My name is Valerian Vanessa Kisambira Nandujja. I am the author of Nurturing Thanksgiving Every Day and Unplanned Yet Perfect. I am happily married and currently live in Uganda with my dear husband. I am a child and servant of God with a degree in Industrial Chemistry. I love art, business, and creating Kingdom impact wherever God places me. I am passionate about my faith and actively serve in Worship Harvest Ministries, particularly among young people. With gladness, I also serve at CLC Kenya in publishing, where I have the privilege of walking alongside authors as they bring their books to life.

My Mission

I am writing a Young Adult fiction short novel about Charlie, a young girl navigating the confusion, mistakes, emotions, and pressures of adolescence while searching for love, identity, and acceptance. Charlie grows up in a God-fearing family but does not initially take her personal relationship with God seriously. As her journey unfolds, she gradually discovers that her deepest longing for belonging cannot be satisfied by external attention or acceptance. Instead, she needs a personal and foundational relationship with God.

The motivation for this story comes from my own youth. I carried the quiet burden of believing that I was flawed simply because I experienced normal teenage emotions. I wanted to write something that would show young readers that God cares deeply about their everyday lives, emotions, and decisions. My desire is to help teenagers understand that they do not have to wait until adulthood to know God or discover their worth. I hope the story inspires them to anchor their identity in Christ early, rather than searching for acceptance in the wrong places, and to recognise that in Him, they are already chosen and deeply loved.

My Writing Process

I encountered writer’s block while working on a different book titled Becoming the Right Vessel. About a month into drafting it, I reached a point where the words simply would not come. After seeking guidance, I felt led to put that project on hold and attempt a Young Adult fiction short novel instead. Fiction had always intimidated me, but when I made the switch, the story began to unfold effortlessly.

This experience taught me to remain open to God’s direction in the writing process, even when that direction means setting aside one project and pursuing another. Balancing writing with my other commitments was certainly challenging. However, the Writing Class provided healthy pressure and accountability through the deadlines set before each session. I prioritised my writing by scheduling specific writing blocks and committing myself entirely to the manuscript during those periods.

My Posture

The feedback I received was very encouraging, especially since it was my first time writing fiction. It answered many of the questions I had about my manuscript and also highlighted the strengths and positive aspects I had already developed in the story. The feedback gave me greater confidence in my writing and, most importantly, provided me with a clear roadmap for the next steps in developing and strengthening the book.

My Onyx Writing Class Experience

My experience in CLC Kenya’s Onyx Writing Class was incredible. The training was comprehensive and included engaging Q&A sessions that provided opportunities to learn and seek clarification. What I appreciated most was the pace of the programme. It provided enough time to absorb each weekly lesson and complete the accompanying assignments. The accountability and follow-up from the instructors were also exceptional and helped me remain committed to the process.

The class was exceptionally beneficial to my writing journey, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to others who desire to develop their writing.

Closing Reflection

To aspiring writers and beginning authors, I would say: do not be afraid to start, and do not allow fear or self-doubt to keep you from telling your story.

Write even when the process feels intimidating. You may be amazed at how God meets you when you step out in faith. Trust the message He has placed on your heart, embrace the journey of learning, and remain consistent. Your unique voice matters, and the world needs the story that only you can write.