Published, praised and paid by Nicky Wilkinson

 

‘All my springs are in you’ comes at the end of Psalm 87. Directed to the singers and dancers - who no doubt exuded a lot of energy and therefore needed some heavenly ’springs’ !- I think it's appropriate for us, the writing fraternity. Our world might be less physically demanding (bar the early risers and those who write on bicycles) but even as I type and sip, sitting still, the house quiet, but for the steady roll of cars beyond,  I’m grateful for the ‘springs’ behind this blog. 

Earlier, a happy noise from my phone signalled money jingling into my account -(no stealthy deposits with these online banking apps, it ka-chings in and it ka-chings out.)  It is not is subsistence - but because I wrote something, a friend proofread it, it was published, and described as, a ‘great’ job despite the 'difficulty of the assignment'. I'm very happy! 

The journey began five years ago, inauspiciously inspired by someone who said she ‘liked the way I said things’. Saying things around people come easily, but to write, I had to dig deep, and sit alone.  I wrote about the vleis (wet grasslands) of northern KwaZulu-Natal, the ancient rhythms of time and life and the healing potential of creation - which I called nature - not to ruffle the audience’s feathers too much. I loved the writing experience, but, I reasoned, books are expensive to publish, long lonely endeavours and with my spelling and punctuation, problematic. 

In 2019, I arrived back in the UK, was sad to have left life and friends far behind, however persuasive God was about the idea. So, imagine my delight to find living next door a fellow Zimbabwean and writer, who wanted to do a retreat in my garden! The sun shone, we switched off our WiFi and batted out our plans and narratives. I had some memoirs that needed typing up to begin with, along with some ephemeral notions of what I might author in the future. However, writing without deadlines and only a vague sense of direction, I discovered, created stagnation. Happily, a church friend invited me to an ACW memoir event. By then, my grandmothers memoirs were largely complete, and I was wondering more about the technicalities of another author’s voice (mine) in someone else’s story; it was an opportune moment and led to my first encounter with ACW. 

2020, I became ACW's administrator. Within that responsibility, free punctuation and spelling lessons flowed from an indulgent committee! Also, in attending various events,  I learned more about the writing and publishing worlds. Apparently, It does not cost thousands to publish a book, as you can self-publish on Amazon for very little No guarantee of a stellar career, but it gets a book out there to test the market, or published for a select few,  my grandmother’s memoirs will be. 

As of 2024, I write increasingly. Through ACW involvement, I have been directed to various writing opportunities culminating in the  ka-ching moment. Combined with the generosity of some ACW committee members patiently sharpening and adjusting my early attempts, I have now submitted articles and received praise for what I wrote. I cannot adequately describe the feeling. I am able to do what I love; I'm paid for it, and it's appreciated! ‘All my springs are in you’ is my heart's response. He has led the way sometimes through dry wilderness places, to desert blooms.

Nicky Wilkinson lives in Sheffield. She has recently become a writer and is part of the ACW Sheffield Scribblers Group. She lived abroad in the Czech Republic and Zimbabwe for 26 years. She worked for FEBA Radio in Zimbabwe, and taught History, RE, Global Perspectives and Thinking Skills at Chisipite Senior School in Harare. She has been the Administrator for ACW for the past 3 years. Lately she has become an adoring granny to four grandkids