My name is Sue Kennedy. I grew up in a small town in Connecticut. I was first encouraged to write at ten years old when a teacher offered a creative writing assignment. Asked to write a story about the town I lived in, I used personification to lend human characteristics to landscape and landmarks. I wove a tale of an enchanting ‘old woman’ filled with wisdom and kindness who helped build character in those who could hear her voice. The abstract quality and overall cohesiveness of the essay impressed my teacher, and her on-going encouragement sparked a joy in me. Creative writing became my favorite past-time; pen and paper were newfound friends.
Eventually, writing became a daily habit when I embraced the practice of written dialogue between my heart and the heart of the indwelling Christ. My personal journals became a resource for my favorite genre, contemplative spirituality or spiritual memoir. Nowadays, I write for practical reasons – to sort through beliefs, to clear my head so it can be a helpmeet to my heart, and to simplify the seeming complexities of life. An indelible principle asks me to share with others. I write, and share, because it is the hopeful thing to do.
I have self-published one book of spiritual memoir entitled, No One, Someone, Everyone, a book of poetry entitled, Windmills in Moonlight, and my third, Pieces of Provision, will be the first in a series of four books of daily readings. The first volume will be available in 2022. What I write takes on the lessons I’ve learned in the quest to become a truer version of myself. Letting go of pretense, coming out of the shadow of comparison, and facing the glory of our unique and authentic selves is everyone’s lifelong journey.
I also enjoy graphic arts. I design my own book covers, as well as greeting cards, and prints. I am an amateur photographer and my blogposts feature samplings of my photography. I have several coffee-table books in the works that feature original quotes, photography, and graphic artwork.
I have volumes of written thoughts, digital photography by the thousands, and computer files filled with graphic art. As I age, I desire downsizing; yet I still want to make use of my creative expression. Sifting, sorting, and sacking files evolved into a plan for preserving potentially beneficial insights. Each book is like selections from a private think tank.
A think tank is formed to research problems with the hope of innovating new solutions. Think tanks do not create doctrine or policy; they simply bring new ideas to the table to enable change. When I randomly labeled a new file folder ‘Think Tank’ to store edited selections I was saving, I had a flash of insight regarding written dialogue with Christ. Together, we were a think tank, and over the years we were inwardly researching problems I faced to find applicable solutions. We were not making doctrine; we were just bringing new ideas to the table of my ‘conscious mind’ to enable change.
So, at this stage, I am writing and self-publishing books from my home in Joshua Tree, California. Decades of writing, photography, and graphic art are being consolidated and preserved into a few books. Whether legacy for family or to the benefit of others, it’s a simple labor of love and respect for His abiding presence.