Are You Feeling Writerly?

Last spring I received word that the Fraser Valley Christian Writers group would be officially closing. The coronavirus pandemic had put an end to their monthly gatherings, and the group had never regained its footing.

Although I live in the Fraser Valley, am a Christian, and a writer, I’d never been a regular part of the group. But I knew some of the writers who regularly gathered for reading and critiquing one another’s work. I had been invited to share some of my experience as a writer, and had attended some of their larger events. 

I had fond memories of our interactions. And despite my rather marginal involvement, I had always thought of the Fraser Valley Christian Writers as a fixture in Abbotsford – an active group before I moved into the area that would simply keep going. But now it seemed that everyone had gone their own way, and it made sense for them to put an official end to the group.

But Is That All?

When the Fraser Valley Christian Writers began in 1979, Helen Lescheid chaired the fledgling group and wrote, “Christian writers need to get together from time to time for mutual encouragement and learning. Just as logs burn brighter when closely piled together, so we benefit from each other’s enthusiasm, insights, information and presence.”

Her words remind me of Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.” These verses are most often applied to gathering together in local congregations. But might they also apply to encouraging one another as Christian writers? 

I thought of other writers like myself who had never been part of the Fraser Valley Christian Writers. My Write Your Story workshop that I had led for 29 participants from my church and wider community, but then the pandemic cut short my plans for a follow-up. The Writers’ Coffee Break I had started at House of James with a few other writers, also cut short by the pandemic. The Westcoast Christian Writers and Creatives Facebook group that was currently inactive. Could it be that the time for writers gathering together and encouraging one another was really over?

To satisfy my curiosity, I put together a short survey and asked: 

Are you feeling writerly?

– whether or not your writing has been published,

– whether you write for yourself or your family or church,

– whether you procrastinate more than you write, or haven’t even started,

– or just because.

A Fresh Start

A handful of people who responded to the survey expressed interest in getting together. I invited a few other writers that I knew, including Ray Harris, a former pastor and chaplain who had recently published his first book, Fullness of Time: Devotionals, Poems, Pictures, and Prayers. Ray and I had met a few times in the last year to talk about his publishing journey, and I was delighted when he agreed to share his experience with the group.

Nine of us writerly folk gathered at the House of James for the first time in May, late on a Tuesday afternoon – both men and women; some published writers, some not; some actively writing, others not; a teacher who came after school, one person in the middle of writing a book, another simply wanting to connect with other creative people. We started with intros and a sharing question: Why are you here? and/or What do you hope for? Then we had a wonderful conversation with Ray who freely shared about his experience working with Mill Lake Books, some of the financial realities of publishing, and much more.

At our next gathering in June, our conversation focused on a cluster of questions that had emerged from the survey: how to get inspired, stop procrastinating, and keep writing. Again, we had a lively conversation, but the House of James was busy that afternoon, and it was hard to hear everyone as we sat in the middle of the coffee shop. Clearly with 12 of us gathered, 20 on our email list, and potential for growth, we needed a new place to meet.


A Way Forward

We’re still needing to confirm a venue, but our next gathering is tentatively planned for October 1, 3:45 – 5 pm, Valley CrossWay Church/Calvin Presbyterian Church, 33911 Hazelwood Avenue, Abbotsford, B.C. Tim McIntosh, formerly pastor of Heritage Alliance Church in Abbotsford and the author of two books will share his journey to publication. You’re warmly invited to join us, so just let me know if you’d like to be added to our email list, and I’ll send you the details of our next gathering. Contact: April Yamasaki, mail@aprilyamasaki.com.April Yamasaki is a pastor, editor, author, and spiritual formation mentor. Her latest ebook is Sabbath Rest for the People of God. If you’re looking for a healthy rhythm of work and rest, sign up to receive a free copy on her website, WhenYouWorkfortheChurch.com. You can find more of her writing on her author website, AprilYamasaki.com