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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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Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 223 Pages

This book leads you in meditating on and journaling about two hundred and fifty verses that discuss the Holy Spirit. You will grow in intimacy with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the anointing within you will increase! You will exclaim as the disciples did on the Emmaus Road “Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)! In addition to being led to journal through these verses, you will read numerous two-way journal entries from Mark Virkler, as well as a five-page prayer at the conclusion of the book.

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Kids Can

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Lamad Biblical Education Association

Lamad Biblical Education Association

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Lamad Faculty Handbook

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by Mark and Patti Virkler | 78 Pages

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Living with Jesus Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family

Living with Jesus Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family introduces the child to the Body of Christ.

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Living with Jesus - Book 3

Living with Jesus Book 3 – Talking and Listening

by Daphne Kirk | 47 Pages

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Book 3 - Talking and Listening - Hearing the voice of God.

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Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 6 - What Do We Choose? introduces children to making kingdom choices.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 7 - Having Faith introduces children to a life of faith.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages | Published 1999

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 8 - Staying Protected introduces children to spiritual warfare.

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Operations Manual

Operations Manual

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 134 Pages

We have helped hundreds of churches establish Schools of Ministry or church-centered Bible schools over the last 25 years. This manual draws together insights and approaches for how to do it easier, faster and better. Enjoy as you build on the success of those who have gone before you.

Price: $69.95

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