“As the Ink Flows” Author Interview (and a Giveaway!): Marguerite Cummings

Over the past few days, I’ve had the utmost privilege of chatting with the authors of As the Ink Flows, a wonderful devotional geared toward writers but a blessing for everyone else too. Today, we’re closing out this series by talking with Marguerite Cummings.

Marguerite Cummings has a distinctively international background. Born in Belgium into a French-speaking family, she moved to England in her late teens, and then to Canada in 1998. Marguerite has contributed in various ways to the Hot Apple Cider Books series, and won an award for her story “O Canada” in the bestselling anthology A Second Cup of Hot Apple Cider. Marguerite has been a member of The Word Guild since 2006 and a member of her local writers’ group “Friends in The Word” since 2012. She was delighted to provide poems for the book this group compiled, As the Ink Flows: Devotions to Inspire Christian Writers & Speakers.

Learn more about Marguerite at her website: https://margueritec.wordpress.com/

As the Ink Flows is a devotional by writers for writers, integrating the craft of working with words with the faith of people of the Word to deepen, sustain, and expand ministry in the world. This collection of 90 devotions features a focus Scripture, a brief meditation on the text and the writing experience, and a prompt for personal reflection and creative response. Written by five members of a Christian writers’ group, As the Ink Flows offers inspiration and encouragement for writers and speakers who want to connect their convictions and their craft for the glory of God and the equipping of God’s people.

“As the Ink Flows is a truly inspirational read that will lift your spirits and feed your soul on a daily basis. A wonderful resource for Christian writers and speakers, it is a book that will be a welcome addition to any personal library.” —Jen Turano, bestselling and acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction and A Class of Their Own series.

Hi, Marguerite! Welcome to the blog!! 🙂 I start all of my guests out with a fast four –

Marguerite: I have to say “apples” – having been closely involved with the inspirational Hot Apple Cider Books series for the past few years! I also happen to really like hot apple cider as a drink.

Carrie: Yummm…. i adore hot apple cider! Especially with a little dash of caramel. Yum yum yum.

Marguerite: Do I really have to choose? Spring and fall are my favorites – I was born in the spring and can’t get enough of all the fall colors.

Carrie: Fall is one of my faves too (winter being the other one) but this year we had such a disappointing season as far as colors go.

Marguerite: I was brought up in a house full of dogs and puppies, and had a bad experience with a cat as a child, so I NEVER thought I would actually get on with a cat. However, the cat that we adopted a few years ago is incredibly affectionate. In his list of priorities, cuddles come before food – can you believe it? Moreover, he seems to be the close cousin of one of Melony’s cats. Just look at them.

Carrie: I have to say … even though dogs are always my preferred answer to this question … I’m so glad Mel has at least one other person on her side 😉 And you’re right! A definite resemblance between those two!

Marguerite: I have never liked coffee, but I enjoy English tea (having lived in England for 17 years) and endless varieties of herbal tea. However, nothing beats hot apple cider!

Carrie: Amen to that! I’m seriously going to have to go grab a cup of hot cider before I continue with this interview. Just a sec… lol.

Around here I like to say that reading is my superpower. If YOU had a superpower, what would it be?

Marguerite: If I could choose a superpower, I would love to be able to stretch time and to finish all these pesky items on my to-do list. Good thing God has a better sense of priorities, and gives me the power of prayer to help.

Carrie: Yes… His ways are always so much better than ours. But I could still use a time-stretching superpower too.

Books are kind-of a big deal around here. When you walk into a bookstore, where do you head first?

Marguerite: I make a beeline for children’s nonfiction books, especially illustrated ones. There is a part of me that always wanted to be a teacher, and another part that is very creative and visual.

Carrie: I love hanging out in the children’s book section! As a former third grade teacher, I still enjoy collecting that genre of books!

Why is a devotional for writers so important? And, what makes As the Ink Flows unique?

Marguerite: I think the flow of ideas is very important for writers: where will your next story or blog post come from? This book is a wonderful resource to stimulate new thoughts, new avenues, new formats just waiting to be explored, with the verses reminding us of a greater context and purpose. I love the fact that each devotion includes a prompt and some space to invite a response – almost like a journal. I think the layout is great, with double-page spreads keeping things clear and organized. What makes the book unique is probably a combination of all these features.

Carrie: I love the journal-feel to the book as well!

Which devotional from the book is your personal favorite?

Marguerite: This is the hardest question! There are so many that fit perfectly at different times. The title poem “As the Ink Flows” always reminds me of the way the whole book was put together: namely by teamwork. I wrote this short poem immediately after one of our group meetings. We had spent quite a bit of time debating possible titles, praying, and finally agreeing on those words “As the Ink Flows”. I think we all felt quite elated.

Carrie: The poetry in the book adds such a lovely creative touch that speaks to my heart in a different way than prose does.

What do you most want authors (or readers or bloggers) to take away from As the Ink Flows?

Marguerite: I’d like to encourage every reader to be creative. This book gives you permission to be bold in your writing and the opportunity to try something new. Go for it!

Carrie: Yes!! Amen!

Thank you so much for taking time to talk with me! 🙂 Before we say goodbye for today, tell us what‘s coming up next for you!

Marguerite: Some of my recent writing and editing work has been about the First Nations people of Canada. I’d like to continue to be involved with this, and to help the voice of indigenous people be heard.

Thank you, Carrie, for taking the time to interview all five of us!

Carrie: It has been my absolute pleasure!! Getting to know you all has been such fun!

One of my readers (living in either the US or Canada only) will win a copy of As the Ink Flows! Give it to your favorite author or keep it for yourself! I have it myself and really enjoy it!

Giveaway is subject to Reading Is My SuperPower’s giveaway policies.

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