40 Years Young: Christian Writers’ Fellowship

For four decades now, the Christian Writers' Fellowship (CWF) has been a community dedicated to developing skills in writing Christian non-fiction, fiction, and content that promotes spiritual growth. It encourages Christian writing as a calling, often focusing on faith and hope.

Founded in 1986 as an off-shoot of a writers’ workshop, CWF is one of the Philippines' longest-running groups for Christian writers, editors, and publishers. Most of CWF’s meetings (workshops and seminars) utilizes OMF Literature’s (a publishing house) facilities and support.  

It was at the OMF Lit’s bookshop where CWF celebrated its 40th anniversary, which coincided with Women’s Month (March). I was invited to be one of three panelists. 

I began my brief spiel with, “I was born with an itch: writing.” In truth, as a child, I always jumped at any chance to write. And of course anyone who loves writing knows that it has a twin: reading.  

"Writing is a ministry. Although I write for all life stages (from pre-schoolers to retirees) in different genres (non-fiction for adults and fiction for children), I focus on the grace I have received personally or through grace stories of others. I weave them into devotionals, storybooks, short stories, essays, poetry, and novelettes."

“Can you tell us about your writiing process?" asked one would-be author. 

My thought balloon: I always begin with thanksgiving to the One who gifted me with the writing itch. But I was not there to preach, but to speak about how I shape stories.    

"Creative writing requires no steps or formula. One can begin with a verse/s, a dialogue, a word, or an image. Or one can begin in the middle or the end. One can begin in the head, in the heart, in a notebook. Although I am a morning person (sleep and wake up early), the birth of ideas could happen at any moment. It can come even during REM sleep. 

I then shared my nine Chongisms, my personal principles which have not changed since I wrote them for a writing workshop in 2006. 

Why nine? Well, they are not the 10 commandments. They may be trashed, treasured or recycled by anyone who wants to consider them. 

The CWF—still young and relevant at 40—allows a writer to speak freely about how and why she writes. That's why I know it will thrive for another 40 years or till the great Author comes again, whichever occurs sooner.