Why challenge ourselves? By Brendan Conboy
November, for many writers, is perhaps the busiest month of the year. Many of you will be slogging your way through Nanowrimo and hopefully will have written some remarkable stories. Once again, I decided not to do this challenge this year but nevertheless, I still feel that I have achieved and will briefly share some of my wins – do tell me yours.
Book Blest – The month kicked off with a gathering of
Christian authors and speakers in Stroud. It was fabulous to see this event
take place again after months of planning and organising and the feedback that
we have received is mainly positive. However, like many others, I was
disappointed by the low number of visitors to the festival. It really does make
you feel like giving up, especially when you are exhausted from the
challenge – but we don’t do we?
College – As if I wasn’t already doing enough, God
led me to enrol on a level 4 diploma in proofreading and copy editing. This was
a serious challenge on top of everything else but I graduated halfway through
the month with a distinction. I have since, already been asked to edit a couple
of books. This makes it feel like the challenge was worth it.
On the road – I have also just returned from a
weekend in Plymouth (145 miles away) where I was invited to provide a poetry
workshop, speak at a men’s curry night and preach on being creative with God.
Throughout the weekend I witnessed people’s lives being transformed through the
power of words and creativity. I too was transformed, as I lay awake in the
early hours of Saturday morning from 1.45am until 4.30am. The Holy Spirit
showed me then that He wanted me to change what I had planned. It was another
challenge but I did as was instructed and this obedience impacted lives.
Book launch – As if the month hasn’t already been challenging enough, I will be rounding it off with an online book launch for my latest book, ‘I’m Still VALUED.’ I do hope you will join me in celebration on the 29th of November at 7.30pm for an hour on Zoom HERE. This book is my continuing life story and covers the last ten years, which have been full of challenges and battles.
In December I will slow down a little and take time to
relax, reflect and re-evaluate. I will also plan my challenges for next year
and set my goals. What challenges are you facing right now? Are you
planning any for next year? Whatever you are facing, remember that your ACW
friends are there to help, support and encourage.
Brendan Conboy aka Half
Man Half Poet is the author of 14
published books including his fascinating autobiography, The Golden
Thread. In 1986, Brendan invited Jesus into his life and God blessed
him with the gift of rhyming words. He used that gift as a Christian Rap
artist for 25 years and has written 6 poetry books including the entire Book
of Psalms in Rhyme. He has 3 published novels - Issues,
Invasion of the Mimics and Legacy of the Mimics. He is the
creator of Book Blest Christian book festival. Brendan is
available for speaking events, poetry performances and workshops. Visit
Brendan's website HERE.
Wha an inspiring post, Brendan! Thanks. What you have done here is like giving testimonies of what God has helped you achieve in your writing career! We praise God for this. Your post motivates me to thank God for what He has achieved in my writing career so far. November for me as seen me return to my memoir, which has been left cold for several months. In October, I celebrated Black History with some authors at the AbbeyWood Library. In between January to June, I published 2 books to God's glory. I look forward to achieving a challenging goal that gives me the creeps - learnng how to format my work, before December 2024!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on all you have achieved , especially the proofreading one. From your studies, is this something one can study and learn privately on their own? More grease to your elbow and wishing you a succesful book launch on the 29th! Blessings.
Thank you Sophia, wow, you have also been busy. It is so good to look back and reflect. Often we can feel as if we have achieved very little until we reflect. Yes, the course that I did can be done by anyone, it was through the College of Media and Publishing.
DeleteYou do work amazingly hard at everything, Brendan. Sorry I can't make it to your book launch, but wishing you a great evening and huge success.
ReplyDeleteThanks Veronica, it really doesn't feel hard, more like fun. I always think a challenge that we inflict upon ourselves should be fun. Life throws too many other challenges that are hard and no fun at all.
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