Why Write?

Mazzy Adams

I’ve been a fan of Time Team for many years. Classic episodes from the British television series, which enjoyed a twenty-year run from 1994 – 2014, can still be enjoyed via their new YouTube channel, together with new episodes. As their website states, this ‘ground-breaking history series presented by Tony Robinson helped to popularise the field of archaeology’. While I’ve no doubt that statement is true, it was my father who piqued my personal interest in archaeology when I was little more than knee-high to a grasshopper. 

Cyrus Cylinder (Image by Prioryman)

In the mid 1960s, in connection with his work, my father was involved in a tour of archaeological artefacts and replicas that came through our hometown. I still remember him holding a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder (pictured above) while he explained how those strange markings were an ancient form of writing, called cuneiform. The actual words were commissioned by Cyrus the Great, the same Persian King spoken of in the Bible. I’ve never forgotten the thrill of seeing those 'words' that had been written more than two thousand years before I was born; words that people living thousands of years later had learned to read.

Fast forward a few decades, and I can still remember that same little girl's intense concentration as she wondered which ancient princess had also gazed upon these pretty lapis lazuli beads long ago.

I see that same excitement in the intrepid Time Team experts when they uncover ancient artefacts, or notice discoloured patches in the soil or strata which, to their trained eyes, reveal a wealth of information about the people who occupied the land in centuries, or millennia past. Other experts read the lumps and bumps in the landscape, or old hand-drawn maps, or written records that describe everything from the purchase of land and cost of construction materials and wages to the ideal qualities of a Roman soldier. Satisfaction and certainty grow when archaeological discoveries are confirmed by written records and vice versa. 

I must admit that, while I find the process of Time Team’s explorations fascinating, it is the affable, often mischievous, way host, Tony Robinson, brings the whole story of discovery together that clinches the program’s entertainment value for me. 

Nevertheless, uncovering one piece of archaeological information, no matter how intriguing, does not reveal the entire story; it takes two, three … or many … pieces to bring the stories of our predecessors and their interactions with each other, with creation, and with the spiritual realm, to life.

Image by JamesDeMers from Pixabay

I don’t know about you but, when God shows me something three times in succession, I pay attention. In recent weeks, on three separate occasions, in three different ways, via three different sources, I've been challenged about the importance of leaving a written legacy for future generations. 

On the first occasion, the challenge arrived via a comment from my beloved, who tempered my concern over the monetary cost vs return aspect of writing and publishing by saying, ‘But now your book is out there. You’ve created a written legacy.’ 

Two days later, after a blessed time spent lifting up the Name of the Lord in praise and worship, I sat with a bunch of writers at the recent Brisbane Omega Showcase to listen to an inspirational message by Andrew Stone of Stone Creative. Andrew’s key verse was Psalm 45:1:

My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skilful writer.

There, in the midst of the manifold wisdom he shared, God reiterated His message as Andrew spoke of how words could transcend time and space. ‘Your book will outlive you,’ Andrew said. ‘When you write, you’re going to speak to generations.’

Once, twice … I might have missed the subtlety of the third iteration of God’s message, had its impact not already begun to settle deep into my spirit.

It came a few days later, as I watched a dramatic piece of historical fiction which implied King Alfred the Great had a passion for writing things down in English because a written message could not be forgotten, or misrepresented, as easily as a verbal message. 

But … television … fiction … I decided to check out the historical accuracy of the reference.

I found it in the printed pages of my trusty, if voluminous, Norton Anthology of English Literature, which speaks of ‘a king totally committed to, and actively engaged in, learning’ who could ‘see “the footprints” of former lovers of knowledge’ and was ‘determined not to allow recent forgetfulness and destruction to obscure those traces forever’. As a direct consequence of that commitment, I’m able to read a contemporary English translation of King Alfred’s Preface to the Pastoral Care more than 1124 years after his words were first inked onto parchment.  

Unfinished Business 

I’m looking at another page now, one I printed out in 1988. It holds the words of a two-part duet I composed back then, based on Psalm 102:18-22. 

‘Let us record,’ my first verse says, ‘for a generation to come,
Record … what the Lord our God has done,
So that a people yet unborn will know He came,
So that a people yet unborn will know,
And praise His Holy Name.’   

There’s a second verse and a chorus. I can still hear the melody, complete with the interchange of parts and harmonies in my head. I can read the letters I added to indicate which chords to use. But I lack the expertise needed to record the tune in musical notation, or competently play it on a musical instrument. Without that record, as a song, it remains an unfinished project, its melody a fading shadow.

Image by Ri Butov from Pixabay

I hear the words of Psalm 102:3 echo and I ask myself, will I let my words, like my days, ‘vanish like smoke’? Or will I heed verse 18 which says, ‘Let this be written for a future generation.’

On one Time Team episode I watched recently, they uncovered an ‘unfinished pot’. It had softened over time in the damp surrounding soil because it had not been fired. An expert commented that, in all likelihood, the maker of the pot had not bothered to finish it off in the kiln because it was not intended for daily use, but only as a vessel for holding a grain offering to the gods, buried with the dead …

It all makes me wonder …

What kind of literary vessels are we making? Are they filled with the fruit of our experience, with offerings gleaned from the harvest of wisdom and blessing we have reaped during the rich and the harsh seasons of our lives? Will they endure as a legacy for future generations? Or are they temporary? Unfinished? Perhaps discarded because they’re chipped, or broken, or not worth the effort … half-hearted enterprises buried in the ground of failure, sacrificed to the gods of death …

Here's the challenge:

If our literary vessels, filled with the words God gives to us, are to endure as a legacy for future generations, we need to finish them, and dare to submit them to the fiery kiln of public scrutiny. Sure, there’s a risk that some of our vessels might crack in the kiln. The heat may reveal imperfections, but isn’t it worth taking the risk if it means future generations will one day discover the whole glorious story?

What unfinished project is God prompting you to finish so that future generations will benefit? 

 

Mazzy Adams, Author, Genre Rebel
Intrigue and Inspiration with an Upmarket Down Under Vibe

 

A published author with a passion for words, pictures, and the positive potential in people, Mazzy Adams happily identifies as a bona fide genre rebel. Her picturesque, tongue-in-cheek writing style injects a quirky Down Under vibe to intrigue and inspiration alike. Mazzy's debut thriller, Licence to Die (GRUnGE.001) hit the market in September, 2022. Mazzy also employs her think-outside-the-box neural pathways and passion for words, pictures, and the positive potential in people to guide students through the perplexities of English written expression. Best of all, her wonderful husband, amazing children and delightful grandchildren make Mazzy’s otherwise ordinary life most extraordinary. For that, she is eternally grateful. 

Discover more and connect via https://mazzyadams.com

References:

Cyrus Cylinder image attribution: Prioryman, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

Quotes about Alfred the Great selected from page 109 of The Norton Anthology of English Literature Eighth Edition Vol 1 Greenblatt, S. Gen Ed. published by W W Norton & Co New York

Time Team website: https://www.timeteamdigital.com/

CWD Member Interview

Each Thursday in 2018 we will be interviewing one of the members of Christian Writers Downunder – to find out a little bit more about them and their writing/editing goals.

Today we interview Anusha Atukorala.

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

1.    I am firstly (and with deep gratitude) a child of God. My primary calling in life I believe is to lover of God and to love others. I’m also called to encourage and bless; to build the body of Christ through my writing and through my life.

2.    I come from the beautiful island of Sri Lanka—a pearl drop in the Indian ocean.  I am fortunate enough to have two places I call home—this magnificent Land Down Under (thank you for having us, Australia) as well as the enchanting Land of my birth. What’s more … I have a third place I call home – the heart of our Father. (Aren’t I blessed?)

3.    I’ve been married for 32 years to an exceptional man, Shan. We are parents to a another exceptional young man of 28, Asela. All three of us love to read. I’ve just counted the bookcases in our home—TWELVE!  Yes, books are our friends.

In Sunny Sri Lanka May 2017

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

I grew up in a family of readers and writers. Mum was a journalist for seven decades years right until she left for heaven’s shores at the ripe old age of 89. My Dad was a Director of a Newspaper company in Sri Lanka. So it seems that writing was in my blood. I write non-fiction mostly though I’ve had a few short stories published in anthologies. It’s hard for me not to express all God’s done for me, so non-fiction suits me to a T. I’m looking forward to writing a novel one day, but for the moment, there’s plenty of non-fiction flowing from my pen and I can’t stop the tide. J

I’ve had two books published so far (and lots more in the pipeline).
1. Enjoying the Journey - 75 little God stories. (Back to the Bible Sri Lanka, June 2010)
2. Dancing in the Rain - words of comfort and hope for a sad heart. 
    (Armour Books, March 2018)

I blog regularly at my website which, (like my latest book) is called:
‘Dancing in the Rain’.

Writing is an act of obedience to the One I love. But of course it’s much more than that. I write because God has been so good to me that I can’t help but shout it to all the world. I write because my joy takes flight when I make sense of the world using the power of the written word. I write to encourage and bless others. I write to share Jesus with those who have yet to encounter Him. I write because God’s called me to share His love with His world. I write not because I have to but because I have to!

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

The short answer to your question Jenny is that my books are for ANYONE – of any age and gender.

As for the long answer …

When I wrote my first book I assumed it would be mainly women who’d be interested. I was surprised and pleased to discover that many parents used it as devotionals with their young families. Older people have expressed their appreciation of the book as well. I received a heart-warming message one day from a stranger across the seas—a Chinese man who told me how much the book blessed him. It made me very happy.

My second book was released just over a month ago. Dancing in the Rain was written out of life’s stormy seasons, to encourage others who needed comfort. I received feedback from a few readers recently who thanked me for the book, adding that it was exactly what they needed right now to help them through their difficult situations. I was so glad to hear it. 

About a week ago, I had an email from a stranger living in Victoria. She said she was very lonely. She had been about to give up on her faith when she read my website and my latest blog and said they helped her keep going. That for me is what it is all about. God is good, isn’t He? Because after all, it’s nothing to do with us. It’s the Holy Spirit who takes the words we write and uses them to convict, comfort, edify, teach and bless. All praise to Him.

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

Process? Hmmm! I’m not sure I have one.

God prompts me often by what I see around me—so I carry around a little book (as most of us writers do) to fill in when needed. It is a most helpful tool.

My biggest challenge is my health. I’ve suffered from a chronic illness for about 13 years and it has unfortunately affected my productivity. I find it hard to be creative when my body is screaming in pain and fatigue. Often when I have a day free to write—my body doesn’t co-corporate so I can’t get much done. Having said that, I have to add that I have gleaned plenty of golden writing nuggets by journeying through fields of adversity—so I shall not complain. Life is good. And better yet, God is good.

The Holy Spirit is my Helper. I love the editing process.  For me, getting the first draft is the hardest part of writing. Once that is done—I really relish the task of going over my manuscripts over and over again in my attempts to reach perfection!

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

I hang my head in shame. I don’t have one. I’ve been borrowing books from the library over the years and continue to learn the craft through them, but no one book stands out.

But …  perhaps I can lift my head after all? I do have a favourite Writing Book. 

The Bible! The more I read it, the more treasures I glean from it. So even as I acknowledge that it’s not a craft book on writing—I can honestly say it IS the base of my writing journey. What I learn in His Word shapes me as a Christian writer, apart from the treasures of poetry, history, stories and adventure I discover in its pages. And with the Holy Spirit, the Word is my Guide in my writing adventures.

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

Thanks for the opportunity to do so, Jenny. The Bible points to 7 as a perfect number so let me acknowledge and thank 7 fabulous authors today!

1.    Nola Passmore – You are not only an experienced, gifted writer but you also never fail to encourage and help many of us on our writing journeys with your brilliant expertise and friendship. Thank you so much Nola. You are a trooper!

2.    Jeanette O’Hagan - You’ve used your gifts and skills to produce many lovely books (congratulations Jenny) – but that does not keep you from using those same gifts to expend much time and energy to help other writers. Thank you Jenny.

3.    Penelope McCowen – You have been a wonderful blessing in my writing journey and in my life. Thank you Friend. I appreciate you deeply.

4.    Jenny Glazebrook – Jenny, your blogs are always inspirational as are your talks. I’ve really enjoyed your books. I appreciate your passionate spirit and your lovely gift of encouragement. God bless you dear special friend.

5.    Elaine Frazer – You have always inspired and encouraged me by your excellent writing and your caring friendship. I love catching up with you at conference! I appreciate you.

6.    Paula Vince – You are a gifted writer and I’ve loved your books. It’s been so good to work with you on CWD and I look forward to reading your latest work.

7.    Anne Hamilton – You are a gifted writer with many published books that teach, inspire and bless the body of Christ. Thank you. A special thank you Annie for publishing Dancing in the Rain through Armour Books. It’s been great working with you and I am very grateful.

I’d also like to thank  Jeanette Grant-Thompson, Rhonda Pooley, Melinda Jensen, Jo’Anne Griffin, Lesley Turner, Jo Wanmer, Adele Jones, Mazzy Adams, Pamela Heemskerk and Janelle Moore for the special encouragement you have been on my writing journey. Thank you ladies. I appreciate you all.

Omega Conference Sydney 2016

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

As you know Jenny, we’ve spent the last 10 months on a challenging, exhausting, relentless rollercoaster ride of moving house so my writing had to be on the backburner during that time. But now, at last … I’m free to dream and to write again. Hooray!

So these are my goals for 2018:
1.    To Launch—my latest book ‘Dancing in the Rain’ on the 12^th of May 2018.

I hope to see many of you there!

2.    To Write/Put Together 2 books –

a.     Blessings on the Journey – A book created from my blogs.

b.    The Way that He loves – birthed out of our eventful house move and a God who surprised, led and blessed us way beyond all expectations. My faith muscles have been stretched and strengthened in the process and I have a story to tell of His faithfulness. He truly is an awesome God!

3.    To Find the right Publishers for two of my books –

a.     A Frog by any other Name – (A Children’s Chapter Book)

b.    Little Lulu’s Lullaby – (A Children’s Picture Book)

How will I achieve them? I’m thrilled that God’s blessed me with a little den in our new home. I love it. Love it. LOVE IT! I’ve been writing in our family room for the past eleven years with too much noise and distraction around me (never can write with noise), and now I have a perfect quiet retreat to escape to! Yay! How blessed I am.

This new season, God has been calling me to:

1. Pray lots 
2. Write lots

May I be faithful.

Question 8

How does your faith impact and shape your writing?

I write because God has been good to me. Faith is the bedrock under the swirling oceans of my writing life. Everything I pen is a reflection of the amazing God who created me, loved me, saved me and gave me a new song to sing for all eternity. Need I say more?

Thank you Jenny for your interview and thank you my fellow writers for your support and prayers as we work together as Christian Writers to bring God’s Kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. 

God bless you and (your writing) richly and always.

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. She’d love to see you there. Dancing in the Rain

The People Read It

by Jeanette O'Hagan

The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. Acts 15:31 (NIV)

 'Why do you write?'

I love words. Writing allows time to choose and shape my words without interruption. I love telling stories - anecdotes, family legends, funny happenings.  I love making up stirring tales about heroes and heroines, strange lands and epic adventures. I love to teach, to impart shared wisdom, acquired knowledge. I love the way poetry encapsulates emotion and beauty and wonder. Writing helps me process my thoughts, to discover meaning -  to understand myself, to commune with God and to communicate with others. Writing is a calling though it can never take the place of a living relationship my Lord.

There are a multitude of reasons to write.  I think most writers write because they love writing, because they have something to say, stories to tell. Those that write for fame or fortune are surely soon disillusioned.

Why do you write?

And who do you write for?

Do you write for yourself? For an audience of One? For your family or friends? Or for strangers? Perhaps, for those who haven't yet been born?

Or, to ask it another way. Why is it important to you to be published?

The reasons for writing and the reasons for (wanting/seeking/being) published are perhaps different. Maybe, we write because we must, it's a passion or a necessity. But, we seek publication so that our words and stories will be read  - not just by us, or a select group of friends and family - but by those we don't know and may never meet.

Words Unread

Words are powerful. Yet, unread words wait in silence, wait to uncoil and be unleashed in the mind of the reader.

Of course, as many have reminded us - we can't choose the impact of our words or the size of our audience. God is the God of the harvest and He directs the workers. Paul say (1 Cor), one sows, another waters. We write - as well as live - by faith and by God's grace. This is true whether we write Christian fiction or for the general market, if we write  to shine a light or to entertain, to challenge (or all of the above).

At no time is our worth or our standing with God predicated on the state of our manuscript or our publication status or the size of our social following.

There is a balance - between resting in and on God and doing the good He has planned for us. Grace is not an excuse to be idle when we could be working, though there are fallow seasons, there are times when God calls us into the wilderness, times when He passes the mantle onto others - and then there are times of planting and harvest.

For me, and probably for you, writing is also about finding and connecting with readers - not only my friends and family, and not only other writers (though I love you all and I appreciate everyone who buys and reads (and reviews ;) ) my books and the books of other writers). I think its wonderful and necessary that we support each other  - but just as the Church needs to extend into the workday week and connect with the community beyond her doors to be effective, we also need connect with general readers.

In some ways, I think that is actually the hardest part of being a writer. And, it does require some effort and lateral thinking.





Here are some of ideas how we do this - not in any particular order or importance:

• Readers in our existing networks - family, friends, work colleagues etc.
• Being an expert or at least interesting in a related subject
• Social media - being interactive not pushy
• Blogging 
• Readers groups and book clubs
• Reviews, reviews, reviews
• Cross-promotions with other authors
• Blog tours, interviews, character cameos
• Anthologies and book bundles 
• Newsletters and events
• Launches
• Book signings & bookshop events
• Author talks, School & Library visits
• Study notes
• Different formats
• Donating books
• Promotions and ads
• Quirky promotions
• Leaving books in mystery locations
• Markets
• Conventions and Book Fairs
• Begging (joking, don't beg, pray instead)

Not that we can necessarily do it all and certainly not all of the time.  We do what we can - and rest in the Lord of the Harvest.

What ideas or experiences of connecting with readers have you had?


New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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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 stories and poems in over a dozen anthologies, including Glimpses of Light, Futurevision, Tales From the Underground, and Quantum Soul. She recently released her debut novel Akrad's Children - the first in the Akrad's Legacy series.

Find her at her Facebook Page or at Goodreads or on Amazon or on her websites JennysThread.com or Jeanette O'Hagan Writes . if you want to stay up-to-date with latest publications and developments, sign up to Jeanette O'Hagan Writes e-mail newsletter.