When I went full-time as a writer at the beginning of 2022, I wasn’t quite sure what my life would look like. In my dreams, I visualised words flowing from my rapidly typing fingertips, a cloud of creativity hovering over me at all times, books multiplying on the shelf. One thing I didn’t anticipate and absolutely love is collaboration. Working with other authors is a joy and a privilege and I was delighted when the lovely Rachel Yarworth asked me to contribute to her book, The Jesse Tree Anthology. She gave me the well-loved story of Jonah and the Whale and not many words (not a criticism – I love paring back a tale) and I was off. To be part of something written by many is such a wonderful thing and I thought I’d catch up with the author herself and fire a few questions at her. So here, for your delectation and education, is our exchange:
Ruth: First things first, Rachel. How did the idea come to you?
Rachel Yarworth
Rachel: The Jesse Tree is an Advent tradition that my family and I have followed for many years, since my children were small. It has been a way of providing precious daily spaces amidst the chaos of the festive season to snuggle up together with a daily Bible story. However, I could never find a Jesse Tree book or resource that specifically showed how each Old Testament story pointed to Jesus, the one who it is ultimately all about. After I published my first book, Friend of God, at the end of last year, it occurred to me that if nobody else had written what I wanted, maybe I should! And then when I came across the idea of an anthology, I realised how much better the Jesse Tree book could be if there were multiple different voices telling all the different stories, all focusing on the same point: like a great choir of voices singing a song, rather than one little solo voice.
Like a great choir of voices singing a song, rather than one little solo voice.
Ruth: I’ve never collaborated with anyone on a book – although I wouldn’t rule it out. A huge amount of work must have gone into finding all the other writers and then organising them! How did it compare to writing your first book?
Rachel: Actually, it was remarkably straightforward. Maybe it’s just the way my brain is wired - I am a bit of an organiser at heart. First I suggested it to some fellow writers in the Association of Christian Writers and it didn’t take long to have all 24 spaces filled! I set up a private Facebook Group for team communication, and a detailed spreadsheet keeping track of the practical aspects of the project. In comparison with my previous book, it couldn’t have been more different. With that, I had no plan, so structure, no idea of what I was doing except I just felt I had a story in me that needed writing down. It was a messy and at times painful (when I had to rewrite chunks) learning curve. This time I had an idea of what was involved in getting a book published, and I knew there would need to be clear deadlines for each step if I was to get it out in time for Advent. With 24 other writers involved, there was a lot to keep track of, so planning was absolutely vital: I went from pantser to plotter overnight!
I went from pantser to plotter overnight!
This time, it was more about how to be an editor. Once the other writers – many more experienced than I – started sending in their work for me to read and edit, my confidence really wobbled, and I had to pray hard to overcome Imposter Syndrome and manage the task I had set myself. The editing wasn’t really difficult – it was more communicating the edits that I feared. I suppose the biggest challenge when you gather artistic temperaments to work together is the fear of treading on toes, as well as my fear of making mistakes and letting people down. But once I had overcome all that, the project turned out to be a hugely rewarding experience. Yes, there were a few tricky conversations needed to navigate confusion and really clarify the vision, but there were no diva tantrums, no arguing or rejecting of my edits, just a great team of people working towards the same vision: to reveal Jesus. Honestly, this collaboration has been a real blessing!
Ruth: What are people saying about your book baby now it’s out in the world?
Rachel: Advent hasn’t started yet, but some reviews have started trickling in, and I am so encouraged that the vision seems to have been achieved. People are commenting on its accessibility – that children or people without a church background can understand it – as well as how helpful it is in pointing to Jesus, which was my ultimate aim. So it’s early days but I’m very thankful.
Ruth: What next?
Rachel: I’m working on a follow-up book to Friend of God that looks at helping the reader to develop their own friendship with God and learn to hear His voice with lots of Biblical foundation, personal examples and practical exercises. That’s really my passion: to help people get to know God through relationship rather than religion (I believe that’s His passion too). But I also have another few projects on the back-burner, so it will be interesting to see if any of those overtake my current project like the Jesse Tree Anthology did. I guess we’ll all just have to wait and see!
Ruth: Thank you, Rachel!
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Copies of this beautiful book can be purchased from Amazon and directly from the Rachel Yarworth Writes website.