I am so very thankful to have my story ‘Slightly Awkward’ published in the 2020 Stories of Life Anthology.
A few people have asked me the length of time I took to write the story I submitted. In truth, the actual written component was reasonably quick and straightforward. However, my answer is “It took me 47 years to write!”. Life each day as a person with a chronic and progressive illness is both daunting and great, along with experiences that are just plain satirical with a pinch of whimsy.
My goal was to share an honest story that had joy interspersed with the frustrations that some tasks can bring in my situation. To show that a life imperfect is perfectly okay!
Colleen Russell’s story, ‘God’s Love in the Home’, was published in our 2020 Stories of Life anthology. The story is based on her own family, her own life. Her advice to wordsmiths is:
When you have loved, when you have been loved, express these cherished memories in your telling and in your writing, because these are God’s words and the reader will recognise them as such.
Colleen Russell
Calling all wordsmiths to take advantage of Feedback Month. Send us your story drafts and one of our experienced editors will give you constructive feedback. We want to work with you to give you best chance of getting your story of life published in our 2021 anthology.
Thank you for being part of Stories of Life 2020 – whether it’s been taking the time to send us your story, or reading ‘The Swimmer’, or sharing it with someone else. One the last day of 2020, we bring you some of our 2020 Stories of Life contributors …
From us to you: may your 2021 be filled with stories of life!
If you haven’t yet read the book, start 2021 inspired… get a copy today.
Karen Curran’s story, An Imperfect Mum, was published in The Swimmer and other stories of life. She gave a copy to her friend Michelle…
‘This book has been a blessing to me,’ said my friend, Michelle. ‘The stories are just the right length for this time in my life.’ Michelle’s husband died on 21 November of COVID-19. As she grieves and deals with the necessary work related to memorial services, finances, and administration of her husband’s estate, she is overwhelmed and often unable to focus long on any specific task or story. The short takes on life and faith in The Swimmer and other stories of life have been a soothing balm to her broken soul.
Karen Curran
Order today for delivery to someone you would like to bless.
My name is Craig and I’ve been contributing to Stories of Life since its inception in 2016.
The competition is a great way to share stories about faith and encourage others to be open to the way God works in the lives of ordinary people. I have searched diligently for other Australian Christian writing competitions and concluded that they are a very rare commodity! Stories of Life is a unique opportunity for writers, regardless of experience, to present stories which might not otherwise be told.
It has been my observation that females are more inclined to accept this opportunity than males. In past anthologies, there have been many wonderful stories by female authors but comparatively few with a specific focus which might be particularly meaningful to male readers.
Over the years of this competition, I’ve entered stories about events including a mountain rescue, outdoor adventures like hiking and rock-climbing, chance meetings with strangers and the grief of losing a close friend. Stories about mundane events can be just as compelling as exciting, edge-of-your-seat adventures. I think that male readers often gain a unique perspective from stories written by other men.
So, I want to encourage men (and boys) who might have dismissed the invitation to enter Stories of Life in the past to have a go in 2020. Perhaps, also, the many excellent female contributors might consider encouraging their husbands, fathers, brothers or friends to throw their hat in the ring. The competition will be all the richer for it!
Happy writing!
Craig Chapman.
2016 – 2019 Stories of Life anthologies
Stories of Life by Craig
One of the Six (Open category), published in the 2019 anthology, Papa’s Shoes and other stories of life
Birdman (Short category), published in the 2018 anthology, Three Dummies in a Dinghy and other stories of life
‘Thank you so much for the feedback. This was a very difficult story for me to write, but one I felt compelled to. I knew it was not right because I was focused on spelling out the injustice I felt, rather than the overwhelming grace of God in bringing about a resolution! So thank you so much. I hope now the story has a better focus. Although I understand this is no guarantee it will be included in the publication – but I now I feel much more satisfied with my submission!’
‘Thanks a million for the feedback from Dr James Cooper. It gives me ample time to work on the story before entering it into the Stories of Life Competition.’
These quotes are from two people who have had their drafts reviewed, and we’re so glad that our new initiative, Feedback Month, has well and truly taken off.
From serious writers to people who don’t usually write, many have written back to thank our editors, and have said that the feedback is helping them to improve and continue working on their story draft. Our editors are all published authors and are freely giving of their time and expertise. Don’t miss this great opportunity.
To submit a story draft for review, click here Feedback Month.
As a pastor of a congregation, I have been happy to encourage our members to contribute to Stories of Life over the past few years. While many worry that their story isn’t ‘remarkable’ enough, or they are not a good enough writer, those who have gone through the process have been blessed and encouraged by the experience. And they have been surprised to discover that their story is more interesting than they might have thought, and that with a little bit of help, they could produce a well-written story.
Mark Worthing, editor and author
As a pastor one of my goals is always to help people reflect on their own journeys of faith in Christ, and to be able to communicate their stories to others. I have found that Stories of Life presents a wonderful opportunity to do this.
Many Christians carry with them the burden of a difficult experience (often an experience of serious injury or illness, a relationship break-up, or the death of someone close to them). There is much healing to be found in being able to put these experiences and the feelings still connected to them on to paper. I am continually amazed at how beneficial this is, and how many conversations it helps to open up. And, of course, if the story is published or read on radio, hundreds of others hear it and begin to think and talk about their own similar experiences.
Beyond the pastoral care benefits of writing one’s story, there is also a strong evangelistic benefit. Not only the stories of about coming to faith in Christ, but also the stories about personal struggles and how God was present in these times, provide a strong witness to the transforming power of Christ in individual lives. As a pastor I can stand in the pulpit and tell people that Jesus transforms lives, and I can tell those I meet about the good news of what God has done for us in Christ; but, in truth, there is nothing more effective than a so called ‘everyday’ Christian sharing their own experience of God’s grace. This is why pastors are always encouraging people to talk about their faith, to tell those around them about what Jesus has done for them. Stories of Life is a brilliant tool to help people get started doing this.
So, from the standpoint of a pastor, Stories of Life, and all the assistance and encouragement provided on line and via other means to the story writers, has been tremendous tool for pastor ministry.
I believe that every Christian has a powerful story to tell. Encouraging them to consider writing a story and submitting it to Stories of Life is a great pastoral and evangelistic opportunity.
by Rev Mark Worthing
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, North Adelaide
Useful links:
Feedback Month (till 30 June for our editors to give you feedback on your story draft)
How to Enter (accepting story submissions till 31 July for a chance to be published in the 2020 Stories of Life anthology and to win a category prize)
Submissions closed. Stories to be published announced in October.
