"Fluffy" fiction, tough issues?

The heartbreaking images and stories from the current refugee crisis have me praying, donating to the emergency appeal, and remembering Jesus's words:

“I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me...

Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me — you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35-36, 40 The Message)

As Christians, we're commanded to get involved. We can't stay passive bystanders. It's not always easy, when our resources and what we're able to offer can feel so insignificant compared to what's happening.

But Matthew records Jesus as saying this right after the parable of the talents. Maybe there's a reason for that? Maybe, God wants us to use everything we have in His service, no matter how small it seems to us.

So does that mean our writing too? Can we do anything to help with big issues through the stories we write? 

If I was a journalist or an author of gritty, realistic novels, clearly I could. But I write sweet Christian romance, a "fluffy" feel-good genre. I even have that in my author tag-line, my promise to readers : Feel-good inspirational romance to make you smile. A recent review referred to 'Sweet brain candy'. Eep!

I write for God, definitely. My mission with my writing is to show the extent of God's love for us. Can that stretch to dealing with tough real-life issues too, even in fluffy fiction?

I hope so! I don't think I do it perfectly, but with God's help, I try.

My Love in Store romance series is based around a London department store (think Selfridge's poor-relation frumpy spinster aunt). Yet just as many of the scenes are set in a nearby homeless shelter, or involve formerly homeless shelter residents. My characters have dealt with suicide, addiction, and debt. My last release was filled with disabled children, some severely disabled. My work-in-progress is about divorce. My next story will involve terminal cancer, a burned out medical missionary, and a shopaholic with an eating disorder. Sometime in the next two years, I'll have the interesting job of making a character with Asperger's syndrome, cerebral palsy, OCD, and a very nasty way with words a romantic hero.

And I aim to write light, uplifting happy-ever-after fiction!

How serious do you think we can get, when we write lighter genres? How best can we serve God with our books? I'd love to hear how other authors approach this in their writing, and how you feel about more serious issues appearing in lighter genre fiction as a reader?


Autumn Macarthur is an Australian writer of inspirational romance living near London with her very English husband and four spoiled rescue cats.

She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and writing deeply emotional stories to make you smile and remind you how big and wide and deep God’s love and forgiveness can be.
She loves hearing from readers so do get in touch on either Facebook or Twitter!

You can subscribe to her mailing list here.

WHY GO TO WRITER EVENTS?

A special writer mentoring event.
Australian writers and Wombat
publisher, Rochelle Manners.  

It’s that time of year again when several major writers’ conferences are offering great times of fellowship to writers. In many countries there are different half day or one day events as well as full weekend conferences for writers. Although perhaps some conferences and events are more popular than others, obviously the ones that continue faithfully each year and build up a good reputation are well supported.

Any new writers reading this post? Any beginner writers wondering if they should really spend their time and money attending at least one get together of writers a year? Whether you are considering an event relatively close to where you live, or even an Aussie like me who would have to brave that exhausting twenty plus hour flight across that Big Pond to America again, that question applies to us all.

I was living in rural New South Wales when I first started writing. This was in those years well before there were even computers, and certainly no internet. Except comments from tutors through a correspondence writers’ course, for years I had no contact at all with other writers. Having had so much time writing in isolation, and now being a member of perhaps too many writer groups, I do know about the benefits as well as any reasons not to attend writer workshops or weekend conferences.

Don’t mistake me for a moment. I absolutely love writers conferences.
Since 1991 I’ve attended as many as possible and learnt so much about how to try and improve my writing. They keep us informed about the changing world of publishers’ requirements and promotion needs. I’ve met so many lovely, established authors who so generously share their expertise and experiences.

At a Queensland Christian Writers Conference
CALEB finalists

Be warned. Conferences can almost become an addiction so I’d like to share a few things to consider.

Does the overall programme seem to meet your needs as a writer?

Who are the speakers and presenters of workshops? Are they experienced writers, even published themselves in the kind of book you want to write? Will professionals in the industry like agents, editors, publishers be there to meet and hear from?

2009 in Denver with Loree Lough

For example, romance writers need to hear from experienced, published writers in that genre. However, there are many sub-genres so if the conference only deals with specific ones like fantasy, historical, inspirational etc, etc that you do not want to write, should you choose to go? Ones that try to cover also many general aspects of novel writing as well as the expectations of your genre readers have real value for beginners. Anyone targeting the romance genre should seriously consider attending events organised by organisations like RWA. Of course for Christian writers, whether targeting the Christian market or general market, our own ACFW kind of conference is excellent value for all fiction writers.

Remember that as well as “How to” information, even best-selling, multi-published writers at times simply need encouragement, be challenged by inspirational talks from writers and other professionals in the publishing industry. Or there may be times like I do when you just love to meet old friends again, need face to face “writer talk” over and above contact only on the internet.

So, you’ve found a great conference or event you know could help you. However, does the full cost of travel, accommodation etc and fees risk being too much of a financial burden for the perceived value?

This has to be the best use of your time and money available. Many years ago at one of the first great two day Romance Writers of Australia, I will never forget the words I overheard from an excited, very enthusiastic young woman. It went something like this: “I was absolutely determined to come this year,” she told some other writers. “My husband really didn’t want me to, said he was too busy to mind the kids and we couldn’t afford it. I told him I was going no matter what he said. And here I am!”

I’d had my first books published and she was a complete stranger, but I was very disturbed and my heart feared for that mother and wife. I uttered one of those quick prayers, asking that if the Lord wanted me to speak to her to give me an opportunity to do so privately. A few minutes later, we were the only two left in that bathroom so I warned her she must always put her own romance first before anything else. Nothing was worth more than her husband and family. The poor dear did gape at this bold, older woman and walked away but the next day sought me out, said she realised how foolish she had been and actually thanked me for caring enough to warn her. I never did know her name but have often wondered if at the right time for her she has become published.

The most important consideration:
As a Christian, are you sure this is where God wants you to go? Is this the right time for you to go?

If you are sure this is one of God’s appointed times then be prepared for an out-pouring of HIS blessings on you. As well as learning more about this crazy writing business, He will have other writers and professionals there HE wants you to meet. It may not necessarily be to advance your writing career but simply to share with other writers, enjoy Christian fellowship with like-minded folk and make friends that you can mutually share with down over the years. This has been my greatest delight and blessing.

One final word!
A few minutes ago just as I was about to copy and paste this to Blogger, I saw that Allen Arnold had a post on Novel Rocket blog.

ACFW 2009 with Karen Ball,
Allen Arnold and Debbie Macomber

I was so privileged to meet him at the ACFW conference in 2009 when he was a senior editor at Thomas Nelson. His sessions with Karen Ball were wonderful blessings. Although this is already a long post, I have taken the liberty of copying one of his paragraphs that is essential when considering attending conferences.

He wrote:
We get so busy doing that we can forget how to be still and approach our art as holy ground. Maybe that’s why some Christian speakers, books, and conferences end up focusing almost all of their time teaching writers about craft and how to get published – and so little time on how to actually create with God.

This is just a taste! Do read his whole, excellent blog, STAY WITH GOD at http://www.novelrocket.com/ 

Would love to have comments about why you go to writer events - whether small or large ones.

A Queensland farmer’s daughter, then a registered nurse, the wife of a minister, mother of three children and now a grandmother, Mary Hawkins has always made time to read, write and go to writer events! After enjoying years of planting churches, three short term mission trips to Africa and two years ministering in England with her husband, Raymond, also a published author, they now live in Tasmania, Australia. Mary is a best-selling, international author and delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents inspirational romance books are now released again as e-books. She also enjoys speaking and presenting workshops at writer events to try and help other writers not make all the mistakes she has over the years. 

She is on Facebook, irregularly on Goodreads, and has a website which does need updating when she can somehow crowd it into her busy days. http://www.mary-hawkins.com

Book Recommendation from Mary Hawkins

Writers meet through many different ways. About thirty years ago I longed to have other writers to share with, bounce ideas off, simply “talk writing” with. These days we are very spoilt being able to meet in places like this with like-minded folk  and through several different writing organisations. Nearly all of them - if not all now - have a presence online. And this is how I met a young, unpublished writer back in 2005 through the then relatively new American Christian Fiction Writers e-loop. I was thrilled there was another Australian also writing inspirational romance novels and able to contact her! However, Tasmania and Canberra are a long way from each other so we did not meet face to face until 2007 at a Romance Writers of Australia national conference.

I interviewed Narelle on my February ICFW blog post to celebrate the release of her very  first book and also the first one of her six book contract with Harlequin Love Inspired, Heartsong Presents, Falling For the Farmer. I really enjoyed that story, the first fruit of her hard work and perseverance over many years. I so admire Narelle not only for that perseverance, but the way she is always prepared to continue learning, always improving her skills, keeping up with what is happening in the romance genre writing industry.

Narelle is also VERY generous to other writers in the way she seeks to help us in many and varied ways. This has included being a co-president of the Romance Writers of America Faith, Hope and Love chapter, supporting our own great Australian Omega Writers, very involved in helping organise our Australasian Christian Writers group blog and the Australian Christian Readers Blog Alliance (ACRBA) - just to mention a few of her activities for us.

I personally have been blessed by her reading and commenting on my own manuscripts. Believe me, this is one very cluey reader who has given me great feedback. It is an honour to be presenting a workshop with her at the Romance Writers of Australia national conference this coming August. 

I am delighted to be able to recommend my friend’s inspirational romance novels. Today, May 5^th, we are celebrating the release of her second Heartsong Presents inspirational romance. I have sadly discovered it will take about three months for The Nurse's Perfect Match to reach our bookshelves here in Australia but it is also an e-book. Would love to hear from anyone who sees it first on shelves anywhere in the world - as well as America.

Nurse Amy Wilkins has come home 

After her marriage ends in tragedy, Amy returns to Snowgum Creek to rebuild her life. There she meets widower Ben Morton, who’s not looking for romance, though his young children are eager for Amy’s attention. She’s given up on her dream of being a mother, but can’t ignore how she’s drawn to Ben’s little ones, and to their handsome farmer dad. 

As love kindles between Ben and Amy, she worries how she’ll ever measure up to the wife he lost. And Ben is concerned about how Amy will ever truly fit into life on the farm. They could be the answer to each other’s prayers — if the secret Amy is keeping doesn’t tear them apart.

narelleatkins.com

BUY! BE BLESSED!
TELL YOUR READER FRIENDS!

Mary Hawkins is multi-published and a best-seller in inspirational romance. All except her Baragula single title trilogy are now out of print. However, she is delighted seven of her Barbour Heartsong Presents novels are again available to readers as e-books through their Truly Yours Digital Editions. Check out the VIDEO TRAILER  for her historical Great Southland series.

Her Outback Cowboy, is the working title of her latest single title just completed and in every writer’s nerve-wracking state - the submission process.

SO WHY WRITE BOOKS OF PRAYER?

Mary says:

I was privileged many years ago to read and be blessed by the devotional books of my guest writer here today, Marion Stroud. I first met her face to face at a great Christian Writers conference in London when Ray and I were ministering in England from 2001-2003. Later during that time, my husband and I also enjoyed Marion and her husband’s hospitality and fellowship at their home. We soon discovered we all had a good deal in common, especially our love for Christ and desire to serve Him. It has been great in recent years to “meet” again online.

Marion tells me she really loves reading Christian novels and for some time now has had a hankering to also write them. I personally would love to read fiction books by her where she would actually show God at work in people’s lives through their stories. These could even more vividly portray for readers the out-working of her wonderful, thought provoking, devotional meditations and prayers.

Marion asks: 

So why in the world would you write books of Prayers?

The honest answer is ‘Because I was asked to.’ I’ve written 26 books all told and in every case, except for the three children’s stories and these books of prayers, I was looking for  a book to meet a need, couldn’t find what I wanted, and researched and wrote it myself. You know the old adage about ‘Fools rushing in...’

“Dear God It’s me and It’s Urgent “was different. A publisher was launching a new imprint and wanted a book of prayers as part of his list. I almost said ‘no’ because I’m not from a liturgical tradition and don’t often use written prayers myself. Then I remembered Marjorie Holmes, whose ‘Apron Pocket Prayers’ had been hugely successful in America during the 70’s and 80’s. More a conversation with God than formal prayers, they had helped me a lot at the time, and so I decided to try writing in that style. The book sold very well in the United States [120,000 copies and still selling] and the American publisher asked if I would like to write another title in the same format. This is how ‘It’s Just You and Me Lord’ came into being.

These books aren’t intended to be read straight through, but dipped into, savoured and either provide inspiration for the reader’s own prayers, or give them words when they can’t express all they want to say. I didn’t focus too heavily on prayers for marriage and mother hood,  because although these life areas are vitally important to many, not every woman experiences those roles. With that in mind, I have also included  life areas common to us all - prayers for work, for church life and life’s later years; the dark days as well as life’s joyful celebrations.

Most of the prayers are based on real life experiences – my own or other people’s. ‘Burning still’ [ Dear God It’s Me and It’s Urgent ] reflects the pain of seeing my beloved mother-in-law losing sight, mobility and mental clarity in her last few years, but also rejoicing in the way that her faith shone through, despite her difficulties .’Lost and Found’ is based on the terrible moment when I discovered I’d left my infant son outside the house and driven off without him [!] [ It’s Just You and Me Lord’] and The Suitcase  ponders on why it is that we pray for missions and missionaries but so rarely invite overseas students into our homes. [It’s Just you and me Lord]

I have had letters from readers saying “ I didn’t know that you could talk to God like that” or “ It’s great to know that other parents struggle with how much ‘screen’ time to give their children.” So I count it a privilege to share my life experiences in this way.
And one day ... just maybe ... I’ll turn my mind firmly back to fiction.
Watch this space! http://www.marionstroud.com

 

Mary Hawkins is a best-selling inspirational romance author who for many years has enjoyed being a minister's wife in Australia, two years in England and on three short term mission trips to Africa. Her first novel was released in 1993 by Barbour Publishing in their Heartsong Presents imprint. She is delighted that her contemporary Search and historical Great Southland series are now available again from Barbour's Truly Yours Digital Editions as e-books. Her fourth single title manuscript since her Heartsong novels is currently being assessed by a publisher and she hopes to have good news to share very soon about it becoming her twentieth published book. She also enjoys trying to share with other writers some hints about writing she has acquired over the last thirty years.
http://www.mary-hawkins.com

Adam Collings - Novelist and You Tube video creator

For some time now I have been in contact with fellow Tasmanian writer of speculative fiction, Adam Collings. He is currently working on a science fiction novel and works as a software engineer during the day. Recently I was very intrigued to read on his blog and Facebook that he has commenced releasing a new YouTube series – Stories. 

First of all I was curious how this fits in with his desire to be a published author and then wondered just how he produces these YouTube videos. 

Adam, can you tell us why you started writing novels, why this YouTube series, what they will include and how you are creating the videos? 

Certainly, Mary. I’ve loved writing stories since a very young age. I think it was encouragement from my Mum that really got me thinking seriously about writing a novel in the hopes of getting published. Writing fiction is a desire within me that can’t be extinguished. 

As I’ve learned more about this writing world, I’ve come to understand the importance of building a platform. Social media is a great tool for this, and is a very natural form of communication for me. 

I recently read How To Market a Book by Joanna Penn. I was intrigued by what she had to say on the subject of content marketing. The idea is that you produce content which is either useful or entertaining and give it away. This helps build a fan following (who may end up being potential buyers of your book). 

The same time, I became aware of the booktube phenomenon – a community of people who review books on YouTube. This sounded like a whole lot of fun. The people I need to connect with are fans of science fiction and fantasy, particularly Christians. I decided to start my own YouTube show talking about books – both Christian and secular - but also movies and the occasional computer game, as sci-fi fans tend to enjoy all these forms of story-telling. 

I wanted to keep it simple and very quick to produce and not take time away from my writing. With a wife, two kids and a job, time is rather precious. 

Thinking about what I’m going to say is important. I wrote out a full script and tried to memorise it as best I could. In terms of shooting, you don’t need much fancy equipment. Most modern smart phones these days have decent video cameras in them. I shoot small, bite-sized segments that could be edited together. 

After transferring the footage to the computer it’s editing time. I used a package called Adobe Premier Elements, but most computers come pre-installed with basic video editing software like Windows Movie Maker or iMovie. A more powerful free solution is Blender, though it has a steep learning curve. 

An endeavour like this takes time to build momentum. I’ve only released one episode so far, but am already planning my second. Through this I hope to build a bit of a following so that when I become an author (I know I can do it) I will have a good platform. 

Thank you, Adam. I found this all very interesting. Not sure I have the equipment and tech know-how to do this, but I hope is a big help to our authors to get the information to the readers. 

I am impressed you mentioned the priority of time spent with your wife and family because I too have always found this to be an essential balancing act. 

Besides all the promotion we would like to do, most important is to make the time to write the best book we can, then keep producing them as regularly as possible to build up that fan base – or as some call them, our “Tribe”. 

All the very best with having your books published. 
While I am not particularly a reader of sc-fi or fantasy novels do add me to your fan list!

Do enjoy some of Adam's efforts by clicking the following link -.  
http://www.youtube.com/user/collingsshow
Also, don't forget to click also on the words in blue throughout the post for more information about Adam, Blender and Joanna Penn

INTRODUCING GRAHAM CARTER

I wonder how many writers like myself spend time browsing in bookshops – sometimes perhaps too much time for my bank account. I always check out first of all the Christian Fiction titles, especially new women’s fiction releases from fellow Australian authors and my husband’s publisher, Even Before Publishing.

A few weeks ago I was intrigued by the cover and title of “Against the Unknown” on a book display. It was not the kind of book I would normally pick up but the back blurb made it sound like a fascinating read. I couldn’t put it down! Besides simply being a page turning story, it is a book that has very thought provoking and challenging concepts about the Christian walk and being reminded that “...our struggle is not against flesh and blood... 

I wanted you to know about this writer, Graham Carter who is an Australian author of inspirational fiction. For over a decade his novels have surprised and delighted readers with their stories of ordinary people dealing with extraordinary circumstances. 
Graham lives in Brisbane, Australia, with Sue, his wife of 37 years. As well as writing, he enjoys travel, camping, sport, and spending time with his 8 grandchildren. Graham and Sue travel regularly to Uganda where they support a number of aid programs amongst the poor. 

His writing journey is very interesting and I wonder how many other writers like myself can identify with some, if not all of it.

GRAHAM TELLS US:
     I was inspired by the story of how a young Sydney Law Student self-published a novel and trudged around city bookstores with a suitcase full of copies hoping to sell them. Some of you probably know the story of how one of his books was picked off the shelf by an agent for Harper Collins, and the story of Matthew Riley, best-selling author began.
     I thought, “If he can do it, so can I.” The next morning, I sat at my old 386 computer and began tapping away with one finger on a keyboard. For years I had been intrigued with the idea of what Heaven might be like, so that became my task. To write a novel about Heaven that was not only true to Biblical references, but that portrayed it as a place that was exciting, fun, adventurous, uplifting, somewhere we couldn’t wait to get to. Not knowing anything about how to write a book, I wrote 13 consecutive chapters about heaven. Then I decided it needed a bit more intrigue, suspense - something we won’t necessarily find in heaven, so I planted my imagination firmly back on the ground and wrote the rest of the story, which takes place on earth, around those 13 chapters.
     9 months later the manuscript for ‘No Eye Has Seen’ was complete. I went looking for an Aussie publisher of Christian fiction. I found one had just closed its doors and another that wasn’t accepting manuscripts. “Okay their loss,” I thought. This book was going to be so big, publishers would be falling over one other to sign me up. I began sending submissions to US publishers. Then I sat back, waiting for a phone call from one of them, telling me they had booked me a first class ticket to come over to the States to help promote this wonderful book. I guess I don’t need to tell you what happened.
     So I self-published. I found a printer, organised a cover and ordered 500 copies. I sold them in about 6 months through various small Christian bookstores, then printed another 300. Two of our largest distributers, Koorong and Word, had agreed to take them so I concentrated on those outlets.
     While all this was going on I got an email from a small publisher in North Carolina who had read the manuscript and wanted to publish. “Woo, hoo, here we go.” They were going to publish next Fall, they said. Fall came and went. ‘We are including it in our Spring releases’, they told me. You guessed it – Spring came and went with no publication. This went on for 2 years with continual excuses and procrastination from the publisher. Eventually I gave up.
     I kept writing through this time. I completed the sequel , then a third stand-alone novel, and I even started on a fourth. But still, I didn’t seem to be getting anywhere in the publishing world. Then a break – a new publisher started up in Australia and they were accepting manuscripts. I sent off my submission and the ‘new submissions’ editor loved it. I flew from Queensland to Sydney and met with her over coffee. We discussed editing, publication timetables etc. … then she left the company! But the new editor loved it too and yes, “we are going to publish, just not sure when.”
     Hmm – this was beginning to sound familiar.
     Around this time (2006) my wife and I moved to Africa to do some work with Wycliffe Bible Translators. We lived in Uganda for a year. I continued to correspond with Ark House Press and after more delays “No Eye Has Seen” finally hit the stores a few years later. There was still much to learn about promotion and unfortunately it didn’t leap off the shelves as rapidly as I had hoped. A couple of years later Ark House agreed to publish another one of my novels, Guardians of Eden, but again without adequate promotion it too came to nothing.
     Well, I pretty well gave up. I had written 4 novels, had 2 published, but I was really questioning whether any of it had been worthwhile. And lo and behold I heard about another new publisher that had recently come on the scene. “Right – I’ll give it one last go.”
     

I sent the manuscript to Wombat Books and heard back within a week – yep, Rochelle wanted to publish it – not this year, list is already full, but possibly next. But Rochelle wanted to do something that my previous publisher hadn’t bothered with. She wanted to edit my work. Well, that was new, but it couldn’t be that hard could it? If I thought composing a novel was tough, I was in for a sharp learning curve. Rewriting a novel several times over is much harder. It seems that writing styles had changed quite a bit in the 10 years I had been at it, but no one had told me – until I met Annie Hamilton, the President of Omega Writers.
      

       Anyway, before I completely run out of space here, let me tell you about this current book. ‘Against the Unknown’ is the culmination of several years of writing experience, many months of editing, and a fair bit of research into the American political scene. It’s a story set in the US, but with a strong Australian flavour in the guise of an Aussie surfer searching for the meaning of life. It’s a story that explores the influence of the spiritual world on our own. We get to glimpse the sometimes complex and sometimes insidious ways our lawmakers are influenced, and through it all we see the sovereign grace of God at work in the lives of ordinary people. Most of all we get to see the power of prayer as a spiritual weapon that God has given us to defeat the enemy.

THANK YOU SO MUCH GRAHAM FOR THIS INSIGHT INTO YOUR WRITING JOURNEY

Set on the US east coast, 'Against the Unknown' traces the journeys of four separate characters: a state senator, a runaway teenager, a middle-aged hippie, and an Aussie surfer, all of whom are facing challenges in their lives. It is a story with lots of intrigue, a number of twists and turns and an ending that surprised me. There’s some romance, a dose of adventure, and plenty of action.

Above all the enjoyment of a great storyline, as it has for me I pray it vividly reminds you of the truth of Ephesians 6:12 , and drives you too to more faith, obedience and fervent prayer when we see the efforts of the enemy of our Lord in our world today.

This book is available in print where good Christian books are sold, including Even Before Publishing (a division of Wombat Books) or e-book at Koorong, Word iTUNES and Amazon (CLICK ON THE COLOURED NAMES TO TAKE YOU TO THE WESITES)

More information on Graham's website click HERE

and on his Facebook and Goodreads.

COMING SOON!

Mary has three more of her Great Southland series scheduled to be released in June and July as e-books by Truly Yours Digital Editions. Watch out for her Hope in the Great Southland, Love in the Great Southland and Great Southland Gold.

ENCOURAGED TO WRITE

My husband, Ray, regularly shares devotional thoughts with us here on Fridays. I couldn't resist asking him to write this post for us about how he started writing for publication of his own books.

Being an obedient husband plus wanting to be fed, I’ve agreed to write this guest blog for Mary. What to write about for Christian fiction writers when my interest is in another genre is an interesting exercise. Sure I’ve read Mary’s novels. No I wasn’t threatened with starvation if I didn’t. Were they enjoyable? Without fear of reprisal or starvation I can honestly say “yes.”

Personally, my preferred reading is history, commentary and devotional material. I guess that’s the preacher in me. Those with the ability to write must express themselves. This is especially true from a Christian worldview perspective and across all genres. Years before my fingers found the keyboard of a computer I’d heard Mary’s cries of anguish, frustration, joy and triumph after grappling with characters, settings and editing. Many of you know those scenarios too I’m sure.

It was Mary’s encouragement that made me begin my 31 Day Themed Devotional Meditations. No, it wasn’t “Dear, you write or you starve!” Rather it was more like, “Dear, you have something to say and others need to read it –so get to it!” So I did. However, who is willing in these tight financial times and changing reading patterns to risk taking on an unknown Australian? This is doubly difficult when you know what I like to write is over supplied.

Well, Rochelle Manners of Wombat Books and it’s division EVEN BEFORE PUBLISHING (EBP) in Queensland, Australia, took the risk. We met when Mary and I attended an Omega Writers Conference a bout three or four years ago. With her and Mary’s refining skills they polished the gems they saw under the mass of words, removed the rubble and produced four (so far) well received books. They are Children–God’s Special Interest; From Eden with Love (the Mystery and Majesty of Marriage); Captured by Calvary (Biblical insights into the Cross) and Bethlehem’s Warrior Baby (Detailing that Christmas is Heaven’s Invasion into the Usurper’s earthly darkness).They are also available as E-books.

Hovering in my mind or frozen in computer files are the following: No Soft Option (the call to the Christian Ministry); Signposts to Happiness (Beatitudes across Scripture); Dynamic Aging and The Warrior Lord Returns (The Second Coming of Christ).

After publishing comes what I think is the most onerous task Promotion. Still it must be done. I hang onto the thought even after a non-event promotional day that the person you met today could well be the purchaser of your book tomorrow. Then my publisher insisted – rightly so, that I get a website/blog . O joy! O rapture! Still, being an obedient writer I have done just that.

If you are tempted (hope, hope, hope) to have a look and read some of my writing efforts there,  CLICK HERE  

Just to show we are not in competition, CLICK HERE  too for Mary's website and her blog. (which is more uptodate, says Mary.

I have been really thrilled that after Ray and I sharing so many ministry experiences over many years, now, after all the numerous times he has encouraged me to persevere, he too is knowing the delight of having readers share how God is blessing them through his books.

WRITER’S PERFECTIONIST NATURE – BLESSING OR CURSE?

After completing her nursing training, Mary met her husband in Bible College 50 years ago. They have ministered in churches in Australia, two years in England and now enjoy living in Tasmania. Her first inspirational romance was published nearly twenty years ago and she is now the author of 19 titles. Ray contributes to the ICFW blog devotions on Fridays and has five devotional books published.
Web and blog: http://www.mary-hawkins.com

So, here I am: rewriting, editing, re-writing, editing, re-wr... Get the picture? This current manuscript is progressing far too slowly. Okay, so I did start it several years okay then became busy writing Book Two and Book Three of my Baragula series after Return to Baragula, my first book over 57,000 words, was at last contracted. It didn’t take me long to realise I’d forgotten too much about for Her Outback Cowboy (working title). I had to go right back to characterisation and plot. Somehow, until recently I have to confess I’d even lost the passion for this story.

I’d previously written the prologue and several chapters – and edited and edited them of course! Like most writers, while writing those other longer manuscripts I’ve continued to learn more about various aspects of writing them. This means I now read the manuscript with fresh writer eyes.

Did I need the prologue? It was really too long. Did it intrigue the reader enough to make them care what happens to the hero and heroine and want to keep reading? It was important information to show motivations for both of them, but could I somehow weave it through the book without slowing the pace too much with big chunks of back-story?

In the end I re-wrote over 50,000 words without the prologue. It didn’t work – or I’m not a clever enough writer. Now it has been – yeah, you guessed it! – re-written and is now Chapter One. Thanks to a writer friend’s comments who kindly read the first few chapters despite her own deadline, it now has part of it in the hero’s point of view to SHOW his motivations to help the reader know he is really a nice guy, a lovable one she can love despite the way he treats the then sixteen year old heroine. Thank you SO much, Narelle Atkins!

During this whole process, without really comprehending it happened, my perfectionist nature kicked in viciously. There were outback details for the area I had set it in I wasn’t sure were correct ... er... perfect in fact! Searching the internet helped, but I needed personal info from people who had actually been there. Only a couple of days ago discovered I needed to know if State electricity could be connected in that setting or would there have to be solar panels, generators etc, etc. The latest research is to find out if the remote cattle station could have internet.

I thank God for contact with other writers who know the area and have helped with accurate information, but the whole process has made me more determined the next book will be set in places I know very well myself!

And so the many months have dragged on. Recently I had to admit there have been too many times I’ve had to force myself to keep writing it. It was far too easy to put off opening that manuscript. There were other writers to mentor, writing workshops to present and of course writing blog posts, checking out Facebook, reading and a multitude of other reasons not to open the file again and keep plodding along. Part of this whole process I am blaming on my perfectionist nature that I discovered years ago often needs balancing with “getting the job done”. I’ve also discovered it is possible to over edit a manuscript. If it becomes boring for the writer, it can become even more boring for the reader.

Noticed I have cut back on writing as many posts on my own blog? I try to remember to set a kitchen timer when on Facebook. (Too many times I forget to!) I’ve had to tell other writers if they would like me to read their manuscripts they may have to wait ages.

And then this week, afraid I yielded to the “need” to tell the world about Faith in the Great Southland, my first ebook being released on sites like Amazon and Christianbook.com - but more about that some other time. Check out details about my Great Southland series by clicking here http://mary-hawkins.com/backlist.html The next two books will also be released by Barbour publisher’s division, Truly Yours Digital Editions, during the next six months.
There are times being a “perfectionist” is a real blessing to “get it right” but other times it can be a real curse. I’d love to hear what other writers and readers think about this.
Oh, and I better mention I do now have the passion back to tell the story of two people separated as teenagers. How can their young love be renewed or have they moved on with too many other priorities in their adult lives?

Persevering with point of view!

These past few weeks have been quite tumultuous in my writing journey, as I have tried to edit two manuscripts at once – my first non-fiction work, entitled Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey, and my sixth novel, The Inheritance. With my non-fiction book, my new publisher wanted a few things changed – and rightly so. While it took some time to do, it was nevertheless reasonably straightforward. However, it was another matter altogether with my sixth novel. You see, I had decided I would try something new. I would have two main characters and would write from both points of view, according to what fitted best. But I would also write from the points of view of several minor characters, where necessary. In other words, I was venturing into ‘multiple point of view’ territory.

Now being a rookie at such things, I was bound to make mistakes. With my first two novels, I had stuck to omniscient point of view. In fact, back then, I didn’t even know what that term meant! I simply wrote in the same style in which many of the older books I loved were written. Over my next three novels, I gradually refined my style and wrote from the point of view of my main protagonist, although I’m sure I often strayed into omniscient point of view out of habit. But now, in trying to be clever, it soon became clear, from my publisher’s comments, that I had skipped from one point of view to another far too often. Sometimes this was intentional – I felt it worked that way. But mostly, I have to admit, it was unintentional – I had happily hopped into someone else’s head for a few lines, before proceeding to hop to another one – and then to another again! It was as if all my characters were joining in the conversation, each with their own little agendas.

So ... now I had quite a rewrite on my hands. I sighed – I did not need such a large job at that point. However, once I had begun, I soon discovered how much I was learning. In fact, it became an interesting challenge to see how the various scenes could in many cases happen just as easily from the point of view of one of the main characters and not one of those minor characters who kept wanting to get in on the act!

Now I am on the other side of that rewrite – and I hope I have succeeded in vastly improving my manuscript. But all this has served to show me yet again that there is always so much more to learn in this writing business – so many new things to come to grips with and new ways to refine our writing style. Will I ever ‘arrive’ as an author? I don’t know. But I do know I’m going to keep on trying. I want to write the best fiction – and non-fiction – I can for God. As Paul writes in Philippians 3:13, I want to forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead. I may never write that best seller, but I sure know I can improve from where I am now.

Somehow I don’t think God has finished with me yet, moulding me into the author I am meant to be. How about you? Is that how you feel too?

Jo-Anne Berthelsen grew up in Brisbane and holds an Arts degree from Queensland University. She has also studied Education and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher and editor, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word and currently has five published novels – ‘Heléna’, ‘All the Days of My Life’, ‘Laura’, ‘Jenna’ and ‘Heléna’s Legacy’.  She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. For more information, please visit her website, www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.