My Portion - Gloria Guest

“But Martha was distracted by all the preparations to be made. She came to Jesus and said, ‘Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me! “Martha, Martha, the Lord replied, you are worried and upset about many things. But only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:39-41 {Berean Bible} Was Jesus saying that what Martha was doing, making preparations for all of their visitors, not important? I don’t think so. I think he was saying to Martha, that she had gotten herself worried and distracted to the point of not allowing another their freedom to choose, to the point of not setting her own priorities and choosing more wisely. The thing about distractions is that they are usually good, or at least seem good. I find in my life that I also often use them to avoid something that I am uncomfortable with and don’t want to face. Then I can say that I was too busy to do it. Just like Martha, I choose something else, something that even seems necessary, but I am failing to look deeper into why I made that choice. Or perhaps, even worse, I know why I’m doing it but do it anyways. I find myself in such a place with my writing. I know that I am called to write. I even have a few ideas on what I could write about. I have a writing project in the works. But, I just don’t do it. I let myself be distracted. Sometimes, we do have to put aside our wants and goals for the sake of others. Looking after my grandchildren has been this for me. But there comes a time when we still need to carve out that time to do what we believe God has called us to do. I’m in this hole pretty deep and I still don’t quite know how I will get out of it. One thing that I’ve chosen though is to (at the request of another) try to lead a small writers group in my community. I’ve attempted one before that did not get off the ground. That’s right….I became distracted; most likely with fear. This time, I again feel fear. Mostly it’s the fear of not having enough to offer. I’m not an author of a book. My writing credits consist of newspaper columns and articles but those are all in the past. I have a couple of stories in the Inscribe anthologies. I’ve sent a poem to Fellowship. I write for this Inscribe Blog but have been having trouble with even being faithful to that. Mostly, I’ve written very little in the past ten years. Depression, which in part came upon me from leaving the reporting job that I loved, took over, along with a gathering storm of low self-esteem, loneliness and isolation. We also experienced business, health, injury and family issues during this time. Writing seemed lost to me. As a pick-me-up, and what I thought at the time might be just another distraction, I started to take some editing classes from Simon Fraser University, with the thought that it would keep one foot in the writing world and at the least help to improve my writing. I think it’s been working and that what I originally thought was nothing more than an empty distraction, is turning into a blessing in that I’ve sensed myself coming alive again in my interest to write. Only God knows what that ‘better portion,’ is for each of us. Only we can hear His gentle, even if reprimanding voice for ourselves. I can hear Jesus speaking Martha’s name so gently but saying it twice to get her attention, just as He wants to speak to me. “Gloria, Gloria, you are worried and upset about many things (see above list) but only one thing is necessary.” What is that necessary thing? It’s to leave all else and to sit at the feet of Jesus when He calls me to. To relax in His presence and listen. It is only from there that I can be led into all good things, including my writing. That is my portion.

Gloria writes from her small hamlet of Caron, Sk. where she resides with her husband and new kitten, Tigger (the latest recent distraction). She has written thousands of newspaper articles as a reporter/freelance reporter for various newspapers, mostly enjoying lifestyle pieces. She has also contributed to two Inscribe anthologies and is currently working on a poetry book about Saskatchewan. Other writing interests include memoir and telling stories from her own life to help others who deal with tough issues.

Home Sweet Inscribe Home - Tracy Krauss

I am more than familiar with the solitary aspects of the writing life. I spent about sixteen years in the 'closet' writing my first novel before I ventured to let someone read what I'd written. Even after that breakthrough, it took several more years before I made any significant connections with other writers. Until my first book found a publishing home, I shied away from even calling myself a writer. In some ways I felt like a  fraud - not really good enough to make such a claim. If I'd known then what I know now, I would have been quicker to find support, but I didn't actually understand how much I needed it.

It wasn't until my first novel came out in 2009 that I realized I needed a lot of things. I had zero platform, no website, and social media was a foreign concept to me. I naively thought that just by virtue of being 'out there', my book would sell itself. After a quick and rude awakening, I jumped head first into a cyber world that was totally unfamiliar and started to flounder around as best I could. It was a very steep learning curve, I assure you!

The first real support I felt was through an online group called 'Edgy Christian Fiction Lovers'. It was a forum for Christian writers and readers who didn't mind a bit of 'edge' to their fiction. It was a place where I felt I fit and I soon made some wonderful relationships with other authors that still exist to this day. (Sadly, the site itself closed down a few years ago.)

After that I kind of went crazy and joined almost every online group I came across - about thirty at its peak! Some were more beneficial than others, but it was difficult to maintain any kind of connection when spread so thin. I was also introduced to ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), a group that requires paid membership, and I joined.

It was somewhere in the summer of 2010 that I came across InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship. It was purely by accident while doing some kind of online search. I can't describe the thrill I felt when I discovered that there was a Canadian organization for Christian writers. Added to that, I had previously read some blog posts written by Marcia Laycock on another site and had felt a connection to her because we had both lived in the Yukon. When I discovered she was actually the president of Inscribe at the time - well! I couldn't get my cheque in the mail fast enough! 

When I received my first copy of Fellowscript, I was thrilled (again) to discover that there was a writing group fairly near to where I lived. (A two hour drive, but its all relative...) Marnie Pohlmann, the leader of the group, has since become a wonderful writing friend even though I can't make it to most meetings. I attended my first conference that fall and have only missed one. Fall conference has become one of the highlights of my year.

These days, I'm more selective about the online groups I participate in, but online groups are still an important aspect of my writing life. I'm also a member of The Word Guild, and I maintain my ACFW membership. However, Inscribe remains my main source of encouragement as a writer. Somehow, ever since I became a member, Inscribe just feels like 'home'. I suppose it's why I feel so privileged to do my small part for the organization, like maintain this blog, for instance. It is truly a joy and I enjoy reading and sharing each wonderful post.

You can share, too! Just click one of the sharing options at the bottom of this post or along the sidebar. It's easy! 

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Tracy Krauss writes from her home in northern BC. She is also more than happy to serve on Inscribe's executive as this blog's moderator, the coordinator for 'Local Writing Groups', and as the BC Rep. Check out her website for details about her many published books and plays. 

Because of Him by Glynis M. Belec

Writing is a lonesome endeavour. But I am good with that. I have the dickens of the time trying to figure out whether I am an introvert or extrovert, though. I LOVE being in my office all by myself creating and reading and doing all sorts of other things in seclusion. I long for extended periods of uninterrupted time to write but it rarely comes. Then again, I am an inspirational speaker and I LOVE doing that, too. I have lots of energy and I find speaking a wonderful way for me to release and to share. I guess that makes me an ambivert - a person whose personality has a balance of extrovert and introvert features.

 Over the years that I have been writing, one of the things I have learned about myself is I am not an oddity in the writing world. I know in the 'real' world a few shake their heads but I am learning that God made me 'that way' for a purpose. Since I have been surrounding myself with other writers who have quirks and odd things happening in their heads, I feel much better. I am not alone

Just at the right times, God has introduced me to some wonderful people - other writers. It's good to be understood. 

I am a member of quite a few writing organizations and groups, but the two professional ones that play the most important part in my writing life are Inscribe Christian Writers' Fellowship and The Word Guild. I also belong to other professional groups, but these two have influenced and molded me in ways that are hard to describe. Sometimes I wonder why I have to belong to two similar organizations, then I remember my two visuals. Belonging to Inscribe is like grabbing a cup of tea and sitting on the couch talking and sharing all things writing. Membership in The Word Guild is like having a great business luncheon and discussing details of the next project. Many of my writer friends are members of both and I love that. We sharpen each other. 

Quite a few years ago I started Writers Unite. We are a local group who meet in the local Studio Factor, which is a great place for artists to come and be inspired. I was the only published writer to begin with but over the years others have been published while others have gained confidence and write blogs, plays, fiction, Christian inspirational stories and so much more. I don't always have to lead  which is nice for me and it warms my heart to see the passion pour out on the page each month. God has blessed these writers (and me!) so much since we started meeting together. Sometimes we end up being a bit of a therapy session because someone has challenges and we just feel so very safe sharing. We are friends and we have each other's writerly backs. And I love that. 

Back in June of 2015 God laid something on my heart that I am so grateful for. He knew my propensity for hiding in my office, but He also knew I did have a need to communicate and grow. I felt an urge to reach out and start a private Facebook group not only for writers, but also for readers. So I did. 

July 1st was the debut post for our Angel Hope Publishing group. We have 471 members composed of writers, readers, librarians, editors and publishers. I felt God impress upon my heart that this was not about selling my books. It was about sharing, engaging conversation and encouraging Canadian authors and readers who may or may not be Christians - then there is that byproduct of seed-planting.

 At the beginning I had some issues with a couple of members who didn't like the faith aspect (I also felt this would be a place to speak about glorifying God through words). But now, I absolutely love the contact I have here with others. I learn so much and I am encouraged. I pray that that happens for others, too. Some participate regularly. Some when the topic hits home. Others like the contests or the quizzes. While others are just quiet and read. I am so thankful for the way it has worked out. We are a closed group so people have to request to join. I want Angels to feel safe and blessed. 

Sure, I would like to spend more time doing me, me, me things and following my own ideas. Then I hear that little Voice whispering words like, 'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. . .'

I keep trying (because of Him). 

               Glynis

Growing with InScribe Then and Now by Sharon Espeseth

Sometime during the mid eighties a small group of Barrhead women banded together to form a writing group. I'm not sure what we called our little troupe at that time, but we met in Carol Stewart's basement and we sometimes had workshops in the Library.

Most of us were young married women with children. Carol, a pastor's wife and writer, was older, wiser, and more experienced than we were in writing and getting our work published. What an asset she was to our group, as mentor, encourager, and spiritual sister. Together we wrote and sent our writing to various markets. I started keeping a binder of our collective, published works. This became an amazing collection.

Carol was a member of Alberta Christian Writers and encouraged us to join this groups. A few of us did, and I remember fondly a Fall Conference at King's College in Edmonton when four of us attended . Comparing notes with Audrey Shield at yesterday's Word Weavers meeting in Barrhead, we decided this might have been during the late nineties with Luci Shaw as keynote speaker.

I smile now to think of Luci Shaw, this inspiring woman, who, at 71 years of age, would take her

Sharon at Luci's age at time of conference

journals with her on a solo camping trip. For two weeks each year, Luci dedicated this time away to mine her journals and make them into stories or poems. Audrey and I chuckle, now, at how brave and determined we thought she was to do this in her "elder years". Ironically, I turned one year older than that yesterday.

Preparing for this blog, I hunted for her book, Water my Soul: Cultivating the Interior Life, which I suspect I have lent to a friend. I would not have been foolish enough to downsize this book. I vividly recall one story from Water My Soul that occurred while she was grieving for her first husband. Luci's was watching her young granddaughter paint. Since the child hadn't figured out how to dab the excess water from her brush, the large paper was gray and murky. Luci remembers thinking how her life was like that--dull, gray and murky.

Suddenly, the young artist discovered how to dab off the excess water. A vivid green appeared and in the corner of her pape and grew. This was the message Ms. Shaw needed: life would not always be dreary for her. She too could learn to discover and observe the green around her.

I also have a book of her poems--Writing the River, in which Ms. Shaw revisits this time of grieving. Reading on lucishaw.com I discovered that during this period, she had built a small cabin in the words with a stream flowing under her deck. In her introduction to this book, which is one of her journal entries, we read,  

"This creek is like my stream of consciousness. All day and all night it is in the background of my listening and thinking. It is there as I write, or stoke the woodstove, or sleep (dreaming), or make soup. I often peer out at it, or step onto the deck to listen to it, as if I need to check it... I think it is myself I am checking. It is my metaphor—intensely personal. I am writing a stream. I am living a creek." 

What a metaphor! Writing (and Living)  the River
by Luci Shaw

This particular Fall Conference was memorable for me, perhaps because I found Luci Shaw a kindred spirit. This year's Fall Conference was great and last year's conference was great, and so on, but I will just share this one conference for now.

I am thankful for the several conferences I have attended and for the InScriber friends I  have gathered along the way, whether online or in person. What a fabulous group of gifted, humble, and loving people we have on our rosters! I could say names, but the list would be long and I would, no doubt, leave an important name off the list. Thanks to all of you for the part you play in this Christian organization. It matters not to what denomination you belong, or what genre you write, or where you live; I thank each one of you for the part you play in InScribe Christian Writer's Fellowship and for what you mean to me personally.

I remain active in our local group, which is a satellite group of ICWF. At one  point, we named our local group the Women Word Weavers--a name that stuck. Members have come and gone, but a core group has stayed and we continue to work together. Some years ago, my sister Wendy, who also dabbles in writing, suggested I read The Wednesday Sisters,a novel by Meg Waite Clayton. This novel is a lovely reminder of how our group, and maybe yours, might operate and how we might grow individually. (I don't, however, remember The Wednesday Sisters being a spiritual group,  per se. Maybe someone  elseneeds to write that book.)

Yesterday we held our meeting in Barrhead for WWW and a lovely meeting it was. We were eight of us. Marianne Stamm, who is an out-of-country member, was home from Switzerland where she is now living. Her newly published book, Laughter in the Shadows: Stories of Courage from 11 Zambian Women is out. I bought my copy of her book. A couple of the ladies had bought their books last week. Both of them said they found it hard to put this book down, so they had read and were recommending this book.

Marianne's hard work and success in writing is an inspiration to each of us. She reminds us how we helped her get started on this journey. She gives us a gentle pep talk about how each of us has writings ready to take us to the next level. I remind the group of what we do give to each other. I remind my friends of ripe fruit ICWF has waiting for each of us, and that much of this fruit is available on the low branches. I remind the ladies that InScribe has a special offer for membership until the end of November.

These are a few of our WWW members past or .present.
Thanks, my friends, for the memories!

Anita, one of our newer members, calls us a "kick-a_ _ group," because we actively write. Previous groups she belonged to were good at making excuses about why they hadn't written anything this month.

ICWF Fall Conference 2015 - Ruth L. Snyder

A gourmet banquet meal comes to mind when I think of the InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship Fall Conference 2015. I had the opportunity to worship God, be challenged, encouraged, motivated, and equipped. Today I'd like to share some highlights by way of pictures.

Jeff Goins

This year we, as an executive, decided to have a pre-conference session on Thursday afternoon. Jeff Goins not only challenged us to figure out what God wants us to do personally, but also encouraged us to consider how we could meet each other's needs as a community of writers. He encouraged us to think about ways our passions and skills intersect with what people need and want. He also challenged us to share our needs with our InScribe community and see how God could meet those needs through other people we know.

Irish Beth Maddock

Melanie Fischer and Sheila Webster

On Thursday evening we had a delightful time of sharing and celebrating. Many authors shared a piece they had written by reading aloud. Irish Beth Maddock delighted us with her cat shoes and her charming children's book, The Great Carp Escape. We were thrilled to celebrate Melanie Fischer's launch of her book, Ya...But How? Connie Inglis received the prize for our inaugural art contest and we all benefitted by receiving a beautiful journal with her picture on the cover.

Bittersweet Memories by Connie Inglis

Connie Inglis receives art contest award

The Sawridge Inn and Conference Centre provided a welcoming environment which many attendees commented on. The weekend flew by all too quickly as we enjoyed a wide array of quality workshops, browsed the many tables of books available for sale, ate delicious food, renewed friendships, and networked.

Fall Contest Winner

WINNERS OF THE 2015 FALL CONTEST

NON-FICTION ESSAY (Contemporary issue from a Christian perspective)

FIRST – “Abortion: Canada’s Unfinished Debate” by Sharon Espeseth of Barrhead, AB

SECOND- “Connecting the Dots” by Violet Nesdoly of Langley, BC

THIRD – “Until Death Do Us Part” by Nina Morey of Saskatoon, SK

ADULT FICTION – SHORT STORY

FIRST – “Holiday Cheer” by Marnie Pohlman of Taylor, BC

SECOND - No prize awarded

THIRD – “Crash and Burn” by Nina Morey of Saskatoon, SK

HM –“A Shepherd’s Story” by Ellen Hooge of Calgary, AB

Bob Goodnough

POETRY

FIRST – “If Only” by Sharon Cavers of Cavan, ON

SECOND- “Like a Mustard Seed” by Alvin Ens of Abbotsford, BC

THIRD – “He Was Trouble” by Connie Inglis of Edmonton, AB

HM – “The Pebble” by Katherine Hoffman of Edmonton, AB

DEVOTIONAL

FIRST- “Remember” by Ramona Furst of North Bay, ON

SECOND- “Monkeys on My Back” by Marnie Pohlman of Taylor, BC

THIRD – “Trust Your Pilot” by Janet Seever of Calgary, AB

BLOG POST

FIRST – “Spirit-Led Writing” by Bob Goodnough of Delisle, SK

SECOND - “Take Up a Stone” by Marcia Laycock of Blackfalds, AB

THIRD – “Ideas” by Janice Dick of Guernsey, SK

Some of the contributors to 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers

We celebrated the launch of the paperback edition of 7 Essential Habits of Christian Writers on Friday night after the banquet.





I'm grateful for the volunteer team of people God has brought together to serve on the InScribe Executive for 2015-16:

President: Ruth L. Snyder

Vice-President: Sheila Webster

Secretary: Sandi Somers

Treasurer: Bobbi Junior

Membership: Gwen Mathieu

Website: Janelle Baldwin

Local Writing Group Coordinator: Tracy Krauss

Publicity Coordinator: Karma Pratt

FellowScript Editor-in-Chief: Sheila Webster

Contest Coordinator: Eleanor Bertin

Conference Convener 2016:

Spiritual Advisor Team: Jack Popjes and Connie Inglis (Elaine Ingalls Hogg as able)

FellowScript Acquisitions Editor: Pam Mytroen

FellowScript Layout Editor: Janelle Baldwin

FellowScript Columns Editor: Nina Morey

InScribe Writers Online Blog Moderator: Tracy Krauss

Professional Blog Moderator: Stephanie Nickel

Listserv Moderator: Sheri Hathaway

Administrative Assistant: Marnie Pohlmann

ICWF Book Coordinator:

Provincial/Territorial Reps: Tracy Krauss, BC; Tandy Balson, AB; Janice Dick, SK; Addy Oberlin, MB; Glynis Belec, ON; Beverley Nippard, NL/Labrador (Vacant: Yukon, Nunavut, Quebec, PEI, NB, and NS)

Pray that God will continue to use InScribe to encourage and equip writers who are Christians!

My metamorphosis into a writer - Ruth L. Snyder

My journey to becoming a writer is more of a metamorphosis (by definition, "A profound change in form from one stage to the next") than a "Eureka" moment.

I clearly remember the day I read my first book. (It was actually more like rehearsing the memorized text of my favourite book, but to me it was reading.) I made everyone I encountered sit down and listen to me "read". A few weeks later I realized those squiggles on the page had meaning and began the process of learning how to actually read. Reading opened a colourful imaginative world I still enjoy today.

The next step in the metamorphosis came a year or so later. We lived in South Africa at the time and had just returned from a year of furlough in the United States and Canada. Writing letters formed a link across the ocean and helped me stay in touch with relatives. I remember listening intently as my mother read each letter, using my imagination to visualize the actions and people described. Soon I joined my mother writing letters back.

We enjoyed a visit from a special family friend, "Auntie Ngairie," a couple years after we moved to Botswana. Decades later, I remember her insistence that my writing would be stronger if I used a greater variety of words. "Try not to repeat any words. Replace repetitions with something that will add to the meaning." (Something I still work at today!)

A year or so later, my sister and I joined our two older brothers at a mission hostel in Zimbabwe. We travelled five hundred miles by train to attend school in the capital city of Salisbury (now called Harare). Writing became even more important to me because I was away from my parents for three months at a time. I eagerly anticipated the weekly letters my parents wrote, and in return, I searched for words to describe my activities and opportunities.

We moved to Canada in 1977 and other than school activities or the very occasional letter, my writing consisted of daily journaling. This continued through middle school and high school. In grade ten, I joined the school newsletter and yearbook committees. Here I discovered the joy of sharing my writing with a larger audience. I also enjoyed experimenting with layout and design.

After I finished Bible College, my mother showed me an advertisement for a writing "aptitude test". "You should do this and send it in." More to get her to leave me alone than anything else, I complied. A few weeks later I received an invitation to take a course on writing for children from the Institute of Children's Literature in Connecticut. I received encouraging comments from my instructor and learned the basics of writing for children. After two courses from the institute, the metamorphosis continued with two more courses from their sister organization, Long Ridge Writers' Group.

One of my instructors encouraged me to join groups where I would have the opportunity to interact with other writers. Through the internet I found and connected with The Word Guild, InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship and The Christian PEN. These groups provided more nurturing and encouragement. Winning the Fresh Ink contest with The Word Guild finally convinced me I am a writer. Conferences provide opportunities to learn from and network with other writers. Through a course with The Christian PEN I met Kathi Macias, who invited me to write my first novella, Cecile's Christmas Miracle.

The metamorphosis continues. This week I learned how to format my own manuscript for Kindle and uploaded my Learn Twitter: 10 Beginning Steps to Amazon. Launch date is set for April 27th. I'm excited to see where God and my writing lead next!

Follow Ruth's adventures in writing and life at http://ruthlsnyder.com

Writing Snuck Up On Me by Tandy Balson

Writing snuck up on me.  It wasn’t something I had consciously pursued.   There also was no Eureka moment when I discovered this was my calling.

Looking back on my life, I see the signs that God kept placing before me.  My hindsight is 20/20 but my vision over the years was too clouded with self doubts to even consider the possibility of being a writer.

In his book, The Art of Work, Jeff Goins said, “A calling is what you have when you look back at your life and make sense of what it’s been trying to teach you all along.”  My life had been trying to teach me that I should be a writer for many years but I wasn’t paying attention.

When I finally acknowledged that this was something I wanted to pursue I knew I would need help and advice. I spoke to a friend who was a writer and she gave me the encouragement to get started.  I appreciated her insight but as I wanted to focus on Christian content and this was foreign to her, I knew I needed more.

Though research I found The Word Guild and became a member.  Through this I was introduced to InScribe and quickly joined this group as well.

The people I have met through these groups, both in person at conferences and online have been a source of information and encouragement.  They are always willing to freely share their knowledge.  I have found opportunities through them that I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.  The more I learn, the more my confidence has grown.

In my mind I am a writer.  This still isn’t easy to vocalize when people ask me what I do.  I did it for the first time at a meeting I attended recently.  The guest speaker was the publisher of a local magazine.  When I introduced myself to her, she asked what kind of business I was in.  Without hesitation, I smiled and said, “I’m a writer.”    I must have said it with confidence because after a brief conversation, she mentioned something about the possibility of doing a feature story on me.  Maybe I had the Eureka after all!

blog: https://www.timewithtandy.com

website: https://www.tandyb.com