I’m really excited this week to be speaking at the Christian Writing Fair at Rosebank Union Church in Johannesburg. When I first heard of this event and received an email asking me to speak at it, my response was, “Well, it’s ’bout time.” I’ve been waiting for something like this for years. While I’ve been to some other writing fairs and conventions in South Africa, this is the first that I know of that will explore the Christian call in writing – and do it well!
It’s going to be an honour to hear from fantastic writers like Leslie Leyland Fields, Dalene Reyburn, John Gilchrist, and industry pros like Peter Velander. I’m also excited to get to meet a fellow South African fantasy author, Joan Campbell, who has been part of organising the event and who trains writers and publishers all over the world. (Have a look at her books at joancampbell.co.za). There’s going to be plenty here in the day’s line-up to chew on. So I’m not just excited about speaking, but also about attending and learning!
My workshop on Saturday will be about how to write more engaging and relevant blog posts. Many people think blogging is dead. Social media has, admittedly, taken over much of the space that blogging once had. People will rather post on Facebook or Twitter or Instagram than write a full-on blog, because blogs take time and commitment. But that’s only created more opportunities for actual writers to shine, as it’s become easier to find who the truly good writers are.
But that’s not all. I’ll also be exploring how the Bible can help writers discover their unique voice. In fact, this is the first way in which you can actually write good blog posts and engage better through not only your blogs but also your books and email lists and other communication that you send out. Many of us haven’t explored the full implications of what this one verse means:
Romans 16:22
“I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.”
That one verse changed my life, and I’ll share why, in hopes it will help encourage and inspire anyone who feels called to this awesome task of writing.
If you want to join me for that, see you at 10am this Saturday (3 March). See the full programme here. There’s going to be some great stuff – Trevor Hudson exploring our calling; Bruce Dennill interviewing Joan Campbell and Mtutuzeli Nyoka on writing fiction; Lisa Casson going through the ins and outs of blogging; Peter Velander telling us about his forty years in Christian publishing. Really, this is fantastic, and I’m so encouraged it’s finally happening.
For more details and to book yourself a spot, visit christianwritingfair.co.za.
Photo by Clem Onojeghuo on Unsplash