Getting to Know Your Presidents!

Today we meet Joan Borton. 

1. Where do you live? (You can use city and state or just state if you prefer) Lakeland, FL

2. How long have you been a Word Weaver? Since November 2016
a) What chapter are you President of? Online group – Page 29
I was previously a member of Page 13, and am currently a member of Tampa WW in addition to
serving as President of Page 29.

3. How long have you been writing—or when did you feel God was calling you to be a writer?
When I look back at my school years and the papers my mother kept, I always had a
penchant for writing. I think I first felt God’s prompting to write for His purpose early in our
marriage. I chose to marry a man with a disability. There was little written at that time on
marriage and disability. As I searched, and talked with others I felt like God was prompting me
to do that.

4. What do you like to read? Contemporary fiction, true stories, marriage or disability related topics

5. What do you write? I write a blog called Raising my Ebenezer at joanborton.com On that blog
I host Marriage Monday. I also am working on a book on embracing disability in your marriage.

a) If you are published: I am published in anthologies – Faith and Freedom and Chicken Soup for the Soul: Think Positive, Live Happy that just came out in September 2019.
     1. First book? In Progress

6. Where’s your favorite place to write? The library

7. If you have a dedicated writing space, describe it for us. Because I do not have a dedicated writing space I keep a designated writing briefcase that rolls. It is loaded with files and resources related to my current projects. Whenever
I can find a time and place to write, if I have that briefcase, I have what I need.

8. What’s your ideal writing routine (time of day, with or without a beverage, snack to get to the
finish line, etc.) Coffee and a savory snack are my writing buddies. I can make morning, afternoon or evening work for me as long as I have a chunk of time, at least an hour. I’ve tried the writing a few minutes here and there, but that just doesn’t work for me. To make writing work for me I book it in to my schedule as non-negotiable appointment times.

9. We all have several authors we love to read so I won’t make you pick a favorite—but what has
been your favorite book this year and why? (Great story, impactful, educational, etc.) I have benefitted most by reading Dreyer’s English. Grammar has never been my strong suit, and what I do remember has changed. I love how user friendly his book is in helping me find the answer I need.

10. What’s one piece of writing advice you’d like to share with other Word Weaver members?
(Maybe something you wished you would have known as you began writing.) Going to conferences and critique groups is terrific, but also can be overwhelming with such a wealth of opinions and experiences. Don’t feel obligated to take and follow it all – you can’t! Discern what God has for you in it, and let the rest go. Be aware too that the market and
standards are ever changing.

“Easy” is rarely a word that is used in relation to disability ministry. But long-time disability advocate, Joan Borton, loves to show people how easy it can be to start a friendship with someone with a disability. Disability ministry has taken Joan to Ghana, West Africa, and all around the U.S, where she has taught on topics ranging from disability awareness to soul care to managing change to marriage and disability. 

Joan has been joyfully married to Jerry since 1995. She is passionate about strengthening marriages affected by disability and is an award-winning published author who frequently blogs, writes and speaks on this topic. There is little Joan enjoys more than encouraging a caregiver and listening to their story.

Joan and Jerry are committed to hospitality—whether that means entertaining guests at their Florida home, providing respite care for kids and teens, or being a home away from home for family and friends.  When faced with a little down time you will likely find her reading or working on a jigsaw puzzle.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon his shoulder, 

and his name shall be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and of peace

there will be no end, 

on the throne of David and over his kingdom,

to establish it and to uphold it 

with justice and with righteousness

from this time forth

and forevermore. 

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV)

Getting to Know Your Presidents!

Today we meet Clare Campbell. 

1. Where do you live? (You can use city and state or just state if you prefer) Belfast, Northern Ireland.

2. How long have you been a Word Weaver? Since 2017

a) What chapter are you President of? Online page 31 Fanfiction.

3. How long have you been writing—or when did you feel God was calling you to be a
writer? I started writing around late 2011 earlier 2012. I only started really pursuing it as a career
in 2016.

4. What do you like to read? Anything, I’ve a varied collection. Mostly, I enjoy contemporary fantasy/speculative. I like
inspirational historical stuff too. Non-fiction; biographies, self-help, lifestyle. The odd chick-lit and romance so long as it’s a little different or funny. I have a large stack of children’sclassics, and I’m always hunting through the YA/NA section for brand new talent.

5. What do you write? All kinds of fantasy/speculative – mostly mythological and based on my studies into old Irish
folktales merged with spiritual/wishdom/moral-compass style “hero” journey. I do dabble with historical and everything has a touch of romance in one form or the other. Nearly always aimed at YA or NA audiences. I also write Non-fiction. Originally started in Fanfiction where I’ve created a solid fan following and love that community. I’m always encouraging people to give it a go.

a) If you are published:
     1. First book? Only a short historical story named “Refuge” in the Faith and Freedom Anthology at present – close to                     publishing my first full length novel though (very excited).
    
6. Where’s your favorite place to write? Gosh, anywhere slightly warm. I hate being cold.

7. If you have a dedicated writing space, describe it for us. Yes, I’ve my own writing office. I love it. It’s large, a full length ceiling-to-floor bookshelf stuffed with trinkets, old, dusty books passed down the generations, and photos/certificates of awards won, The desk is attached to the book shelf, I keep it pretty organized—thank goodness for Ikea storage—with an antique lamp made with green and blue crystals, gives the room a beautiful glow. The laptop is a trusty, but looking a little battered now, macbook . . . some day I’ll have one of those split screen super macs. The room is an unused sunroom so I’ve windows all around with views of Belfast Lough, and on a clear day—Scotland. There’s
french doors that lead to a patio, so if I’m having a really bad case of writers blocks I can sit outside with a coffee and watch the boats sailing up and down the water.

8. What’s your ideal writing routine (time of day, with or without a beverage, snack to get to the
finish line, etc.)  I’d love to start around 10AM, after I get the chores finished up, and write to late afternoon/early evening. However, it usually looks like me grabbing a few hours in the late evening and burning the midnight oil. Girl’s got work.

8. We all have several authors we love to read so I won’t make you pick a favorite—but what has been your favorite book this year and why? (Great story, impactful, educational, etc.)
Hope Bolinger’s ‘Blaze’ was really good. I loved the idea of this modern day retelling of the story of Daniel. I can see it being used with youth groups and being a great talking point for teens. I also read The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyeard. It’s a very popular YA, it was interesting and gave me some food for thought for my own political YA fantasy. Currently
reading Michelle Medlock Adams & Bethany Jett’s Platinum Faith – with it’s empowering and encouraging message it might just become my 2019 non-fic fave. It really is helping me love myself more and deepen my faith and walk in the most positive way.

9. What’s one piece of writing advice you’d like to share with other Word Weaver members? (Maybe something you wished you would have known as you began writing.)
If I could back in time—just a few years—I’d tell my earlier self to stop being so hard on
myself. I put myself through some beatings if I didn’t feel I was coming up to scratch. You get
enough harsh feedback from the industry without piling it on yourself. In fact, the feedback
I’ve had from some industry leaders has been way nicer than what I would ever think of
myself. LISTEN to them! If you get a compliment—believe it. If you get a negative one—
learn from it. It’s a long, winding journey, and a big part of the growth and fun is in that
journey. So, chill. Take time to enjoy the opportunities presented at conferences, learn from
the rejections, and let people’s opinions wash off you. And, because faith plays a huge part in
our lives as writers, ALWAYS consult scripture and prayer. Believe. Believe. Believe.
Honestly, it will move mountains.

Bonus: If there is anything else you’d like to share about you or your writing journey that I have not asked in the above list – feel free to add it!
Only to say, that without Word Weavers, I could never EVER achieve what have in my owncountry and it’s tiny, closed-off industry. Never take for granted the AMAZING resources you have at your disposal. Make the most of the learning and opportunities, they are an immense blessing. And, I would also like to express my gratitude for the wonderful fellowship WW provides as I don’t know many professional writers here in Ireland. To have a community to
reach out to is such an answer to prayer.