Read Any Good Books Lately?

Writers also tend to be readers, so I know the answer to the question, "Have you read any good books lately?" must be, "YES!!" 

Why not tell us about a good book you've read? Here on the IWO blog, the 5th of each month is set aside for book reviews. Usually, we like to feature books related to the writing process or some aspect of Christian growth, but it would also be wonderful to feature a fellow InScribe member's books if you've read and enjoyed them. We have so many talented authors right here in our midst!

For instance, our own Marcia Laycock is an amazing and well-respected author. Did you know Marcia has been on the executive multiple times including a couple of stints as president? She is a best-selling author, too, and no wonder. Her work is phenomenal. I've read and been encouraged by more than one of her devotional books, including Celebrate This Day, A Traveler's Advisory, and Spur of the Moment, but my favorite books are ONE SMOOTH STONE and A TUMBLED STONE, both fiction.

Perhaps the settings have me biased. The first book has many scenes set in the Yukon and the second is in Saskatchewan - both places near and dear to me. So when she describes the wind in the prairie grass or the frozen and stunted boreal forest, I know exactly what she is describing. Beyond the descriptions, though, Marcia is an amazing storyteller. She draws you in and doesn't let go until you've read the last word. 

If you've never read either of these books, I HIGHLY recommend you put them on your TBR list! You can read more about both books at Marcia's website: https://marcialeelaycock.com/my-books/

There you will also find her many fantasy novels, devotionals, and more! Let's support one another. 

If you would like to write a book review or give a shout out to a favourite InScribe author, please email the moderator at: tracy[dot]krauss[at]gmail[dot]com

Inspired to Inscribe by Susan Barclay

Inspired to Inscribe

 

I don’t know what ‘inspired’ me to get active in Inscribe

Need or desire, whim or thought

Some inner wisdom

Crying out to be heard

Regardless, here I am

Involved

Becoming

Enjoying

 

I love writing for this blog

it Nurtures me

Supports my growth

Propels me to do my best

I love to write for FellowScript

to Read the work of my peers

Engage in their journeys

 

I am inspired to inscribe

And stay close to those who share

My aim                                     

 

It makes me feel ALIVE

___________________________

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

The Inscribe Inspiration by Lynn J Simpson

If you want to find more purpose in your life, help others find the path forward with their ambitions. Bob Goff, Dream Big (2020)

Introductions completed, I hoped the other five women would address each other by name as the afternoon meeting continued. I do not remember names easily. 

“So tell us about yourself, Lynn. And tell us about what you like to write,” the hostess said, sitting upright and pretty in her bright dining room. My eyes first wandered to the centre of the table where a delicate plate painted with red roses held an assortment of crackers, cheese and biscuits before settling for a moment on a mahogany corner bookshelf where I saw many familiar book spines. My shoulders relaxed. 

The ladies sharing the same space in that fine dining room are also writers and readers. They are safe people to share writing dreams, accomplishments and failures. They are ones who also get excited about unforeseen connections in a writing piece, laugh with me over misplaced modifiers, and truly understand that the writing process is hard work. 

A writers group around a table is a space of inspiration, encouragement, and constructive feedback. Anytime writer types come together you are guaranteed that there will be something new invented, every— single— time. Each writer controls their writing instrument, yet cannot be unaffected by the collective of the group. I’ve only experienced the positive charge from this collective of my small writers group that is also part of the larger Inscribe Christian Writers Society. I would not have become part of the former without the latter. 

Along with being part of a writers group, my Inscribe membership has challenged my comfort zone through entering contests, has increased my research skills through writing articles for FellowScript, and has allowed me to develop design skills by helping board members with the advertising for Inscribe events. In every activity I’ve only been treated with kindness and grace, even when I’ve made silly typing errors! Each time I connect with members of Inscribe, I learn something new that helps me to navigate my own writing path.  

It didn’t take me long, just a couple of more meetings, before I easily remembered everyone’s name in my new writers group. Now we also have a gentleman who tells us stories from places I may never visit in my lifetime. All genres are represented, I’d say. The members even graciously listen to multiple readings of my creative non-fiction essays, yet will also push me along to submit my writing for publication. They, along with all that Inscribe offers, have helped me find my path forward with my writing. 

I’d encourage all Inscribe members to prayerfully consider how they may be involved with this encouraging and inspiring environment. Maybe a piece is brewing within you for a contest or an article for FellowScript? Or maybe your skills are needed for the volunteer board (such as Treasurer that the board is seeking for currently)? How is God prompting you to be an inspiration to others? 

Lynn's writing is inspired by her adventures in nature. You can see her photography on Instagram

How Is InScribe Inspiring You? By Sandi Somers

We begin this year reflecting on InScribe purpose and our place in the organization.

Our purpose is to minister to Canadian Christian writers by stimulating, supporting, and encouraging them in the advancement of their writing so they can effectively minister to others, promote Christianity, and contribute to the public’s appreciation of the arts.

 (Note: I’m dedicating this post to our InScribe members who have recently finished their life journeys, and who contributed much to our organization: Bryan Norford, Elaine Hogg, Patricia Elford, and Bobbi Junior) 

My early connections with InScribe were stop-and-go. I joined in the early 2000’s, but for some reason which I can’t recall, I let my membership lapse. When I rejoined in 2011, I knew only one InScribe member—Janet Seever—and had few other connections with writers. 

In that year’s Fall Conference, I sensed the Spirit’s powerful presence like the fragrance of fresh flowers after rain. Our main speaker, Grace Fox, shared her writing journey and how God assured her: "I will accomplish what concerns you." That conference, along with the small-group workshops, became the standard of excellence for me.

The idea of entering writing contests challenged me. So the next year I wrote a devotional and major essay to the theme. (My topic was, “Co-creators with God”.) What a surprise to win first place in the major essay!

Jack Popjes, our president at that time, invited members to volunteer in a number of ways. I was interested in becoming the secretary, and was asked to assume this position in 2012. My three years gave me insight into the visions for InScribe of our president, Ruth Snyder, and other leaders. For me it was the best way to give back to the community.

A key turning point in my InScribe involvement came in early 2014. At executive meetings, we took turns opening our meetings with a devotional. Brenda Leyland, who moderated our InScribe Writers Online (or IWO, as I call it privately), must have enjoyed my devotionals, because she asked me to be the lead writer, introducing the theme on the first of the month. This, more than anything, has called on me to develop my skills, to pray God’s guidance to present viable and spirit-expanding introductions on a particular theme. I’ve met and value you, our writers, as you share your depth of faith and writing skills. I’m grateful to Brenda and Tracy Krauss for moderating and encouraging us. Thank you, everyone!!

I was interested in leading a local writing group. After beginning one and then dropping it, I felt God asking me to begin again. Here I needed God’s strength to lead and encourage other writers towards excellence. During this last year of Covid, we’ve connected via Zoom. While it helps us connect more easily, we miss the in-person connections and comradeship during our coffee breaks.

InScribe has ministered to me through others’ prayers. In addition, one of the most important ways I can encourage our writers is to pray for them.

This year God is ready to greatly enlarge InScribe’s ministry, stretching our vision and potential. He’s inviting us to embrace opportunities of encouraging others, reaching others with the Gospel of Christ, and glorifying God. In doing so, God will accomplish more than we ask or think.

Rejoice and be glad, because the LORD will do great things.

~Joel 2:21~

Let your eyes look straight ahead…

Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established.

~Proverbs 4:25-26~

Image by Medium.com

 ~ ~ ~

Now over to you.

In what ways is InScribe an inspiration to you?

Think also in terms of the future. How is God prompting you to be an inspiration to others?

How can you glorify God in your involvement with InScribe?

~ ~ ~

LINKS: This post was partially inspired by the following writers:

 Tracy Krauss invited us to be a greater part of InScribe's ministry teams.   

Read how Marnie Pohlmann met different InScribe members and the influence they’ve had on her.  

Some of Sheila Webster's most cherished friends have come from the Inscribe family, sharing similar trials and questions.