I dreamed ...

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I was watching an episode of our local Masterchef and famous British chef Marco Pierre White gave a short inspirational speech about the power of dreams.

“Dreams … without them you’ll achieve nothing.”

A day later, I popped cross to a blog I hadn’t visited for a few months to find the latest post was an encouragement to write down your dreams. “Ask God again to dream with you. No, to give you His dreams!” (Lynn Donovan)

Okay. I think God might be trying to tell me something.

And just to confirm the following day the daily reading from John Eldredge’s devotional was titled “We Can’t Out-Dream God.” The post stated how the majority of people say they don’t have any dreams and those who do, only a small portion actually write them down and follow them up.

BAM!

Three strikes.

I couldn’t recall the last time I had spent any time thinking about my writing dreams. Life had gotten so muddled for a variety of reasons and I realised I’d kinda lost my way with my dreams for my writing. I was simply plodding along.

“Awakening and owning the dreams that God has placed in our hearts isn’t about getting stuff or attaining something. It’s about embracing who we are and who He has created us to be. In Him.” (John Eldredge)

So I listened.

Opened my heart and started to dream. Again. With Him.

Sure my world didn’t just change overnight but it was like I woke up again and could see a little further down the road. I’d lifted my head up from having spent too much time looking downward.

A fog had lifted. That simmering flame in my heart suddenly received some oxygen and began to burn a little brighter.

“Because the thing about dreams is, dreams come true.” (John Eldredge)

When did you last get in touch with your writing dreams?

If it’s been a while may I encourage you this week to spend some time with pen and paper (or e-device) in hand and chat to God about them. You might be surprised what the two of you come up with.

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

The benefits of bookstore appearances

When my first novel was published in 2007, author appearances at our nearest Christian bookstore here in Sydney were not overly encouraged, so I gave up the whole idea. In recent years, however, the situation has changed and the store manager now warmly welcomes author visits. I have made several and enjoy them immensely.

For starters, it feels special when I arrive to find a table strategically placed near the main entrance ready for me, along with whatever stocks of my books are available, promotional posters, pens, notepads and even a bottle of water! I am always provided with a comfortable chair as well and asked if I need anything else. Then at intervals during the day, a staff member makes an announcement over the PA system, encouraging customers to come and chat with me. At first, I wondered if I enjoyed all this simply because it was feeding my ego! Yet now I believe it’s more about feeling acknowledged and respected in a healthy way and allowing that to encourage me in my writing journey. For me, it’s about sensing God’s grace in the way these staff members look after me and allowing myself to be blessed in the process. And I hope and pray I bless them in return.

This whole experience also makes me realise God’s faithfulness and grace in my life in an even deeper way and to be so thankful. I often almost pinch myself in amazement as I see all six of my books published so far on display on that book table. Back in 2004, when I began writing in earnest, I could never have envisaged the day when I would be standing in a bookstore, talking about my writing and offering to sign my books for customers. That was the stuff dreams were made of! But God brought it about, enabling me to fulfil those dreams—and I am so grateful.

But there are also other benefits that flow from these author appearances. I do think they are a valuable way of promoting my books and obtaining higher sales than would otherwise be the case. It’s about making my books more visible among the thousands and thousands of others in that bookstore and enabling potential readers to put a face to that author’s name on the cover and to glimpse my heart in writing my books. Then hopefully, as more customers buy them, the store will order more from my publisher, which will eventually result in more royalties for me.

As well, I always give many of my business cards out to customers, whether they come up to my book table or not. It can be done in a polite, non-intrusive way and often leads to interesting conversations and connections. At my last book signing event, I approached a young woman, who, on taking my card, immediately looked up with a delighted smile and exclaimed, ‘Jo-Anne Berthelsen!’ I had known her years ago in a mentoring group and her excitement at hearing about my writing journey since then was so heart-warming for me. Giving customers my card also provides them with a way of connecting with me, should they ever be looking for a speaker.

How have you found your own author visits to bookstores? Do you feel they are worthwhile? Does the way they are conducted perhaps vary from country to country?

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 and one non-fiction work, Soul Friend: the story of a shared spiritual journey. Her sixth novel, The Inheritance, will be released in September. 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.