Faith in My Writing
Author reflections from Fiona Linday
When Luke Jeffery prayed about my request for Onwards & Upwards to bring an insightful collection of short stories and poetry together, it was a boost to learn the answer was “Yes!” During lockdown, I needed to release unpublished work onto the page. I already had a young adult book published with them called Get Over It. So, I was confident of their efficiency in publishing Count Our Blessings, 2021. The collection had a Zoom launch, which was all that was possible, then.
Afterwards, I busily encouraged new writers delivering the Making Our World Better Anthology Project. During this Arts Council England supported yearlong writing activity across the University of Leicester campus I edited the expressive writing of learners from the Attenborough Arts Centre. They were joined by service users of Leicester Arts in Mental Health, Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, and several Creative Writing students at Leicester’s Centre for New Writing.
Now, I’m focusing on my writing. Back to promoting writing from two years ago is justifiable. I reflect by kick-starting awareness of inspirational writing that glues us through challenging times. My book blurb says: “…the stories and poems- some fact, some fiction, but all powerful narratives of the world we live in. Exploring different cultures, different generations, and highlighting inequality, injustice and pain, Fiona nonetheless manages to steer us all in the direction of hope, purpose and life.”
As we paused during Lent, cutting down on calorie intake, I enjoyed a family gathering to celebrate Easter early! There seems a new urgency to show love in these continuing changing times. The idea of arriving too late to the party does not fit God’s plan for promoting the work of my hands. Thus, I trust in scripture reassurance from Hebrews 13 v 8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
