LDSPMA

Empowering Latter-day Saints to spread light and truth by connecting them at the intersection of faith, creativity, and professional skill

Faith & Mindset

Writing with Faith: An Interview with LDS Author Gale Sears

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Gale Sears’ path to becoming an acclaimed LDS historical fiction author began with writing screenplays. She earned a bachelor’s degree in playwriting from BYU and a master’s degree in theater from the University of Minnesota. For decades, Gale’s creative life revolved around the stage—acting, directing, and crafting stories for live audiences.

“I didn’t start writing novels until I was almost 50,” she shares, yet storytelling had always been part of her nature. “When I was about seven or eight years old, just after I’d learned about words, we had a little shed out in our backyard in Lake Tahoe, where I grew up. It was a magical place. I’d go out there with paper and pencil and write stories.”

Exploring Different Genres

The transition from playwriting to novel writing came naturally. “I had a story in my head that I thought would be a very cool play, but it was kind of epic, and it didn’t fit the genre,” Gale explains. “So, I started jotting down thoughts and a skeletal outline of chapters for a book, which I’d never thought of before because my mind always thought in terms of plays. I had to learn a different writing process because plays are composed of dialogue, but novels must include descriptions of place and setting.”

That story became Autumn Sky, the first book in a trilogy published by Covenant Communications.

Writing as a Divine Calling

For Gale, writing is a sacred practice, centered on divine guidance. “I pray constantly. I have no ego when I’m writing my books. I believe that EGO stands for Edging God Out, and I’m not ever going to do that. When I dedicate my work and consecrate it to His purposes, I must include Him in the process.”

The Spirit guides Gale throughout her process. “It’s as if I’m walking along and all of a sudden, I stumble, and something makes me pause. I stop and say, ‘Okay, something’s wrong here. Either I’m pushing it too much, or I’m not telling the right story, or I’m not going in the right direction.’ That’s how I know.”

The Power of Research

This spiritual foundation shapes every aspect of Gale’s work, especially her research approach. She is tenacious about accuracy. “If you’re going to write historical fiction, it needs to be true to the history,” she emphasizes.

For The Silence of God, which explores communism and Christianity in revolutionary Russia, she immersed herself in Russian history and communist theory. “I wanted to tell the story of what a society looks like when they rip God out of their lives,” she explains. She thought she’d have to create a fictional Orthodox Christian family—until she experienced what she calls a “God wink.”

“I thought to myself, I’m never going to find an LDS Russian family back in that time,” she recalls. “Well, I was at the Church History Library and found this article about the Lindelof family—the one and only LDS family in Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution.” This moment of divine serendipity became central to the novel.

For Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, set in China under Mao Tse-Tung, she studied Chinese culture and government systems. The book juxtaposes Mao’s communist regime with the gospel as experienced by early Latter-day Saints in Hong Kong.

Belonging to Heaven draws from George Q. Cannon’s actual journal entries about his mission to Hawaii, exploring his relationship with Jonathan Napela, one of the first Hawaiian converts to the Church.

Her novella, Brilliant, required research into autism, Indian culture, mathematics, and Eastern philosophy to authentically portray its protagonist—a young autistic college professor from India. Gale met with Indian families and individuals who understand autism and reviewed autobiographies to ensure accuracy.

But Gale doesn’t just rely on books. She travels to the locations she writes about—Italy, Russia, Hawaii—with her husband, George, acting as photographer and videographer. She interviews people from the cultures she depicts and visits ethnic markets.

“I’ll go up to people and say, ‘Do you have a minute? Can we talk about Indian food?’ or whatever I need to learn,” Gale explains. “Most of the time, people are gracious and thrilled to help.”

“It’s so important in historical fiction that readers feel as though they’re there,” she says. Whether it’s the food her characters eat, the clothes they wear, or the streets they walk, Gale ensures every sensory detail rings true. Each book ends with an extensive bibliography and notes explaining the historical context. “I stick to the facts as much as possible, but if I need to deviate because of the story, I let readers know.”

Blending Faith and Story

When depicting conversations about faith, Gale uses a subtle touch. “I want to tell the story of God’s Saints in a way that all my readers can appreciate, and weave in Christ’s teachings without beating people over the head with the gospel.”

For example, in The Silence of God, the LDS character Agnes discusses the law of consecration with her Bolshevik friend, Natasha, while chopping cabbage for borscht. The exchange feels natural rather than preachy. “You can push doctrinal discussions too far to where readers feel like they’re in a Sunday school room, or you can just put a little flavor of it,” Gale explains. “You have to honor your readers and trust that they’re smart enough to interpret the story through their own lens.”

This approach has connected with readers beyond the LDS community. “I have a lot of readers who are not LDS who appreciate the structure of the story and how I involve Christ in it,” she says. Universal themes of faith, courage, sacrifice, and family resonate across religious boundaries.

Writing Process and Craft

Despite her theatrical background’s emphasis on structure, Gale describes herself as “pretty much a pantser.” However, she acknowledges the value of structure, particularly in historical fiction, where “the journey has to go through certain historical processes.”

“Normally, I start with a character,” she explains. “Then I ask, ‘What is this character’s journey?’ With historical fiction, that journey is kind of mapped out for me.”

Character development comes through revelatory moments. In Letters in the Jade Dragon Box, the protagonist, Chen Wen-Shan, receives a box from her grandfather containing paintings and letters. This catalyst unfolds her family’s story under Mao’s regime.

Advice for Aspiring Writers

For young LDS creators and writers, Gale offers perspective gained from her unique journey:

  • Don’t worry about starting late or about success, fame, or money. Just stay true to the story you’re called to tell.
  • Focus on impact, not numbers. If your book only touches 10 people, that’s wonderful. If it only touches your family and they love it, that’s wonderful too. Remember, it’s a success just to get your story down on paper…Well done, you!
  • Remember the importance of the individual reader’s testimony. You’re planting a gospel seed, and you may not see it grow, but someday the Lord will use it. Eternity is long.
  • Write stories that inspire. For example, if you’re writing fantasy, you can still include the quest for good against evil. Your character’s struggles and triumph can encourage and lift a young person who’s questioning their abilities and whether life is worth the effort.
  • Consecrate your work. “When I dedicate my books to the Lord, I say, ‘Lord, take this little offering that I’m making and do with it what you want.’ I might not have a huge readership, but that’s not my path, and I don’t really mind.”    

A Legacy of Faith

Gale’s work now extends beyond novels. Her children’s book, Christmas for a Dollar, based on her father’s experiences during the Great Depression after losing his mother and contracting polio, has been adapted into a Christmas movie.

No matter what form her writing takes, Gale ensures it is an act of discipleship. She reminds fellow writers that life is a tapestry, and we’re only seeing the back side. In seasons of trial, the threads look tangled. But eventually, God will turn that tapestry around, and we will see His divine design. Until then, authors can help readers through difficult times by writing good stories that show them there is light ahead.

“These stories, these people’s lives—what a blessing it is for me to be able to share them,” Gale reflects. “And hopefully, prayerfully, the stories will resonate with someone and help them and strengthen them. That’s what I want.” 

Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

Kami Pehrson

Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.


        

        


        

        


        


        


        

    Creating When It’s Hard

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    It started off like any typical June day. I drove the one-hour commute to Salt Lake City, worked my eight-hour day proofreading planners, and drove two hours home in rush-hour traffic. By then, I wasn’t feeling too good. I called in sick the next day, put on a comforting movie, and prepared to spend the next two days just recovering from the first long months of a new job.

    Halfway through the movie, my brother video-called me in a panic.

    “It’s Dad,” he said. “He’s fallen. And he’s not breathing.”

    Immediately, all my senses went on alert. I texted everyone in my family, trying to figure out what was going on and trying—but failing—to keep myself calm.

    Less than thirty minutes later, my mother gave me the most devastating news of my life. “He’s gone. Dad just passed away.”

    As creators, we feel driven to put our pen to paper, our brush to canvas, our fingers to our instruments, or to create in our chosen way. This passion drives us and is a part of our very natures.

    But what do you do when everything comes crashing down?

    That June day three years ago, my world fell apart. I’d experienced loss and grief before. I’d had grandparents and an uncle pass away, but losing my dad hit harder. I staggered, reeling from the loss. My dad was my biggest supporter. He believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. His laugh and his voice were my favorite sounds in the world.

    And now I’d never get to hear them again.

    I fell into a deep depression that summer. I didn’t even touch my writing projects, even though I had several I needed to work on. I could barely cook, much less create.

    But throughout that experience and other hard experiences in my life, I have learned that there are ways you can help yourself create when life gets hard.

    Take Care of Yourself

    Creating is difficult when you don’t feel well—whether that’s physically, emotionally, or spiritually. When I’ve been depressed or severely ill, putting my pen to paper feels as daunting as climbing Mount Everest. You need to prioritize feeling well again.

    For some of us, this may mean that we write or paint or compose purely emotional pieces that are healing for us. Steven Sharp Nelson spoke at LDSPMA two years ago about how Beethoven’s best pieces came right after he had suffered a major trial in his life. One example is the famous Symphony No. 9—Beethoven wrote it after he’d completely lost his hearing, and “Ode to Joy” is one of the most recognized pieces of music in the world. Sometimes getting the emotions out is how you take care of yourself.

    But for some of us, creating when our hearts are aching is the biggest challenge in the universe. If you’re suffering and need a break from creativity, give yourself permission to focus on yourself. When you are well again, you can get back to creating.

    Fill Up Your Creative Well

    During the rest of that awful summer, I filled my days with reading. It soothed my soul to take comfort in other stories. I read more books that summer than I had in a long time, and it was healing. When I did finally attempt to write again, the words I had consumed fueled me.

    Filling up your creative well looks different for different people. Writers might be reading a whole bunch of books—whether in their genre or outside of it. Artists may go to a museum or a craft fair to see what others have done. Musicians may spend all their time listening to new music or going to concerts. Whatever your medium is, spend time consuming it.

    But also spend time doing things outside your medium. Watch some films with your family and analyze the story or appreciate the stunning effects. Go on a trip with some friends to experience things you’ve never done before—even if that trip is only as far as the local escape room. Try a meal you’ve never had before. Think outside the box. You might be surprised what ends up sparking an idea.

    Talk to Other Creatives

    Many creatives work in solitude. It can be part of the process or just part of the creative’s personality—I’ve met many writers and artists who identify as introverts. But even introverts need friends. I love attending conferences and meeting other writers and fellow creatives. It’s cathartic to talk through troublesome issues with people who get it. Other creatives can share their views and enrich how you see and interact with the world.

    A great conference for any Latter-day Saint creator is, of course, the annual LDSPMA conference held in Orem, Utah. For me, this conference is an amazing opportunity to fill up my creative well and talk to other creatives. I always leave LDSPMA feeling spiritually edified and ready to create more.

    But conferences can be expensive. Another great, yet inexpensive, way to talk to other creatives is to find fellow artistic friends in social media groups. Painters could paint together once a week or meet over lunch to discuss techniques. Musicians can ask for advice on composing from other musicians. Writers can do online writing sessions with other authors to help get words on the page. Finding other creatives helps you feel less alone in your journey and can help you heal when it is hard to create.

    Go at Your Own Pace

    You don’t have to write your novel in one day. Nor do you have to paint your whole painting in one sitting. While we’ve all seen images of the inspired creative frantically working through the night, many work very slowly on their projects. Some might only finish one painting in a year. Others might make one hundred in a year. Some authors take ten years to write one book. Others publish four a year.

    It doesn’t matter how long it takes. Take breaks when you need to. Refill your creative well so you have more to give. Remember, creating is a journey, not a destination.

    Give Yourself Grace

    Above all, give yourself grace. King Benjamin says, “it is not requisite that [anyone] should run faster than [they have] strength” (Mosiah 4:27). Life is hard. It has been three years since my dad’s passing, and I still have days when it’s difficult to make breakfast, much less create. But as Father Lehi said, we are here to have joy (see 2 Nephi 2:25).

    So, do what brings you joy. Sometimes that might mean that your writing gets put on hold as you spend time with your children, and their smiles bring you joy and help your heart heal. Sometimes that might mean you spend an entire summer on vacation and don’t get a single painting done, but your soul feels alive and rejuvenated. Sometimes that might mean you pick up a new hobby that doesn’t require as much creative power. Whatever it may be, remember that you are a creative—even when you aren’t creating. Give yourself time to heal.

    And who knows? That time you spend caring for yourself, filling up your well, talking to other creatives, going at your own pace, and giving yourself grace may lead to your next masterpiece that impacts generations. You’ve got this. Just take it one day at a time.

    KaTrina Jackson

    KaTrina Jackson loves penguins, cross-stitching, chocolate, and piano music, and spends much of each day trying to fit those loves in around her jobs as a freelance editor and as a project manager for Eschler Editing. She graduated with a degree in editing and publishing from Brigham Young University because she couldn’t get enough stories in her life. She’s also a member of three different writing groups, attends and teaches at multiple writing conferences yearly, volunteers with LDSPMA and has since 2021, and is currently working on publishing her first novel. When she’s not writing, editing, or reading, she can be found practicing yoga, teaching piano lessons or performing with her husband, or watching Disney movies while working on a cross-stitch project. She and her husband live in Olathe, Kansas.

      Understanding Life by Studying the Craft

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      In my master’s program in English and creative writing, I took a class called “Studying the Craft.” The coursework explored how elements of dramatic narrative create tension and reveal a character’s inner conflicts. By learning the mechanics of plot and character development, I discovered parallels to our earthly journeys.

      Here are five storytelling insights that can help us understand life.

      1. Themes Shape Our Perspectives

      We can interpret our life stories by reflecting on how external experiences reshape our internal perspectives. Tracing the connections between our challenges and growth helps us find purpose in our suffering, transform limiting beliefs, deepen spiritual understanding, and strengthen our connection to our Creator.

      In Les Misérables, Victor Hugo’s main character, Jean Valjean, is a convict embittered by years of unjust imprisonment. His foil, Inspector Javert, relentlessly pursues Valjean, driven by a strict sense of justice. In contrast, a saintly bishop, representing the story’s moral archetype, forgives Valjean for stealing silver candlesticks and offers him mercy. This act helps Valjean feel God’s love and serves as his catalyst for transformation. Applying the themes of mercy and justice to his story deepens Valjean’s understanding of Christ’s atonement and grace.

      Similarly, we can recognize eternal truths by looking beneath the surface to find the themes in our lives. Our trials often contain lessons for spiritual growth. People who enter our lives may serve as instruments of divine instruction. Even ordinary experiences can reveal extraordinary spiritual teachings when approached with faithful contemplation and an open heart.

      2. Everyone Has a Growth Arc

      Like our favorite literary characters, our motivations drive our actions and shape our personalities. We can’t fairly judge a person unless we read their complete story.

      Take, for instance, Jane Austen’s Emma. If we, by chance, turn to the page where Emma advises Harriet to refuse Robert Martin’s marriage proposal, we might dismiss Emma as snobbish, pushy, and selfish. And while there’s truth to this view, we don’t understand the whole picture. Emma is also bright, witty, a devoted daughter, imaginative (sometimes overly so), a doting aunt, and a philanthropist, though her privileged upbringing makes her naive to the world’s complexities beyond her small social circle.

      When we understand her character within the context of Regency England, with its emphasis on advantageous marriages, we can judge her actions with more empathy. Through her struggles, Emma recognizes flaws in her thinking and evolves. She becomes the woman Jane Austen intended her to be—humble, open to wise counsel, and striving to improve.

      This literary growth mirrors our own lives. We are here to learn from experience, but it’s up to us to change. Austen didn’t want a static heroine. Likewise, God wants us to learn, grow, change, and expand our perspectives continually.

      Sometimes we get so caught up in our character development that we forget others are in the middle of their own arcs. Recognizing this truth reminds us not to condemn people for their actions. Emma wounded many people on her journey to become a better person. Similarly, we will hurt others on our paths to become more Christlike. We hope for their forgiveness, just as we extend grace and love to those who might harm us along the way.

      3. Conflict Makes Our Stories Interesting

      A story where nothing bad happens to the main character would have no purpose. As we read in the scriptures, all things must have opposition (see 2 Nephi 2:11). Without darkness, we can’t appreciate light; without defeats, we can’t understand triumphs. Suffering gives our existence meaning. This knowledge doesn’t make the hard times easy. However, we can endure them well, learn from them, and view them as essential parts of our journey. Often, the most challenging chapters lead to the most significant change.

      Consider the choice faced by Hercules as he stood at a crossroads. In the story, a goddess representing Vice entices him with comfort and pleasure while a goddess representing Virtue offers him a life of challenge and struggle. Hercules chooses the second path because he knows he is destined for greatness.

      Instead of blaming God, we might ask who we will become by conquering our trials. We can trust that the divine Author knows our story’s details intimately. He understands our motivations, the purpose behind our afflictions, and the lessons we will learn through each plot twist. Then, after the crisis has passed, we can look around for others we can serve.

      4. All Is Never Lost

      There comes a time in every story—and in life—when it seems like giving up is the only option. The protagonist alienates their friends, makes countless mistakes, and fails in some significant way. But these challenging moments aren’t meant to be avoided—they’re meant to be experienced. The beautiful truth of narratives and life is that things always get better.

      For example, when Jane Eyre leaves Mr. Rochester and Thornfield Hall, she is alone, penniless, and on the brink of starvation. The reader fears there is no hope for her. She might have remained safe if she had stayed to marry Mr. Rochester despite his attic-bound wife, but she would have sacrificed her sense of self, her independence, and her moral integrity.

      These challenging moments are catalysts. They force characters—and people—to find reserves of strength they didn’t know they possessed. Jane’s hardship was not a punishment, but a means to discover her true character, establish her moral compass, and ultimately return to Mr. Rochester as his equal.

      We will all face similar moments when hope seems distant and the path is unclear. But we can always turn the page. President Nelson’s repeated counsel to “Let God Prevail,” “Hear Him,” and “Think Celestial” reminds us that we’re part of a larger narrative. Each day is a fresh chapter waiting to be written. When darkness approaches, we can turn to our divine Creator for mercy, comfort, and peace because He knows the next plot beat and is carefully guiding us back to Him.

      5. Find Symbolism in Experiences

      Symbols convey meanings that extend beyond their literal representations, helping readers connect with the story on a deeper level. They convey truths, help us remember essential concepts, and enrich our spiritual insight. By recognizing and interpreting the symbols in our lives, we will gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world.

      In The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, Hester Prynne suffers the injustices of Puritan society. For the sin of committing adultery, religious authorities force her to wear a scarlet letter A as a public symbol of shame. Hester adopts this symbol by elaborately embroidering the A onto her clothing and dressing her child in red even after the law no longer requires her to do so. She reclaims her identity by transforming the emblem of shame into one of goodness and strength.

      By carefully examining our experiences, we reveal the meanings of symbols in our own lives. Often, symbols can only be understood retrospectively as we revisit our lives, pray, and ponder God’s messages to us. He promises that if we approach Him with humility and faith, He will strengthen our weaknesses. Like Hester Prynne, we are imperfect beings marked by sin, but no symbol of shame is beyond redemption. We can grow stronger and overcome our challenges by acknowledging the lessons we’ve learned.

      The art of storytelling echoes the truths of human existence. Elements that shape our favorite stories are the same forces that form our lives. The gospel of Jesus Christ assures us that no conflict is insurmountable and no failure is final. We are not static characters, but protagonists in an eternal work. Every day, we write and rewrite our stories with courage, humility, and trust in the divine Author, who sees the whole arc of our potential.

      Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

      Kami Pehrson

      Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.





            



        To Creative Middle-Aged Sisters in the Working World

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        Middle-aged sisters, I see you.

        You spent your young adult years getting an education and your adult years raising a family. If you’re like me, you’re not the least bit sorry you did, but maybe now you’re not feeling prepared for the next stage of adulting. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting the work you did before wasn’t serious. It was.

        When children go to college, parents’ health is failing, and you have no idea how to re-enter a career that kept evolving after you left, you’re likely facing some new challenges. If your experience is anything like mine, you’re realizing the world wasn’t custom-made for you. It might’ve been a square-peg-in-a-round-hole situation in your twenties, but it’s another planet now.

        I can’t tell you how to solve it all—that will depend on your goals. But I want you to recognize the skills you’ve picked up along the way. Here are some suggestions that helped me.

        1. Say a Prayer, Study It Out, and Decide What Success Means to You

        I re-entered the working world part-time while my kids were in school. I was blessed with a great boss and a good office culture. Years later, I moved into more responsibility and received more hours.

        A few years after landing the highest-profile job of my life, I walked away. There were many reasons for that, but the two biggest were my desire to help my parents and to salvage my sanity. It was not easy trying to balance the needs of three generations. The decision to leave came after prayer and studying not just scriptures, but family budgets. The prayers brought me peace. The budget told me change was possible.

        I had the benefit of a supportive partner. I am so grateful for that. My experience raising a family on one income told me we could do it. When the children were small, I developed serious cooking and gardening skills. I didn’t know if we would have a lot of vacations and restaurant meals in our future, but we could still eat pasta in red sauce made from homegrown, vine-ripened tomatoes. We could enjoy the company of friends and ride our bikes through a lovely countryside.


        2. Stop Using Other People’s Yardsticks to Measure Your Progress

        I ended up starting my own business, leveraging contacts I already had. Soon, we were not feeling the pinch of a lost income anymore. I bought a new computer, spruced up the home office, paid my taxes, and took some trips. I was a solo entrepreneur for three years, and each year was more profitable than the one before.

        I remember being in a room with other volunteer judges at my daughter’s high school debate tournament. A couple of them talked about their own businesses. I knew they might scoff at my little solo enterprise. They were making a lot more money than I was. Then I asked myself if I was happy. The answer was a definite “yes!” My work was serving my life goals, not the other way around. I was giving my parents some badly needed support. I still had the flexibility to judge a debate tournament and support my daughter’s school. I was having the kind of day I used to dream of.

        Since then, my children have left the nest. My parents have passed on. Eventually, my biggest client (and former employer) wanted me to do some things that required a login—and a hire. I work for them now.

        I still love what I do, and I’m still not rich. I just feel like I am . . . most days.

        3. The Creative Life Might Need Some Boundaries Too

        I wrote a book, but I was disappointed by its sales, especially when I calculated the return on the hourly investment. (One of the consequences of running my own business: I started calculating the value of my time.) I had friends who were able to make the author life work, but the rewards were unpredictable.

        My first hurdle was getting over the feelings of failure. I couldn’t do everything I wanted with what I made as a novelist. My creative side contributed to my profession in public relations and marketing, and I wrote fiction in my off-hours. I comforted myself knowing that writing was a significant part of my work, and I was still being paid to do it.

        Even so, I denied myself some things with a creative goal in mind. In my head, a dream vacation, an arts-focused experience, and a pedicure at that mysterious downtown salon were all reserved for the day I signed a book contract.

        I realized I was holding my life hostage to things outside my control. I got the pedicure, started making vacation plans, and discovered that my love of writing still lived on. It is its own reward!

        4. Give Yourself Some Credit—Mom Skills Are Real

        Here is what I’d like to say to all the moms wondering where they fit in the working world: You’ve learned some valuable things. You just need to help the working world recognize them.

        If you’ve persuaded your children to help in the garden, you know how to delegate and motivate a team. If you’ve operated on one income, you know how to budget. If you raised more than one child, you know the dangers of favoritism and the beauty of recognizing and developing individual talent. If you’ve ever tried to sort out the mystery of how the figurine on the mantlepiece broke, you know some lie-detection skills. If you’ve dedicated yourself to the mom thing for decades, you’ve definitely built up a work ethic.

        So give yourself some credit. Give yourself a hug. Decide how you’ll measure success. Study your possibilities. Say a prayer.

        And if it’s what you want to do, get yourself out there.

        Headshot of JoLynne Lyon

        JoLynne J. Lyon

        JoLynne J. Lyon is a storyteller for hire who specializes in finding the art in everyday life, making complex subjects understandable to the average person, helping others identify authentic stories that resonate with a target audience, and providing professional words and photos across print, web, radio and social media. Read more of her work on her blog, Mountain Lyon Notes.



              


          The Blessings of Involuntary Self-Employment

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          I’ve been self-employed for over a year, mostly doing side gigs and odd jobs. At first, it was out of necessity. I found myself out of a job and had a hard time finding a new one. For months, I went back and forth between loving and resenting self-employment. The pay is low and inconsistent, there are no benefits, the schedule is chaotic, my career path seems uncertain, and I could go on. Every so often, I’d send out a mad flurry of resumes to every job I thought I could possibly be qualified for. I haven’t gotten any responses yet.

          It’s become clear that something specific is in the works for me. In the meantime, all I need to do is wait, prepare, and learn to love this phase of life, which has blessed me with opportunities to preserve and foster my spiritual and creative sides.

          Here are some lessons that have blessed me throughout my self-employment journey creatively and spiritually.

          It’s a Trial of Faith

          When I first became self-employed, my life was fear-based. I worked long hours and pushed myself too hard to pay my bills. Sometimes, that effort still wasn’t sufficient. I often had to take time off as I panicked and broke down over feeling stuck, as if nothing I did was enough. I couldn’t take breaks. As I saw it, if I had the opportunity to make money, I had no excuse not to be working. The nature of my work meant there was always opportunity. Not a waking minute passed when I wasn’t stressed about not doing enough.

          I’d been struggling to be active in church for years, and I was afraid to talk to Heavenly Father. Through a series of miracles big and small, I started to open back up to Him, and in turn, He helped me build my faith. I could take real breaks that didn’t involve stressing over the money I wasn’t making. Learning to leave my worries in God’s hands helped all aspects of my health, not just the spiritual.

          It’s Not About the Money

          It took me over a year to learn which goals and mindsets wouldn’t overwhelm me. I don’t always hit my goals, but it’s not because they are bad.

          I’ve been striving to live with spiritual conviction by utilizing my spiritual gifts, following promptings, and knowing at all times that I am exactly where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to be doing. This conviction leaves no room for regret or fear of failure. Living by faith has blessed my life tremendously.

          I often find myself on spiritual side quests as I follow my promptings. These endeavors take time away from the hours I would have worked, but I have never regretted following the Spirit. My faith has grown, I’ve seen blessings in my life and the lives I’ve touched, and somehow, I am always able to pay my bills.

          God Is in the Details

          Heavenly Father regularly uses my side gigs and odd jobs to teach me lessons and remind me He is present. Once while working for DoorDash, I was prompted to accept all food delivery orders that came through, even if I’d lose time or money by fulfilling them. As He instructed me to take on this challenge, He reminded me that I would serve others by offering my time—one of the few resources I had to give. He told me, “If all you ever shared only came from the excess you neither wanted nor needed, then where is your glory?” I am constantly overwhelmed by His wisdom, love, and all He teaches me.

          As I have taken the time to develop my relationship with God and do what He asks of me, I’ve been reminded that I am building myself and my future into something greater than I now comprehend. Though I’ve often felt like I’m failing or falling behind because I don’t have a career or substantial income, I have received many promised blessings. I see that the changes within myself are preparing me for a successful future.

          Reconnecting with my Inner Artist

          I’ve always wanted to be a full-time author. I don’t think that goal is next on my agenda, but writing has always been important to me. It turns out that it’s important to Heavenly Father, too. Some of the blessings included in this self-employed lifestyle are the opportunities to listen to music and belt out songs or to brainstorm plot and character development on the job. I often have plenty of physical and intellectual energy left to be creative when I’m done working for the day.

          For the most part, I’d put my writing on hold for years. Working a full-time job was very taxing for me, and before that, I’d been a full-time mom. However, in redeveloping my relationship with Heavenly Father this year, He began instructing me to write. He’s even helped me as I choose projects, themes, and plots. Now that I am dedicating my time to a novel, I feel spiritually guided as I write.

          There have been days and weeks when I was too busy, too overwhelmed, or even too focused on my spirituality to take the time to write. However, living with conviction means knowing there are times when Heavenly Father doesn’t want me to be doing anything else. It’s getting easier to schedule writing time without Him reminding me to make it happen. I can prioritize my novel because I no longer feel pressured to make money from writing. I realize that writing is a valuable use of my time.

          Here are some steps to help you apply these lessons:

          • Include God in the decision-making and build your faith by allowing Him to guide you through what you cannot control.
          • Experiment to learn what you can control and apply gospel truths to shift how you perceive and accomplish your goals.
          • Look for God’s hand in your life. He is everywhere. No part of your life is untouched by His influence, and you can find beauty and purpose in the struggles and pain. He wants you to learn, feel His love, and experience joy.
          • Know what you want and communicate your aspirations with Heavenly Father. Be willing to listen to what He says in response. If your desires are righteous, you may find He has already been working to get you where you want to be.
          • Learn the difference between what you want (e.g., a specific amount of money to pay bills) and what you need (e.g., peace), especially regarding something you feel spiritually called to do. We don’t always get exactly what we ask for, and we align our will with Heavenly Father’s by learning that difference.

          I can’t begin to describe everything I have learned this year thanks to the opportunity to rekindle my relationship with God while self-employed. I now know He loves me more than I can comprehend. What matters to me matters to Him, and I don’t need to worry as I put my faith in Him. The ends will be met, and the means don’t matter as much as my development along the way.

          A headshot of Mariah Newton.

          Mariah K. Porter

          Mariah K. Porter is a member of the LDSPMA and the author of Tomorrow I Will Make a List: Managing the Depressive Habit of Procrastination. In addition to her nonfiction, she has also written That Prince Guy, This Glass Heart, and These Extraordinary Thorns, which are fairy tale retellings. You can learn more about her here.


                

            Unlocking Creativity Amid Trauma: Finding Inspiration on Your Hardest Days

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            Five years ago, clinical psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Christina Hibbert—Christi to her friends—filled her schedule with speaking engagements, therapy sessions, group coaching, and writing her fourth book. Her dedication to helping others “overcome, become, and flourish” arose from a deeply personal place, but her world flipped upside down when a mammogram revealed aggressive breast cancer. Though she’d faced loss, trauma, and mental health challenges throughout her life, Christi now faced cancer treatment—a double mastectomy, reconstruction, chemotherapy, and the many complications, additional surgeries, and eventual chronic illnesses that came as a result. “Just as it seemed I would finally take off in my family life and career, it felt like, instead, I crashed.”

            While it can seem impossible to be inspired, inventive, or to produce creative work while experiencing trauma, Dr. Hibbert has gleaned valuable insights from her ongoing journey. She reminds us in her bestselling book This Is How We Grow, “when life throws you in the mud, [you can choose to] plant yourself and grow.”

            Dr. Christina Hibbert

            Accept That Life Doesn’t Always Turn Out the Way You’d Hoped

            Though her mother had been a breast cancer survivor, somehow Christi never thought it would happen to her. But after her mammogram led to an ultrasound, followed by a biopsy, she says, “I knew I was going be diagnosed with cancer before I even had the biopsy. It wasn’t the answer I wanted, but it was my answer to my fervent prayer. I immediately felt God’s reply: ‘I’m sorry, but this is going to happen; but I am with you, and you have been prepared.'” Still, she believed she would beat cancer within three to six months and return to her busy yet rich life as a wife and mom of six, pursuing a career she felt was part of her divine purpose.

            Dr. Hibbert soon realized that there was no returning to the past. “I say now that there is only BC—Before Cancer—and AD—After Diagnosis. Everything has changed.” She experienced countless complications that led to fifteen total surgeries, her last being just seven months ago. “It’s been five years straight of diagnosis after diagnosis, treatment after treatment, nonstop. Though I’ve been working on healing all along, I have learned it’s near impossible to heal the trauma while you’re still being traumatized.” She continues, “I am finally in a place where I can learn and accept my new limitations and rebuild my body, mind, relationships, and life.”

            Mental health challenges that come with trauma can make it difficult to feel inspiration. Still, Christi advises, “Whenever we can, we should try to let it all go, fall apart, and be in the mess because that is the fertile ground where we can most learn and grow. We get the big life lessons and the nuggets of wisdom that we can share in whatever creative form we want. That’s what adds beauty to us—and the world—and heals all.”

            FEEL the Emotions and Do the Work to Heal

            “To me, FEEL means: ‘Freely Experience Emotions with Love,'” she teaches. “We must allow ourselves to experience our emotions fully, in our body and mind and heart, and love ourselves through.” Processing these feelings is crucial for healing and can provide a foundation for creative expression. Christi explains, “I never wanted to be a ‘breast cancer warrior’ or to be inspiring or strong. It’s not what I set out to do in my life. But I believe that I am a warrior because [it’s] about showing up, no matter what comes your way. If you’re showing up for yourself, it’s not just to go through whatever is physically or mentally happening, but also to feel all the emotions, deal with all the thoughts, and untangle the pile of trauma and grief.” She advises: “Go to therapy and do the work. These things are so hard, and nobody wants to do them. It’s just like having surgery; nobody wants to do that either, but it can help.”

            Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

            Focus on your own journey because everyone’s experiences and creative processes are unique. Christi shares, “It’s been really hard for me, seeing so many of my colleagues and friends going above and beyond in their home, family, and career lives—having their writing published, traveling, and things like that. I feel like I’m stuck, and I haven’t ‘done anything.’ But I have survived and worked hard. I’m still dealing with trauma and grief and the mixed feelings of cancer and death anniversaries, but I am slowly, day-by-day, healing.” Remember, your recovery, healing, and growth progress is just as valuable—if not more so—as any external achievement.

            Be Completely Honest and Authentic

            Facing your struggles head-on might be difficult, but it’s essential for growth. Having shared her entire breast cancer and chronic illness journey on her blog and social media, she says, “If there’s anything I’ve done especially well these past five years, it’s being completely open, authentic, honest, and just real. I let people see the real me: ‘This is me sad, this is me happy, and this is me in pain.’ I think that’s why so many people have connected with me and my story because everybody relates.” As she states, “To me, true strength is allowing ourselves to be vulnerable enough to be wherever we are, no matter how over- or underwhelming it may seem.” Vulnerably admitting and processing what you’re going through can enrich your creativity, inspire others, and foster healing and growth.

            Make Your Trauma Your Material

            Transforming your trauma into creative material can be a powerful way to process and express your experiences, making your creative work more personal and impactful. In This Is How We Grow, she writes about her two sisters’ tragic deaths, inheriting her two nephews and going from three to six kids practically overnight, postpartum depression, and other traumas she’s experienced. She says, “I have times where I tell myself, ‘This is my time to be in it—to just be knee-deep in the muck, putting one foot in front of the other.’ Later, I can plant myself in the mud and try to grow. When we’re stuck creatively because we’re having a hard time, if we are willing and brave enough to explore our trauma, whatever we’re going to share, create, or give to the world comes in our hardest times. The message you have for the world is in the mess.”

            Use Creative Self-Expression as a Means of Healing

            Christi advises: “Journal about your experiences. Even if you don’t like writing, recording your thoughts, feelings, and even dreams can be extremely beneficial for sorting through the trauma.” She also recommends talking about it. “Whether in therapy, with a trusted friend or family member, or even sharing publicly as I’ve done, speaking and sharing our stories is healing.” Christi also uses music as an important part of her recovery. “I’m working on a few songs about my experiences, and as I share them, even with my family, music is extremely powerful in healing me on all levels.” Amid her cancer and chronic illness treatments, she also started a podcast called Like a Watered Garden centered on the Church’s “Come Follow Me” program. She says, “I never would have thought I would make a podcast while I was still struggling to not feel sick. It made no sense at the time, but it’s strengthened my faith and testimony. It’s a different kind of creativity I could do with my spiritual side, even when my physical and mental/emotional sides were overwhelmed.”

            Get Creative with Your Creativity

            When we engage in creative activities of any type—familiar or new—we help ourselves cope, understand, and make sense of all we’ve endured. Experiment with various mediums to discover what best helps you express yourself and heal. Christi says, “I would hand letter words, write poetry, or draw about how I felt, and it brought me peace. There are so many ways we can engage our creativity, even when we don’t feel like creating or we’re unable to create in the ways we used to. Pressure, on top of trauma, makes it hard for us to perform.” Exploring new creative outlets with “a beginner’s mind,” as Christi puts it, can allow you to fully appreciate the activity and state of flow instead of viewing it as a chore.

            Dr. Hibbert’s personal experience with trauma has taught her valuable lessons about using creativity as a healing tool. While it can be frustrating to find inspiration in times of stress, Christi urges: “accept your experiences, be honest and authentic, use creativity to express yourself, experiment with different mediums, and avoid putting pressure on yourself. Following these steps can channel your toughest experiences into inspiration and creative expression that can not only heal you but so many others, too.”

            Headshot of Kami Pehrson.

            Kami Pehrson

            Kami Pehrson lives with her husband and five teenage children in Stansbury Park, Utah. She recently finished her master’s degree in English and creative writing and has written three novels—but is still trying to figure out what to do with them. She loves editing, reading, and playing word games on her phone. She also enjoys listening to audiobooks while half-heartedly doing Pilates in the living room.

              Healthy Habits for Creatives

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              I was once asked to write a Book of Mormon pageant for girls’ camp with less than a week’s notice. That gave me roughly three days to study and two days to write. Picture me, hunkered down at my early 90s-era computer, giving my all for the kingdom. Pressure writing brings out the best in me, but I couldn’t have accomplished this feat without power-eating an entire school of Swedish Fish and slugging down a six-pack of diet Pepsi.

              Fish is healthy, they say, but by the time I pushed print, I had more red dye swimming in me than was used on the set of Psycho. But there was no time for nutritional prudence—the sugar and caffeine provided the temporary scaffolding my word construction stood upon! If only they loaded Swedish Fish with a few omegas, lecithin, and a little protein.

              I admit to repeating this process on more than one deadline. However, I have learned a lot about “crutch foods,” why we lean on them, and which nutrients are helpful during these magnificent bursts of creative genius.

              Now I shall confess that I am a nutritional consultant and an author, which is some type of oxymoron—no healthy person would write books. To be serious, though, I know why people load up on junk, and I also know a better way. Writing presents a lot of physical inactivity while mentally running marathons and pumping literary iron. Buff brain ripples are a poor substitute for saggy abs. Instead of leaning on sugar and caffeine for mental acuity, try any of these healthier ideas.    

              Sugar vs. Protein

              If you are craving sugar, feed yourself protein. Protein will sustain your creative sprints much better. Easy food sources include cheeses of all sorts, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, jerky, and protein shakes. Nuts and seeds are an excellent choice if you are a “muncher.” Protein will support you with the energy you require without nudging you one step closer to diabetes.    

              Vitamins and Herbs

              B vitamins stoke the nervous system with fuel. They are found in unrefined, unenriched grains, which disqualifies almost everything in a store-bought bag or box. Snack foods that are high in B vitamins include avocados, banana chips, dried plums, unsweetened coconut flakes, oat clusters, baked sweet potato fries, broccoli, kale chips, fresh garden peas—the list of wholesome choices goes on! If veggie snacking is your thing, try dipping veggies in hummus or guacamole. Peanut butter is also a fantastic source of B vitamins, as are most nuts.

              Foods rich in C vitamins are excellent for focus and re-energizing. Not only do they taste great, but they also provide important natural sugars and increase immune function. C vitamin-rich foods also clean the digestive tract. Fruits concentrated with natural blue and red pigments, such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries, also aid in liver and gallbladder function by thinning bile, a process that prevents high blood fats and diabetes.

              In addition to choosing healthier foods, I recommend herbs and supplements such as ashwagandha and ginseng, vitamin B12, inositol, choline, and omega-3. Each of these things promotes better circulation, increased energy production, and sharp cognitive function. Don’t miss these synergistic essentials.    

              Essential Oils

              Essential oils are currently all the rage, and I do find them helpful. Whenever I’ve stared at the screen too long and I feel a headache coming on, I like dabbing peppermint on my forehead, and sometimes on my upper lip if I’m feeling drowsy because of eye fatigue. You can also dab a bit on the stinging muscles across your neck and shoulders. I like diffusing citrus oils, like lemon, lime, orange, or grapefruit because citrus oils are energizing. Lime is my personal favorite, so I dab it on my wrists and neck pulse points.

              High-frequency oils include frankincense, cedar, pine, and rose. These are beneficial in writing spiritual or inspirational topics and would have been a perfect companion for me to use while cranking out that pageant so long ago. High-frequency oils elevate thought and fine-tune focus.

              Frankincense is perhaps the most beneficial oil of all. The Wise Men gifted it to Baby Jesus for a reason. Frankincense is a tremendous anti-inflammatory agent, so it’s good for a sore back, twinging sciatic pain, a stiff neck, wrist pain, and hand pain. Imagine dabbing a little oil on sore knuckles or thumb joints and having it simultaneously fix the big knot at the top of your neck! Yes, oils can be so very beneficial to your head and brain, and it only takes fifteen seconds for quality oils to absorb through your skin. Sometimes the gentlest medicine packs the biggest punch.

              Breathing Exercises

              A great deal of a writer’s time is spent revising and editing. Here is a breathing exercise that is helpful to the lymphatic system. I call it the Exercise of Three. It doesn’t even require that much concentration to edit words and breathe at the same time, so most folks are good to start this exercise right away. First, inhale to the count of three seconds. Then, hold that breath for the count of six seconds, and finally exhale to the count of nine seconds.

              Our lymphatic systems are like sump pumps in the body. Sump pumps need to be primed, and my Exercise of Three acts as the primer. I recommend doing the exercise in sets of three at least three times per day. The lymphatic system must rid the body of unwanted sludge. Give it a fighting chance.

              Water

              Speaking of sludge, don’t forget to drink water! How much is enough? Take your body weight in pounds, mentally cut that number in half, and that’s how many ounces of water a person should drink in a day. Occasionally I have clients who whine about the fact that they hate water. They ask if they can drink Gatorade or Crystal Light instead. My question to them is always the same: “Would you scrub your tub with Gatorade?” It doesn’t matter what beverage is the favorite or the preferred. The human body still needs water, and all the more desperately if caffeinated or sugary beverages are consumed regularly.

              Take Breaks

              Stand up every twenty minutes and march in place for one minute, or march out to the kitchen for a drink of water and a nutrient-rich snack. Move your arms and legs to get blood pumping and good oxygen circulating everywhere. Before resuming your professional writer’s stance, stretch. Stretching is so beneficial to health in many ways.

              Become self-aware! These baby steps of healthier habits actually create a giant leap of progress, and that makes a brighter, more inspired writer. Just as sentences, paragraphs, and chapters are written one word, one sentence, and one paragraph at a time, your best self is created one healthy choice at a time.

              A headshot of June Marie Saxton.

              June Marie Saxton

              June Marie Saxton is a nutritional consultant and owner of Bear Necessities of Montpelier, a nutritional clinic and bookstore in Montpelier, Idaho. She enjoys all aspects of health and positive living. She and her husband, Mike, also own Saxton Ranch, celebrating the continuing legacy of rural living, the lifeblood of the west.

              Her time is best spent in support of her family and their many activities. In her not-so-spare time, she enjoys writing. Her titles include Dancing with the Moon, Beckon, Into the Second Springtime, Pirate Moon, Emerald Fire, Ball Baby, Veil of Azure Sequins, Mach 16, Diamonds of the Quarter, Improper Son, Tolliver, Haley at the Hop, Perfectly Pepper, The Doctor of Devonshire, Rose of Ravenswood, Saylor, and Roxy. You can learn more about her at her website.

                Tomorrow I Will Write a Book

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                I’m forming a club for people who feel like frauds when they call themselves writers. Prospective members are those who write on occasion, but don’t write often, haven’t finished anything in a while, and although they want to publish something, are working at such a slow pace that it looks like it’s never going to happen. This club would also be open to those interested in painting, drawing, sculpting, animating, etc. I know I’m not alone. Care to join me?

                Wait. I don’t want to be a part of this club. I want to write, but I’ve been saying that for so long. Am I supposed to give in and accept that I will never reach my goals?

                No. I refuse to give up, and you shouldn’t give up either. I’ve been trying to stop procrastinating for years. In this article, I will detail the steps I’ve taken to become a more productive writer.

                Step 1. Realize When You Are Making Hollow Excuses

                I don’t know about you, but my excuse for not writing was always, “I don’t have time.” My justification never changed because I never had time.

                Well, I had time to watch over seven seasons of The Walking Dead with my fiancé this year, and I don’t even like that show. Plus, I wrote and published three books while I was a pregnant stay-at-home mom with a toddler and later a newborn. I realized if I could be productive at that busy stage of my life, my excuse of “not having enough time” was really a way to rationalize my procrastination.

                How do we turn these bad habits around? We need to face reality and admit when we are choosing to procrastinate.

                Step 2. Confront Imposter Syndrome

                Maybe you tell yourself you’re not a “real” author because you’re self-published, you don’t have a critique group, or you stopped marketing the books you already have out. Or you’re not a “real” writer because you don’t write every day, go to writing conferences, or fraternize with other writers.

                Here’s a beautiful fact—having a desire to write makes you a writer.

                However, being a writer does not only mean you are someone who writes. To be a writer, you have to assume so many other roles. You must be a researcher, an observer, a comedian, a romanticist, an adventurer, and a storyteller. You read books, watch movies and shows, and listen to songs. You absorb other people’s stories in the media and the world and learn from them. Writing? Ha. That’s the easiest part of the process, where you get to sit and create stories on your own. Everything else you do as a writer, you are doing constantly. To be a writer is to see the world differently.

                And isn’t that part of why we write? To make sense of our observations?

                You don’t have to write a specific number of words a day or even write on a regular basis. Being a writer means you have the potential to change people’s lives with your words, even if you haven’t written them yet. Practice mindfulness. Talk to people. As you go through your day, notice the things you observe and what makes your perspective on the world unique. So, stop feeling like you aren’t a writer, an artist, or anything else. Accept that you already are.

                Step 3. Create Goals

                What exactly do you want out of your artistic career?

                There are so many subjects in different genres that I enjoy and want to write about. I have more story ideas than I may ever be able to write. I decided that if I was going to dedicate so much time to writing, I should make the most of that time and choose the path that would have the most positive impact on my career.

                Narrow down what you want to accomplish with your writing. Will you write books? Screenplays? Hire an illustrator and do web comics? Do you want your writing endeavors to be lucrative, or would you rather write for enjoyment?

                It’s easy to get caught up in thinking in terms of our materialistic world, but I find this mindset can severely limit my point of view and the options I’m willing to consider.

                Step 4. Pray for Help

                Pray about what to write. Pray for opportunities to write. Pray for alignment in your life, heart, and soul. Pray about what needs to change for you to be able to make your work a part of your life. Pray about how to use your gifts. Carefully consider what is going on and what needs to happen for you to be able to spend more time doing what you love.

                When we’re struggling with what path to take and everything we choose feels wrong, it’s important to remember to seek God’s counsel, and to give Him room to answer us. He knows how we can best use our talents to bless the lives of others, and He knows what’s best for us and all our needs, as well. For me, sometimes what feels right isn’t necessarily what I’d choose for myself. For example, when I got the prompting that I needed to publish a book as quickly as possible, the timing didn’t make sense. The book I wrote and published was not one that I would have thought to write at that time.

                I haven’t regretted changing my mind about something that felt wrong, and I’ve always been grateful for doing what feels right. I know I want to follow God’s path for me. As long as I feel like I have that going for me, I’m usually happy with where I am and what I’ve accomplished. And I know this path includes writing.

                Step 5. Take Responsibility for Time Management

                My last leg of this journey has come down to establishing priorities and being responsible with my time. I’ve had to get to know myself better to learn what practices help me feel the most accomplished.

                Discover what times of the day you’re most productive and get better at forming habits and routines. Self-discipline is not easy. I’d rather be editing my work than writing. But I’m telling you, navigating through this part is going to make all the hard work worth it.

                Step 6: Do the Hard Things

                Learn to accept and enjoy every leg of the journey. Learn to be true to yourself and validate yourself by celebrating your successes. Change takes time. Self-improvement requires healing. Sometimes other things need to take priority for a while, and that’s okay. That doesn’t make my desire to create any less valuable. Everyone loves the process of baking bread, but it takes time for wheat to grow. When you make your art a priority in every sense, you will find yourself able to stop procrastinating and become more productive.

                A headshot of Mariah Porter.

                Mariah K. Porter

                Mariah K. Porter is a member of the LDSPMA and the author of Tomorrow I Will Make a List: Managing the Depressive Habit of Procrastination. In addition to her nonfiction, she has also written That Prince Guy, This Glass Heart, and These Extraordinary Thorns, which are fairy tale retellings. You can learn more about her here.