Hope Beyond Black Saturday

We are approaching the ten year anniversary of Australia's most devastating bushfire, Black Saturday. For the past six years I have been living in the community who faced the destructive beast that tore families, towns and countryside apart. The last couple of years around early February, I have noticed how survivors, who literally escaped the flames with the clothes on their back, have become emotional as they remember the horror of those months in February 2009.

Last year, I sat with one of my friends and she told me again about how they responded. Jan Graham, and her husband John, were not in the fire zone, but were on the very edge, and on the Monday of the fires, Jan went to the local relief centre. The streets were packed with people—emergency services workers, locals trying to find out if there was anything they could do, and survivors—all massed together in a sea of confused and hurting humanity.

Jan Graham asked the question: "What can I do to help?"
This question sparked a response that turned into a three year journey of relief work for her and her husband, as they literally walked with the survivors through the pain and grief of loss.

This year, I encouraged Jan and John to write this story.

Jan was adamant this not be another bushfire story, as, she said, there are many published accounts. Rather, she hoped this would be an account that helps Christians and community to understand how urgent is the call of the gospel for the broken, needy, widow and orphan.

I helped Jan and John frame their story, and added a few pieces of my own to investigate the biblical call to action on behalf of the least of these.

Hell on the Doorstep is available in paperback from Koorong Books or Amazon for $18.99
or you can download a copy for $5.99 to your table or reading device.

The key themes you will see coming through are: the answer has to be yes; and it will get messy.

As always, thank you for your support, and if you could find time to post a review from your purchasing website, we would appreciate it.


Meredith Resce is author of 18 fiction titles, including the popular Heart of Green Valley series.

Please read more about Meredith on her website: www.meredithresce.com

Or follow her on facebook @MeredithResce

Tuesday Book Chat | 4 December 2018 | Iola Goulton

From Iola Goulton @iolagoulton

It's Iola here. Welcome to our ACW Tuesday Book Chat where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week.

Today's question is: 

Hmm ... tough question. So many books. I want all the books. And I tend to buy them when they are released or on sale or when they catch my attention through the year, so I don't exactly have a Christmas wish list. Just a general wish list (and a wish that I could stop adulting long enough to read them all).

Join the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group. Or, if you're feeling wordy (like me), write a blog post and link to it in the comments.

Let's chat! 

Exploring Genres - Collaborative Writing

by Jeanette O'Hagan

We often imagine writing as a solitary pursuit - the writer huddles alone in his or her attic, putting words on paper (or computer file) with a big do-not-disturb sign on the door.

In fact, while there are long stretches when writing requires peace or at least lack of interruptions, producing a book most often calls for a team of people from critique partners, beta-readers, editors, proof-readers, graphic artists, formatters, publishers, booksellers, and publicists.

But there is another way, that writers can collaborate and that is in the actual writing itself in collaborative works. There are in fact quite a range of opportunities.

Types of Collaborative Writing

Ghost Writing

In ghost writing, an experienced and capable writer is employed or invited to write a story on behalf of someone else, often a celebrity or someone with a unique and fascinating story or both. This is most often done with memoirs, but can happen with fiction. In many cases the ghost writer is paid and his or her name does not appear on the cover or may appear but in a secondary fashion (eg Deva Star with Jane Smith).

Jeanette Grant-Thomson has done some ghost-writing, in addition to her own fiction and non-fiction.  For instance, Healing Song was co-written in connection with Merrilyn Billing and tells Merrilyn's story.

Illustrators

In picture books particularly, the illustrator contributes as much to the story as the writer. There are many wonderful examples of this synergy between image and word such as Wombat Books' Same by Katrina Roe and Jemima Trappel, Can God See Me by Penny Reeve and Shannon Melville, Do You Remember? co-written by Kelly O'Gara and Anna McNeil, and illustrated by Kelly O'Gara.

Though I do confess a particular affection for Colourful Memories, written by Catherine Bauer and illustrated by my daughter, Kathleen O'Hagan.

Partnerships

In some cases, a more established well known writer might partner with a newer writer with fresh ideas.

In other cases, two or more writers may combine together to write the one book or series of books.  In fiction, each writer may be the primary writer for one of the main characters.  Of course, the writers need to agree on a range of things like settings, the plot, the subject, the themes, characters etc and may need to write the other writer/s character in their own character's scenes.

Meredith Resce, Rose Dee, Paula Vince and Amanda Deed worked together to write The Greenfield Legacy together, each one writing one of the characters to produce a great story about the legacy of past decisions.

Anthologies

In anthologies, authors can contribute short stories and/or poems that may centre of a theme or subject matter, or genre, or setting.

Glimpses of Light (published in 2015, the International Year of Light and edited by myself and Nola Passmore), includes a range of short stories, non-fiction pieces, flash fiction and poems on the theme of light. Contributions were from both new and more established writers, including Jo-Anne Berthelsen, Jo Wanmer, Adele Jones, Lynne Stringer, Nola Passmore, Adam Collings, Paula Vince, Anusha Atukorala, Ellen Carr, Jeanette Grant-Thomson and others.

The science fiction and fantasy anthology, Medieval Mars, has stories set in a futuristic Mars conceived by Travis Perry, that is a Mars that has been terraformed, settled and then regressed to a medieval level of technology. Each story is set in different spots in the world and written by different authors, including Adam Colling's Lynessa's Curse. The stories were published both as the collection Medieval Mars and individually as short stories by the authors.

Book Bundles

In book bundles, multiple authors contribute their books (either full length novels or novellas) usually of similar genre, theme, or setting.

Narelle mentioned some romance book bundles in the November genre post.

I've participated in two - On the Horizon - which involved 22 authors writing sci-fi & fantasy set in low technology worlds. Akrad's Children was included in this and the aim was for volume of sales over a short period. Over 900 copies were sold over the three month period the bundle was available.  The boxed set continued in an altered form in Limited Horizon - with 12 Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels, Novellas, and Short Stories from 12 authors, including my Heart of the Mountain. Many of the authors in this series are secular, but write in the same or similar genres to me.

Book Series

This year, I was part of a group planning on writing a series of full length novels set in the same world. Initially we had maybe 10-12 people involved. Three or four of the authors got together and formed a premise, setting and timeline of the world. I wasn't initially that keen on some of the elements, but after much thought, come up with a premise for a storyline that fitted into the world & which I liked.

We set up a calendar of publication for 2019 on a monthly basis (I had May), with the idea that each author would bring out a novel set in the world (and consistent with each other's works). We started with a lot of enthusiasm and I was quite excited about the idea though I had other writing projects to finish before I could get started.

Then over time, one by one, people began dropping out for various reasons. Much to my disappointment, the main organisers decided to pull the plug on the project. I have still got my plot synopsis, which maybe one day I will write.

I think multi-author book series a great concept and would love have another attempt at something like this (novel or novella) again, hopefully with better success.

It has been done. Again, Narelle mentioned the Tuscan Legacy book series, romance novels with a common setting and plot thread.  There's also the Jane Austen project - in which various well established authors were invited to write modern adaptations of the different Jane Austen novels in a contemporary setting.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

Writing in partnership with other writers may spark imagination and creative energy. It may draw on the strengths of each writer and add depth to characterisation or setting. Plus it builds in feedback and editing on each other's writing.

Sometimes the more established writer/s brings visibility and connection with a larger fan base while the newer, up and coming author can bring new ideas and inspiration and a freshness to the stories or a particular insight (if, say from a particular demographic or culture).

In much collaborative writing, authors can be introduced to the fans of the other authors. While readers, attracted by an author they know and love, may discover new authors with similar writing styles, themes or genres.

Different forms of collaborative writing often enables authors to pool or share marketing efforts, thus allowing a bigger splash or more impact per buck.

Disadvantages

With partnerships, the partners may have different understandings of what needs to happen or want the story to go in different directions. So there is a potential for disagreement which may derail the project.

Logistics may be a problem; for instance, finding the time to plan, to share segments for feedback or  different writers may write at different paces etc. Finances, copyright, royalties, costs must all be worked through and agreed upon and then held to.

The bigger the group, perhaps the more likelihood that either the project may take a long time or fall apart altogether.



There are pitfalls to consider in collaborative writing, but such projects can be both fun and worthwhile.

Have you ever been involved in such a project or considered doing so? What advantages and disadvantages did you find? Would you do it again?




*****

Jeanette started spinning tales in the world of Nardva at the age of eight or nine. She enjoys writing secondary world fiction, poetry, blogging and editing.

Her Nardvan stories span continents, time and cultures. They involve a mixture of courtly intrigue, adventure, romance and/or shapeshifters and magic users.

She has published numerous short stories, poems, two novellas and her debut novel, Akrad's Children and Ruhanna's Flight and other stories.

Her latest release, Stone of the Sea (the third novella) is now available. .


Subscribe (here) to Jeanette's monthly email newsletter for the latest on cover reveals, new releases, giveways, and receive the short story Ruhanna's Flight for free.

You can also find her on:

Facebook |Jeanette O'Hagan Writes | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

Collaborative writing, ACW-CWD Crosspost, exploring genre, Jeanette O'Hagan, Book Bundles, collaborative book series, ghost writing, co-writing,

Accidental Grace and Creative Divinity

Recently, I held a retreat at my home. Each day we took time to do Morning Pages (as per Julia Cameron’s example) and allowed the writing to take us places we never expected.

Over the weekend, each person had a moment of creative divinity—a point where the pen, the past and the present collided with the divine.

The documentary Iris tells the story of Iris Apfel, the flamboyantly dressed nonagenarian who has had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. One story in the movie spoke to me in particular. 

When she was twelve years old, Iris found a little shop in the basement of an 'old rat-trap building' that was run by 'a little old man who was very elegant'. There, she fell in love with a brooch with filigree and rose-cut diamonds.

She lusted after the brooch and saved and scrimped. Sometime later, she went back. She haggled for the first time in her life and bought it for the huge sum of sixty-five cents. 

This moment of creative divinity in Iris’s life led to even more creative moments and a career in fashion and interior design. 

 Inspired by an excursion to a heritage-listed house when I was ten years old, I found myself writing a story. I have never forgotten the feeling of words flowing from my head, through my body, through the pen onto paper. 

I have never forgotten the physical mark of the pen on my hand. I’ve never forgotten the mark on my soul. I’ve never forgotten the day I first dreamed of being a writer.

We often ask, ‘What’s my purpose?’ and when that purpose is not clear to us at the outset we get frustrated. However, as Elizabeth Gilbert alludes to in Big Magic, sometimes our purposes are found in accidental grace. 

Curiosity will take you places along the way and you may even wonder what it is you’re meant to do. 

Detours can take our story off on tangents, but can actually start to make sense when things collide in one of those magnificent moments that causes you to say, ‘This is what I was made to do.’ 

I taught English for many years. I encouraged others to write. I read other writers’ work. I wrote academic papers. I wrote. But, I was on a major detour. One I don’t regret at all, but there was another story to be written. 

Ten years ago, I sat in my office and wrote a letter of resignation. It was time to honour the story promise of my life.

It’s not about one moment of divine creativity. If you’re curious you might just have those moments throughout your life. Maybe, like Iris, you may even get to still have them in your nineties. 

We all have creative divinity in us because we all have a touch of the Divine Creator and it’s our gift and responsibility to follow our curiosity. 

Iris said, ‘I never really knew what I was doing. I just followed my curiosity.’

That’s accidental grace. That’s creative divinity. 

Blessings, 

Elaine 

Elaine realised she wanted to be a writer at ten years of age when the words flew off the page during a creative writing lesson. 

She studied English and Education at university and went on to spend many years as a high school English teacher teaching others how to write.  

In 2005, Elaine took the plunge and began writing full-time. Since then she has published five books and blogs at www.elainefraser.co.

Elaine’s passion is to write about real issues with a spiritual edge. 

When she’s not travelling the world in search of quirky bookstores or attending writing retreats in exotic locations, she can be found in the Perth hills sitting in her library—writing, reading, mentoring writers and hugging her golden retriever. 

Book Recommendation | Three Dummies and a Dinghy (2018 Stories of Life Collection)

Review by May-Kuan Lim

Today we're delighted to welcome May-Kuan Lim to share a recommendation for a very special new release: Three Dummies in a Dinghy (and other Stories of Life), featuring stories from the 2018 Stories of Life competition longlist.

Three Dummies in a Dinghy is the third instalment of the Stories of Life series.

In it, ordinary Australians share their extraordinary stories of faith and life. Some tales are humorous, others are entertaining and upbeat. But not all are happy stories. Many writers describe how they were found by a loving God in the midst of doubts and great suffering, and the circumstances don’t always get easier. But the message still comes through loud and clear that God is faithful, near and active in the lives of ordinary people.

We discover that there are unsung heroes of all kinds among us. With their encouragement we can open our eyes a little wider, see more clearly, and trust more deeply in the boundless kindness of our Lord.

Welcome, May-Kuan!

Three Dummies in a Dinghy is the title of the 2018 Stories of Life anthology to be launched tonight, 29 November, 6:30pm at Tabor Adelaide. For the third year running, this writing competition has been seeking out stories of faith and testimony.

If I had to pick out one line that sums up the book, it would be this, written by Tsung Chung, in The Year:

“Some things don’t seem to fit together – freewill and predestination, beetroot and burgers, resentment and gratitude. And still, these odd couples are found everywhere –in the Bible, on the Hungry Jacks’ menu and, somehow, within myself.”

Tsung doesn’t spell out clearly what has happened, but whatever it is has forced him to be the one to pack cucumber and cheese sandwiches for Shaoey. Later in the year, he organizes a birthday party for her. He manages everything, except that the cake is store-bought, because he doesn’t bake. Grief is palpable.

This book is like a photo album of followers of Jesus from all over Australia, and even one from Africa. Each short story (and they are short – ranging from just under 500 words to 1500 words max) is a snapshot of an event, or a series of events, sometimes reflective, sometimes in crisis, sometimes meandering, sometimes short and sharp.

In A Thin, Delicate Thread Trevor Hampel writes about his wife’s battle with cancer. As he follows the ambulance, he prays, ‘though not knowing for what I should be praying’. As the end approaches, Trevor names the things he is grateful for – a son who flies in from Sydney and a daughter who comes back from Africa in time through a series of miracles. Of the moment itself, Trevor writes with grace and dignity. He is able to do this – I come to understand – because it is only a thin delicate thread separating temporal life and eternal life.

Jeanette Grant-Thomson writes of her friend Peter, diminished and diminishing through Parkinson’s. She weaves her story back and forth, past and present, so that we see this man in the strength and comedy of youth, and then we see him now, old and struggling to speak.

There are stories by children – Grandpa Really Nailed It! – and stories about children: children watched over by a frazzled mum, by a foster mum. But what happens when no adult watches over a young one? Stella Fortunata Collins writes of emotional and physical abuse in childhood. The details are disturbing, but she reclaims the past through the writing. In contrast, Cleo B writes of what it is like to be in foster care, right here, right now.

The stories are visceral enough to give you a picture of what’s happening: the smells, the sounds, the emotions – hilarity to desperation as a dinghy spins out of control in flooded waters – in the story that gives this anthology its title: Three Dummies in a Dinghy.

An authentic voice is key to good writing and the variety of voices in this anthology makes it a delightful read: some glad, some sad, some a little mad (those dummies again). It even features God’s voice, which Robynne Milne describes as ‘immensely kind’.

The writers have been honest enough to speak of despair and doubt. Many stories have not yet reached their happy-ever-after ending. They are written by people still in the messy business of living, so there are no neat resolutions, but rather, arrivals.

One writer, Heidi Tai explains:

‘Although Dad and I have reconciled, our story is far from perfect. The gap is closing but in reality it will always exist….Outside of eternity, Closing the Cultural Gap is an unfinished story but because I have faith in our final chapter, I will continue to write with hope.’

There is an arrival, even in Tsung’s story The Year. Father and daughter arrive in Adelaide. Steven Curtis Chapman’s song plays in the car, Trust God and take another step, And another step…. So that’s how beetroot goes with burgers, resentment goes with gratitude, and predestination with free will.


This is a surprising book, something you could leave on your coffee table, or your office reception, and people will pick up if just to find out what those three dummies are doing in a dinghy.

Collectively this book describes some of the most pressing issues of our times: loneliness, living with illness and disability, family breakdown. I have mentioned only a few stories here, not because they are better, but because they spoke to me. Should you read the book – and I highly recommend it – in all likelihood a different selection will impress you. We are drawn to what we relate to, and there’s such diversity in here to ensure that there’s something for everyone.

Although post-modern society has largely stopped listening to sermons and stopped going to church, people are still hurting and hungry for authenticity, for truth, for hope. I think creative storytelling is one of the keys to engaging with family, neighbours and colleagues.

Let’s celebrate Three Dummies in a Dinghy by reading and distributing it far and wide. Find Three Dummies in a Dinghy online at:

Morning Star Publishing | Goodreads

About Stories of Life

Let’s also consider to how we can contribute to next year’s anthology. If you’ve not already done so, or if you don’t usually write non-fiction, I urge you to try writing about an incident where you saw God’s hand at work, or heard his voice – in letters, in song, in nature – wherever it was that he met with you. Then send it in for next year’s competition. We will be accepting submissions at storiesoflife.net from 1 April 2019. We would love to hear from you.

May-Kuan Lim is a speaker, teacher and writer who blogs at maykuanlim.com

Tuesday Book Chat | 27th November 2018 | Narelle Atkins

Narelle here. Welcome to our ACW Tuesday Book Chat where we encourage book lovers to answer our bookish question of the week. I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Please join in the conversation in a comment on this post or in a comment on the blog post shared in our Australasian Christian Writers Facebook Group.  

Let's chat. Do you have a Top 5 list of favourite reads for 2018?

A Response to my Spam Comments

By Iola Goulton @iolagoulton

Over the last few weeks, my reviewing website (www.iolagoulton.com) has been getting a lot of spam comments. They don't show up on the site—I have my site set up so I have to manually approve comments from first-time commenters. And I think most of these comments are from Russian bots.

I have no intention of approving any of the comments, because that will allow the commenters (or Russian bots) to continue to spam me. But some of the comments are (unintentionally) funny enough that they deserve a response. Here are my favourites.

All spelling and grammar is as submitted by the commenters.

I can help you write your collage essay.

Great, but I'm not in collage. Or college. And if I was ethically challenged enough that I'd pay someone to do my homework for me, I'd want someone who knows the difference between collage and college.

I dⲟ believe your site could be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenevｅr І take a look at your sitе in Safarі, іt looks fine however, іf opening in Internet Eⲭploreг, it’s got some overlapрing issues.

I suspect that's one of the many faults with Internet Explorer. Do people still use Internet Explorer? Anyway, I recommend you update to a more modern web browser. You know—one that's been updated this century.

I am glad I noticed this website on Yahoo.

Yahoo still exists? Who knew. I hope you're not using that with Internet Explorer.

I see that you don't update your blog too often.

I think four or five times a week is plenty often.

Good blog! Do you have any tips or hints for aspiring writers?

As a matter of fact, I do. You can find them at my other website, www.christianediting.co.nz. Or at one of the websites I contribute to on a regular basis:

• Australasian Christian Writers
• International Christian Fiction Writers
• The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network

Incidentally, you might want to change your user name. A name like pay someone to do my assignment might give people the impression you're looking to pay someone to write your collage essays rather than looking for actual writing advice.

What are your contact details?

You can contact me through my Contact page (who knew, right?). Oddly enough, I don't want to publicize my email address. I'm worried I might get even more spam.

Incredible blog layout! The overall look of your website is great, let alone the content.

Thank you. I use the free version of the Make theme, and created both my sites using the free 5-Day Website Challenge from www.wp-bff.com. You're welcome.

How lengthy have you been running a blog for?

According to my copyright statement, I've been running this blog since 2016. By the way, that should be "how long".

What i do not underѕtood is in faϲt how you are no longer really much more smaгtly-preferred than you might be now.

I don't understand that either. But thanks for saying so.

Do you have a spam issue on this website.

Only from comments like yours.

Now I am going to do my breakfast.

I think you're in the wrong place. Breakfast conversations and photos belong on Instagram.

Just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it’s truly informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.

Thank you?

WOW just what I was searching for. Came here by searching for amateur porn videos online.

(on a post on major Christian fiction literary awards)

Really? Well, I guess that confirms that the good news of Jesus Christ is for everyone, and Jesus will meet you where you are.

I can not to find your e-mail subscription hyperlink oor e-newsletter service.

It's that big blue box immediately to the right of the blog title.

Heү there! Do you know if they make any pⅼugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization?

I use Yoast SEO. I'm sure there are others.

I’m ϲurious to find out what blog system you’re using?

WordPress. Like 27% of the internet.

I’m getting sick and tired of Wordpress because I’ve had issues with hackers and I’m looking at alternatives for another platform.

Yes, WordPress can have problems with hackers if you haven't set your site up properly, and don't use a service like WordFence or Sucuri. WordPress also appears to have a problem with comment spam. Just like pretty much every other site that allows comments. Such is life.

the Gilmore Girls are really gorgeous, and that is the main reason why i watch that tv show,

A lot of people enjoy that show. But this is a book review blog.

Although they did not begin in this way, modern CPUs are microprocessors. If there is a young girl, she will love developing a feminine white desk in their room to complete homework on.

Awesome. I needed to know that.

І have bеen browsing on-line greateг than 3 hoսrs nowadays, but I never discovered any fascinating articⅼe ⅼike yours.

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but you need to get off your computer and get a life. Or read a book. You know, like one of the hundreds I've reviewed on this site.

I remember as I spent my childhood years, I was flanked by new technology including Atari or even the Color Computer.

You're showing your age.

Ԝhat’s uⲣ, its good piece of writing concerning mediɑ print

(on a post about ANZAC Day).

Yeah, right.

Ꮤhen someone writes an paragraph he/shе keeps thе tһought of a user in hiѕ/һer brain that how a սѕer can know it. So that’s whʏ this article is outstdanding.

Humanity has reached a new low if the ability to use paragraphs correctly is now considered outstanding. But wait ...

Paragraρh writing іs also a excitement, if you be acquainted with then you can writе otherwise it іs difficult to writе.

I'm lost for words. Or perhaps lost for paragraphs.

Terrific post but Ӏ was wondeгing if you could wrіte a litte more on this topіc?

Actually, this was me asking my readers a question.


So yes, the comments are spam. But many are unintentionally funny, and deserved a response.

What about you? Do you get spam comments? What's your response?

About Iola Goulton

Iola Goulton is a New Zealand book reviewer, freelance editor, and author, writing contemporary Christian romance with a Kiwi twist. She is a member of the Sisterhood of Unpronounceable Names (Iola is pronounced yo-la, not eye-ola and definitely not Lola).

Iola holds a degree in marketing, has a background in human resource consulting, works as a freelance editor, and has developed the Kick-Start Your Author Platform Marketing Challenge, an email course for authors wanting to establish their online platform.

When she’s not working, Iola is usually reading or writing her next book review. Iola lives in the beautiful Bay of Plenty in New Zealand (not far from Hobbiton) with her husband, two teenagers and one cat. She is currently working on her first novel.

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