More than Writers

  As I start to write my blog, I am amazed that it is March already.    It didn’t seem long ago that I started putting into action my list of ‘New Year’s Resolutions’.    I have totally forgotten what they all were, but I do remember thinking that I needed to make some changes, for the better, and that they only seemed to last for a couple of days, at the beginning of January. Life is so busy for everyone, and I really need to get motivated with my writing. I know what I need to do, but there always seems to be something, everyday, that we have to do and I am not getting enough time to myself. People tell me to put aside specific times, but when I do, something happens which almost always needs my full attention, usually in person. I was recently going through some boxes that I had packed up when I moved house almost two years ago.    Again, something I have been meaning to do, and I came across lots of things from my past; Letters and cards, photograp...

  The phrase Roots and Wings is a metaphor which typically describes achieving a balance between stability and independence in child rearing. Roots provide the sense of belonging, of safety and a nurturing foundation. Wings suggest ability to soar, to take risks, to find one's feet in the world.  For us as Christians, roots are what ground us in our faith and how we view the world. The values these inspire are part of what we carry with us as like young chicks, we fly the "nest" seeking to make our mark and achieve our ambitions.  As Christian writers these foundations are even more important because regardless of age or social status we all of us share this common ground as well as putting down more familiar roots when we marry, have children and see the next generation move on. Picture Credit: Art by Cedar Lee When it comes to putting down strong roots I am reminded of the Parable of the Sower from the synoptic gospels. For example Luke 8: 4-8 and 11-15 illustrates the ...

  In my February post, Seasons of Transition , I looked towards Lent . Ten days into Lent, how’s it going for you? Do you need some encouragement? Those who have followed my posts from the start will know I’ve struggled to find my writing voice over the last two years. I’ve mentioned that, at times, I’ve even felt as if I’ve been silenced. In that time, a different, small but accusing, voice occasionally niggled inside, ‘What if God didn’t want me to speak? What if he doesn’t want me to write poetry?’. Despite this fear rumbling inside, I knew it wasn’t true. God had blessed my writing in the past. I still felt poetry and other writing had a place in my pilgrimage with God. I just needed time to take a break and refocus on what to do and what to set aside. I decided to take a new approach to Lent this year. Usually I bumble my way through using various Lent word prompts to write or link to an image. By Easter, I often wish I had spent more time looking at themes of Lent and...

Photo from Wikimedia Commons Are you entangled in things God never intended for you to do? How do you discern His best will for your life? It’s taken me a lifetime to figure this one out, and I still have a lot to learn! This past week, I was pondering whether to volunteer for something.  The job suited my skillset, and I quite fancied having a go, but I wasn’t sure I had the time. I struggle to get so many things ticked off my to-do list, that in one sense it was madness to think of taking anything else on. Rather than worrying about it, I decided, possibly for the first time in my life, that my peace of mind would guide the decision. I didn’t over-analyse it, but trusted my heart and decided to go ahead.  I recently purchased a new robot cleaner, Rocky. I've programmed him to vacuum and mop my large kitchen floor daily, first thing in the morning. This is a wonderful blessing, as it saves me so much work. However, every so often, I forget to pick a floor cloth up before I go...

Well… I have been somewhat preoccupied the last few weeks preparing to lead a ‘Knitwits for God’ knitting and spirituality retreat day in March https://www.wydale.org/events/2026/3/11/knitwits-for-god   Hopefully you will hear more about this in next month’s blog. If I’m not still lying down in a darkened room wrapped in my comfort blanket. 16 ladies (possibly more), all armed with knitting needles and crochet hooks. It could get messy… At times I’ve questioned what my preparation has to do with writing. And I’ve questioned my sanity (nothing new there) as I’ve sifted through hundreds of patterns (you think I’m exaggerating). Knitted and crocheted visual aids (Jelly babies are NOT me, and I can safely say I’ll never knit one again…). Wondered where all these half pairs of knitting needles came from. And more importantly where are their mates and are they lonely?   However in the last couple of days two things have been so helpful. Jane Walters’ new book: ‘Bless the work of our...

Over the past two weeks, three so-called “book clubs” have appeared in my inbox. Each one claimed to have thousands of eager readers, all genuinely interested in my books. Each email provoked a different reaction. The first message didn’t mention any of my titles. Considering I have nearly twenty books published, that should have raised a red flag immediately—but it didn’t. Instead, I replied with a simple question: “Are your readers interested in sci-fi fantasy?” The answer, unsurprisingly, was an enthusiastic yes. I was invited to send a PDF of my book and pay a small fee in exchange for the possibility that some members might leave reviews. I politely declined. I don’t pay for reviews—full stop. Next came Patrick. He was more convincing. He referenced a specific title, Strangest Christian Myths Squished , and even mentioned my background in youth work. That detail almost won me over; it suggested he’d done his homework. He assured me participation was “completely free of ch...