Compassionate Connections by Carol Harrison

 Alone, I pull out pen and paper to grab thoughts and ideas before they flee away.  Alone,I stare at the blank computer screen and wait for those words to flow from fingertips to document. Alone, I revise, rework, and wait for more inspiration. 

Writing is a solitary endeavor. I am the only one that can pull those thoughts from my mind and capture them on paper or the computer. Once written, I can share the words, story, or poem. Someone else, and editor, can look at our words, grammar, and punctuation and offer suggestions and places that still need work. There are cover designers, Beta readers, and those who read to review and endorse. Writing goes from solitary to team.

But there are times discouragement threatens any forward movement. A concept might be just out of reach, or a new technology befuddles my brain, and I have this feeling of wanting to quit. Negative voices reverberate in my mind, drowning out the positives. Challenges and negatives intertwine and drive inspiration out the door. What now? Where can I find what I need?

What about you? Have you ever felt this way? Do you need some inspiration or

encouragement with your writing? How about a challenge to push you out of your comfort zone and into new endeavours? What about opportunities to learn from others who are further in this writing journey than yourself? Maybe, what you seek is something to banish that feeling of the loneliness writers experience as they sit by themselves to jot ideas, write, or even revise pieces of work.

Meeting other writers through Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship has filled many needs. Here I have been challenged to keep learning and then use what I know. From the first time I met Jan Dick and Marcia Laycock at a one-day writers’ conference in Saskatoon over a dozen years ago, I went from thinking I shouldn’t be there to feeling welcomed and accepted. What a wonderful feeling. The challenge continued when I signed up for Marcia's devotional writing course. I learned how to condense the words but still say the same thing as well as many other useful things. Mentoring, both intentional and incidental offered learning opportunities, growth, and challenges to move out of my comfort zone until I could say, "I am a writer."

I have been encouraged while I listened to others share their work, what they are learning, and tips on all aspects of writing. Judges comments on pieces I entered into the Fall contest gave me more chances to improve. FellowScript magazine gave me great reading material, helpful advice, spiritual encouragement, and the chance to have pieces of writing published. 

Occasionally I have been able to attend Fall Conference where I finally could put faces and names together, be encouraged to hear about their writing journeys and spend time in worship, prayer, and learning with other like-minded individuals from various parts of our great country. I look at my bookshelf and see signed copies of books from devotionals to novels and think of the author behind the name. They inspire me to use the gifts God has given. 

Connie Inglis' emails to say she had been praying a specific verse usually popped into the inbox at just the time I needed them. God is so good. Thank you Connie for your heart for others, your prayers, and the verses you sent. The voluntary leadership of our executive over the years has enhanced our group as they tried a number of ways to grow connections has touched my heart as well. I could list so many others I have met or interacted with via technology, but the post would grow longer and I might miss some. I am blessed to have so many writers to learn from and laugh or cry with, depending on the circumstances.

As this new year begins, God has impressed the words compassionate connection, on my heart and mind. Ephesians 4: 32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” 

The members of Inscribe have demonstrated this in words and deeds as they have inspired, challenged, encouraged, and taught me many things. May God increase the desire in our hearts to honour him with our words, being good stewards of the gifts He has given,  and how we treat others, just like I have already experienced.The interactions we have become like the dandelion puffs blown in the wind. We may never know where the compassion
and connection may spread.

I may sit and write alone but I never have to be lonely in my writing journey as long as I compassionately connect with other writers, especially those from Inscribe.

 

 

Carol writes from her home in Saskatoon, SK. She loves to tell stories, reading, and visiting with others in person and via technology too.

Shadows Cast by Light - Marnie Pohlmann

 

Shadows. I picture the scene in Peter Pan where Wendy sews Peter’s shadow onto his heels. While we enjoy the story of these lost boys, some who look for deeper meanings say Peter’s shadow represents the physical part of Peter, a child who died young so will never grow up. Peter is the spirit and the shadow symbolizes the physical boy because only physical matter casts a shadow.

The wind does not have a shadow. Clouds blown by the wind may cast a shadow, but clouds also have specks of matter in them. Yet we do not see shadows on cloudy days. Shadows can be seen only when light is cast onto something physical.

Projecting this into the Christian realm, mightn’t we be shadows? We are physical. We are a representative of an unseen Spirit. So, when the Spirit’s light shines, does it not cause us to show His unseen Spirit, like a shadow? Is the purpose of a shadow to make the unseen, seen?

I have had shadows influence my life. Some have been scary. But shadows who have influenced my writing style, my voice, and my desire to write, while intimidating, are not scary. Let me tell you about some.

As I post this blog, we are in the middle of the Inscribe (Virtual) Fall Conference. Did you think I was going to say we are in a pandemic called COVID? We are in that, as well, which is the reason our Fall Conference changed from in-person to virtual. I hope you have been able to take in some of the Conference. It has been spectacular. Meeting with Christian writers from across the country is priceless. Many writers from Inscribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship have been my mentors.

I first heard about Inscribe at a poetry workshop in the small town of Big River, Saskatchewan. I didn’t realize at the time how impacting that workshop would be in my life. Has God ever put you in isolation so He could do something big in your life?

When we moved from Big River to Saskatoon, I took a huge risk and called the local Inscribe group to find out how to join them. Linda Hall was the leader then, and it was in that group where I met Janice Dick, Joy Bailey, Sheri Hathaway, and others. They allowed me to believe I could write for fun, never needing to share my writing. God was pushing me into His will.

One year I was able to go to Conference in Edmonton. Sheila Webster phoned me before Conference to invite me to share at the author's reading. I felt I not only had nothing to share, but I was also intimidated by these published authors who treated me like I was a writer, too.

The president the year I went to Conference was Marcia Laycock. She may not remember, but she spoke with me that weekend. The President! Spoke to me! I knew God had placed Inscribe into my life as a billboard. Don’t we always want a sign?

When we left Saskatoon to return to northern BC, I missed meeting with Christian writers. Again, I took a risk and “put out there” in our new home that I was hosting a local Inscribe Christian writers’ group. Shortly after, Tracy Krauss and her husband dropped in at our church. This prolific writer who makes publishing seem a simple task is now our President. Her visit was the encouragement I needed to maintain my membership with Inscribe.

Tracy invited me (challenged is a better word) to post in the Inscribe Writers’ Online blog - every month. I had never been that consistent in writing except in my journals. I had not shared much of my writing where strangers could read. But I took that opportunity and continue to post in this blog.

One summer evening in Barkerville for a wedding, Wally and I were staying at a bed and breakfast. Wally was ill, so I put on his “social” hat. His hat doesn’t fit me well, but I went down for evening tea. As I chatted with a couple, they asked polite questions. I answered vaguely. Then I boldly stated, “I’m a writer.” Terry, the more outgoing of the couple, immediately said, “so is Alan!” I apologetically clarified I only posted on a Christian writers’ blog. Alan Anderson and I then realized we were speaking with a fellow Inscriber. The Spirit shines through this compassionate couple, but there was no mistaking the mallet God used in this “chance encounter” to push me further along this path of words.

Ruth Snyder, then President of Inscribe, encouraged me to help. She introduced me to what goes on behind the scenes to keep Inscribe running. When I met Bobbi Junior I immediately loved her. This spunky woman worked full-time, had health issues, and volunteered many hours. She was Inscribe's treasurer, mainstay, and problem-solver. During all that, she still published two books. The executive team mentors all around them, with God's light shining brightly to reveal their faith-filled shadows.

So many other Inscribe members have been and continue to be my mentors. I find Inscribe writers are faithful to God and to their writing projects. The group inspires me to continue to develop as a writer.

Scripture says, “But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.” (1 John 2:27 NLT) 

Yes, the Spirit of God teaches me. Sometimes He does so by shining His light through mentors who cast His shadow on me.

Do you feel God's light directing His shadow onto your writing? Is His shadow nipping at your heels to be sewn into your writing life? Inscribe is a fellowship of writers who allow God to be their shadow.

Marnie writes from northern BC. 
God continues to cast His shadow onto her life while she walks with Him and grows as a writer.

Lynn without an "e" by Lynn Dove

When I was a little girl I had a lot of trouble fitting in.  I was a bit geeky looking and bit my nails to the quick.  I wasn't a social butterfly, and did not make friends easily.  I was a people pleaser, still am to some extent, so I followed along with the herd mentality of the time, even if I didn't agree with the "herd".  I had a wild imagination that I allowed to run wild on paper, so I became known as a "story teller" in elementary school.  I loved to write grand adventures, and used as my characters all the students in my class, including teachers (who oftentimes were depicted as villains).  Everyone enjoyed hearing their name mentioned in my stories, and so I gained notoriety and some vain enjoyment in being the centre of attention for a little when I would read aloud my stories in class.  My teachers encouraged my writing, perhaps seeing some potential in me that was otherwise lacking in other subject areas at school.  

When I was a teenager, I continued to write and enjoyed writing satirical articles for the local community paper and our school newspaper.  Again, it allowed me an opportunity to express my thoughts and opinions that I could not voice in person.  Most often people agreed with my stance, but occasionally someone would oppose my view, and I took their criticism personally and would retreat to my "corner", unable to write for weeks.  I still have difficulty having my writing critiqued.  Although I no longer take it as a personal affront, I still do not like to read negative reviews.  I step out of my comfort zone each and every time I enter a writing competition because I am so nervous about what judges may say about my writing.  Yet, I also enjoy honing my craft, so I have learned to accept and learn from constructive criticism, but it has taken years to overcome my fear of critical evaluation.

I was an avid reader from a very young age, disappearing whole-heartedly into a book, where I lived, breathed and took on the persona of the main character.  It was like being teleported to a new plane of reality for me every time I immersed myself in a book.  I can remember the first time I went into our school library in grade one and signed out my first chapter book.  THAT book changed my life, and in some ways is partially responsible for the career trajectory I took in becoming a teacher and a writer.

I would never presume to think my writing comparable to this incomparable writer, but it would behoove me to say that throughout my life her books have greatly inspired and influenced my own writing.  I do not feel this author's "presence" when I write; I have no belief in that whatsoever.  However, there are many times when I write, that I will challenge myself to emulate this author's capacity to write predominantly from personal experience.  The first time I read "Anne of Green Gables" by Lucy Maud Montgomery, I knew I wanted to write novels geared towards youth and young adults, but would also captivate the attention of readers of all ages.  Montgomery's headstrong, young heroine, Anne imprinted herself on my heart. I related to Anne in so many, many ways.  She was geeky too, but had a wild imagination like myself.  Like Anne, I was constantly correcting people how to spell my first name: Lynn without an "e" please!  Anne wrote articles and stories and became a teacher, and reading about her adventures as a writer and teacher, fostered a longing in me to have the same kinds of adventures.  Of course, as I got older and continued to read other novels written by L.M. Montgomery, I became more and more enamored and impressed with the strong, heroines she wrote about in her books.  Over many years, I have compiled the complete "Anne" collection, as well as add twenty or so more books written by Lucy Maud Montgomery.  

L.M. Montgomery depicts women as strong individuals who follow their dreams despite trying circumstances.  Again, I relate so well to these women.  My life in general has been a series of overcoming challenging situations.  Like me, those heroines have made their share of mistakes, but they challenge themselves and others to forge ahead despite what they may face.  They are humourous, they take risks, they are unstoppable, and that gives them credibility in my eyes.  I also enjoy how faith is interwoven throughout Montgomery's books.  She is not preachy, allowing the reader to surmise how and from Whom her heroines gain their strength.  

Another attribute I applaud in the way Montgomery builds her characters, is the real attention to detail.  Her characters are so believable that the reader develops a close affinity with them.  Anne became my lifelong friend as a young reader!  I cared about what happened to her in each book.  Long after the last page was turned, I wanted to learn more about her. I remember memorizing the poem "The Highwayman" because Anne did!  In every Language Arts class I have taught in junior high, I have taken special pleasure in introducing my students to that epic poem, regardless whether or not it was on the school's curriculum outline.  

When I started to write my first novel, I was very mindful about character development, especially depicting my heroines to be strong, confident individuals, yet be vulnerable as well.  I wanted them to have teachable spirits. I believe that L.M. Montgomery would have approved of my efforts.  

Perhaps one of the most important lessons I learned after reading "Anne of Green Gables", was embedded in a line that Anne spoke: "Tomorrow is always fresh with no mistakes in it."  I can't help but think that L.M. Montgomery may have had this Bible Verse in mind when she penned that line. "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases: his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV)

My writing and daily living is wrapped up in that philosophy.  

Lynn Dove is the award-winning author, of the YA “Wounded Trilogy”- a contemporary Christian fiction series with coming-of-age themes.  A wife, mom, grandmother, and free-lance writer with articles published in several magazines and anthologies including Chicken Soup for the Soul books, her blog, “Journey Thoughts” is a Canadian Christian Writing Award winner.  Readers may connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and at lynndove.com 

Grateful for Shadow Mentors by Ruth L. Snyder

 This month we are blogging about those who have influenced our lives through their books. As I thought back over the years, I became teary-eyed, realizing again how blessed I have been in so many ways. God has provided numerous people to mentor me directly and indirectly. I'm grateful for all of them. 

Books, reading, and writing were all important in my early years. Since my family lived in South Africa, across the ocean from all our relatives, the only connection we had was letters sent and received by snail mail. I was only six weeks old when our family left North America, which meant I "met" and learned to love my relatives through reading and writing letters. Since there was no internet at the time, books helped me experience life in many different realms.

I still remember the day I learned how to read. Actually, I was just spouting off a memorized version of a favorite book while pointing at the letters. When I figured out those squiggles on the page had meaning, whole new worlds opened up. I read dozens of books about Noddy's adventures. Enid Blyton made me laugh and cry. She helped me experience life with Noddy—a great example of showing, not telling!

"The best way to treat obstacles is to use them as stepping-stones."

-Enid Blyton

My mother spent countless hours reading books to us. When we were preparing to return to North America, she started reading books about Canada. One of the books she read was Love Comes Softly, by Janette Oke. The characters and their journeys captured my heart and mind, and her descriptions of the Canadian Prairies made me feel like I was going to a place I already knew. (I didn't know that I would have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Oke in person decades later at one of our InScribe Fall conferences.)

“The truth of God's love is not that He allows bad things to happen, it's his promise that he will be there with us—when they do.”

-Janette Oke

Reading godly books is one of the anchors that pulled me through my teen years. I was shy and found it hard to reach out to people I didn't know. Perhaps that is why Ann Kiemel's books had such an influence on me. The stories of her trust in Jesus for practical needs, and how she sang to strangers and told them about Jesus challenged me. She made faith seem so personal and enjoyable.

"One simple person plus a great God can do things..."

-Ann Kiemel Anderson

During my teen years, I had the privilege of living on the campus of Prairie Bible College. I didn't realize what a rich heritage this was until I left. Orchestral, choral, and instrumental music surrounded me. All through high school, Bible class was part of the curriculum. Twice a year Prairie hosted conferences where speakers like George Verwer, Helen Roseveare, and Elisabeth Elliot challenged me. 

I remember Helen Roseveare sharing about how God was with her when she was abducted in the Congo and mercilessly raped. She also shared about a time when she came across a group of people gathered around a pot of gold they were refining with fire. She asked one of the men how he knew when all the impurities were gone. He invited her to climb a tree and look down into the pot. She was startled to see a clear reflection of her face in the molten gold. Her guide told her, "That means the fire has done its job. When I can see my face, I know the gold is pure." She challenged us to allow God to refine us so that others could see Jesus reflected in our lives.

"We are called to reflect the Lord's beauty through our lives as much as through our words, and God will use this in His own perfect time."

-Helen Roseveare

My mother read Through Gates of Splendor to us. It made me wonder what my reaction would be if some of the same events happened to me. Several years later Elisabeth Elliot came and spoke at Prairie. That was when I was introduced to her book, Passion & Purity, and challenged to allow God to be in control of my love life.

"One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to him and ask him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy."

-Elisabeth Elliot

After high school, I returned to Prairie as a college student. My studies to earn a Bachelor of Religious Education degree were challenging, but enjoyable. I discovered many more authors but especially appreciated Charles Swindoll and his amazing storytelling ability. Those stories drew me in and opened me up, preparing me to hear and accept the deeper biblical truths he taught. 

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.  

Attitude, to me, is more important than facts.  

It is more important than the past, than education, than money, 

than circumstances, than failures, than successes, 

than what other people think, say or do.  

It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill.  

It will make or break a company... a church... a home.  

The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude 

we embrace for that day.  We cannot change our past... 

we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  

We cannot change the inevitable.  

The only thing we can do is play the one string we have, and that is our attitude... 

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it.

And so it is with you... we are in charge of our Attitudes”

-Charles Swindoll

Looking back, I realize my shadow mentors were all gifted storytellers. Their polished writing made me want to communicate more clearly. And now that I think about it, they all reflected Jesus Christ to me in ways that I could grasp. It is my hope and prayer that in some small way I will be able to do the same thing for my friends and readers.

My Unexpected Shadow Mentor by Bob Jones

What minister wouldn’t want to emulate pastor/authors such as Chuck Swindoll, Max Lucado, Jamie Buckingham, Rick Warren and Eugene Peterson?  From as far back as my first year of pastoral ministry in 1980, their writing informed and inspired my imagination.

 

The library shelves in my office began to fill with books like,

 

“Run With the Horses,”

“God Came Near,”

“Growing Deep in the Christian Life,” 

“Hand Me Another Brick,” 

“Where Eagles Soar,”

“The On Purpose Church”

“A Long Obedience in the Same Direction.”

 

One day, I imagined, there would be a book with my name on it, in the hands of a young pastor seeking to help her or his congregation grow in Biblical knowledge.

 

Then I met storytellers like Patrick Lencioni, Ken Blanchard and Jim Brown. Who would have believed that business principles could be communicated through the real conversations of fictional characters?

My shelves continued to be populated with classics like,

 

“The One Minute Manager,”

“The Five Dysfunctions of a Team,”

“Who Moved The Cheese,”

“The Imperfect Board Member.”

 

In the mid-90’s I started writing a storybook for pastors – a combination Warren and Lencioni – on pastoral leadership. Unfortunately the online manuscript was lost in a series of unfortunate circumstances.

 

That setback neutralized the passion for writing a book. My creative itch was scratched through blogging, newspaper and magazine articles.

 

Then she came along.

 

2011.

 

 

KristenFersovitch phoned me in August 2011 to say she had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer and was given twenty-four months to live. Kristen was a precocious seven-year old when I first met her. She was now a 28-year old a mom of three boys under-five, married to an Edmonton firefighter, a musician, singer and songwriter.

 

For the next twenty-one months, Kristen wrote a weekly blog about the frustration of cancer, the loves of her life and her faith, hope and joy in Jesus. Her content was compelling. In spite of her suffering, God’s favor was on her. Everyone could see it and hear it her music.

 

Just before Thanksgiving weekend, 2013, Kristen passed away. Her family asked me to minister at her funeral service. I can still feel the sunshine warming the tears on my face, standing by her graveside on an autumn afternoon.

 

Everyone who encountered Kristen through her journey with cancer wanted to know how she could have been at her best when life was at it’s worst. Her family gave me permission to chronicle her story - my first book. God’s favor continued through her life, after her death, when the book won a national writing award for most inspiring story of 2015.

 

So Kristen, you are my shadow mentor.

 

Your light shines on.

 

Forever grateful.

On Being Mentored by Susan Barclay

As I was mulling over this month's prompt, I found myself in somewhat of a quandary: although I've attended numerous conferences, workshops and courses, submitted my work to writers-in-residence, and participated in writing groups, I wasn't sure whom to identify as a specific mentor who's given me "insight and encouragement" on my writer's journey.

I decided that the best place to begin answering this question was with a definition of mentoring. I found this description at the National Center for Women and Information Technology:

Mentoring is a process through which an individual offers professional expertise as well as support to a less experienced colleague. A mentor serves as a teacher, counselor, and advocate to a protégée... The intent of mentoring is not to remediate weak performance, but rather to shape a career that shows promise.

I remembered submitting a piece to Wayson Choy when he was the visiting writer-in-residence at my local library. It was he who powerfully spoke the words, "You are a writer," and made me feel that it was really true. Then I remembered previously writing something about that experience here and found this post on affirmation.

But think how crazy my life must have been this year for me to forget the most important mentor-student relationship I've had to date, apart from being a life-long reader who has learned from others by osmosis. And to have forgotten when it only took place over the last twelve months! I was embarrassed when it struck me that the answer lay so near. If you are reading this, Jane Ann, a thousand apologies for not thinking of you immediately.

 

I first met Jane Ann McLachlan at Write! Canada a number of years ago and submitted a piece for critique in a one-on-one appointment. It was then that she told me, "You have something to say." She encouraged me to finish the piece I was working on and to email it to her for further feedback when I was done. Sadly, the months then years went by and I never completed it. The opportunity slipped through my fingers like sand through an hourglass, if you'll pardon a  cliche that's as tired as I am.

 

But God wasn't done with this connection yet! A couple of years ago Jane Ann did a series of workshops at my library. I took part and signed up for her email list. When I received an email last fall, letting me know that Jane Ann was starting a mentorship program for a limited number of writers, I was interested, but questioned the timing. I had much on my plate, including a greater degree of eldercare. On the other hand, I wanted to finish my novel; it had been languishing too long. Could I take this on, push through and complete the work? By the time I decided to go for it, there was only one spot left. It was mine!

 

As mentioned in previous posts, I'm a pantser by inclination. So I wasn't overly thrilled to discover we had to begin by creating an outline and fairly detailed character sketches, using Jane Ann's very good book, Downriver Writing. That being said, I found the process useful and will likely make use of it again. 

Jane Ann definitely cheered me on with comments like

• "You write very well - keep on going, you'll get this story written and it will be great!"
• "What a gift for words you have."
• "You are a good writer, and you’re here to learn. You have not made a single mistake here that I didn't make in my learning years, many times."

She also provided helpful feedback to improve my writing, pointing out what I couldn't initially see for myself, given my proximity to the story. She helped me identify my particular writing weaknesses and strengths, showing me ways to overcome the former and build on the latter. In my testimonial at the end of the course, I wrote: "Working on my novel-in-progress with Jane Ann over a 9-month mentorship has been a blessing and an encouragement. Although I have had to rethink my story and start over from the beginning, I know it will be a much better work because of her insight and direction. I look forward to working with her again in the future and highly recommend her to anyone who needs a strong set of editorial eyes."

Have I finished my novel? Alas, no; those eldercare issues grew more prominent after the new year and even more so after Covid hit mid-March. My mom fell in June and is scheduled for a pacemaker this month (unrelated issues). It was difficult to fit in the necessary writing time.

But I did finish the story I was working on when I first met Jane Ann and it is good. All I need to do now is decide on whether to self-publish it as an ebook or find a more traditional publisher.

If you haven't worked with a mentor in this formal way, I do suggest it. A mentor "knows things" and is willing to build into your life so that you can succeed as well. 

______________________________

You can find out more about Susan Barclay's writing at www.susan-barclay.blogspot.com