Category: Faith Insights

A Necessary Retreat for the Weary Writer

11/22/2021

I had come to the point of exhaustion. I'd worked diligently to write, submit and connect. But nothing was moving. Was I truly meant to be a writer, or did I imagine it? I needed to get my head together — a clear vision for the road ahead. Was I only spinning my wheels?

Then, the opportunity to join the team for the first ever writer’s retreat at Mount Hermon Conference Center near San Jose, CA, presented itself. For years a stellar writing conference was held at that lovely wooded venue, but it was time to forge another path. Writers attend conferences often. It's a place to learn new skills, be inspired, practice the craft, create new connections and meet with publishers and agents. But a retreat is none of that. No busyness. No running to the next workshop, feverishly writing down notes that will be sure to translate into a published book. No feeling of panic as we meet with an industry professional.

A Retreat means Rest and Refreshment

So what is a retreat? It's rest, refreshment, and time alone with God, finding your next right step in this sometimes frustrating journey towards authorship. And yes, it can be about connections—with fellow writers on the same path. But the main focus is to listen. What is God telling me about my next step? Your life? My relationship with Him? The great thing about the Mount Hermon Retreat was the freedom to choose where my focus would be. No pressure to attend any of the soul-care and craft sessions or gather with other like-minded writers. I could spend the entire weekend communing with my Creator on the many paths through the towering redwoods or pray along the labyrinth.

Listening to God’s Voice

So, I listened. In the labyrinth. In the chapel. On the forest path among the towering redwoods, feeling quite small. And I found answers to three questions:

Do I continue submitting my MG historical novels, which have had no bites in year's, or do I continue to revise the three I have, hoping that someday, my genre will come back into popularity? (Historical fiction for kids is a hard sell these days. No magical or sci-fi elements.)
Do I continue with writing and submitting teen devotionals?
Do I begin my travel writing journey by sending queries and writing articles? (Even in Covid times, there are places to travel—yay!)

In the mix was an Instagram Makover class, Author Accelerator Book Coaching Certification course, and my newly joined Hope*Writers community. I assumed, since I purchase them, I needed to continue with the instruction and connection.

These are the answers I received:

No, stop submitting your MG historical novels, but continue to revise them.
Yes! Send in your second teen devotional, and if both are rejected, move on to something else.
Yes! As you travel, document your journey and query a few magazines.

I also had a pull (not totally surprising, since this is why I entered the writing field) towards memoir. I have lived an adventurous life, with ups and downs, challenges and disappointments. But God used those times to draw me to Himself.

He also made it clear as I contemplated my career in the chapel, that my words are like seeds sown in the world. Someday, they will grow to touch hearts with the truths of God's Word and eventually change lives. I can't do it, but He can—through me!

Have you taken time away for any reason to get your priorities in order? Or maybe you just needed a rest. Either way, we all need the opportunity to pull away from the busyness and listen. You'll be surprised what God will whisper in your ear.

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An Unconventional Gratitude

11/28/2020

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A dead tree trunk at the San Antonio Botanic Gardens

This year, I’m going to be grateful for all the things I didn’t get or didn’t happen as I wished. And for the prayers God answered in the negative. I’m going to thank the Lord for the hard times — the low times — that knocked the wind out of me or caused me to slip and slide. I'll be grateful for those times I would categorize as disappointments or dead ends, and for people God surrounds me with who keep me humble — those who withhold praise, give criticism, or are uncomfortable to be around.

Why, you ask? Isn’t that a bit unorthodox? Or unconventional?

Yes. Well . . . No.

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New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

7/8/2020

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I am so honored once again to be a part of Tessa Afshar’s book launch team for The Way Home released by Moody Publishers. This time, instead of a Biblical fiction novel, Tessa has written a 6-week Bible study on a topic dear to her heart: women in Scripture who have found a new beginning and a deep faith. Although I have never met Tessa Afshar in person, I feel she is a kindred spirit in so many ways, and is dear to me!

When I discovered she was drawn to Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë, I had part of the reason. The other part you will find in the videos and interview below. Enjoy and be blessed!

The Inspiration to Write

— Tessa, what inspired you to write, “The Way Home”? What was the most difficult part of writing it?

Seven years ago, while researching In the Field of Grace, a novel I wrote based on the book of Ruth, I realized that this deceptively simple story gives us an incredible insight into the redeeming grace of God. It reveals the power of the Lord at work in the daily life and toil of ordinary people. I knew then that one day I wanted to delve deeper into the book of Ruth.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this study was the context. The events of the book of Ruth take place during the era of Judges. To truly understand Boaz, Naomi and Ruth, we have to understand their times. And the book of Judges makes for a hard study. Everyone does what is right in their own eyes. Everyone fails, from the religious leaders to the political and military powers, right down to ordinary men and women. And what is perhaps most difficult, is that we see ourselves in these people, making similar mistakes.

Unfortunately, so true, Tessa!

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

— If you could be any Biblical character found in your novels, which one would it be, and why?

This is a hard one! My characters go through a lot of pain before finding deep joy. I think I might choose either Ruth or Lydia. Ruth left her home only to find her true home. Her ultimate destiny. And Lydia found success in the world but still had the eyes to recognize that she needed Jesus. I think those are two of the most important things in our lives. That we realize how badly we need Jesus, and that we cling to God so closely that he opens the doors to our ultimate destiny on this earth.

— If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be? Why?

Eden? I long to visit the place where it all started. Where there is no pain, no sorrow, no sickness, no beauty marred, no shame.

Ahhhh, that would be wonderful, Tessa! So encouraging to know that Heaven will be our home someday!

— Do you have a favorite Bible verse, Tessa? And if so, why is it your favorite?

Right now, it is probably a word rather than a verse. The last word in the book of Ruth. It’s actually a name. The book of Ruth starts with a famine. It starts with hunger and lack and death. It ends with a person. That person is David, Ruth’s great grandson. The original readers of this story would instantly have recognized the promise contained in that name. David was the first king to unite the twelve tribes. The first to cast out the enemies of Israel so they stopped pillaging and burning their harvest. His name was synonymous with God’s provision and sufficiency. But for those of us who live under the New Covenant, the name of David points to an even greater reality. It points to the “Son of David”, the coming Messiah. We know his name. Jesus. And Jesus called himself “the Bread of Life.”

The book of Ruth starts with death. But it ends with an allusion to the resurrection and the Life. It starts with a famine, but ends with the Bread of Life who provides for every hunger and lack we may have ever experienced. It’s as if by its simple structure, God is reminding us that there is no famine in our lives that he cannot provide for through his Son.

That truth is so comforting, Tessa!

An Author's Writing Process

— Tell us a bit about your writing process? Do you have a schedule? Where and when do you write?

I have a writing room with big windows. I generally write at my desk, though sometimes, I push aside the books that inevitably sit piled on the sofa, and settle down with the computer on my lap. I am more organized when I am under deadline. In the mornings, I grab my tea, have a time of prayer, and write until I meet my word count for the day. But generally, my schedule is more flexible, including a lot of correspondence, research, and reading.

What a perfect way to being a writing session, Tessa! God's Word is inspiring, as you obviously know. ;-}

Thanks so much for this opportunity to join you and your readers, Jarm. It’s been an honor to hang out with you. You always bring so much joy and kindness wherever you are.

Awwww, thank YOU, Tessa! And I look forward to the day we meet in person, and I can give you a big hug!

Before we end, I want to share a short bio from Tessa Afshar's website below. I encourage you to check it out! And a former blogpost relating to her latest novel,Daughter of Rome.

Tessa Afshar's Short Bio:

"I was born in the Middle East to a nominally Muslim family, and lived there for the first fourteen years of my life. When my parents divorced, I moved to England where I survived boarding school for girls and fell in love with Jane Austen and Charlotte Bronte. I’ve always enjoyed reading, but in my teen years in England I became a true lover of fiction.

I decided to go to college in the United States, where I have lived most of my life, and have the privilege of calling this country my earthly home. My conversion to Christianity in my twenties changed the course of my life forever. But that’s a story for another time. . .

Through all these losses and changes, God has taught me some precious truths, and this, in part, is why I write.

You will be mesmerized as you watch the video below of Tessa's journey. It will touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes. The soul of an author speaks!

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A Misérable View of the Coronavirus Pandemic

4/15/2020

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Image of Fantine from Les Mis

The coronavirus pandemic is weaving in and out of our conversations, social media posts and creative endeavors. Twice, now, I’ve heard people refer to the ‘empty chairs and empty tables’ song/scene in Les Misérables. So, I thought I’d share my Misérables ponderings with you. They relate to our fears surrounding this crisis.

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Speaking Truth in Evil Times: Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews

2/5/2020

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Today I'm featuring a portion of an interview with Mesu Andrews, well-known author of Biblical novels, found on her site, and shared with her permission. Mesu's latest work, Isaiah's Legacy, takes place in a dark time in Israel's history. I had to know - how does one write about evil and speak truth at the same time? Below, Mesu Andrews shares her author's heart and the process. . .

A Biblical Adolescent

. . . let me introduce you to a twelve-year-old boy in ancient Judah—around 700-650 BC. His name was Manasseh. From the moment he was born, everyone around him knew he would be king when he turned twelve—because that’s when his father, King Hezekiah, would die.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Isaiah: ‘Go and tell Hezekiah, “This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will add fifteen years to your life.”’” Isaiah 38:4-5

A Young King’s Confusion

So if you were a kid who grew up knowing Yahweh and his prophet (your grandfather) had sentenced your father to die, how would you feel about Yahweh and His prophets?

Yahweh and Isaiah didn’t “sentence” Hezekiah to death, of course, but even as adults with more fully-developed coping skills, don’t we sometimes get angry with God when adversity visits our own lives? How much more would a young king blame Isaiah and his God for his father’s death? And wouldn’t Manasseh be susceptible then to those whispering about other gods who could perhaps save his father? Or after Hezi’s death, wouldn’t Manasseh seek other gods to save himself from the God who killed his father?

These are the convoluted thoughts of the boy-king in my novel who witnesses his abba’s tragic death and immediately feels the weight of a nation thrust onto his shoulders. A boy, yet considered a man at age twelve in ancient Judah. A boy, yet considered a king because he was an ancestor of King David. A boy, yet somehow he manages to destroy everything his parents built.

“But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.” 2 Chronicles 33:9

Prequel to Isaiah's Legacy

How Could He Go So Wrong?

As I began researching Manasseh’s story, I wondered, How could the son/grandson of incredibly faithful Yahwists (Yahweh followers) wander so far astray from the Truth? Some of my dearest friends have had children walk away from their faith, and I’ve asked the same question. Unfortunately, I don’t know the answer, but as I researched Manasseh’s life and reign, I found something interesting about the wickedest king in Scripture.

“Manasseh interpreted Leviticus in fifty-five different ways, corresponding to the years of his reign.” (Sanhedrin 103b – https://www.torah-box.net/torah-pdf/talmud/sanhedrin/103.html)

Quite an impressive feat, considering most of us can’t recite the Ten Commandments. Manasseh’s supreme intellect piqued my curiosity. Was he a savant? Would he have been diagnosed with Asperger’s or placed “on the spectrum” if he’d lived in our modern world?

Is That Why He’s Bad?

Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying Asperger’s or autism causes anyone to sin or become a bad person. In fact, I created a second character in the story who shares Manasseh’s “peculiar” behaviors but is faithful to Yahweh—as well as kind and affectionate.

However, the Asperger’s piece seemed to complete the puzzle of Manasseh’s “rebellion”—except I don’t think it was rebellion at all. What if his intellectual ability was impressive, but his limited social skills left him vulnerable to wicked advisers? What if, because he was unable to read social cues, facial expressions, or hidden agendas, Manasseh trusted the wrong people and fell victim to deceit? He would have known right from wrong—as his parents taught him—but if two people he trusted disagreed (i.e. his mother and a beloved adviser), he would likely have panicked.

More than anything, at twelve years old, Manasseh ben Hezekiah would have simply wanted to fit in. He would have done just about anything to feel and seem “normal” to others—especially to a girl he wanted to impress. (There’s always a girl, right? LOL!) Scripture tells us that Manasseh had one son and gives the name of the boy’s mother. In Isaiah’s Legacy, I give her the nickname, Shulle.

“Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king…His mother’s name was Meshullemeth daughter of Haruz; she was from Jotbah.” 2 Kings 21:19

Why Write About a Bad Guy?

So why devote an entire book to an awful king and his destructive behavior? I didn’t. This is Shulle’s story. And the second half of Zibah’s life-story. Yes, King Manasseh is also a main character, but Evil isn’t. I don’t sensationalize wicked behavior, nor do I condone weakness among the righteous.

In her endorsement, fellow author Pepper Basham (who is also a speech-language therapist w/specialty in social communication disorders) said this when she finished reading Isaiah’s Legacy:

“I began reading this book with trepidation because I knew 2 Kings’ story of Manasseh’s horrifying fall from grace…”

Are you feeling that same trepidation to delve into Manasseh’s story? I was certainly nervous about writing it!

The Prodigal Returns

Did you realize Manasseh returns to Yahweh? It’s not a spoiler because it’s in the Bible!

“In his distress [Manasseh] sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea.” 2 Chronicles 33:12-13

I’ve said multiple times, Manasseh’s life is the greatest prodigal story in Scripture—not because I’m writing it, but because God recorded it for us all to see! Here’s how Pepper described it:

“What a beautiful reminder that the light of God’s love, the strength of his hand, can reach into the darkest hearts to transform lives for His glory and ultimate fulfillment of His story.”

We all need to be reminded that our God wins over darkness. We may not always see God’s light right away or feel the warmth of His flame, but we can know with certainty that our God IS ALWAYS THE VICTOR! THAT is the true message of Manasseh’s life and story.

I don't know about you, but I am relieved (and grateful) that God always wins over darkness. It's obvious this world is changing -- becoming more and more confusing, frightening and dark. I'm clinging to my only hope -- the Rock - my Lord Jesus Christ.

Isaiah's Legacy releases on February 18th!

What are you clinging to in this uncertain world? Feel free to share your thoughts below. . .

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The Heart and Soul of an Author - Tessa Afshar

1/22/2020

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If you’ve wondered what goes on in the mind of an author, wonder no more! I am thrilled and honored to be interviewing one of my favorite Biblical fiction authors — Tessa Afshar, author of her latest novel, Daughter of Rome. Tyndale House, Tessa’s publisher, did an interview a while ago, and we get to listen in!

You will discover fascinating facts about the first century church, and insights into the characters. So settle in with your hot beverage of choice, and enjoy. And don't forget to click on the images for more info about Tessa and her books. You will discover some surprising things about her life.

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CONTENTMENT: Is it Possible?

1/10/2020

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Statue in a Buenos Aires cemetery.

Oh. I must catch my breath! Did I truly see such a magnificent creature and live? I paled. My heart pounded as the mighty angel, dressed in a flowing white robe with searing eyes that pierced my soul.

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<<Previous

A Writerly Blog

A Necessary Retreat for the Weary Writer

A Retreat means Rest and Refreshment

Listening to God’s Voice

An Unconventional Gratitude

New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

The Inspiration to Write

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

An Author's Writing Process

A Misérable View of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Speaking Truth in Evil Times: Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews

A Biblical Adolescent

A Young King’s Confusion

How Could He Go So Wrong?

Is That Why He’s Bad?

Why Write About a Bad Guy?

The Prodigal Returns

What are you clinging to in this uncertain world? Feel free to share your thoughts below. . .

The Heart and Soul of an Author - Tessa Afshar

CONTENTMENT: Is it Possible?

Good News!

Archives

Categories

A Writerly Blog

A Necessary Retreat for the Weary Writer

A Retreat means Rest and Refreshment

Listening to God’s Voice

An Unconventional Gratitude

New Beginnings: The Way Home by Tessa Afshar

The Inspiration to Write ​

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey ​

An Author's Writing Process ​

A Misérable View of the Coronavirus Pandemic

Speaking Truth in Evil Times: Isaiah's Legacy by Mesu Andrews

A Biblical Adolescent​

A Young King’s Confusion​

How Could He Go So Wrong?

​Is That Why He’s Bad?

Why Write About a Bad Guy?

​The Prodigal Returns

What are you clinging to in this uncertain world? Feel free to share your thoughts below. . .

The Heart and Soul of an Author - Tessa Afshar

CONTENTMENT: Is it Possible?

Good News!

Archives

Categories

The Inspiration to Write

Biblical Inspiration for the Author's Journey

An Author's Writing Process

A Biblical Adolescent

A Young King’s Confusion

Is That Why He’s Bad?

The Prodigal Returns