More than Writers

The other day I got to thinking about writing histories, and how those histories make up both who we are as people and how we write today. Sometimes reviewing our personal writing museums can motivate and encourage us when we are weary, or short on ideas, or not sure what direction God is leading us in our writing journeys. I've been very lacking in my writing discipline lately; I've been more ill than usual for the past six months, and particularly over the last few weeks. It's so easy to lose confidence when that muscle isn't being regularly exercised, and anything to get out of the slump can help. So today I'd like to share my Writing Museum for you (some of it a tad cringeworthy, but it's all part of the journey) - and to ask about yours. What do you keep in your museum? What's your writing history? 1. Your first marks on paper I have this poetry book from when I was very small indeed. My mum tells me that I tried to mark the poems I liked best. This one...

  ‘How long have you been a writer?’ Have you ever been asked that question? I have. And I have found myself fumbling for an answer. If the person asking is enquiring as to how long I have been a published author, that is easy. ‘Not long!’ If they are asking how long have I been writing with the aim to being published, again the answer is, ‘not long'.    I came to writing fiction late in life, and having had my work published came as a real shock. An unexpected blessing. I know my story is not typical, and for many reading this you have been writing and looking to publish for a very long time. Or you have had your writing published for many years. I must admit I still feel a bit of a fraud calling myself a writer. And yet here I am – writing this! Words that you and many others are reading. And I have had the joy of having two and a half books published. The truth is that I have been a writer for almost all my life. Since I discovered story writing at school. I loved ...