deborah w. farris

writes

encouraging stories of hope in hard places one chapter at a time

when things don’t go according to plan there is a greater plan and purpose unfolding

Short Story Contest

by Deb Farris | July 29, 2024 | Faith, Family, Musings, Writing | 38 Comments

I’m happy to share that “Turning Mourning Dancing” won a short story contest in @KaleidoScript Magazine: “After twenty-one years and forty moves, which included a career in theatre and dance, a marriage, a son, abuse, a divorce, a new career, a new marriage, and a...

Learning to Listen

by Deb Farris | May 11, 2025 | Faith, Family, Musings | 5 Comments

“Sometimes all a person needs is a smile and someone to listen,” Mary said… Mary is one of the many amazing mothers I know. Happy Mothers’ Day to each of you! 🩷🌸🙏 Because of the sensitive nature of this story, names have been changed. We’d dropped my car off to change...

He and I Before Me

by Deb Farris | April 12, 2025 | Musings, Writing | 17 Comments

Just as I’m shuffling through pages of writing and discovering I like the original versions better than the revisions because I have shortened sentences, added periods, divided paragraphs up like a pan of brownies, changed POV, added commas, Todd says, “What should we...

On Rejection and Encouragement

by Deb Farris | March 17, 2025 | Musings, Writing | 21 Comments

This is a heads up that the beautiful March Issue of Creative Wisconsin Literary Magazine is out. It’s a one stop shop to read most of my favorite Wisconsin writers like some in this issue (Lisa, Jim, Rose, Larry, Barbara, Steve, Kim…) You can get your copy here. And...

When Hope Wains

by Deb Farris | March 4, 2025 | Faith & Art, Grief, Musings | 15 Comments

“I Am.” I woke up this morning with the song we sang on Sunday running through my head. “Christ Is My Firm Foundation.” Making coffee, I was singing when Todd walked into the kitchen. “I don’t know how people can get through these times without faith,” I said, then...

Snow Angel—A City Steward

by Deb Farris | February 12, 2025 | Musings, Writing | 12 Comments

We come here almost every day, to the steps leading up St. Mary’s Hill that’s a little like climbing the stairway to heaven, in my imagination. Especially in the snow. We don’t know where she lives, but she comes to shovel and salt the 87 or so steps, even when the...

One Strong Force of Nature

by Deb Farris | January 27, 2025 | Musings | 7 Comments

I noticed my good friend Vivienne had pulled out and stopped in the parking lot as I was leaving Bible study last Friday. Then I noticed she was trying to tell me something. Then I noticed that I was standing in front of my good friend Annie’s car and Annie was inside...

Steaming Hot & Freezing Cold, Staying Young & Growing Old

by Deb Farris | January 18, 2025 | Musings, Writing | 20 Comments

My home feels like I’m in a poem. “It’s going to be cold at the lake today if we go,” the tall red-headed man says as the heavy oak door opens and closes, bringing in a current of chill air. I jump up from struggling with a sentence to feed the big red-haired dog...

Pondering the Young Mary

by Deb Farris | December 16, 2024 | Advent, Devotions, Faith & Art, Writing | 12 Comments

Something happened this past week I’ve been wondering if there are new ways to write about really old things. This particular pondering began when I was asked to read from Luke 2 for a wrap-up breakfast at church at the end of our Bible study on following Jesus. It’s...

Oh, the People You’ll Meet

by Deb Farris | December 1, 2024 | Books, Travels, Writing | 16 Comments

Mailing the Agreement for Just Along for the Ride to my new publisher Sometimes I stand, hands in pockets (hopefully I have pockets) a little self-consciously, as people walk past me, mostly avoiding eye contact, because, you know, that’s what we do sometimes. And I...

Change of Direction

by Deb Farris | November 20, 2024 | Musings, Nature, Not According to Plan | 11 Comments

It was such an unexpectedly cold day yesterday. And windy. We thought it was going to be in the 60s but you know what they always say here, “Cooler near the lake…” The sand was blowing like gusts of fog so I walked with my head down. Todd tied his hood tight and...

COMING SOON

Deb’s new book, Just Along for the Ride ~The Missionary Journey Of Pastor Marc and Nancy Erickson will be released August 26, 2025 by Ten16 Press.

Just Along for the Ride is an unbelievable true story of a family’s missionary adventures during times of great unrest in East Africa, China and the Middle East, and the founding of Eastbrook church in Milwaukee. It is also a beautiful love story!

“This is a glorious celebration of the lives of two individuals who have made a difference in many other people’s lives. This is a read that will lift souls and inspire all readers alike. This basic story of love attracts those who are religious, as well as those who may be curious of looking for more information about Christianity and how it moves people, cultures, and communities around the world. This is an essential biography for all individuals interested in religious topics and will serve as a beautiful statement in honor of Marc and Nancy Erickson. This is a not-to-be-missed religious biography crafted with great skill and love by writer Farris.”

Laurie Scheer, Vice President, Board Member – Wisconsin Writers Association

Conversations With Dad – The Book

Rich with stories of William (Bill) Wenzler’s career as the “daring architect of mid-century modern hyperbolic paraboloid churches,” the story is told with tenderness and humor. This book is a love story– the love of a man for God, his wife and family, and the love of a daughter for her parents. Conversations with Dad grew out of time spent together—father and daughter—sharing the stories of those who paved the way for her.

Purchase Yours Today

“Wenzler, a designer of beautiful, practical buildings who loved the Lord who makes practical beautiful people out of failing feeble sinners–and loved those people too. You will love this book!”

–Stuart Briscoe, longtime Pastor, Elmbrook Church