My guest blogger today is Jo Wanmer. Jo loves being a Queenslander. She lives with her husband, Steve, on the northern outskirts of Brisbane. Together they run a small business and are associate pastors of a community of people known as Access Church.
She loves exploring the wonder of God’s creation on her early morning walks, going on adventures with her eight grandchildren, and preaching the powerful Word of God
Jo’s first book, Though the Bud be Bruised, won the Caleb award in 2011 for Best Unpublished Fiction Manuscript. Published on 1st June 2012, it has bought hope and healing to many who have read its challenging story. Jo is giving a copy of Though the Bud be Bruised away. Just leave a comment below to enter.
Jo is an accomplished speaker and preacher.
You can contact her on jowanmer@gmail.com or check the book trailer on her blog at www.jo-wanmer.blogspot.com
I wanted to write for years. Not to write a book but to tell my story. As a family we’d walked a tough road but through that experience I found a real God. God was no longer the deity I read about in the Bible. He became a 
friend I could fight with, challenge and hear.
He did miracles in our family. They never happened the way I demanded and were always much slower at manifesting than I considered reasonable. But they happened and I was both amazed and thankful. He gave us a victory over the hidden and destructive evil that crept into our family.
Several times I tried to write this story but it was always wooden, boring and lifeless. If I was bored, who was going to be interested enough to read it?
On holidays, exhausted after a demanding time in ministry, I read three novels in four days. The thought came like a whisper.
‘Write your story as a novel.’
It was crazy, as I knew nothing about writing novels, but as I contemplated the idea it had merit. My family, friends and acquaintances would be hidden under fictional characters while the truth was related.
Taking my courage in both hands, I began. Page after page rolled out. These words had life. With determination, I set goals and finished the first draft in five months.
An opportunity for a writers’ mentorship opened before me and I was privileged to spend a week with Mary Hawkins, who patiently taught me how to write so the story would be a compelling read. I returned from the mentorship and formed another set of goals. I rewrote the entire book in the next six months.
Though the Bud be Bruised was published by Even Before Publishing in June 2012. Since then I have written another novel and the third one is nearing completion. To my surprise, I find I have a voice! Story writing is a powerful way of imparting important spiritual truths. It was Jesus’ chosen method and the Holy Spirit continues to lead me this way.
Writing is hard, slow work. What I produce in a hundred hours can be read in an hour or two. But it is worth it if even one reader is touched by the amazing love of God.
Hi Jo. I found Though the Bud be Bruised a powerful story – honest, at times harrowing but full of hope and most of all a testimony that our God is real, that he does change lives and he can be found. I relate too when you say that what takes a few hours to reads takes many days and months to write. Thanks for taking time and effort to bring your experiences to life and all the best with your new stories.
Thanks Lynne for bringing us such great stories of the writer’s journey.
Thanks Jeanette for your great encouragement.
Jo, For all the hours and tears and frustration, thank you. I love the concept of writing one’s story as a novel; this has been a very timely read for me, and is something I will consider in my struggle to share my story, (which is still at ‘wooden’ stage!).
Blessings, Helen
Hi Helen
All the best with your story. I trust it comes to life! If there is anything I can do to help let me know through FaceBook.
Thanks
Jo
That was beautifully said, Jo. I still haven’t read your remarkable book but sure hope to soon. Real stories where our real God works are surely huge blessings. Bless you as you continue to battle on through the storms. May your book continue to touch lives.
Anusha, you are one of life’s great encourages. Thanks for dropping in again!
Oh, how I can identify with you Jo when you say that God became a friend that you could fight with, challenge and hear. I found it so much easier to hear from God when I made Him my friend. Even the challenges He presented were welcomed rather than my usual reaction – ‘You want me to do what???’
I haven’t read your book but as a lover of real stories I will definitely be adding this one to my TBR pile. Thanks for sharing your story and thanks again Lynne for another inspiring guest writer story.
No worries. 🙂
Thanks Lesley for taking time to read my story about writing my story. I hope God blesses you as you read my story, or is it His story?
Hi Jo, your book is one that I will never forget. I could barely put it down and so I highly recommend it for those who haven’t read it yet. It’s a tough read and a challenging topic. I agree that the Fiction format gave it life. I doubt that I would have picked up a Non-Fiction book on that topic; it would have been far too confronting, but the novel format was just right.
Thanks Susanne for your lovely comment. Many find it a tough read, but real life is full of tough times. My prayer is that the book will help others through those times.