Glynis M. Belec ~ Writer

Insanabile Cacothes Scribendi

(An Incurable Passion to Write)

Glynis M. Belec

Counting my Blessings . . .
As a freelance writer, children's author and tutor for children with challenges, my days are filled with deadlines, intrigue and sunshine.

A Little bit of History . . .
I have been writing professionally since 1986 when a local newspaper editor gave me the nod. She agreed to run my Sugar and Spice 'slice of life' editorial for $2 a column inch. I was ecstatic and remember well the gratifying feeling of first becoming a paid published writer. For eleven years I continued to write my column (for $2 an inch!). This humor column was picked up by a second newspaper and then I also began writing a children's column, Snips and Snails, in another weekly paper while home-schooling my children.

My passion was ignited and soon I realized that I loved writing for children. I also found writing devotionals gratifying and also a super exercise in writing tight. Ministry magazines intrigued me and I started to be published there too. God was obviously prodding me in some interesting directions.

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And my Books . . . My books are either available at your nearest Christian Bookstore, online at Amazon, directly from the publisher or by contacting me.

	*Jailhouse Rock* Concordia Publishing. The jailhouse rocked and the jailer's life was shaken. He was certain his prisoners had escaped and he would have to pay the price with his life. To his surprise, Paul and Silas and all the prisoners remained. The jailer's life was about to be shaken up in an entirely new way!
	*Jesus Washes Peter's Feet* Concordia Publishing. Jesus took on the menial task of washing the disciple's feet to emphasize humility and to provide an example of selfless service. Peter objects to Jesus putting himself in this position which is usually relegated to a slave. But Peter soon learns that it is a necessary part of Jesus' plan.
	*“A Mother's Intuition" -* Chicken Soup for the Christian Woman's Soul - Page 84 HCI Books I still marvel at the power of prayer and the sense of urgency that flooded my mind and heart that morning when my daughter flipped the car three times and struck a hydro pole. This emotional story reminds me that the Almighty Protector shielded my Amanda and sent His angels to protect her, just as I had prayed.
	*The Point of Grace* - A One Act Play in 7 Scenes. Eldridge Publishing. Country Acres Nursing Home, although a more likely place to encounter death, becomes the backdrop for renewed hope and revival as the message of Easter unfolds. Teetering between faith and frustration, Grace Popponoski, an elderly resident, seeks a way to handle Rebecca. Rebecca is a troublesome staff member who took the job because she thought it would look good on her resume. Rebecca learns, through Grace's testimony and another staff member, that there is a God who loves her. This play glorifies Jesus Christ as our risen Savior through dialogue, song and Scripture. The message remains...that the shed blood is for all. We can face tomorrow, because He lives!
	Sshhh...God is Speaking. Eldridge Publishing. "In the beginning..." God created the canvas, prepared the stage and set the scene for the greatest drama ever. Jesus the Master Story Teller, shared parables, provided object lessons, and used dramatic detail to teach, to encourage and to cause His followers to reflect upon the mighty power of God. Creativity is an attribute from God. Ministry in the form of the dramatic arts allows us the opportunity to be witnesses for Christ and to use our gifts to present the truth of God's Word in a dramatic way. Sshhh...God is Speaking offers a unique "to be picked up at any time" type of book that can be used at meetings, at rehearsals, as a relaxation tool to calm the butterflies prior to a performance, or as a private devotional. God has set the stage. Auditions are over. The cast has been selected. Where does everyone fit into the big picture? "Sshhh...God is Speaking" will shed some light for readers and hearers and doers and even dreamers as the focus is upon the Good News of Jesus Christ; a focus that will catch the attention of youth and adults who are interested in Christian dramatic arts.


	Meeting Deadlines . My regular positions include market columnist for Fellowscript magazine and regular columnist for Dramashare – an e-magazine for drama teams and individuals interested in Christian fine arts.	(To top)
Write! Canada 2005 with Phil Calloway and friends	Staying Connected As the Ontario Representative for Inscribe Christian Writer’s Fellowship, I help promote this cross Canada writer's organization and offer a regular writer’s word challenge on the member listserve. My membership with The Word Guild, a body of professional writers, has allowed me to make many contacts and to assist in the promotions of some of our Canadian authors. I am listed in the professional directory.
	The Rest of the Story . . . Publication credits include over 1000 magazine, newspaper columns, devotionals (Upper Room; The Secret Place; The Quiet Hour) and short stories for children. I am regularly published in many ministry and children’s magazines and my newest adventure has been writing stories for Sunday School take home papers. Please contact me for a detailed writing resume and list of credentials.
	How Can I Help? If you are a beginning children's writer and would like to learn more about the craft and hone your skills contact me. If I'm not writing I am available as: Sunday school conference leader Workshop leader for beginning children's writers Writing contest judge - short stories for children (adult & children's entries) Manuscript critique service provider - children's short stories (contact me for rates)	(To top)
	Words of Wisdom If I had to offer three wise directives to writers they would include the following: Cut it down by half and leave nothing out (Instruction given to me by a kindly editor) He who asks a question feels a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever. (Old Chinese Proverb) “Tell me, I'll forget. Show me, I'll remember. Involve me, I'll understand.” (Old Chinese Proverb)
	On the Dramatic Side My site has been recommended and approved by Dramashare, an organization that works in over 6,000 drama ministries in 74 countries around the world. If you click on the Dramashare graphic you will not be disappointed. Their great website has an infinite amount of royalty free scripts and many how-to manuals for actors and those tireless souls who work behind the scenes. Dramashare also offer workshops and other resources for anyone interested in the dramatic arts. I am a member and a monthly columnist with Dramashare and know the organization well. The heart of Dramashare is a passion for serving others in the name of Christ.
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My Biggest Fan. . .

Nibbles - Writing Samples

ANNIE (To top)

Like newborn babies, crave pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

“Are you going to have another baby?” Annie gazed expectantly at me.

Annie, my delightful four-year-old niece evidently packed her pajamas along with a myriad of questions in her overnight bag and was obviously planning an in-depth interrogation. I was the unsuspecting target.

“Uh…no…I’m not going to have another baby, Annie. Why do you ask?” I really didn’t want an answer.

“You look like you have a baby in your tummy,” continued the bubbly, four-year-old strawberry blond.

Then she was gone. She dropped her bombshell and left the room. I ducked into the bathroom to check my profile in the mirror.

The extra pounds were showing, according to my sweet, freckle-faced niece. But resembling pregnancy? I balanced myself precariously atop the bathroom scales. Staring in disgust at the little black needle, I rationalized away the extra pounds: four pounds for clothing, one pound because the bathroom floor is on a slight incline. I had just finished a large glass of water - subtract three quarters of a pound, and it was the wrong time of day to get an accurate weight - subtract another two pounds.

Stepping off the scales, I inhaled deeply, frantically attempting to work my abdominals.

Annie appeared on the scene again. “Why aren’t you breathing?” she wanted to know.

“Breathing is for skinny people!” I said and headed to my bedroom closet in search of a vertically striped shirt.

Annie followed. “Why do people have noses?”

Noses? What had triggered her curiosity now, I wondered. Was my nose especially prominent? I peeked in the closet mirror while attempting to cover basic anatomy and physiology of the proboscis and proceeded to tell her how God has created us all unique.

Pulling on a gaudy red striped shirt, I headed for the kitchen with Annie in hot pursuit.

“How does a baby get out of a mommy’s tummy?” was the next topic up for discussion.

Gagging on my rice cake and strawberry jam, I prayed for Divine direction. After a few sweaty minutes of mommies and daddies loving each other in a special way just as God had planned, Annie left the room. My explanation was obviously sufficient, thank goodness.

The day progressed and the questions continued. She asked about feet, hairy arms and legs, toenails, mosquito bites, teeth and various other anatomical parts. By the time she left the next day I felt somewhat akin to a banana-footed, overweight, hairy gorilla with an overbite who was about to give birth any day.

Perhaps I was taking Annie’s questions a little too personally. She was only four years old, after all, and asking questions was her way of learning.

When I was a new Christian I, too, asked plenty of questions. It was a wonderful new world begging to be explored. I wanted to know how all this life-altering, spirit- breathing, focus-shifting, rebirth worked. My persistent quest for the truth was likely annoying at times, too. Friends and fellow believers showed incredible patience and wisdom with me, and urged me to ask questions, as I bobbed to and fro on waves of hesitancy and hallelujahs.

My busy little blue-eyed Annie has gone back to her own home now and I don’t look in the mirror as much lately. I am going to invest in new bathroom scales, though. Mine are so unreliable.

Hopefully Annie will keep asking questions but I pray that one day her curiosity will be less about the outside shell of her middle-aged auntie and more about the rewards of a relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

THE SECOND LABOUR (To top)

Forbearance is fickle - I know this first hand

It started one day with my daughter

A perfect, sweet baby 'till she sprouted legs

And started to test out the water,

I gritted my teeth and heaved a great sigh

Long suffering would make me strong

When I look back it was so sweet

The way she said “NO!” all day long.

I have to admit there were times I was stretched

My elastic was wearing quite thin

But God, in His wisdom, gave me the strength

To cope and not trifle with sin.

My daughter, she grew and made her mom proud

Compliance was her middle name

Rarely the “no” word dripped from her lips

In fact she seemed gentle and tame.

Then without warning -the labour it struck

My contractions were moments apart

The tall, strange intruder they called my teenager

Said, “No!” and stabbed deep at my heart.

I chomp at the bit and squirm on the lead

Trying once more to refrain

From breathless impatience and red-faced remarks

As I face the battle again!

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BRYAN THE LION (To top)

Bryan laughed at the pictures of the funny animals.

"I’m glad Aunt Birdie gave me this book for my birthday,” he told Dad.

He pointed at the slimy green tree frogs and the bouncing kangaroos. Bryan wondered what it would feel like to be an animal.

He put his book on the couch and hopped up and down like a frisky frog.

“Hop like a frog- hop, hop, hop. I will hop and never stop. Flap like a bird- flap, flap, flap. I will never take a nap.”

Bryan laughed.

“Kangaroos bounce up and down. I will bounce all over town!”

He bounced into the kitchen.

“Whoa. Slow down, tiger!” his father said.

“I’m not a tiger, I’m a kangaroo.” Bryan laughed and tugged on Dad’s shirt.

“Follow me. I’m the leader.”

Bryan bounced back into the living room. Dad followed.

“You look like a kangaroo who lost his bounce,” Bryan said.

Bryan jumped on the couch and picked up his book. Dad flopped next to him.

“If you could be any animal what would you be?” Dad asked.

Bryan thought. “A lion!” He smiled and showed his sharp teeth.

“If I was a lion I could have messy hair.” Dad tousled Bryan’s hair.

“Roar!” Bryan growled.

“What would you be, Dad?” he asked.

Bryan flipped to the next page in his book. Dad pointed to an owl.

“Who-hoo-hoo do you think I might be?”

Bryan thought for a moment.

“A wise, old owl goes “Twit…twit…twoo. I think that sounds just right for you!”

“Hey! Who are you calling old?”

Dad reached over to tickle Bryan. Bryan was too quick. He wriggled under the coffee table and began to roar.

The owl pulled the roaring lion out and they wrestled and tickled each other.

“Okay! Enough!” the wise owl said.

Bryan the lion was laughing so much he thought he would pop his shirt buttons.

The creatures shook hands.

“I like being a lion, but I’m glad that God made me, a boy,” Bryan said, pushing his scraggly mane out of his eyes.

“Why’s that?” Dad asked.

“Cause I like having you as my dad.” Bryan smiled and gave his dad a big bear hug.

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Within Reach: Where fitness and family meet faith: Kimberley Payne