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How I Wrote an Award-Winning Novel by CLU Grad Brenda Savella

Mark Virkler's picture

I am proud of Brenda's award-winning book, Chaff on the Wind. She has used divine flow to write it, and it made it to the top of the list. Read her testimony below and realize you can do similar things as you tune to the Holy Spirit's flow within!


Some years ago, I was waiting to have tea with a friend in the food court of a local mall. An elderly woman came up to me and said emphatically, “You need to go fishing!” I smiled and replied that I’m a vegetarian so I wouldn’t likely go fishing. She continued, “I’m a fisherman. I’ve always known I’m a fisherman. When I was six years old my father took me deep sea fishing. No one caught anything so I told the captain to let me fish. For a joke the crew strapped me into a chair, and I cast the line into the sea. Within minutes I caught the biggest Marlin they had ever seen. They told me to keep fishing, but I knew I was only supposed to catch one fish. The captain and I split the proceeds. My share was $10,000 U.S.D. I’ve gone fishing every year since, and I’ve caught one each year. You need to go fishing!”

My friend arrived, and I said farewell to the lady. I didn’t know what the encounter meant. Two years later, I was at the same mall waiting to pay for a purchase at the grocery store. The person in front of me turned around and said, “You need to go fishing!” It was the same lady! She paid for her purchase and left. I asked God what it meant. There was a faint impression in my heart that it was related to writing, but again I did not pursue the meaning.

I began CLU’s doctoral program and took the first course on how to use the four steps to hear God’s voice and how God uses vision and the six pillars to confirm what He is saying. My ability to hear God’s voice deepened. In December 2022 I was praying and pondering what my goal should be for 2023. I set only one goal each year. I clearly heard the Lord tell me to complete a novel I had begun and abandoned years earlier. 

Although I loved writing, I didn’t really know how to write a novel, but I told the Lord I would do it. Several weeks later a friend asked if I wanted to visit a church online I used to attend. I didn’t have the internet but she did so I listened to the service over my phone. There was a visiting speaker. The first thing she said was, “I’m a fisherman. It’s time to go fishing.” I knew in my spirit that God was confirming that writing was my ‘Go fishing’ as I had agreed to finish the book.

The draft was 14,000 words but I needed 45,000 words for it to be considered a novel. How would I do it? I used the four keys to hearing God’s voice. I got into a quiet and comfortable place and focused on Jesus. As I began to write God showed me visions like a movie in my mind. I saw characters and heard them interacting. I wrote what I saw and heard. I described the setting He showed me. And over the next few months the novel took shape in ways that were totally unexpected to me!

When the draft was finished, God introduced me to a national book award and directed me to enter my manuscript. I said to Him that I had never written a novel before and this might be humiliating. He showed me that I could ask for feedback. How else would I get my book in the hands of an editor/judge to know how I was doing? I obeyed.

I heard nothing for a few months, but the Lord kept giving me little signs of encouragement. The word ‘fishing’ or other things that related to the book would appear in unexpected places. Otherwise, God was silent about it. Then in June 2023 I heard that my book, Chaff on the Wind, was a finalist in the national Braun Book Awards for excellence in Christian writing! I was stunned but I could feel the Lord’s pleasure. The editor gave me great positive feedback.

Chaff on the Wind is now published and went live on August 31, 2024. It’s for sale on about 40 sites in various parts of the world and is coming to various bookstores. The editor called it a great story that he couldn’t wait to get off the press. This is all God.

Here are links to purchase the book, Chaff on the Wind: Amazon US or Amazon Canada

 

I tell you, readers, “Go fishing!” It is time. Don’t let unimportant things hinder you from starting. God has made you for a purpose. Find out what it is. Nothing is impossible with Him!

Journaling application

Lord, what would You like to say to me in light of this story?

 


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Complete Library of Virkler PDF Ebooks (Not All Items Pictured)

Complete Library of Virkler eBooks

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Benefit from over 40 years of writings by Drs. Mark and Patti Virkler. They are passionate to lead you into Spirit-anointed living by providing biblically-based, real life, "how to" training manuals on Christian spirituality. Their down-to-earth teachings are perfect for personal and small group training experiences. This is an excellent library of materials for your home, and you can take these downloads in your pocket wherever you go! Special bonus: Includes three books by their daughter, Charity Virkler Kayembe!

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A complete downloadable package of Mark and Patti's training resources over four decades in the making. With a passion to be biblical, spiritual and practical, these revelation-based tools will take you places you have only dreamed of going. Their passion is to discover and create the absolute best resources to help you take the quickest steps possible in your Christian walk. Special Bonus: Includes teachings by their daughter, Charity Virkler Kayembe. This Electronic Package includes ebooks, MP3s and videos that are not in the hard copy package as they are ONLY available digitally. An even greater savings!

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Benefit from 40+ years of teachings by Drs. Mark and Patti Virkler! They are passionate to lead you into Spirit-anointed living by providing biblically-based, real life, "how to" training on Christian spirituality. Their down-to-earth teachings are perfect for personal and small group training experiences. This is an ideal library of materials for your home and family! 

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Complete Library of Virkler Video Downloads

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Benefit from 40+ years of teachings by Drs. Mark and Patti Virkler! They are passionate to lead you into Spirit-anointed living by providing biblically-based, real life, "how to" training on Christian spirituality. Their down-to-earth teachings are perfect for personal and small group training experiences. This is an ideal library of materials for your home and family!

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Outstanding tools to promote your event! This package includes: 10 LEARN Counseled By God Notebooks plus a CD-ROM packed with promotional items and several PowerPoint teachings which cover two of the chapters of the book.

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Outstanding tools to promote your event! This package includes: 10 Hear God Through Your Dreams books; 50 “Dreams” hand-out cards, plus a CD-ROM packed with promotional items and a teaching PowerPoint with 18 slides.

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How Could I Have Been So Wrong? MP3 Download Package

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This is my story of how my cardiac event was resolved by combining the best in medical care, Christian spirituality, and nutrition. 

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Prayers That Heal the Heart PowerPoint

by Mark Virkler | 1 Disc

If you are teaching the course Prayers That Heal the Heart, then these 181 Powerpoint slides on CD-ROM will make your classroom presentation powerful and attractive.

The PowerPoint series follows the Prayers That Heal the Heart book and LEARN notebook, so you will want each of your students to have a copy of the LEARN notebook, and each family should have a copy of the full textbook. 

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Prayers That Heal the Heart PowerPoint Download

Prayers That Heal the Heart PowerPoint Download

by Mark Virkler

If you are teaching the course Prayers That Heal the Heart, then these 181 Powerpoint slides will make your classroom presentation powerful and attractive.

The PowerPoint series follows the Prayers That Heal the Heart book and LEARN notebook, so you will want each of your students to have a copy of the LEARN notebook, and each family should have a copy of the full textbook. 

Price: $19.95

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