BOOK DAY: Pond'rings, a writer's memoir by Marcia Lee Laycock

We are pleased to introduce (actually re-introduce) a monthly segment called BOOK DAY here on InScribe Writers Online.

It's where we highlight books that InScribe members have read and recommend—based on our blog themes of Faith and Writing. Which we hope will include some of the lovely books penned and published by our own InScribe members (you can view the titles on our website HERE).

Have you read any good books lately? Do you have any titles you'd like to recommend to our readers? You are welcome to submit a short review to Brenda Leyland to be included in our monthly roster.

Today we are pleased to highlight Marcia Laycock's newest book, Pond'rings, a writer's memoir.

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TITLE: Pond'rings, a writer's memoir

AUTHOR: Marcia Lee Laycock

PUBLISHER: Siretona Creative, 2024

WHERE TO PURCHASE:

Siretona Online Bookstore ($20.00 CAN)

Amazon ($20.00 Paperback + $9.99 Kindle)

In her latest book, Pond'rings, a writer's memoir, Marcia Laycock looks back on her writing career that has spanned three decades. She gives her readers a peek into the 'twists and turns, mileposts and detours' which include many lightbulb moments that have enlightened her path. Gathering her many memories from a life well experienced—from the time she wrote stories for her dolls to when she first felt the call to write for God's kingdom to the present day—Marcia delightfully engages readers as she shares about being a writer of faith.

It's good for us as writers to hear stories from other authors, especially those we know personally and rub shoulders with. To realize that we all face our own "Big Old Hairy Ogres" (as Marcia dubbed the grim negative voices that plagued her life). Sometimes the wisdom we glean from another's life experience turns out to be exactly what resonates for our own life. I've enjoyed sitting in Marcia's presence as I disappeared into her book. Where she courageously and candidly opens her heart and tells her tales of resilience, discipline, and sometimes-faltering but ever growing trust in a Father who loves her. And Who has faithfully led her from writing opportunity to writing opportunity to writing opportunity. His benevolent involvement is evident as she writes.

Marcia tells, from early on, how she'd often hear the voice of the Ogre mocking her with 'your words don't matter, no one will ever care about them, they're just going to fade away.' But when she began to hear another Voice, she came to realize her words were, rather, a legacy and a testimony to God's grace and mercy. She often mentions paying heed to the words of fellow writers who encouraged her and shares a few of these with us. For instance, Marcia was deeply touched by words heard in an interview done with Carrie Fountain, an American poet. The words are now starred and underlined in my copy of the book because they resonated with me. Simple steps. Beautiful instructions. 

"Just get started.

Each morning, make a little progress.

Send out a little prayer.

Take note of something.

Try to be facing in the direction of the surprise."

Carrie Fountain

If you need encouragement in your own writing journey or maybe a few anecdotes to brighten your path, or you just want to rejoice in the grace of God in Marcia's life, this book is well worth your time. I agree with Canadian author Phil Callaway when he said, 'What my friend Marcia writes, I read'. Over the years I have come to appreciate Marcia's work as a writer, knowing that what she shares has been skillfully, prayerfully, and creatively crafted to touch hearts for the Kingdom.

Review by Brenda Leyland

Marcia is an award-winning author of fiction, devotionals, children's stories and fantasies, and more. Her writing and speaking journey continues. You can find her online at:

Website: www.marcialeelaycock.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marcialeelaycock
Substack: https://marcialeelaycock.substack.com