A successful marriage counselor whose own relationships are in turmoil—and who can’t write the sequel to his bestselling self-help book. His wife, trapped in a job selling questionable pharmaceuticals to help pay their hefty mortgage. Their 14-year-old daughter, withdrawing and exhibiting warning signs.
And an old camera that takes pictures of what’s unseen.
Inheriting his grandfather’s prized camera leads Daniel into experiences where truth becomes visible. He meets Simon, the unusual proprietor of the camera shop that suddenly opened near Daniel’s work. And he has to hide the photos Simon develops for him… because if anyone saw some of those images, his career—and his family—would be shattered.
The Camera Never Lies is a clean, heartwarming story with supernatural overtones, perfect for readers who love Davis Bunn’s Miramar Bay series (although without the new-romance plot thread). With its human drama and themes of trust and truth, I think it’d make an engaging movie.
Favourite lines:
…you’re thinking you had a good reason for doing what you did. At the time, you probably did, but the consequences of today don’t always respect the actions of yesterday. [hardcover pages 197-198, Simon speaking to Daniel]
Daniel held fate in his hands. It deserved to be tempted. [hardcover page 211]
This is Australian author David Rawlings’ second novel. Here’s a link to my review of his debut, The Baggage Handler. For more about the author and his work, visit davidrawlings.com.au.
There are many expressions of collaboration among creatives, in particular, among writers.
Below are just three of the possibilities:
Coauthoring a Book
I am currently working on a collaboration with Paralympian Deb Willows to complete her second memoir. This past week, I spent four days with Deb at her home in Northern Ontario. It’s so much easier to focus on a single task when I set aside other responsibilities and distractions, which I tend to focus on when I’m working from home. And while we have tried to connect regularly online, it just isn’t the same.
Deb and I came up with an initial table of contents and went from there. Sometimes, she simply shares the stories she would like to include, I flesh them out, and then we polish them together. At other times, I create a list of questions based on a topic we agreed to include, she answers them, and we proceed with the fleshing out and polishing process.
It’s an incredible honour to be entrusted with another person’s story and to help them bring it to the page.
Of course, memoir is only one type of book writers work on together. And the writing process varies from one team to another, but a two-person partnership working on a single project is what people often think of when they think of collaborative writing.
Attending a Virtual or In-Person Conference, Summit, or Workshop
Most of us likely would not consider this a form of collaboration, but I’ve come to see it differently.
This month I purchased the All-Access Pass to the Write Anyway Summit. While I can listen to the sessions anytime I choose, I decided to attend some of the Live sessions and, over the course of the week, listen to those that were prerecorded so that I wouldn’t neglect them indefinitely. (I don’t have a clue how many courses and All-Access Passes I’ve purchased only to tuck away for Someday, which we all know rarely comes.)
While I love the dynamics of an in-person conference, interacting with other writers online as a conference or summit is going on is a form of collaboration. We’re learning from one another as well as the presenters. And, in many cases, there may be an opportunity to meet a likeminded writer and form a collaborative partnership that could last long after the event is over.
Becoming Part of a Team
Whether we’re collaborating on a novel, a collection of short fiction, a nonfiction anthology on a single topic, or a magazine, being part of a team is one of the most rewarding—and one of the most challenging opportunities—we may ever participate in.
Different personalities. Different approaches to the writing. Different perspectives on the fluidity of deadlines. These are just a handful of the challenges we may face.
But when we successfully navigate these challenges and produce a product all collaborators can be proud of, it’s one of the most amazing things ever.
I’m thankful for every collaboration I’ve been part of—and look forward to future collaborations with my fellow creatives.
Can you think of any other examples of writing collaborations? What successful collaborations have you been part of? What did you enjoy most? Did you have to overcome any personal struggles to fulfill your obligations? We’d love to hear all about it.
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
There is a scientific principle that states, “An object in motion tends to stay in motion, and an object at rest tends to stay at rest.”
I am that object.
While rest is crucial to productivity and peace of mind, vegging on the couch, binge-watching Netflix rarely recharges our batteries. At least it doesn’t recharge mine.
I am excellent at making excuses.
As an extrovert, I need company—even fictious characters.
I’ll be more productive—tomorrow.
Just one more episode. Yeah, right!
Sitting with my hubby, watching a movie we enjoy, doesn’t fall under the same category. At the end of a long, crazy day, Dave needs to decompress. And we are together, something we enjoy even after 39 years of marriage. Thank You, Lord!
But that lying back and “resting” on the couch by myself? It rarely, if ever, energizes me. I can’t seem to muster up the energy to read, which would be much better for my intellect and my mood. Most often I fall asleep, even though I’ve had enough rest.
However, when I head to my home office, sit at my desk, and make significant progress—or even complete—a long-neglected project …
Now, that’s when I do an internal happy dance. I feel the shot of adrenaline. And I want to move onto my next task.
Instead of tiring me out, my work recharges me, something sedentary “leisure activities” never does.
If you’re “an object at rest” but aren’t feeling renewed, here are a dozen suggestions that may get you moving:
Get up and stretch periodically.
Grab a healthy snack.
Drink a tall glass of water.
Go for a hike—or a walk around the block.
Play some upbeat music.
Dance like no one’s watching—especially if you’re alone.
Do a favourite workout.
Read a book or listen to a podcast instead of watching TV.
Take a TIMED BREAK to play an online game. Wordle has really taken off recently.
Connect with a friend (via Zoom or Voxer, on the phone, in person—whatever works for the two of you).
Find an accountability partner. Connect at the beginning of the week and state one or things you each want to accomplish by the end of the week. Connect again at the end of the week. Knowing we are answerable to someone often motivates us to become “an object in motion.”
Play a board game with your family. And if you live alone or want to expand your group and can’t get together in person, set something up via Zoom. Yes, there are many people who are tired of Zoom meetings of all kinds, but it can bridge the distance and do you a lot of good.
Note: It’s important to check with your health care provider before you change your diet and/or level of physical activity.
Getting things crossed off my Procrastination List is one of the best feelings ever—and, this week, I’ve done well.
My plan for the days ahead: Become an Object in Motion.
How about you? What recharges your batteries and inspires and motivates you to keep making strides forward?
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
“When I asked God why I ought to love my neighbors, he sent them, one by one, to answer the question.” [Chapter 17, page 6 in chapter]
Subtitled “How Strangers Became a Community,” My Vertical Neighborhood is a memoir of one Christian’s quest to build friendships and discover practical ways to love the others around her. Instead of diving into activities in her new church, the author wanted to connect with her literal neighbours.
Not surprisingly, the other residents in her Toronto high-rise weren’t overly receptive at first. It took time, prayer, persistence, and God’s provision of a friend to move into the same building and share the efforts. Perhaps also not surprisingly, the relationships began to grow over food.
This isn’t a “neighbourhood evangelism” book. It’s a memoir of intentional relationship-building and developing not just friendship but love among the diverse inhabitants of the building.
Key quote:
“Jesus says loving God, self, and neighbor is foundational to everything else. If we don’t understand and practice these conjoined commandments, it will be harder to obey the rest.” [Chapter 2, page 5 in chapter]
I found the book to be an interesting read. And while I don’t feel any sense of call to push myself as far out of my comfort zone as the author did, I’m pleased that it’s left me more aware of the need to intentionally take the opportunities that come my way. We can all learn to listen more, ask better questions, and take time with the people around us.
I can’t end this review without a shout-out to the cover. Where most encounters revolved around food, aren’t the vertical images of dinner plates and elevator buttons brilliant?
Canadian author Lynda MacGibbon is a former journalist, now working with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. For more about the author and her work, visit lyndamacgibbon.com.
[Digital review copy from the public library. This book is available to borrow through Hoopla Digital.]
A simple walk through Walmart. That’s when it hit her. I don’t think I can do this mask thing for the long haul.
Deep breath. You’ll be okay.
Thankfully, with God’s help, she talked herself off the ledge. But it was scary. It was the first time she could, in a small way, empathize with those who deal with full-fledged panic attacks.
This isn’t a post about the benefits and drawbacks of wearing masks. It’s about something far more important. It’s about love and respect.
Years ago, our former pastor said we can’t know for sure what motivates a person to speak and act the way they do. We may have our suspicions, but two people can do exactly the same thing for entirely different reasons.
It breaks my heart to read how people are attacking one another on social media. Like many people, I find conflict upsetting—even when I’m not directly involved.
While some conflict is inevitable, much is avoidable—especially when it stems from the assumption that we know why people are choosing to respond to COVID-19 in the way they are.
This situation isn’t going away anytime soon—barring divine intervention. How can we love one another well?
Here are nine ideas:
Draw close to the Lord. We can only love others well if His love becomes a wellspring in us, bubbling up and overflowing to those around us.
Be kind to yourself. It’s especially important these days to take care of ourselves. It’s not selfish; it’s vital.
Admit it when you’re struggling in one way or another. We all need at least one confidante in our life who will actively listen as we pour out our heart, someone who won’t simply spout platitudes and expect us to “get over it.”
Become a good listener. Stephen Covey said, “Listen with the intent to understand, not the intent to reply.” I prefer the simpler version: listen to learn, not to respond.
Begin a Gratitude Journal. While the situation can be overwhelming, when we deliberately examine our life for things to be grateful for, it changes our attitude—and that splashes over onto the people around us.
Plan fun activities. Instead of grieving what we can’t do—at least for prolonged periods—it’s important to make the best of the situation. We are created for community. It’s important to enjoy time with family and friends, whether in person or online.
Look for an opportunity to reach out to someone who is lonely. Even pre-COVID it was easy to neglect those who are isolated and on their own. It’s even harder for them these days. While we can’t necessarily go for a visit, we can write them a letter or give them a call. A simple act can brighten someone’s day more than we realize.
Fellowship with other believers. The Lord used the analogy of a body for good reason. We truly need one another. Whether we get together in person or learn to use Zoom, it’s crucial to our spiritual wellbeing to spend time with other Christians. While watching a church service online can be beneficial, it isn’t the same as interacting with one another.
Pray for one another. We see throughout the Scriptures that prayer is a command and an invitation. One of the most incredible things someone can do for us is pray. Why not let someone know today that you are praying for them—and don’t forget to do just that.
This list could be much longer, but these ideas provide a good jumping off point.
I’d love to hear how you are loving others in the midst of these challenging times.
Tags and Keywords
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
In the English Standard Version, James 1:2-5 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”
I can almost guarantee we’re all going through a trial of some description. Thankfully, as believers, we can cling to the promises in this passage.
It won’t be easy. And the full effect of steadfastness won’t happen overnight, but we can rest assured that God will be with us each step of the way. And I need that assurance right now. How about you?
In the early days, COVID-19 exacerbated my tendency to procrastinate to a full-on “What’s the use?” attitude.
With God’s help, I pushed through … although I still have a tendency to put things off. However, I no longer believe my efforts to forge ahead are essentially futile.
And then George Floyd and the racial divide spotlighting the need for God-honouring forgiveness and reconciliation.
In Ontario, churches have been allowed to reopen with restrictions. You would think this would be a cause for celebration, that we would delight in the opportunity to be together again. And while that’s the case to a certain extent, we are witnessing everything from those staying away because of fear to those who think we should completely disregard the governments directives.
We have come to realize we don’t know one another as well as we thought.
Enter social media. Facebook, in particular, has become a place where we hurt one another because of the hurt we’ve been carrying, the hurt that those who attend church with us may not be aware of.
Enter, once again, the “What’s the use?” mindset.
Why would I explain myself? What good would it do?
Why would I share my perspective with that particular person? Their mind is already made up.
Why would I voice my opinion? It will only cause an argument.
Or the other extreme …
Why shouldn’t I voice my opinion? I want to start a conversation. (Sadly, this “conversation” often devolves into something completely emotion-driven and just causes more hurt—especially if posted online.)
After 35+ years in the same church, I have seen countless hurts and disagreements. Those are unavoidable. I get that.
But what do you do when one person you love and care about wounds another but you haven’t witnessed it firsthand?
You want to submit to authority.
You don’t want to cause division.
But you believe we, as the body of Christ, could be more than this, more genuine, more authentic, more loving.
I long for the day when beloved brothers and sisters don’t simply disappear into the night as it were.
However, in all this, I must cling to James 1, trusting God to work it all out not only for me but also for all those involved.
When we face trials and heartbreak, we can count on God’s promises.
When we just don’t know what to do or say, we can ask for wisdom and trust Him to provide it.
It may be cliché, but “God’s got this!” And boy, am I glad!
Tweetables:
The full effect of steadfastness won’t happen overnight. (click to tweet)
God will be with us each step of the way. (click to tweet)
What do you do when one person you love and care about wounds another? (click to tweet)
When we face trials and heartbreak, we can count on God’s promises. (click to tweet)
When we just don’t know what to do or say, we can ask for wisdom and trust God to provide it. (click to tweet)
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
Mikayla Gordon’s discovery of a family secret sets her on a quest to find answers. In the process she may find herself—and find God.
Mikayla is the outdoor, adventurous type, thriving from childhood on fishing with her father. Her journey takes her away from her magazine-writer job on a cross-country trek, with a tiny dog as her travel buddy.
From her native Minnesota, Mikayla ends up Colorado, where the mountains capture her heart. Camp director Dawson Dunne, who offers her a temporary job, may claim her heart too, although Mikayla’s committed to returning home in time for her sister’s wedding.
The scenery in this novel makes it a beautiful place to linger, and I enjoyed hanging out with the characters. Mikayla’s anger and hurt takes time to work through, but the kind people she meets are a balm to her and to readers as well.
Favourite lines:
“No use hurrying through life when all we have is what’s here in front of us.” [Kindle edition, page 75]
Layers of jagged mountain peaks surrounded them, from green and detailed in front to a hazy blue in the distance. Thick forests spread like carpeting, a river winding through the valley. [Kindle edition, page 178]
Recommended for nature lovers, this gentle story of self-discovery and romance includes themes of disappointment, family secrets, forgiveness, faith, and relationships. The bond between Mikayla and her two sisters is warm and strong, despite their very different personalities.
When Mountains Sing is book 1 in the My Father’s House Series, and it’s one of the books in The Mosaic Collection. Visit stacymonson.com to learn more about author Stacy Monson and her books.
Friendship, self-discovery, love, and a celebration of reading—and of independent bookstores.
Maddie Cullen had a knack for engaging with her customers and knowing the right book to suggest. When she died, she left envelopes for her two employees and her estranged niece. Each woman’s letter included a Bible passage and a list of books.
Madeline, her niece, inherited the store but doesn’t want to keep it. Claire and Janet, Maddie’s employees who supported her through her final days, wish the new owner would just let them carry on the business as usual. As the three women work together, each also reading the books Maddie’s letter “assigned,” they develop a strong friendship and each grow toward the potential Maddie had seen in them.
Each woman’s point of view is written in a different tense: first-person past, third-person past, and third-person present. I always find that sort of delivery jarring, and I confess I also had a hard time connecting with the characters. All three were a bit of a mess at first.
I’m glad I stuck with it, because it’s a heartwarming story. As it progressed I grew to care for each of them. And I wish I could visit the bookstore!
For more about Katherine Reay and her books, and for book club resources, visit katherinereay.com.
The study
springs from James 1:2-4, which says, “Count it all joy, my
brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know
that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let
steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete,
lacking in nothing” (ESV).
Each entry includes an excerpt from a novel, a scripture,
and an inspirational thought with room to journal in response.
On Day 1, the author asks readers to record their personal
battle.
Sure, I get in a funk every once in a while. But, hey, my
life is pretty darn good. What personal battle am I facing?
And then it
struck me. My heart is heavy because I see the hurt, misunderstanding, and
disrespect happening all around me—in the church.
And hard on
the heels of that revelation, I ask, “What can I do about it?”
Ever had
one of those instantaneous D’uh Moments?
You’re a
writer, Stephanie. So, write!
And here I
am.
Am I
writing to rag on the church? No, they’re my brothers and sisters in Christ.
Am I here
to say I’m on the hunt for the perfect local fellowship, where we all love one
another and get along 100 percent of the time? I’m almost 60 years old. I know
such a place doesn’t exist.
But am I
intent on doing my part to identify the type of community I want to belong
to—and then doing what I can to bring about change as I have the opportunity?
Absolutely.
Now, you
may be a mover and shaker, intent on following the path you feel has been laid
out before you, eyes focused straight ahead, blinders firmly in place.
Don’t get
me wrong, we need people who keep us moving on a God-honouring trajectory. But
we also need people who will identify obstacles in the road and come up with a
creative way to deal with the obstacles. Sometimes barreling right through them
is not the best course of action.
Even more
importantly, we need people who recognize that there are men and women, young
people, and children among us who may have ideas that are far better than our
own. We need decision-makers who are humble enough to learn from those without
as much experience as they have. (The Bible has a lot to say about humility and
pride.)
We also
need people who will recognize the giftings in others and nurture those
giftings, setting individuals free to minister in ways that give their
uniqueness an opportunity to flourish.
And,
without a doubt, we need people who recognize the wounded. Sure, some are obvious,
but some people have developed great skill at withdrawing into themselves
because they’ve been hurt over and over and over.
Where do
you fit?
Do you
clearly see the path ahead? Cast that vision in a way that enables others to
see what you see. Be patient with those who don’t quite get it. Don’t rush out
too far ahead. And be humble enough to consider others’ ideas and input.
Are you
motoring along, keeping your head down and doing your own thing? While we need
diligent, hardworking peacemakers who keep things moving forward, we also need
them to speak up when things aren’t moving in the right direction. Just this
past year, I learned there is a way to respectfully address concerns about the
direction our churches are going without being prideful and argumentative,
without seeking to cause descension and division. And when we see issues that
need to be addressed, it just may be our job to bring them to light.
Finally,
there are those who are so hurt and wounded that they do their very best to
blend into the shadows. Some are “so done” with church. Do we provide a place
for them to be open and honest? Do we really listen to what they have to say?
Do we consider if there is something we should change, both individually and as
a fellowship? Do we truly weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who
rejoice?
Church, there is a place for every believer in Jesus. He has made each one unique, with specific gifts and talents He has called us to develop and use. Let’s make a place for everyone at the table. (click to tweet this)
And let’s do what James said in James 1:9, “Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (ESV).
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.
Who’s your BFF? Who do you love spending time with? Who can
you call in the middle of the night when you need them?
I’ve found that good friends, genuine friends, are marked by
several characteristics. Let’s consider five of these traits.
Good friends listen.
Sometimes we need advice. And it’s great when we have wise,
insightful friends who will “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
However, there are other times, we simply need someone who
will listen—just listen.
My husband of over 35 years is an active listener. He
doesn’t just stay quiet and pretend to listen. He is my sounding board when I
need to pour out my heart. It’s such a blessing to have friends like
this—whether or not they’re also family members.
Good friends share
from their heart.
Another mark of genuine friendship is trust and
authenticity. When our friends trust us enough to share from their heart, it’s
a good indicator that our friendship is solid.
While there may be many people we refer to as friend who don’t open up to us, it’s a
privilege when they do.
Sometimes they’ll want our advice. Sometimes they’ll need us
to listen. We have to resist the temptation to turn the conversation back to
our own situation when our friends pour out their heart.
Good friends cheer us
on.
Are you beginning a new adventure? A new challenge? A new
battle?
Our very best friends are there to cheer us on when this is
the case. They may be able to relate to our situation; they may not. Still,
they’re rooting for us. They’re in our corner. We can depend on them and call
on them whenever we need a boost.
Good friends facilitate
growth.
While true friends are good listeners, open up to us, and
cheer us on, they also challenge us to grow. They don’t so much demand growth
but facilitate it.
Good friends have a way of making us want to become better
people. They bring out the best in us. And they forgive us when we’re less than
our best—even when we’re at our worst.
We want to become better people when this kind of person is
in our life.
Good friends address
hurts.
Do our real friends hurt us? Do we hurt them? Yes and yes.
Sometimes we hurt one another unintentionally. At other
times, for whatever reason, we may be intentionally hurtful.
Our very best friends will address the issue. It may be hard
for us to hear. It’s likely even harder for them to bring up. However,
friendships that endure the test of time are often marked by openness and
honesty.
When we get close to someone, when we open up to them, we risk being hurt, but it’s worth it.
I am privileged to have many such friends and I’m thankful
for each and every one of them.
Now, that we’ve considered some traits of genuine friends,
let’s take an honest look at ourselves. Are we this kind of friend? What steps
can we take to become even better friends than we are today? Are we willing to
do the hard work, the work that reaps rich rewards?
Tweetables:
When we get close to someone, when we open up to them, we risk being hurt, but it’s worth it. (click to tweet)
Good friends listen. They share from their heart. They cheer us on. Good friends facilitate growth and address hurts. (click to tweet)
As an editor, Steph Beth Nickel has the honour of coming alongside writers to help them polish their work. As the coauthor of Paralympian Deb Willows’s memoirs, Steph has been blessed to work with this amazing woman. And as a future self-published author, with the Lord’s help, Steph has taken brave steps toward publication.