More than Writers

Image: Open-Clip-Vectors on Pixabay I’ve recently realised that I have started ghost-writing.  I use the word ‘realised’ because I didn’t set out to pitch myself as a Ghost Writer, it kind of just happened.  “How can that be?”  I hear you say. This is not the first time that I have fallen into something, I became a Rap Artist when one was required for some drama, and this led to me falling into youth work, setting up a charity and eventually becoming CEO of that charity.  I am fascinated by the way one thing can lead to another when we are prepared to step out. So, how did I start ghost-writing?  At the start of this year, I stepped out looking for speaking engagements.  I had just had a triple heart bypass but was determined not to let that stop me, especially as I felt God was prompting me.  I first approached lots of Full Gospel Businessmen meetings to introduce myself as a speaker.  I also provided a poetry retreat workshop at a local Mona...

It is so interesting to see how our writing journeys can so often go in a direction we were not expecting. For example, I have written quite a few books for publishers that I edit regularly for. They already knew me and I was writing for series that were already established, so I suppose it was a ‘safe bet’ for them. Getting my own book,  Taking Off the Mask , published was another matter. I may have known and worked with the majority of Christian publishers over the years but suddenly I was not such a safe bet.  Regular feedback consisted of: ‘You are a great writer, we love the idea but it’s not quite right for our list’ and/or ‘You aren’t established enough/you don’t have a big enough following/you don’t speak at big festivals’. Fast forward four years – my book baby has been in existence for a year and a half, and I’m really enjoying the speaking that I now do regularly. I have a publisher who is behind me, wants to publish more books with me and g...

The place smelled of damp earth and flowers. It was what-I-call a proper old fashioned garden centre with rows and rows of plants, saplings and garden equipment. No cafe. No indoor section with shelves of jam and china. No dvds. A garden centre with just garden things. Fancy that... I wandered around vaguely looking for the things I'd been told to buy. The tree section? Pest control? I couldn't find them anywhere and this garden centre, though lovely, seemed completely empty. I moseyed between shrubs and garden sheds smelling of paint and sun ripened wood. This place went on forever! Finally I stumbled across two hefty ladies lifting concrete slabs onto a trolley already laden with items. Someone was buying the place up. I cleared my throat and they eyed me coldly. "Excuse me. Do you happen to know... where the till is?" I shrugged my shoulders in a hapless fashion. One of them stood upright and pushed a mass of hair out of her eyes. She wore army boots and had...

One of the benefits of being a member of an organisation such as The Association of Christian Writers (to whom this blog belongs) is the opportunities it affords. These include Writers Days where members meet up and learn from experienced and inspiring speakers. Local groups allow members to meet up in their local area, and provide invaluable support for each other. Many members will get feedback on their work and advice on how changes can be made. This sort of collaboration and peer feedback is like Gold Dust. I am fortunate to be the leader of the only group in Scotland and this allows me to help and support others as well as recieve support from them.  The ACW Facebook group is another way in which members cooperate to support each other and their work. As an organisation it is all about giving of yourself and receiving from others. If you would like to know more about the Association you can do so on the Association of Christian Writers Website  However, t...

As the webmaster for the Association of Christian Writers the blog on the first day of the year always falls to me. This is mainly because I do the first of every month rather than any special honour. I did, however, have the honour of writing the very first blog post, We Have Lift Off ,  almost two years ago. In that post I talked about the exciting journey we would be travelling as Christian Writers. That journey is still exciting. There have been over 600 blog posts since then and I am blown away by the quality of these posts. It is evident that the members who contribute are professional and deeply committed to both their writing and to God. It is an honour to be the webmaster for the organisation and to be in a position to support other Christian Writers.  Over the last year I have met many of  these members. I have laughed with them, worked with them, learnt from them, prayed with them and been supported by them. I hope I have done the same in return. Being...