The benefits of being a Christian author

Many times over the past few years since I began writing my novels, I have stopped and thanked God for the privilege of doing something I absolutely love. Being an author and speaker feels a perfect fit to me – something I think I was born to be. Yes, there have been difficult and torturous times when I wondered if I would ever be able to craft my current work in progress into something that would even approach being readable and if those novels in my head would ever be published. I still have my times of struggle, as I’m sure you all do too. But it’s my conviction that while we as Christian authors go through the same ups and downs as any other author, we have much greater resources available to us to survive the whole journey than those who do not have any faith in God.

I don’t mean that in any sort of self-righteous or smug way, but I’m so thankful God has been faithfully there for me throughout my writing journey when I would have been tempted to despair and give up. I have met quite a number of authors who find it hard to stay afloat and not become moody and depressed when they suffer yet another rejection from a potential publisher or when their books don’t sell well or when they don’t win that particular competition or award. Of course those things devastate us as Christian authors too. But we have a resource beyond ourselves to turn to – someone who understands rejection, who loves us unconditionally, who will still be here long after all the books on this earth will have crumbled into dust. We might be deeply discouraged, but we have God’s Holy Spirit, the ‘Encourager’ within us, comforting us and urging us on. As Paul puts it in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.

I have also found it so encouraging that when those negative messages pound away in my brain, telling me my books will never really make it and I might as well not waste my time, I can stand firm, knowing God clearly called me to write. It was not just my idea. Sure it was something I had always wanted to do, but around eight years ago, God made it very clear, through a specific bible passage at a turning point in my life, that this was his desire for me at that stage. I therefore launched into writing with much greater confidence and experienced God’s close presence and affirmation throughout the writing of my first novel. God was in it all with me – and that was so reassuring.

And God is still in it with me now, as I approach the release of my fifth novel. When I wonder if I can keep going and tire a little of looking for every opportunity to promote my books and get out there and speak, he reminds me that it’s not all about me. God has gifted me for a purpose – and that is to use my gifts while I can to point others to him and bring him honour and glory. It’s not all about how many books I can sell. It’s not all about what makes me look good or becoming famous or making lots of money. My writing is definitely fulfilling for me personally, but it has a much larger purpose too – and that inspires me above all to keep going and not give up.

God understands. God calls. God enables. Surely we are of all authors most blessed?

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 in Sydney. Jo-Anne loves communicating through both the written and spoken word and currently has four published novels – ‘Heléna’, ‘All the Days of My Life’, ‘Laura’ and ‘Jenna’. She is married to a retired minister and has three grown-up children and two grandchildren. For more information or to contact Jo-Anne, please visit her website, www.jo-anneberthelsen.com.

Staying motivated – seeing the journey through

I wonder what keeps you motivated in your writing journey? What inspires you to stay glued to your computer, churning out hundreds of words day after day? What sustains you as you try to balance your writing with promoting your books and the demands of a job, family, church commitments and so many other things? I doubt it would be the lure of fame and fortune – at least, that’s not the expectation of most authors I know in Christian circles here in Australia!

I have come to the conclusion that, while the support of others and also some practical self-care measures have been very important in helping me stay the course, my prime motivation throughout these past seven years of novel writing has definitely come from God, the greatest Encourager ever. It took me a year to find a publisher for my first novel. Then I waited another eighteen months before it was released. So from early on, I realised I would need God in a big way to keep me focused and motivated in this writing journey. Now, three years later and with three more novels published, my greatest challenge is finding the time to write, in the midst of speaking and promoting my books. I have produced a fifth novel, by God’s grace, but simply cannot seem to find the time to complete Number Six. So right now, with frustration levels high, I definitely need God as my great Encourager even more than when I started this journey.

First up, I need to remember how God called me to write in the first place. I was sitting on a rock in little village in Turkey while visiting a friend there and God challenged me clearly through the words of Isaiah 42. If God has called me to write, then I can do it! God does not call and then refuse to give us the strength to complete the task we have been given.

Secondly, I know that, to stay motivated, I need to put time aside to read God’s Word regularly and find encouragement there. I keep my bible open on the desk beside me as I write for that very purpose – I love to glance across when I feel frustrated, as I have today, and read words that challenge me to be at peace in the midst of everything. Thirdly, I try to ‘practise the presence of God’ as I write, remembering God’s Spirit is in me and all around me, ready to give me the wisdom and encouragement I need. I believe too I need to cover my writing in prayer constantly, enlisting family and friends, if possible, who will stand with me in my endeavours. I have a wonderful little ‘email prayer team’ who uphold me in prayer whenever I speak somewhere – I value their commitment so much. But I myself need to be prayerful too. And as I pray, I need to remember how much God has done for me in writing journey so far – and be thankful! I think Paul’s instructions in 1 Thess 3:18 to ‘be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances’ are one of the surest ways of staying motivated and remaining positive, whatever the challenges and frustrations we encounter as we write.

So right now, as I yet again open the file containing my current novel, I am determined to listen to God and receive the encouragement I need. How blessed are we to have the greatest Motivator ever living in us, loving us and empowering us to do what we have been called to do?




Jo-Anne Berthelsen writes contemporary general fiction and lives with her minister husband in Sydney, Australia. To learn more about Jo-Anne, please visit her website, http://www.jo-anneberthelsen.com/. On 6th November, Jo-Anne will be presenting a workshop at the Word Writers’ Fair in Brisbane, Queensland on this topic of ‘Staying Motivated’ – for more information, see http://www.thewordwriters.com/.