I stood there, silently crying out after her, You didn’t even see me. You only saw my clothes. Don’t you care about who I am inside the clothes?

How Are You, Really?

When you put up a website, in essence, it represents you. People who don’t know you personally see your site and come away with a lasting impression. For years, I’ve been trying to find a look and tag-line for my website that feels right to me. It’s not enough to give my name and what

Why I relate to Noah

I was writing a scene around Paul Manziuk, my police officer in Shaded Light, and suddenly he decided to swear. I told him he couldn’t. I don’t swear myself. Why would I swear when writing? He said he wasn’t me. True. He said that he was hot, tired, and frustrated, and he really needed to say one mild swear

Walking the Fiction Tightrope: Writing with Faith and Honesty

Writing fiction would be easier if I wasn’t a Christian. I’d just sit down and write whatever I wanted. No problem. But I am a Christian. And it’s frequently been a problem. When I began writing more than 35 years ago, I had a BA in English and the English medal for my graduating class.

The dilemma of being a Christian who writes fiction

Some years ago, I endured a long night at a hotel where I tossed and turned, trying to get comfortable. You see, I had forgotten to bring my own pillow, and the one the hotel supplied just didn’t feel right. So at 3:00 AM, I lay there wide awake thinking about pillows. When I was

On taking things for granted

I thought you might want to listen to a song while you’re here. This is my “theme” music. “Pour a Little Love On It” is written by Jerry Harkins, john Arthur martinez, and Mike Blakely Performed by john Arthur martinez Dualtone Music Group, Inc. www.johnarthurmartinez.net “Pour a Little Love On It” is on the amazing

Some of my favourite music

I actually wrote this short devotional some years ago, but it sums up what I’d write today. It’s actually posted on another blog, but I thought I’d mention it here, and give you the link. The Babe of Christmas Christmas. We think of the lovely pastoral setting with stable, animals, tongue-tied shepherds, priceless gifts delivered

My Christmas thoughts

Markham, Ontario—After helping to equip Canada’s Christian writers for 11 years, N. J. Lindquist is stepping aside from all leadership roles in Write! Canada and The Word Guild in order to concentrate on her own writing and speaking career. Lindquist is an award-winning Markham-based writer, editor, publisher, and speaker who has authored 10 books, edited

N. J. Lindquist Closes a Chapter at The Word Guild and Write! Canada to Focus on Writing

A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider has broken records by being nominated for 27 awards—the most ever for a single book—in The Word Guild Canadian Christian Writing Awards! The judges shortlisted 16 articles and stories by 15 writers. Yes, one of them is my short story, “Twenty-five Years Later,” which chronicles the reunion of

Record-breaking number of award nominations for our book!

So pleased that our anthology, A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider, edited by Wendy E. Nelles and me, and featuring 37 Canadian writers, has won the 2012 Christian Small Publisher Book of the Year Award in the Gift Book category. All award winners are listed on the Christian Small Publishers Association’s (CSPA) website at www.christianpublishers.net

They like us, they really like us!

If you look really closely, you'll see a small turtle hidden in the reeds in this picture I took at Wye Marsh a few years ago. Today, I'm feeling a lot like that turtle—scared to stick my neck out, wondering if I should just stay out of sight, pretend I'm not even here. My so-called

Re-emerging

We had a great time in Vancouver. Eighteen people turned up for our Greater Vancouver Writers’ Day workshops. I think everyone was happy. I know Les and I were. Great to connect! We also managed to touch base with other members of The Word Guild from the area, including Lando Klassen, owner of the House

Saskatchewan and Vancouver trip