FAQs (And Some Others)

A place for Frequently Asked Questions, and a few others including legal-related stuff.

You’re a spiritual director. What’s that?

A better way to describe a spiritual director is one who accompanies others on their spiritual journeys. We come together regularly – once a month, or every six or eight weeks, or another space of time – and as you share from your life, I help you notice where God is at work. The term spiritual director has overtones of being rather directive. Today the goal is for the directee to make the decisions about moving forward with God. A wonderful article about spiritual direction is this one.

I love being a spiritual director. I received my MA in Christian spirituality from the University of London in 2017, which gave me the academic understanding, and completed a hands-on course to equip me practically through the SpiDir Network. I’m connected with Coracle in Virginia and the London Centre for Spiritual Direction. Send me a message if you’d like to explore working together.

The labyrinth at Sheldon Retreat Centre in Exeter.

Why should I go on retreat?

Going on retreat is a joyful thing for me – but I am an introvert, so I know that a time away on one’s own won’t appeal to everyone. The key is to find something that feeds your soul and helps you to take time out with God.

I love leading retreats; it’s a privilege to go to lovely places and meet wonderful people as we seek God together. Here is my list of recommended retreat places in the UK (and a special one in Spain).

Writing, publishing, and spreading the word

I’ve written a book and want to get it published. Can you help me?

Congratulations for persevering with your writing! I can only help indirectly, I’m afraid. As I love sharing what I’ve learned over several decades in the publishing business, I’ve written posts on writing and publishing, which you can view here. One in particular about how to get published is this one. I’ve had a tangled journey of trying to get published, including rejection. Which, in a strange way, you might find encouraging.

I highly recommend writers (especially in the UK) join the Association of Christian Writers, to which I belong. They host writing days throughout the year, have a regular periodical with interesting articles, and have a lively and encouraging Facebook group that you can join. The wealth of experience is great and people are generous with their time and advice.

What about other types of writing?

Here are some of the popular writing posts:

Could you edit or give me feedback on my book/article/blog post?

I’m sorry, but I’m not working editorially at this time.

Will you review my book in the Woman Alive book club?

No, I am sorry, I’ve now relinquished the running of the book club, after 16 amazing years of books, books, and more books. I’m delighted that Claire Musters has taken over the hosting, so do check it out.

I will soon have my first radio interview. Any tips?

Yes! I love radio, ever since the nerve-wracking week over a decade ago when I reviewed the newspapers on the “Woman to Woman” show on Premier Radio with a tough interviewer (this was before the gorgeous Maria Rodgrius came to host the show). Yes, I flailed. But I’ve learned, and I share my advice in this post – don’t ramble; make sure you smile; speak as if to one person…

Finding Myself in Britain

Where is home? Why is it so important to you?

Home – and our Homemaker – are strong themes in Finding Myself in Britain, and I loved exploring them further for nearly a year by many gifted writers who contributed to the “There’s No Place Like Home” series.

We’re visiting London. Where should we go to church?

London brims with wonderful churches to visit. A couple of recommendations: if you want an experience of big and bold, go for HTB (Holy Trinity Brompton), the home of Alpha or try All Souls Langham Place (John Stott’s church next to the BBC). If you want to visit a welcoming Anglican neighborhood church on a much smaller level, we’re at St Paul’s Finchley.

The Power of Forgiveness

Why a book on forgiveness? My publisher, the Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF), posed this question. In short, I read the story in 2001 about Jill Saward forgiving her attackers and it lodged in my heart and mind.

It’s not Lent at the moment – should I wait for next year to read The Living Cross?

You can read it now! Forgiveness is a theme for high days and holy days – and all the days in between. The Living Cross has been geared to read during the 47 days of Lent, but you can engage with it at any time. You might consider reading it in chronological order if you’re reading it outside of Lent, moving the week on the early church to the end.

What are “Forgiveness Fridays”?

I have been bowled over by the depth and fabulousness of these blogs on the theme of forgiveness. Stories include that of a wife who did the unthinkable but her husband welcomed her back; an abused wife who forgave her husband (but stayed divorced for her safety); the power of forgiveness in war-torn countries; those on forgiving oneself and forgiving God. I’m humbled by the quality and variety of this series. You won’t want to miss it.

Legal stuff

I don’t want to abuse our friendship; I won’t sell your data or spam you with loads of emails. See my privacy policy, which is here.