Writer’s Life | You Inspire Me.

As I studied each extensive review on the Book Fun Readers Only web page, I fell into a state of humility.

All these people had committed their time to read my work, to recap my stories and share their personal views with the world. I thought about the hours that went into that process, and the time this took out of each reader’s lives. To read and review an author’s work is a great gift of time.
This led me to hang my head in shame. Time was something I hold precious in my life, and a golden commodity I am forever grumbling about not have enough of. For months I have been consumed with the stress generated by my in-tray. You see, not only am I an author and mother, I am also a small business owner. I run an office, and parts manufacturing section, so there are days I fall into bed no further advanced with my writing, and no time to spend on my hobbies.

Yet here were all these reviewers investing their precious time in my work. I saw I needed to stop grumbling about my lack of time, and stop. Stop to smell the roses. Forget about all the work I had to do, the dinners I needed to prepare, the daily chores, and that overflowing in-tray. I needed to stop, relax, take a leaf out of these wonderful reviewer’s books and read a novel. I needed to be inspired.
The first step in my plan was to gain some peace and alleviate the stress. My objective to wind down led me beside some still waters—Oakey Creek, to be precise. This little stream, only accessible on foot or by four-wheel drive, is a spot not too far from our bush camp.

The day was sunny and bright. The reflective brilliance of light shining on the water played tricks with gum tree reflections, and the trickling sound echoing off the gentle rapids lulled me into a sense of calm. I breathed in the sweet scent of native tea tree, and listened to bush canaries tweet their greetings. This little spot inspired me to slow down and still my mind.
I travelled back to my camp with my newfound peace and this inspiration—to read a book I had been keeping for a special time when I could commit to reading. My friend, Paula Vince, is a wonderful writer, an almost poetically fluent and gorgeous storyteller. I held her new novel in my hands and opened to the first page. The story didn’t disappoint me, and when I finally put it down, halfway through, I thought again about all the readers who have recently done the same with one of my novels.
I blissfully escaped reality into the tale Paula was telling. Having such a great book in my hands made me think about the authors who had inspired me to write, authors such as Francine Rivers and Tamara Alexander; Amanda Deed, Meredith Resce and Paula Vince, with whom I co-authored a novel; and Mary Hawkins, another Aussie author. Before reading Mary’s novels, I had never heard of an Australian writing faith-based fiction. Mary’s books were a great inspiration to me. Reading them inspired me to write, just as reading all your reviews inspired me to read.
As I sat, I pondered the fact that inspiration is all around me. I found it in a gift from others—like your reviews of my work. I also find it in my environment—my novels are full of the love I have for my country and my desire to share its unique beauty with the world. Inspiration can be long lasting, like the time I travelled to America and fell so in love with the country and people that I incorporated American characters into my novels.
Inspiration can be discovered through the work of others—like the magical books I have read that have inspired me to write. But for me, all inspiration that produces good fruit comes from God. He has always steered me in down the path of the right inspiration at the right time. He even knows when I need to be inspired to slow down.
Readers, what inspires you?
I invite you all to join me in this journey of writing and inspiration.

(First seen in Book Fun Magazine 2015)