miraculous intervention of our amazing God.