inspired to write.
cheers! —To courage and vulnerability, and the pathways to sharing your voice through writing.
Gratefulness to Henri Nouwen, Amy Carmichael, Haruki Murakami, and Michelle Otero.
These four authors have been an ongoing and welcoming of influences in my journey of exploration with writing. I praise them for their bravery to be vulnerable and give of themselves through the voice of writing, sharing their honest lives, vocations, and I will say souls for others to be moved by their stories unfolding. They each feel like they’ve become my friends over time, and one yes, Michelle Otero has and is a gift to our local Albuquerque and New Mexico communities.
May you enjoy one of these readings or checkout some of their other books, you will be graced with life and encouragement and possibly challenged!
Current Readings
In the Name of Jesus was first published back in 1989 not very old but definitely a place to return to for gleaning Jesus’ way of leadership. The three main parts invite ‘return’ for some and maybe ‘continuance’ for others:
part 1: From Relevance to Prayer
part 2: From Popularity to Ministry
part 3: From Leading to Being Led
“Nouwen offers a counter definition that is witnessed by a communal and mutual experience.”
Amy Carmichael, a beautiful soul born in Ireland, who in her early twenties became a missionary and lived most of her life in India rescuing young girls from cult prostitution and providing a safe haven known as Dohnavur Fellowship. She became crippled due to a fall and spent much of her later life in pain. Yet, she never gave up giving all her life strength and weaknesses to serve others and encourage all who encounter her through writings like this one. She exhorts us to trust God’s presence.
Writers, anyone, even dabblers in writing, you will be greatly inspired to hear Haruki’s story in his own voice on how he became a writer. The path is telling from the book’s front cover which means there’s probably rarely a clear path in any vocation which for me is always invitation to explore, risk, keep trying, challenge, and be free to enjoy the journey. Life is made from twists and turns, Murakami streams with humility in this memoir-like read. Enjoy!
A beautiful soul
New Mexico author and poet, Michelle is a gentle soul, strong and courageous one who writes with breadth and depth, drawing you into real life and growing through relationships—family and community matter.
Learn more about Michelle Otero her story, and her work in helping women through poetry and writing overcome sexual assault (her memoir shares some of her own story). You can also purchase her book locally (on the shelves now) at Bookworks and Books on the Bosque.
