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.

Letting another child loose

I well remember how I felt in April 2007, when my first novel Heléna was released. What had I done, I wondered. My baby that I had laboured long and hard to bring to birth was now being put out there on show for all to see and perhaps criticise. How vulnerable I felt! What if no one liked it? What if those copies stayed on the shelves in the bookstores and ended up on ‘clearance’ tables?

This past month, my sixth book was released—and I have discovered I am still not used to the whole process of launching a new baby into the world. Besides, there is an extra dose of uncertainty for me in it all this time around, for two reasons. Firstly, it is my first published work of non-fiction. So will those who have read any of my previous five novels be prepared to follow me into the world of non-fiction? And for that matter, will any of those people who don’t read novels be prepared to try my non-fiction offering?

But secondly, I wonder if some readers will find my new book a little too personal and subjective for their tastes. You see, it is entitled Soul Friend: The story of a shared spiritual journey and is an honest and intimate portrayal of my own journey with my wise, spiritual mentor and the warm, life-giving relationship that developed between us during our fifteen years of meeting together. Just as I did in my novels, I am still telling a story—but this time it is all true! And that makes me feel very vulnerable indeed.

Yet in another way, I am so excited that this baby of mine has been launched. Apart from wanting to honour my mentor, who is now almost eighty-two, I hope by writing my story to inspire those who read it to seek out a spiritual friendship for themselves or perhaps to provide such a friendship for another. And I also hope to encourage any who are facing similar issues in their own lives not to give up but to find the support they need to pursue their God-given dreams. For any of you who might care to here this spelt out a little more, here is a brief interview style book trailer for Soul Friend:

 

So now the challenge for me is to let this book stand on its own two feet, just as we need to do with any child as it grows up! The book is out there now—what’s done is done. And, since I strongly believe God was behind and in my whole journey of writing Soul Friend, I need to trust God will now use it to bless and encourage others and to bring about all the purposes for which the book was written. And I also believe that, as in the past, God will give me the grace to deal with any comments or feedback I might receive about my new baby, either positive or negative, to take on board what I need to hear and to let the rest go.

How have you found the whole experience of letting one of your ‘book children’ loose? Has it been a mixture of joy and trepidation for you as well?

Jo-Anne Berthelsen lives in Sydney but grew up in Brisbane. She holds degrees in Arts and Theology and has worked as a high school teacher, editor and secretary, as well as in local church ministry. Jo-Anne is passionate about touching hearts and lives through both the written and spoken word. She is the author of five published novels – Heléna, All the Days of My Life, Laura, Jenna and Heléna’s Legacy—and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey. Her sixth novel, The Inheritance, will be released in 2013. Jo-Anne is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and three grandchildren. For more information, please visit www.jo-anneberthelsen.com or www.soulfriend.com.au.