​Writers always have a reason for why they start writing. Sometimes it’s the development of a childhood hobby. Sometimes it’s writing the book they wish they had. Sometimes, it’s a response to heartache and suffering. A response that not only offers healing and space to process personal grief, but often becomes a gift to others traveling a similar journey. I took some time last month to interview three such authors who write about faith in times of suffering. 

If you've had any familiarity with the Australian Christian writing world over the last however-many-years, you've likely bumped into, or read (or both!), Jo-Anne Berthelsen. And if you haven't, now's your chance! Jo-Anne is a wonderful woman of faith whose generosity of heart and thoughfulness spill into her writing and life. She's an encourager, a pray-er and when I grow up I want to be like her!
Jo-Anne's newest book, God Moments: 101 little lessons for life’s journey came out last month so I figured this would be a good time to interview her. I hope you find her answers to my questions as encouraging as I did!

​I write for children. Sometimes for teens, occasionally for adults, but mostly for children. So, maybe I’m a little biased, but I obviously think writing for children is important. I decided to ask three Christian children’s writers about their approach to writing. I wanted to find out what they write, but also why they write it. What motivates and inspires them? What is, essentially, the heart of a children’s writer? 

Offsides is Lori Z. Scott’s Christy award winning* YA novel. It tells the story of Dani, a soccer loving teen, doing her best to feel confident both on and off the field. When her best friend Sol decides they need to make their senior year one for ‘trying new things’, Dani is kicked from her comfort zone. On one hand this novel is a typical teen narrative about friendships, crushes and anxiety. However it’s also more than that. Told from a deep first person perspective, with engaging dialogue and great characterisation, this book takes a close look at the issues and vulnerabilities of teen victims of human trafficking.  It also gently gives voice to Dani’s experience of faith and the encouragement God’s word can offer in difficult times. ​

​This month’s author interview is with Sharon Arpana Edwards. Sharon is an Indian born American I ‘met’ via the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. AWSA is a member based organisation that equips and empowers women writers and speakers. I became a member after hearing positive reports at one of the writers conferences I attended in the USA and have really enjoyed connecting with lots of different writers. I find it fascinating how writers are influenced by their faith and life experiences. For Sharon, her writing has been directly influenced by her experiences as an immigrant to the US, arriving from Mumbai, India in 1999. Her first book, Pioneer Boulevard, is a collection of stories set in the Indian community of Los Angeles against the backdrop of the 2008 recession. Since then she’s written two non-fiction titles and has just released her first full length novel. She holds two MA’s, one in English (Pune, India) and another in Creative Writing (Keele, UK)! 
​I hope you enjoy this conversation with Sharon as much as I did...