From the moment you open this 72-page book, God Creates And So Much More... you know you are in for a treat. The smooth-textured pages entice young hands to stroke them, tracing exquisite images that depict the creation of the world as told in Genesis from the Holy Bible. Each turn of the page shows new verses, taken out of the New International Version, that add to the story. The words are big and easy-to-read so emerging readers can follow along without difficulty. The last 13 pages are filled with activity suggestions for the entire family. Each activity is specific to one of the verses highlighted in the book.
Writing a Book With Friends
Authors Martha A. Anthony, Lucille B. Ruth and illustrator Jill R. Wiebe-King share some of the process of collaborating on a devotional via an email interview:
Suite 101: Lucy, I saw how the book came about according to your website, and you mention how God brought you two partners, How did this come about?
LR: When I finally said yes to the call to write this devotional, I knew I would need help; in administrative aspects, in the writing process, and in visuals. I prayed, concerning who I should ask and Marty’s name came to me as a collaborator in the writing process and as a person gifted in administration. Jill’s name followed soon after as I admired the emotion in her art. From the start, I was aware that though I might have a vision for something, I needed hands and feet to make it happen. Thank God they said yes!
Suite 101: Please explain a bit about the collaborative process (design, structure, phone calls, meetings, emails).
MA: This was totally God-led. After deciding that the three of us were supposed to work on the book together, we met weekly to discuss ideas. Lucy and I had a number of ideas, but when we saw Jill’s pre-drawings, we knew creation was the first topic. While we were working on the book, we felt a leading to self-publish, even though we knew nothing about publishing, printing, editing, or designing. Tasks were divided by our gifting, but even then, there were mistakes. Thank goodness God and His graciousness carried us through the whole process.
JW: I rely heavily on the right side of my brain (the left side of my brain may not even be there). I think I fit the stereotype of “artist” very well. I am an expressive, emotional, intuitive, and visual person. Feelings and hunches are easy for me to understand and I struggle with facts, details, and logic. Needless to say, this presented quite a problem as we worked together to publish a book. The brainstorming and painting part of the project was a delight for me; not because it was easy, but because I felt totally comfortable exploring options and making things work visually. The logistics of starting a publishing company and fitting the art into an actual book was excruciating. Thank goodness for my strong and supportive partners.
Overcoming the Challenges of Self Publishing
Suite 101: What was one of the more difficult challenges you had to face while writing this book, and how did you overcome it?
MA: Self-publishing was a huge challenge as we struggled to become a company, and also experienced the challenges of writing and illustrating and printing. We determined that the three of us would always be in agreement before we made critical decisions. Without lots of prayer, this would have been impossible because we all saw things differently. Working with another writing partner could have been an issue; but we both tried to listen to one another and to God and the partnership has bonded us.
Suite 101: Please define an inspirational moment that occurred during the self-publishing process:
LR: Finally, after meeting for several months, frequent telephone calls, and a myriad of emails, Jill went home to paint and Marty and I began to develop discussion questions, activities, and prayers relating to each day of creation. Six weeks later, Jill asked if we wanted to see what she had painted. When Marty and I walked into Jill’s studio, there were the seven days of Genesis 1 on the wall in front of us. The beauty, order, creativity, sense of humor, and, most of all, the love of God poured into His creation, overwhelmed us. We started crying from pure joy and worshipped the creator God who loves us.
Creating a Book For Children
Suite 101: What is your favorite part of the book, and why is it your favorite?
LR: How can I name my favorite part? Yet if pressed to do so, it has to be the structure of the book. The original petition of my daughters and daughters-in-law was to find a devotional that stirred the hearts, minds, and emotions of their children. So we structured the book, first, in a panoramic vision of God’s creative mind and heart to meet this petition. Then, to take the idea of devotionals out of a classroom setting and move them into the fast paced lives of a modern mother excited us. We have already received much feedback from mom’s as they have expressed excitement at the possibility of bringing devotionals into any moment in their child’s life.
MA: The use of God’s Hands, along with the vibrant colors to show His creation is my favorite part. As the colors explode off the page, from the water gushing out, to man being formed, the power of God cannot be denied in His creation.
JW: The favorite part of this book for me is the fact that I am looking at my Father’s hands. I used my biological father as a model. He is loving, gentle, strong, and very involved in my life. This has helped me to understand the love of my heavenly Father.
Suite 101: What are you working on next?
MA: We are currently working on The Father’s Love, which should be out in the Fall of 2011. We want parents as well as children to understand how much God loves them and how He is there all the time – listening, blessing, protecting, delighting in them. He knows them best because He created them.
Keep up with news on these books, find coloring pages and activities on Press-on Publishing website.
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Christine Pollock - Christine Pollock loves to tell people that she watches TV for a living - a true fact that’s also appreciated by her ...
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