50 of 4700!

In the last year or so I finished writing my first book. It’s a Christian book aimed at female 8 to 12-year-old readers, dealing with common school related, and personal issues that children might experience. When I was exploring publishing options for that book I came across a publisher who was running a competition. I entered the competition to gain some writing experience, and to my surprise, they included my story in their anthology. I have spent this year trying to enter more competitions to improve and hone my writing skills, whilst also waiting on God’s for my book.

A very good friend of mine knew about my competition writing and sent me a link for the Best Australian Yarn competition, run through the West Australian newspaper. At first I thought it wasn’t for me. It is such a widely published competition that the chances of getting through are slim. So I prayed about it, as I do with all my stories, and an idea began formulating. That idea became the story ‘From the Outside.’ It is a short story from the point of view of a child, who is neurodiverse, and his experience of his first day at a new school.

A couple of weeks ago I received a phone call, letting me know that my story had been longlisted in the top 50 stories of the competition so far, out of 4700 entries! There is still a process to select prize-winners. However, the newspaper wanted to feature a few stories in the lead up to judging and they asked permission to publish mine.

It is such an answer to prayer and an example to me to keep listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, to move when he prompts. I don’t know where this will lead, or how God will want to use this passion I have, but I am very thankful that our life in Jesus is an adventure!