This past week, I actually managed to finish the first draft of my seventh novel—over ninety-eight thousand words. Woohoo! It still feels a little surreal—I have lived with my characters for so long that they feel part of me. At times, I have even found myself thinking in real life settings, ‘Oh, how would Meg (my heroine) have responded here?’ Or ‘This is what happened to Stephen.’ Or ‘Meg has just done that!’ It has been quite a journey.
I can’t remember exactly, but I think I began this novel around three and a half years ago, not long after my second non-fiction book, Becoming Me, was published. I love writing non-fiction, but felt drawn to write yet one more novel, this time inspired, a little at least, by the lives of my maternal grandparents. Yet I cringed at the thought. Only one of my past novels could truly be classed as historical (ie set prior to and during World War Two) but, after writing it, I vowed and declared I would never write an historical novel again. You see, doing so brings with it a second huge task, on top of actually writing. Everything needs to be checked to see if the characters could truly do such things in that time and place—and if they could, how long it would take them. Certain things could not be mentioned either, since they were not around then. And certain words could not be used. Yet in my heart, I still wanted to write this novel, set in Queensland in the period 1909 to 1926.
Now I am supposed to be ‘retired’ (!), but somehow I have still not quite discovered the meaning of that word. As a result, writing this current novel has been punctuated by speaking at a variety of places, supporting the pastoral team at our church for four months while our senior pastors were on sabbatical, minding grandchildren on a regular basis, accompanying the village choir, meeting with others—and so many other good and right things. I do not regret any of them. But it makes completing a full-length historical novel just that little bit more challenging.
Can you see why I still feel a little numb at this point? Yet I also feel so grateful to God and thankful for this amazing opportunity to write a story that has been in my heart and mind for many years, long before I sat down to write the novel. I am well aware it may or may not be published—that will be my next challenge, along with many edits! But whatever the outcome, I am so glad God enabled me to persevere. Yes, I chose to sit down and write—but God inspired me to keep going and gave me the strength and ability to do so. And that can be true for each of us, however we are gifted and whatever God puts on our heart to undertake.
I have long been encouraged by the words the Lord spoke to Zerubbabel, who had undertaken the task of rebuilding God’s house in Jerusalem:
Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord. Zechariah 4:6
May these words also encourage you today to keep persevering in doing what God has given you to do.
Jo-Anne Berthelsen's Blog 
Looking forward to reading your new book Jo! I too know all about perseverance. My dream to have my book published began 22-23 years ago, and has been close to death numerous times. Thank God for Quirky Quills and Omega Writers Retreats and the encouragement etc provided by both. To cut a long story short, my book is due for release later this year and I so see God’s hand and timing in the whole process. He is so faithful !
Wow, Janelle–that’s so wonderful. Congratulations! I look forward to reading more about the launch via Facebook later this year, for sure. I remember you are involved in a mum’s group and I think the book is for young mums–hopefully I’m right. We have a number of playgroups at our church, so maybe I could interest them in it when it comes out. I remember how determined you were at the Toowoomba Writers’ Retreat to go for it and have that book out in 2020, so that’s wonderful news!
Congratulations! What a fantastic achievement. I pray for strength and perseverance as you bring this project to completion, remembering that our Lord is the ‘author and finisher’ 🙂
Thanks so much, Ruth. Yes, it will take some further perseverance to go through the editing process but I know God will enable me to do it, as happened with my other books. I think we are very blessed to be Christian authors who know that perfect ‘author and finisher’!