Confessions of a lapsed writer by Jo Wanmer

God delights in your obedience to write. Not your skill or your great mastery of words. He is known for using the ‘have nots’ to shame the wise. Just be obedient. Trust God for the rest.

 

Last week I participated in ‘Unlock Your Book’, an online teaching offered to Christian writers. The speakers included Brian Simmonds, Patricia King and Katherine Rounala.

I watched it live on Zoom, two hours a day for three days. The above statement summarizes the most encouraging content for me.

 

Brian Simmons is one of my heroes. I was privileged to have lunch with him about 8 years ago. Such a humble, unassuming lover of God. That day he told me he writes/translates 6 hours, every day, without fail. If he has flown all night, he still writes. Always writes, every day. 

I remembered that fact with awe, but confess I didn’t act on his incredible example. Hence my writing has waned over the years. His main exhortation in this seminar was to write every day. Even if it is only in your journal, or part of a blog, or even a post, but write every day…no excuses. 

 

I’ve developed excuses for not writing to an art! I have books I know should be finished and yet the excuses mount. At the beginning of the workshop, Brian put his finger on my problem. No, it’s not busyness or laziness, or sickness or family or the weather ….need I go on? No, the root of my problem is fear. Fear intimidates me, gaslights me even. It makes me feel like a grasshopper, when, in truth, I’m an unstoppable, unbeatable son of God. 

This week I realise I’ve swallowed this lie. The fear of getting published or self publishing makes me feel the writing effort is a waste. Fear of never being good enough. Fear of how the readers will react to some of my scenes and themes. Fears that I’ve allowed to paralyse me.

 

How do I deal with this fear? Awareness and confession is a good start. An understanding that False Expectations APPEAR Real…but they are NOT real. As Katherine Raunalo put it. ‘Get over yourself! Stop worrying what people will think. Do the work and the promotion and get it out there.’ I guess that is another way of saying ‘Die to self and be obedient to Him.’

 

This workshop taught me that all good writing comes out of the secret place, out of time with God. I have known this deep down, but now I must rely on this, not look to my own limited ability. All inspiration comes from the Father, the original creator. I must value, record, treasure every bit of wisdom and understanding that comes to me. Record every idea and value every dream.

 

Our greatest need, as writers, is for inspiration and creativity. Ask Father for these essentials every day. He promises them. (Pray from Ephesians 1:15ff). 

Fight 'Overwhelm'. It is a giant that blocks our ability to hear. We need positive voices that help us pull down that monster. Psalms are a great help, but also friends and colleagues. Encouragement from others frees us to flow in creativity. Our writers' groups, gatherings, and community pages are important here. As Paul says we must to spur each other on.

 

Patricia King emphasised the importance of body ministry in bringing forth a book. It needs more than just the fingers that write. A good book needs an editor, a designer, beta readers, proof readers and the list goes on. I’ve asked for help in all these areas, but had never before seen the process as the body of Christ working together.

 

There was so much spiritual richness in this workshop but I’ll close these brief snippets with this list. I hope it is helpful to you. 

Brian’s 7 Keys to Overcome Writer’s Block.

1.     Enhance your work space. Change place or outlook. Add a plant or picture.

2.     The most productive working time is 25 minutes. Set an alarm. Move, breathe.

3.     WRITE EVERY DAY

4.     Take short breaks with physical activity

5.     Understand it is okay to be flawed. There is no such thing as a perfect author, book or review

6.     READ, READ, READ for inspiration and learning. We can’t be a writers unless we are also readers.

7.     Don’t call any problem writer’s block. Don’t believe it exists. Resist it. Brian says that a blockage usually is exposing a discipline problem.

    Jo Wanmer is a Brisbane writer as well as a pastor, speaker, wife and business partner. However her greatest joy is the privilege of being a great-grandmother. It is ten years since Though the Bud be Bruised was published. Other books are in the pipeline. 

 

Daring Risk

Recently countless people around the world mourned the passing of Ravi Zacharias, Christian apologist and founder of RZIM. When I heard this news, I thought how much poorer humanity was for this loss. I was equally moved by the extraordinary legacy he left, fuelled by his heart to respectfully and compassionately seek out the questioner behind each question: helping the believer think and the thinker believe.

The start of his legacy can be traced to a step of faith and obedience when, as a seventeen-year-old, God met him on a bed of suicide. He vowed to leave no stone unturned in his pursuit of truth. In hindsight we see an extraordinary life, but as he began stepping out in the early years of his journey, I expect he faced many obstacles. His obedience to the call of God on his life may have been seen as risky, for the potential cost it could incur.

Photo Credit Elijah Hiett @elijahhiett- Unsplash

The more I reflect on this, it seems risk is often a companion of obedience, and obedience to God (with all its risks) a companion of legacy: Dare we trust His version of our lives over our own?

As Christian writers, our lives encompass much more than our writing journeys, but in the writing context I believe the coupling of risk and obedience can be evident as we dare to write truth in a culture that is aggressively post-truth.

Whatever genre, I suspect many of us can recall a moment we’ve felt the risk of writing what the Holy Spirit’s laid upon our hearts. It may not have been hot sweats and clammy palms (although it could have been that too), but I’m sure you’re familiar with that tussle of “dare I?”.

It could be an open reference to faith in your general market novel. It could be cutting that risqué scene that would make your story “edgier”. It could be including those uncomfortable, gritty elements that honestly portray humanity at its lowest. It could be letting yourself be vulnerable enough to write about your own brokenness. It could be putting down the pen for a few hours on a tight schedule to remind a child they’re well loved. It could be writing into a new genre. It could be using the word sin to depict the flaw that runs through every human heart, for which the only cure is a Saviour who willingly gave all to rescue us from our sinful condition and recklessly pursues us with His love.

Each of our writing journeys are different, as are the wrestles we face. We can each write a legacy that touches a different part of our inherently broken world. Fact is, being counter-cultural is very risky, no matter how gracious you are (and gracious isn’t really my strongest point—working on it!).

The question is, dare we be obedient to penning words that make us tremble when they’re whispered into our heart from the ultimate Creator? What if those words risk public humiliation? What if they risk being misunderstood? What if they risk losing friends or being shunned by family? What if they risk losing possessions?

What might we risk by our obedience to His drawing?

Then again, what might the souls those words reach gain? Could they be words that point a searching heart towards truth?

Photo Credit - Ben White @benwhitephotography - Unsplash

Fact is, we all blow it and are all largely risk averse, but I am confident in the kindness and mercy of a God of second chances. I also believe each step of obedience to Him can write a lasting legacy. It may not seem much at the time. We may never know the impact of our written words. But who knows what legacy we’ll leave when we’ve passed from this life to eternity, if we but dare take a risk.

Adele Jones is a Queensland based, award winning author. She writes young adult and historical novels, poems, inspirational non-fiction and fiction short works, along with juggling family responsibilities and a ‘real job’ in the field of science. Her first YA novel Integrate was awarded the 2013 CALEB Prize for unpublished manuscript. Her writing explores issues of social justice, humanity, faith, natural beauty and meaning in life’s journey, and as a speaker she seeks present a practical and encouraging message by drawing on these themes. For more visit www.adelejonesauthor.com or contact@adelejonesauthor.com

His Hand or His Face?

Photo courtesy of David Castillo/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One of the things I pray a lot about is seeking direction; or for confirmation that I’m doing the right thing. Do you do that?

My work life tends to be lumpy. The life of a consultant tends to be like that, however, in recent times there have been less lumps, meaning less projects and less income. I’m continually seeking God for clarity regarding my career.

As most of us writers know there are very few of us who are earning significant enough monies from our efforts that we’re able to go without other employment.

And what about all the clarity we seek with our writing? Do I keep pursuing publication, but isn’t this my calling, do I go the indie route, why won’t this story come out the way it should, well that $7 royalty cheque sure makes it all worthwhile, and on on we can go.

Clarity 

A while back I read this story about Mother Teresa that provides some great perspective. Many of you may be familiar with it. It goes something like this:

John Kavanagh went to Calcutta to work with Mother Teresa. While there, he asked her to pray for him. “What should I pray for?” she asked.

“Pray that I may have clarity,” he replied.

Mother Teresa responded, “No, I will not pray for that.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Clarity is the last thing you cling to,” she said. Kavanagh then remarked that she always seemed to have clarity.

She said, “I have never had clarity. What I always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

Too often I’m got caught seeking His Hand, rather than His face.

If God always gave us the answers, we wouldn’t need Him. Yes, clarity is wonderful but sometimes when we have it we head off and start running the race by ourselves rather than leaning on the Lord. We can find too much comfort and security while trusting in God requires us to continually come to the Cross seeking Him.

He’s interested in the journey, teaching us more about Himself and helping us to better understand ourselves. We’re all probably familiar with the line or one of its many variants:

“God is more interested in who we are becoming than what we actually achieve.”

Many of us love the story of Abraham. God told him to up and leave his homeland without giving any instructions as to where to go. Yes, God gave him a wonderful blessing at the same time but he still had no clarity as to where he was supposed to take his little family.

As that great Proverb says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.” (Prov 3:5-6)

If you’re going through an unsettling season of change or indecision, may I encourage you to seek Jesus, seek to be in His Presence, not for what He can do for us.

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

That Boring Chore

7 years ago, God placed my feet on an amazing path – the magnificent journey of becoming a Christian Writer. I have never looked back. Not because of the financial rewards… or rather the lack of it! Not due to the fame and prestige… or the lack of that too. Not due to any worldly benefits … can you think of any? But as all of you my fellow writers would testify – the fulfillment I receive from being a writer is huge. Enormous. Vast. Gargantuan. Mammoth. Epic. Mammoth. Collosal………………Have I said enough?

Yes, I am honoured and blessed to be called a Christian Writer. I am thrilled to be part of a creative community who are Image Bearers of our wonderful, awesome God. The benefits of being one far outweigh any negatives. And then, there are also many perks of being a writer – some which I sometimes don't even recognise. A few years ago, a publisher friend persuaded me that in order to be taken seriously as a writer, I needed a platform. She said my writer’s platform must include a weekly blog. I balked at it. Not that I didn’t like the idea of blog writing. I just didn’t like to add yet another deadline to my already busy schedule. It would be another chore to add to my To-do list each week!

After much thought and prayer however I realised that blog writing was part of the writer’s package. I knew that in order to obey God, there was no way around it. And so I surrendered to Him. In the next few weeks I got busy. I had fun creating my website, ‘Dancing in the Rain’. On the 27th of February 2012, I shared my website (and blog site) with all the world. It was a joyous day. Since then I have written blog after blog after blog. It has actually enriched me. It’s brought a new sense of purpose into my life.

A few weeks into my blog writing, a friend wrote that my blog always encouraged and inspired her. She said she looked forward to reading it every Monday. I was humbled. I was blessed. I was encouraged by her words. And a light went off in my head. From that day onwards, writing my weekly blog was not something I did because I had to. It was because I wanted to. It was a way of honouring God. And of blessing others. Having the right perception and the right attitude made all the difference.

Blog writing wasn’t just a boring chore I had to perform. Instead it became an exciting task with which I could bless God and His world. There was more. During the past few months my world was turned upside down. My church based job which I was very passionate about was whisked away from under me and I was forced to resign. As I grappled with the situation – I found myself floundering in a difficult season of grief and loss.

But guess what! I had still had one job that continued. Yes, that of writing my weekly blog. That ‘boring chore’ now became my lifeline. As I struggled with feelings of failure in my working life – it blessed me to know that there was an area where God still needed me. I was not worthless after all. My once “boring chore” became the joyful focus of each week. It brought meaning to my existence. It kept me going. It blessed me in more ways than one. And I hope blessed many others too. Thank you God. Thank you.

Are you struggling with any tedious aspects of the writing journey that you don’t enjoy? Like editing? Or marketing? Or something else? Let me assure you that the boring aspects of your writing journey may one day become something vitally important. What I've enjoyed most in my blog writing is the connection I have with others. I love hearing from readers how my blog blessed or helped them in their day to day lives. What a great thrill it is when God uses our little offerings and multiplies it for His kingdom.

He doesn’t ask that we reach perfection. Just that we strive at excellence.
He doesn’t demand impossibilities from us. Just our surrender.
He doesn’t force us to do things that are too difficult for us. He desires we obey Him.

Boring? No …wait! Let me rephrase that. Not a boring chore any longer. A joyful task that I offer the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. After all, He’s given me the privilege and honour of sharing His heart with His world. It can’t get better than that, can it? Is God calling you to something today? Do you have a list of excuses as to why you can’t do it? It may be worth your while reflecting on it as you view it through God’s eyes.

One day it may turn out to be your lifeline. And one day the world may resound with praises to our King simply because you obeyed Him.

Anusha Atukorala is passionate about God, His Kingdom, His world, all who live in it, His amazing creation and of course about WRITING. Her first book 'Enjoying the Journey' is a book of little God thoughts and life lessons about every day life. She, like her writing is a work in progress. Do pop into say G'day to her at her website 'Dancing in the Rain.'

Walk What We Write by Nola Passmore

 

A piece I’d written on hospitality appeared on the Upper Room devotional site recently.  Is it a coincidence that we had a rush of guests and requests for visits round about the same time?  My parents stayed for a weekend, my cousin flew out from England for a week-long visit, a missionary friend asked if she could stay for a week in November, and a New Zealand friend asked if she could visit in January.  Now it’s great to see all these people, but we’d never had so many house guests in such a short period.  I couldn’t help thinking that God was prompting me to apply the hospitality lesson I’d advocated in that devotion.

One of the editors from the Upper Room also asked if I could do an additional blog post for the web site.  I wrote a piece about how God had challenged me to go part-time in my job so that I could spend more time writing.  As I sent off my faith-filled blog, I joked to my husband that I wouldn’t be surprised if God tested me on that too.  A few days later, God did indeed challenge me to take an even bigger leap of faith.  How could I fail to do what He’d asked, knowing that my article was about to appear?  So I took a deep breath and stepped out again.

The lesson in all of this is that we should just write bland, unchallenging material so that God won’t ask us to do anything about it.  No wait, that’s not it!  Though my husband did say I should check with him before sending anything else out. J

God wants us to practise what we preach, or maybe in our case, “walk what we write”.   I’d like to say that I have this principle nailed, but I don’t always get it right.  For the last few years, I’ve contributed pieces to an American devotional book and I often find myself reading something I’d written a year before and thinking, “Whoops … haven’t been doing that”. Fortunately, God is ever patient and merciful.  He doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does want us to try to live the things we’re writing about. 

In James 1:22, we’re told “do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.  Do what it says.”  Maybe as writers, we could add, “do not merely write the word … do what it says”.  It’s not always easy, but it certainly makes for a more authentic witness.  Isn’t it wonderful to know that God is so intimately concerned with our writing endeavours, that He takes them seriously and uses them to mould us into the people He wants us to be?

I'd be interested to hear about times you’ve been challenged to apply something you’d already written.

 

 

Nola Passmore is a freelance writer who has had more than 90 short pieces published in various magazines, journals, and anthologies (including true stories, devotions, poetry and short fiction). She has a passion for writing about what God has done in her life and encouraging others to do the same. (Some call it "nagging", but she calls it "encouragement").

Living a Dependent Life

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 /Freedigitalphotos.ent

I learnt independence at an early age. I got myself around by walking and catching public transport (as early as 10 years old), and entertained myself in my own worlds of sports and stories.

My two brothers and sister similarly were very independent growing up. Even though we’d come together regularly, we all cherished our alone time.

I’ve found it interesting my two boys are very dependent on others for entertainment and activity. Now that isn’t a bad thing at all. However, I’ve often struggled with their dependence and prided myself on my ability to get things done by myself.

“Many people view dependence as a despicable condition, so they strive to be as self-sufficient as possible.”¹

BAM!

Yep, that’s me. I’ve prided myself on my self-sufficiency.

It reminded me of some other words Sarah Young wrote in “Jesus Calling”:

“In the world, dependence is seen as immaturity. But in My kingdom, dependence on Me is a prime measure of maturity”²

As is so common with matters of God, He turns what the world accepts as reasonable, upside down.

Self-sufficiency has become habitual for me. And that’s a problem. I’ve been grappling writing the follow-up to Angelguard. I’ve got the story, the characters and the general outline. But the words just won’t come out the way I want them to.

So what do I do? I seek to find answers, to solve the problem myself. Do more research, study new writing methods, you name it.

But none of that works.

Like Children

In Matthew 18:1-4 as Jesus is talking to the disciples He makes this statement:

“Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”

Hmmm, become like children? What attribute of childhood could Jesus be referring to?

Dependence?

Children (especially when very little) need their mums and dads for everything. All the time, everyday. In addition, children:

• are eager to believe (I still remember how distraught I was when I was told Santa Claus wasn’t real),
• possess a readiness to receive, and
• have a willingness to love and be loved. 

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Jesus didn’t just come to save us but also to be the example by which we should live. He demonstrated how to live like a child:

“The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.”(John 14:10)

A lifestyle based on being dependent on the Father.

“This is not My way for you! I designed you to need Me continually – and to delight in that neediness.”³

A few years ago, a pastor prophesied over me one of many very well know verses from the Psalms:

“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Ps 27:4)

Initially I focused on the second half of that verse. Fabulous, I’m going to receive the desires of my heart. Yippee!

Now I’m realizing to step into the prophecy (and write a half-decent manuscript) I need to let go of the desires and start delighting.

In Him.

No delighting, no receiving desires.

Oh, and about my writing. I’ve recently started meeting with a couple of guys from church who are passionate writers. This opportunity came out of the blue (God does that!) and it’s filled me with such positive refreshment.

And the manuscript is motoring along. I believe God loves the collaborative process. If we’re writing for Him, then He’s joined us in the process. If we’re depending on our own abilities, then He'll be there for the journey but the outcome within our hearts isn’t going to be nearly as significant.

What do you do to delight in the Lord? How do you keep yourself in a dependent state? I’d love you to share.

Notes: 1. “Jesus Today” Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson 2012, p 212. 2. “Jesus Calling” Sarah Young, Thomas Nelson 2004, p183. 3. “Jesus Today” p212

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel, Angelguard, was released recently in US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter