Our coordinator suggested that in our April posts on this
blog site we might “write a post about who we are and what we write. . . . [and
we] can incorporate the where, why and when, too,” among other aspects.
An invitation to talk about
ourselves? How can
one resist! It’s like unbolting the
paddock gate!
 |
| Courtesy: Official Royal Family website |
Writing? My
first effort won first place in my elementary school age group in a writing
contest sponsored by the Ford Motor Company to mark the Coronation of Queen
Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II, that is—I wasn’t around for Queen Liz I!). I
don’t recall taking first place in anything since then. But hey, there are lots of things I don’t remember anymore.
As it is, I enjoyed
a much-loved career in the music industry in Scotland, where I served as
principal tuner-technician in companies in Glasgow and Aberdeen. And then, after
coming to Canada and studying for pastoral ministry I served in various Ontarian
communities until retiring in 2010.
Now back to
writing. From my youth I’ve put my hand to song-writing, poetry, Bible studies
(and sermons of course), short fiction, biographical sketches—including Bible
characters, radio program message scripts, newspaper articles and some
denominational magazine articles, and blog posts.
It surprised
me as much as anybody that my first published book was fiction for kids, featuring
a bevy of creature characters who inhabit a pond. Why surprising? Because
since my teens and throughout my adult life I buried my nose in serious stuff:
The Bible, theology and spiritual life and growth, and biographies of missionaries
and heroes of the faith.
I’d hardly
read fiction at all, since leaving behind in the 8th grade Tom Sawyer, Coral
Island, Swiss Family Robinson, Treasure Island and several Dickensian novels
and such like. Now I’m gradually digging through novels that lay buried in my
library in excess of 35 years.
In the
meantime, languishing dormant on the vine hang several book projects, including
some fiction, awaiting a springtime surge of nourishing sap to bring them back
to life and on to fruition.
Instead, for
now I’m putting together a collection of inspirational articles from among the
800 or so I’ve written since 1996 for P-Pep!
column, in the Southwestern Ontario community newspaper The Watford Guide-Advocate.* (I’m in hope of publishing before the end of
the current year.)
The articles
I’ve selected are not necessarily the best of the bunch; however, when browsing
through the files I tossed quite a number of them into the barrel, then stuck
my hand in repeatedly and pulled 52 of them out.
Those 52
articles are now divided into 4 sections of 13 in each. Each section will
contain 3 or 4 brief focus statements that are intended to encourage, called Words to Bless.
I plan to include
the phrase Raise Your Gaze . . . in
the title, for this expresses my desire to play a part in elevating my readers’
focus.
That’s what
TWG (The Word Guild) Authors Blogspot does for me. My colleagues’ posts draw my attention to
some thought, anecdote or topic that directs my attention upward—often
heavenward—from the frustrations at hand or the concerns that distract. They
lift my spirits and frequently induce a face-cracking a smile.
Keep up the
good work, everyone, and with help from above I’ll do the same! :)
~~~
*Serving Watford, Warwick, Alvinston and surrounding areas, since 1875
~~+~~
Peter A. Black is a freelance writer in Southwestern
Ontario, and is author of “Parables from the Pond” – a children's / family book
(mildly educational, inspirational in orientation, character reinforcing).
Finalist – Word Alive Press. ISBN: 1897373-21-X.
His inspirational column,
P-Pep! appears weekly in The Guide-Advocate. His articles have
appeared in 50 Plus Contact and testimony, and several newspapers
in Ontario. Peter’s current book project comprises a collection of 52 column
articles.
~~+~~
Blog: Raise Your Gaze
Contributor: Family and Faith Matters
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17 comments:
Peter, you are such an encouraging chap! Thank you so much for this great post - it gives us a little insight into the motivations of your heart and where you go from here. I am looking forward to reading your new book. Parables from the Pond is such a timeless treasure in my 'signed books' collection. My the blessings abound and thank you, once again, for being such a blessing to your fellow writers!
I didn't know that you were a piano tuner and that you wrote music. That's neat?
Thank you for your ever-light and encouraging posts and how every post I put up there's a lovely comment from you.
Keep up the good work, Peter!
I meant, "That's neat!"
Peter, I find it curious that both you and I are drawn to the pond. I'm currently working on a second "Little Froggy" book. Thanks for your words of encouragement. They are highly valued.
Peter,
Such an interesting life story. I too think it is funny that I wrote a children's book - not expecting to at all.
Keep encouraging all of us.
Blessings,
Janis
Fascinating! Cheers to a fellow songwriter, newspaper article writer, and children's book writer....love the "Raise Your Gaze" catchphrase, and looking forward to reading more...
Heh! Heh! Thanks to y'all y'all.
You're a significant source of inspiration and encouragement to me. :)
There's so much of the little kid still in us, isn't there?
I'd suggest that a great many sights and scenes, and sounds and scents of the haunts and experiences of our childhood got stored away in our memory banks. Some of these, it seems, eventually germinate and are evocatively brought to birth (in the plan of God) in our writing today -- hence our retrospective surprise at our writing / publishing stories of childhood or about the creatures that fascinated us way back then.
Does that make sense to you?
~~+~~
What joy it gave me to find out a little more about who you are. I've known for a long time that you are an encourager! It seems that children's books come bubbling up through our more adult leanings. Mine too, came as a surprise. I'm looking forward to what kind of novels you will write. I echo your title--Keep up the good work.
Peter, I loved reading about you today and finding out how God has led you through the years. Keep reminding your readers to Raise their gaze toward heaven - what great advice for all of us. Blessings always, Rose
Peter, what a varied background you have. It's about time we scribes learned more about the Barnabas among us. Thank you for this glimpse of the mind and man from whom "seldom is heard a discouraging word." I certainly understand what it takes to assemble a column compilation, and hope your book gets as much encouragement as your words have given, for God's glory.
Peter, I am so grateful for your gracious comments about my blogs. I look forward to hearing from you every time I write. I thrive on your encouragement. Interesting to learn about your former life. I had no idea!
Like Glynis, I too have Parables from the Pond in my 'signed books' collection. It's a treasure. Just like you!
You are deeply appreciated, Peter. Thanks for all that you do. Happy Birthday.
Peter, I'd like to order the first copy of Raise Your Gaze. Thank you for the legacy of affirmation that will continue to impact long after all of us are gone. God bless your writing. God bless you.
The best thing I like about you is that you are real. The second best thing is that you are a real encourager. I also like that you always, always have something positive to say.
When I was floundering, you gave me courage, patient endurance, to carry on. Thank you, Peter. Now I feel more like a member of this developing community.
And there is something about that North British air, or maybe it's the oatmeal porridge and Calvanist theology, that builds such character. And didn't John Wesley come from Yorkshire?
You are our encourager - big time. At times when I doubt that I've chosen the right words for the right sentence and then after, doubt. You come along and pick up on something totally different and build on it. Quite amazing to be able to do that.
Press on.
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