The One Where I Say Farewell - by Liz Carter

This post is a reflection of sorts, both on words and on the power we wield over darkness in our writing. It's also a reflection on five years of blogging for More Than Writers, because today is my last post - I thought it was time someone else had a turn! It's been an absolute privilege to be part of this wonderful blog, from my nervous beginnings back in 2018 when I barely called myself a writer, through to now, the end of yet another year. I've spilled lots of words on this blog in that time - some serious and stark, like the one about writing in weakness, some technical, like The One With The Fonts, and some downright silly, like this time last year, when I wrote The Twelve Days of ACW Christmas. But all of them spilled out with hope that they would build up, encourage and remind all you Christian writers of your own great calling.

It's a season of lights. Houses are adorned with them, streets are hung with them, churches blaze them out. Dark places are illuminated and shadows reflect them. Without darkness, the lights wouldn't look so bright - my fairy lights look best at night - and without light, darkness would be all consuming. I'm reminded of Jesus' words in Matthew 5:

‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' (Matthew 5:14-16)

You bring light to the world because you are the light of the world. Your writing brings light to the world because the light of our Creator shines through you. Whether you write outwardly Christian devotionals or sci-fi for the mainstream market, you are the light of the world.

As writers we often hear lies about ourselves, from around us, from our own inner critics, and from the very father of lies. We hear that we are not good enough. We hear that our words have no power.  We forget that we have a calling and we are here for a purpose. Yes - that's you. No one else can take your place or write your words: you write them as you: unique, fired by your own passions, tinged by your own suffering and sadness, exploding with your own creativity. Your light shines in the darkness. You are a light in this dark world. So today I want to encourage you to remember who you are (and whose you are) - to take hold of this and be who you are in this big ole writing world, where criticism can sting and so quickly sour. Write what you write, because only you can write it. Create what you create, because you are created to do so. Your words scatter and shatter the darkness, so keep scattering them everywhere you can. Maybe 2024 is the chance for a new start for you, if you've begun to feel as though this writing game isn't what you hoped for. Maybe it's a chance to reflect on your calling and ask God for new 'calling words' (see that 12 days of Christmas post above!) Maybe it's time to throw off hurtful words and throw out new words that will heal, hearten, encourage and even simply entertain. Any of these things are enough, if they are the things you are here for.

Five years ago, when I started this gig, I never imagined I'd write poetry again, let alone call myself a poet. But being a part of ACW has changed the way I see things and the way I write things. Your encouragement and love has been a key part of my own journey, and so I want to thank you today for all your words and all your actions too. What an amazing group of writers we are, right? I pray that you too will be encouraged by all those in this group of writers and be spurred on to keep going - and even to thrive.

It's been a joy, dear ACW friends. I'll still be around on the FB page and at whatever meet ups I can manage, but I'm putting down the blogging gauntlet for now. I can't wait to read more posts from new people!

A very happy Christmas and blessed new year to you all. I'm going to leave you with a daft little limerick to try to express the words I can't quite say.

Dear writers of ACW
Your words are like healing bubbles-blew
You write every hour
Your words sing with power
And join in a lovely big muddle-stew.

The pot's full of vision and passion
Stirred up in extravagant fashion
You dance with your words
And fly like freed birds
These writers don't come with a ration.

You spill words of all shapes and sizes
And run towards heavenly prizes
Your words soar with grace
And echo through space
Your pages abound with surprises.

Dear writers; keep blazing with light
And hold divine purpose in sight
Remember your calling
Keep those words falling
And shatter great borders of night.

Liz Carter is an award-winning author, poet and editor from Shropshire. She loves to write about the difficult and painful times in life, and how we can find gold in the mess. Her debut novel, a YA thriller, Repression Ground, is out now with Resolute Books. Her new non-fiction book with The Good Book Company, Valuable, was published in June. Her other books Catching Contentment and Treasure in Dark Places are available in online bookstores. She works freelance to proofread, format and design books.

You can find her at www.greatadventure.carterclan.me.uk