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Gathering Gifts

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  I nearly didn’t go to the ACW Autumn Gathering. Ken my OH and I had a rough time over the summer and with illness and losing a close relative. We still felt she’ll-shocked. In the end, we decided that we could come home if we couldn’t cope.  We managed to get lost in Rugby and were despairing of finding where we were when Asda’s bright lights appeared and we knew that’s where we should park. It was a relief to reach our room in the hotel. At the Friday evening meeting, we fell into conversation with old friends and Ken was instantly included as if he too was a writer. We were entertained by Annmarie Miles, fed cakes (with gluten free for me) and even had a quiz from Joanne Gilcrest with prizes for everyone! Bryony Wood gave a great presentation of her book ‘The Sound of Musings’ which included clips from the Sound of Music plus a chance to sing along. The highlight for me was the blessing Bryony had written to be sung to the tune of ‘Edelweiss’. Meanwhile I was suffering - shaking fr
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Hello, Goodbye

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  Saturday12th was the Association of Christian Writers Autumn Gathering in Rugby, and my last day as ACW webmaster.   I started to write an account of my time on the ACW Committee, but the piece was becoming too long and, I reflected, our reminiscences are interesting only to ourselves.   I joined the ACW Committee as Competitions Manager in 2015, when I was mentally and emotionally in a very bad place, although I didn’t realise at the time how low I was.   I had just retired from full-time teaching, from a job I started out loving and ending up hating.   My writing also was in the doldrums.   You ACW members embraced me with acceptance and support and gave me confidence and the kick-start I needed to get writing again.   In 2020, during the pandemic, when we were all wondering whether we'd live a normal life again, and speak to anyone except on Zoom, I was asked to take over as webmaster.   Dear Reader, this was the role I relished. I’m sure I would have written my novel Wodk
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The Art of Editing, Part Three: Punctuation

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In my mini-series on editing, it’s time to consider punctuation. It’s a minefield, this; and some of you might disagree with me, but I hope it’s helpful nonetheless. Punctuation breaks up an endless flow of words for easier reading and also (when reading out loud) where you can breathe. This month, let’s talk about the apostrophe – and get this horrible little blighter out of the way. I used one in “let’s” just now. Why? Because one function is to indicate where there are missing letters, where words have been joined up colloquially. We’ve, she’d, might’ve, are all examples. All very straightforward. Of course, the thorny issue comes when the apostrophe is used to indicate possession: the coat that belongs to Carol is Carol’s coat. But the coats that belong to Carol Gee, Carol Eff and Carol Aitch are Carols’ coats. Get it? (Of course, it really, really doesn’t help that English is so pesky. “Children” is a single word describing a plural number of little people, so you would have “ch
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Bookshop Day - Christian Bookshops Making a Difference

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(Posted by Rosemary on behalf of  Emma Bradshaw ( Booksellers Association of the UK & Ireland Ltd)). Over the past few years, the Booksellers Association has run two campaigns celebrating bookshops at the same time of year: Bookshop Day and Christian Books Are My Bag. This year, with a view to further boosting consumer and trade engagement with Christian bookshops, the Booksellers Association has been working with the Christian Booksellers Group committee to focus on one campaign, Bookshop Day. There will be a dedicated strand of the campaign for the specialist Christian market, which includes bespoke messaging (see below) and point of sale kits. Choose Christian Bookshops Experience a warm welcome and a listening ear Speak to knowledgeable staff with a shared faith Receive trusted recommendations Browse a range of Bibles and Christian titles Purchase gifts and cards for milestones in the Christian journey Connect with your Christian community Support a Christian ministry Assist in
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Now, I Wish I Didn’t! by Peculiar Medinus

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We all encounter fear at various stages of our lives, and sometimes it manifests most powerfully right when we are on the brink of achieving something great. Susan Jeffers’ book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway has inspired many to confront their fears head-on and break through barriers that would otherwise hold them back. The idea that "fear doesn’t need to hold you back" resonated deeply with me, encouraging me to take bold steps in my journey as a writer. However, there were moments when fear did get the better of me, leading me to turn down opportunities that could have significantly boosted my career. This blog is a heartfelt encouragement for fellow writers, authors, bloggers, and Christian writers grappling with similar insecurities. Don’t let a lack of confidence stand in your way—seize every opportunity. When I published my first book, I was overjoyed by the positive reception it received. The book's successful launch presented a plethora of seemingly unreal opp
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Using Our Powers for Good, by Ben Jeapes

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Image by Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay . This could so easily be a post reporting egg on my face. Two attempted scams within a week, one of which I almost fell for and one of which – well, I did. First, an SMS text saying I owed money on an unpaid parking ticket. It worked because it got me at a vulnerable moment – I really was worried that I had overstayed at a local car park without realising. There was a link that takes you to a box where you enter your registration number, and lo and behold, there are the ticket details and a link for payment. It’s well done and looks professional, like an actual GOV.UK site. I only twigged when I saw the date of the alleged offence, which not only was not the date I was worried about but I knew for a fact I hadn’t driven anywhere. So I tried again with the registration number of my last car, and the one before that, and the one my parents drove in 1972. Same result every time. Nice try. I could have a safe chuckle and block the nu
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The art of writing MTW? by Nicky Wilkinson

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 ‘The art of writing is discovering what you believe…’ Gustav Flaubert. I try to read through all the MTW’s in a month. Initially, I did it to get a broad feel for what the norm was (there isn’t one). Latterly, I read them to learn more, get ideas, be encouraged, or just rub shoulders with increasingly familiar contributors, who, as they open their hearts and share their journeys felt more like friends—some even chat to you in the comments. Styles are so diverse; and narratives lead from mountains to valleys, beaches to buildings, communicating courage and craft. Certain blogs have grabbed me in particular: Jane Walter’s edit lessons (because I need them!) – my take-away was ‘kicking the ball’, not ‘the ball being kicked’). Joy Margett wrote ruefully about not coming first at the CRT awards ceremony for her novel, invoking compassion and making me ponder fame and success. Various shouts of exhilaration at final proofs making publication; I rejoiced and was spurred on.  When I was being
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