Connie's Writing and Editing Life
My world became a safer, happier place when I learned to read. I could escape for hours at a time in the world of books... and I did!
Librarians were some of my favorite people. They loved having a student who wanted more of their world. I read every book in each school library, except reference books that couldn’t be checked out. I was awarded the privilege of being the first reader of every new addition to the shelves. The knights of the round table, the Little House on the Prairie series, fantasies, biographies… I loved them all.
In fifth and sixth grade, I wrote for the school newspaper—I still have a copy for a good chuckle.
In the summer, I walked to the local library branch and checked out as many books as I could carry. I never minded the walk of several miles. As a teen, I was asked to help choose the books for the new Youth division of the new library being built. When it was finished, I volunteered to shelve boxes and boxes of books, and was a tour guide for the grand opening.
For years I dreamed of writing my own “Little House” series. Each night I went to sleep composing my stories.
In junior high school, I helped teach diagramming of sentences. I loved it and my teacher challenged the class to find a sentence I could not diagram correctly. Even the boys, who never wanted to open a book, started hunting for those tough sentences. They never stumped me! But those sentences did get complicated.
Because I did so well in English, I was also given the opportunity to write a research paper in nineth grade. First, I had to research how. Upon finishing it, I had a great head start for high school and college.
At 16, I had an article published in a national teen paper. One of my teachers made the comment—in private—that all my writing was spiritual no matter what her assignment was. At first I thought I was in trouble, but she smiled and added, "You must love the Lord." I did, but I didn't realize then how He was working in my life.
I was so blessed to have librarian and teachers who taught me well and encouraged me.
Nursing school taxed my reading skills. I had to slow down my reading pace and I had to give up all books except textbooks. But I developed another important skill- rapid note taking. Thanks to that skill I can remember lots from a very brief word or phrase.
My nursing career, marriage to a book lover, and motherhood kept me quite busy. Throughout those years my writing was work related, for church or long handwritten letters to friends.
Six years ago, I moved from the east coast to the Pacific North West to be a nearby gramma. And I was preparing to retire after more than 40 years of nursing. As I packed, I asked, “Lord, what do you have for me to do in Oregon- besides grand mothering? By the time I arrived, I knew with doubt I was to write for Him.
I attended my first writing conference and paid extra to have a short story critiqued. It was awful! One definitely was not encouraging- “no story here”. Another said needs lots of re-writing with no hints of where or why. The final critiquer was a bit more gentle- “it takes a lot of practice, don’t give up.”
My first atttmpts at writing came to a halt until my son reminded me who I was writing for and asked, "since when do you let somebody’s opinion stop you? He was my fan club of one and bought me a computer, which led me to Christian online writing lessons.
How blessed I was! Janet was a good teacher, an honest critiquer and wonderful encourager all in one. My assignments led to being published in her online magazine. She began asking me to write extra material for the e-zine. Proofreading and editing soon followed. I was having a ball!
Until… it suddenly ended. And only a few weeks earlier, she had asked me to be the editor for her new print magazine. I was devastated.
My number one fan offered no sympathy. He just said, “So start your own e-zine."
This story would be incomplete without telling you that my son’s words were from God and were confirmed by three other people before I took it seriously. But even then, I bargained with God: “If 10-12 writers will commit to one year of monthly writing, I’ll do it.”
Writer Bonnie Winters and I opened "Sonrise Writers," a yahoo group site, and began inviting writers we'd met through Janet's e-zine. When number ten made the commitment, I sat down to my computer saying, “Lord, you know I have no money for a website or domain name, but I’m going to charge the domain name right now. You’ll have to provide the money then show me how to set up the e-zine.” He did! And 4Him2U was born!
Since then I've had several short stories published, write a monthly column for another e-zine and write a newsletter to encourage people across the USA with chronic illnesses.
Little did I know where my bedtime dreams of writing a new Little House series would lead me. I write for the greatest boss in the universe! A better encourager you’ll never find! The earthly pay’s not so good, but I will be well rewarded when I walk the golden streets and meet the people whose lives have been touched by my words.
I cannot end without thanking those writers who believed in my vision. Not only have they faithfully written, they have provided financial support. We have grown as writers and as women of God through this God anointed endeavor.
Sonrisers, we’ve come far in ast three years. Our lives have intertwined, as we reach people around the world with the thoughts God places within us. I happily call each of you a special friend. Even though I may never meet you face to face, I know there will be a day when we will kneel together,in praise and thanksgiving, before the Lord, our Messiah!
Now, I’ll let them tell you their story…
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Connie is retired, lives in Oregon, is studying Hebrew, playing with her two grandchildren, doing needlework, and writing a Bible Study on remembering God in our homes and daily lives. She recently started attending a Messanic congregation and says, "As I learn the Hebrew traditions and culture, I am falling in love with Yeshua, the Messiah, as never before."
Barukh atah Adonai Eloheyn Melekh ha'olam
("Blessed are You Lord, King of the Universe.")
David McArdle lives in Scotland near Glasgow. Until He meet the Lord at age 32, David was in a downward spiral heading for self-destruction. Instead, the Lord sent him to a Theological "establishment," where he fell in love with God's Word. David doesn't think of himself as a writer. However, as an ordained pastor, lecturer and eternal student, he is always writing. David reads and studies three books of the Bible at a time to keep his mind fresh. His wife says he's the master of small talk, but we know him as a man who challenges us to go deeper into the Word of God.
He and Charlotte are the parents of 2 grown sons and a very talented teen daughter.
Editor's note: David recently returned to grad' school, which has been a blessing for me...he sends me copies of his papers. We will be sharing some of them in the future on the Verse-by-Verse page. And as I mentor the other writers, David is my spiritual mentor. Who would have thought the answer to my prayer, "Lord, please send me someone who is deep into Your Word" it would be a man in Scotland. Would love to hear his voice someday.
