Hear. Write. Speak.

Awards and Publication

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April 2010

City Light News, Beth Moore Article, p. 15

March 2010
City Light News, Wordshop Article, p. 22

December 2009
Maranatha Newspaper, Christmas Edition (2 articles)
"Not Fame, but Faithfulness: A Conversation with Brian Doerksen"
"Downhere Dominates 2009 Covenant Awards"

October 2009
Maranatha Newspaper, October Edition (2 articles)
Calgary News Briefs and Downhere Dominates Covenant Awards

July 2009

Rhubarb Magazine Summer 2009 Issue: "War and Peace" Article, "Dachau: Darkness to Light"
City Light News, front page, "From Florida to First Alliance" article and photo.
Writing Right Blog, Word Challenge Winner: "From Small to Tall."

June 20, 2009
Calgary Herald, page B5: Faith and Reason page, "Alliance Pastor" article and photo.

March 11, 2009
Koala Bear Writer Blog, Interview: Writers on Wednesdays

July 2008
Christian Publishers' Poetry Prize, Honorable Mention (cash award) for Comfort

September 2007-October 2008

Designed and published Seasons quarterly magazine and lifelines weekly bulletin as Communications Manager of First Alliance Church.

Writing Participation

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June 14-17, 2009

Colorado Springs, Colorado
Glen Eyrie Writers' Summit with Angela Hunt and Nancy Rue
sponsored by The Navigators

April 17-18, 2009
Calgary, Alberta
Spring WorDshop: The Writer's Toolbox

with keynote speaker Lisa Samson
sponsored by InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

February 28-March 1, 2009
Edmonton, Alberta
Acrylic Poetry — Releasing the Soul
with Barbara Mitchell

November 15, 2008

Sherwood Park, Alberta

Fall Writers' Workshop: So You Want to be Published

sponsored by Writers' Foundation of Strathcona County

September 26-27, 2008

Edmonton, Alberta

ICWF Fall Conference with Jane Kirkpatrick

sponsored by InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

April 11–12, 2008
Edmonton, Alberta
The Gathering of Christian Poets: A New Creation
sponsored by Utmost Christian Writers

September 28-29, 2007

Edmonton, Alberta

ICWF Fall Conference with Angela Hunt

sponsored by InScribe Christian Writers' Fellowship

September 2007 to present

Calgary, Alberta

Poetry with Susan Plett

Creative Non-Fiction with Faye Reineburg Holt

Personal Essay with Ellen Kelly

sponsored by Alexandra Centre Writers' Society

Why Write?

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I do not write to be famous. I write to communicate Truth that can transform human lives. No matter what our age or stage, each one of us can learn, grow and change. It is my aim that this change would consistently be for the better. Excellent writing should engender and motivate, in writer and reader, maturity and positive transformation resulting in a life that reflects ever more intimately the image of our Creator, Jesus Christ.

The Olympic motto, Swifter, Higher, Stronger, targets physical excellence. It sets the standard participating athletes are to pursue. However, as we’ve witnessed in recent examples, physical prowess is no guarantee of character.

In the pursuit of a transformed life, it is imperative to move away from the base desires of human nature: the lust for money, pleasure and control. Instead, Philippians 4:8 guides us to focus our attention on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely and of good report. This sets the standard we are to pursue. This alone reflects virtue and deserves praise.

As the Apostle Paul challenged Timothy in his second letter, it is also my desire to “fan into flame the gift of God“ and to do so fearlessly, in a spirit of love and self-discipline (2 Tim 1:6-7). For though I speak with the tongue of men and of angels and have not love, it profits me nothing. (1 Corinthians 13).

We have all seen those who were fearless but obnoxious. Without love, truth is as abrasive as a crashing cymbal. Without self-discipline, we exceed our boundaries and credibility is lost. Perfect love casts out fear, a fearless life sheds light on difficult issues and self-discipline ensures the work meets the highest standard, without compromise. Transformation is a continuous improvement process that catches fire. First with the writer, then the reader.

Amen and amen. So help me God.

The Dash

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Joyce Nickel Harback grew up on the road with her family, The Nickel Family Singers, traveling summers and weekends throughout the school year. They sang over 200 times each year in churches, camps, hospitals and nursing homes. She attended public school in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri, graduating near the top of her class in 1976. She obtained a Bachelors degree in Music from Grace University, Omaha, Nebraska, May 1981. She married and moved to Canada the same year.

Her varied work experience includes working in Social Services for the Alberta Government, Computer Security programmer with Husky Oil, Administrative Supervisor with Nova Corporation, and an airline Customer Service agent. Most recently she served as Communications Manager for First Alliance Church.

As a volunteer, Joyce coordinated two choir trips to Europe, performed in the Netherlands' official Liberation Festivities and sang at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. She directed and participated in church choirs, small ensembles, musical theatre productions and solo concerts. She and her husband served as youth group leaders, co-led Bible studies and coordinated activities for a group of young married couples. Joyce speaks to women's groups, leads two Bible studies, sings at Christian Women's Clubs and occasionally helps lead worship in her church.

Joyce now writes from her home in Calgary, Alberta, serves on the volunteer board of InScribe Christian Writers’ Fellowship and is a member of Alexandra Writers' Centre and Utmost Christian Writers. When not writing or singing, Joyce loves to hike and travel. She is a wife to a humorous man, mother to a freestyle skier and master to an old dog.

You can find a scattered volume of her personal musings online here and limited samples of her poetry here.