I know, it’s been a while since I’ve posted. No, I haven’t decided to go off grid and build a tiny house or start a new day job. I’ve spent a lot of time praying about where God would have me go with my writing. He’s made it pretty clear I should spend the next few years building more memories with my young family and praying about a change in my genre and branding. I am in no way quitting my writing career. I love you all and I’ll miss our interactions very much.
The past few years have been difficult. The research and writing of Impact took an emotional toll I hadn’t expected and I’ve decided to focus on pro-life goals with the volunteer work I’m doing with my local pregnancy care center. In this tangible way, I can make a difference without completely immersing myself in the research– the graphic images and abortion statistics– that can wear away at the heart and soul. I will most likely always have a pro-life theme, however small, in my books, but it won’t be forefront.
Meanwhile, I’ll continue my education and volunteer work at Capital Christian Writers Fellowship, as this will help me continue to grow as a writer and put forth my best work possible in the future.
As a final post, (for awhile anyway), I’d like to leave a few thoughts pertaining to the reason I wrote Impact in the first place. I’d like to leave you with some facts that will help if you have the opportunity to talk about this subject. Conversations are what will initiate the change we want to see in our nation, and I’ve had a few disconcerting ones over the past month with women who’ve had abortions. They seem grateful to have been given the “choice” and hold fast in their belief that no one should tell a woman what she can and can’t do with “her body.”
And this is where the arguments collide: It’s not only her body. These women have been lied to for years. by the abortion industry for money, by the media for social and monetary gain and by desperate politicians grasping for those extra votes during election season.
And who suffers from this selfishness? Mothers and their babies.
Science confirms a new human being begins at the moment of fertilization. When the egg and sperm fuse, a human with DNA forms. This DNA is distinct from the mother’s. Therefore, we can conclude they are human.
Sometimes you’ll hear the argument, “Well, they’re not fully human. They’re still developing.” Let’s go back to DNA for a second. According to Livescience, DNA is a “molecule that contains the instructions an organism needs to develop, live and reproduce.”
So, what’s the difference between development at 8 weeks– at which point many women don’t even know they’re pregnant yet– when the baby is developing hands, feet and neural pathways, and development at age 2, or 6, or 15? The only difference is location. And it wouldn’t be okay to kill a 13 year old simply because she was in her house instead of at school.
Here’s why this matters: 619,591 legal induced abortions were reported to CDC from 49 reporting areas in 2019. Because clinicians aren’t required to report abortions, this number is estimated as closer to 1,000,000. Every year, 1,000,000 babies are killed. According to LiveAction, there have been a total of 60,236,165 lives lost since 1973.
Another argument I’ve heard is “It’s no ones business what I do with my body.” We’ve already established the faulty logic in the “my body” statement, so let’s tackle the first phrase. It is absolutely other people’s business whether or not someone has an abortion or advocates for choice. Here’s why: Abortion kills a human being, with potential to be or do anything. As a growing baby, they are already a son or daughter. One day, they will be someone’s friend. They may be someone’s husband or wife, someone’s mom or dad. Someone’s coworker. Someone’s confidante.
The influence one person has on the lives of those around them branches out farther than we could ever imagine.
It’s also a matter of the culture we live in. I don’t want my children growing up in a world where the brutality of abortion is still considered a “choice” worth making. I hope that one day, it’s unfathomable to the general public. That we look back at history amazed that such a grotesque act was legal, even celebrated in some circles.
So here are my parting words: Don’t back down. We have the truth on our side, so share it in love. Check out organizations like Live Action and Abort73 to equip yourself with knowledge to spread the truth.
And share about Impact! This is the truth of abortion’s effects wrapped up in a contemporary novel. The events are fictional. The truth portrayed within these events is not.
I love you all and I’ll be praying for each of you as we continue God’s work in an ever-changing world.
Audra Sanlyn
Credits:
https://www.livescience.com/37247-dna.html
Baby Olivia image: Baby Olivia/LiveAction. Watch Olivia’s Story!
Good Morning Audra,
Brenda Fristoe here. First, you are an amazing writer. I just ordered your book from Amazon. I had not been able to get your book yet, although I tried two times to purchase your book from Winchester bookstore. Each time either the store was closed or parking was an issue. After seeing your Seasons of Change post, I was compelled to take action!
All I can say is Wow! In today’s post your words flow off the page and pull me in as a reader. God is using you, Audra, and He has an amazing place for your writing at the appointed time. Thank you for writing this book.
Ps Staci and I are in the middle of re-branding our Art business. Anytime you want to hear about our endeavors let me know. It is a lot of work. Whew! But in the end we are praying that we will be where God wants us.
You are so right to enjoy your family and make memories now. God gifted you with the gift of writing. That gift is not going anywhere. 😊💕
Thank you so much, Brenda! Yes, I would love some tips, as re-branding in any art form definitely takes a lot of work and finesse. 🙂 Thank you so much for your support and when you finish Impact, I would truly appreciate a review. It doesn’t need to be long, just an honest opinion about what you liked or disliked. 🙂
So greatful for your heart for the little ones 💕 God is using you in amazing ways all around you not just hear! I am super proud of all you have accomplished and know it is just the beginning! This book is amazing and I know it will change someone’s life if not many!
Thank you, Autumn!