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.
Yesterday, radio host Kit Densley interviewed Dr Pete Court on 1079 Life FM in Adelaide. They spoke about how Stories of Life is not only a writing competition, it is also a partnership with the Tabor School of Creative Writing, making writing resources available for free to help people tell their stories of faith well.
Dr Pete Court and radio host Kit Densley at the 2019 book launch of Papa’s Shoes and other stories of life
So many gems in this interview, but to highlight my favourite:
‘Writing is where you actually lean into the flow of your day, take a bit of it out and taste it, and go, “This water tastes like …’
Dr Pete Court
If it doesn’t make sense to you, listen to the interview: Stories of Life on Together on Life. Thank you Kit for making this available online so that we can all hear the interview in its entirety:
Other useful links:
Feedback Month – receiving story drafts till 30 June 2020
How to enter – submission period open till 31 July 2020
Last year, Claire Watson’s story, Arise, was published in our 2019 anthology, Papa’s Shoes and other Stories of Life.
The 2019 Stories of Life anthology
We asked Claire to tell us the background to her story, and this how she replied.
‘As a child I loved reading and writing, but better job prospects within science and health led me away from the arts. My love for words remained dormant while I pursued a career in physiotherapy, but began to trickle back when God interrupted my plans and directed me towards full-time service within The Salvation Army.
Life in the Watson household was full and happy when we received the shock that our third child, and only daughter, had a rare and incurable disease. I began to record some of my thoughts on paper, and a book began to take shape following Hannah’s death in April 2014. When I realised I was ill-equipped to edit and publish it, I enrolled in the Creative Writing Course at Tabor College. The quality teaching and regular encouragement I received empowered me to publish my memoir through The Salvation Army.
Arise, my contribution to the 2019 Stories of Life is a brief snapshot of my book: Fingerprints of Grace. It contrasts the innocence of childhood and my former simplistic faith, with the deeper trust in God that developed through suffering. It also highlights the hope of the resurrection. Although the circumstances are not what I would have chosen, I am grateful to God for both the gift of our daughter and the opportunity to tell her story. The book is available from Koorong: www.koorong.com.’
Claire Watson
Claire’s book, Fingerprints of Grace
Claire supplied the feature photo of her daughter Hannah. Heartfelt thanks to Claire and the Watson family for sharing your powerful story of resurrection hope with us all.
The 2021 anthology, The labyrinth and other stories of life, out now.
