February 16th, 2024

​Questions from Rosemary Johnson[ACW Official 2022]

 

Encourage
In a secular world, to what extent do you feel validated by being around Christian writers? 

• I get encouragement via a number of ACW events and activities organised primarily to address issues that boost a writer’s confidence, uplift their writing morale in their writing journey or promote talent in their various fields as writers. I always attend and have been greatly encouraged by these events. High calibre speakers touch on writing matters in relation to scripture which really encouraged me in my writing journey.
• The Online Facebook (Group) has been an immense source of encouragement.  Other than my posting queries, I get the right responses back; get to read other issues posted by other members which benefits me as members post things touching on issues relating to writing, publishing, health, marketing, etc which encourage me on the right tracks of my writing career as a Christian.
•  Shine Christian Writers is a writing group that has further encouraged me. It is a smaller group within ACW where I have a buddies and a closer relationship with the leader.  Most of us are from the same part of the world and this fosters a better understanding of our writing experiences. We exchange ideas, help each other and encourage one another not only on writing issues but on Christian issues as well.
• I always read new editions of the eNews and Christian Writer to get a- breasted of things happening and encourage myself from other people’s writing journey, success stories and their experiences.
• The ACW website is one place I have not really explored except in times of competitions. I have been made conscious now that it is a further oasis of blessing and encouragement!

Equip
Have you made use of any of the following:
Members’ Services (critiques on writing, available only to members)? – No.
Tips, help and guidance in the Writing Craft section of the website? - No
Submission opportunities in the Writing Craft section of the website? - No
Can you give examples of specific leads or helpful advice given by ACW members you’ve met online or face-to-face?

• ACW Members who have given me advice , specific leads  on my queries on the online Facebook  group, Local group or other related writing  groups in connection to specific genres are too  numerous to mention   over the one year period I have been a member. So I will just name the leaders of these groups such as Rosemary Johnson [More Than Writers], Bobbie Cole[Biblical Christian fiction], Sarah Sansbury[ TRELLIS] and Bisi Oladipupo [Shine Christian Writers]. Bisi in particular gave me links to websites that could help with digital marketing and everything that could help with self-publishing my book.  Members who have specifically helped as Beta readers such as Sophie Neville and Liz Carter really helped me in shaping up my novel.  Also, there are members who helped me immensely to ensure my book launch in May 2021 was a success such as Maressa Mortimer, Allison Symes, SC Skillman and Wendy Jones. Of course, I was greatly encouraged by almost 40 members who gave 4/5 star reviews on my book! I have recently bought the Christian Writer and Write well  to help me on my your writing journey but have had no time to settle down and read them. I really hope to and will soon.

Inspire
Inspire is defined as ‘to make someone feel that they want to do something and can do it’ (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inspire)
 I do you feel inspired, energised, motivated, and more confident being around other ACW members whether  at writers’ days,  the ACW Facebook (Group),  Local writing group or genre specific writing groups such as the  TRELLIS Poetry, More than Writers and Biblical Christian fiction. The bible says  “ Iron sharpeneth iron”. This is my experience. I am inspired by the above groups through the experiences I benefit from, enabling me  not to rest on my laurels, not to get distracted by social media, motivated to keep on writing by having to attend book launches almost every month or congratulate members for  new books they have published  or getting to review books of members. These act as inspiration to continue writing, to continue being fruitful and produce forth. These groups make me feel like a tree planted by ‘the rivers of waters’.
 My only setback which I need further encouragement, equipping and inspiration is to be able to
Self-publish my own books from scratch to finish successfully. I know that in time, being around other ACW members who have done this successfully will eventually rub on me as well.
​Thank you very much.
 
Blessings.