Writer Showcase: Beccy Sharley's Best Work
A new interview series, volume one.
I’m launching a new series at Something Funny, Something True today: interviews with writers here on Substack and on the wider Web. I often try to promote other writers on social media but individual links to articles and essays often get lost in the shuffle, and I like the idea of featuring writers I admire in individual posts with a little background and a sampling of their best work. So, for as long as the guests I’ve invited agree to do this :) and as long as I can keep it up, the Writer Showcase shall be a Tuesday morning feature.
My first guest is
, who writes Searching for Grace here on Substack. Beccy and I first met on the site formerly known as Twitter, and we have enjoyed getting to know one another as moms and writers (though we live several continents apart— she in Australia, and I in the U.S.) Beccy is a former teacher and a children’s book author as well as a thoughtful and compelling writer.What do you write about?
Most of my writing falls into five categories: faith, parenting, mental health, history and books. Staying on topic can be hard for me, but I am also finding specific outlets elsewhere on the internet where I can focus my writing on a particular topic.
Why did you choose this theme/topic?
I choose the name Searching For Grace for my original WordPress blog over a decade ago, and despite a lot of life circumstances and the topics I write about changing, the title has still always fit – it is a reminder of why I write. I’m looking for the good in the world, I’m trying to think about things in a way that takes grace as the leading principle, and I am searching for answers to big questions. So whatever topics I end up exploring in this space, Searching For Grace feels like a good topic and motto to stick with.
How long have you been writing on Substack?
I moved to Substack in 2022, after a hiatus from writing while I was teaching full time. Before that I wrote on WordPress, from about 2015.
What other bylines have you had in the past?
I have been published on Mamamia, an Australian women’s online media space, as well as Growing Faith, Youthworks online parenting magazine. I’ve been featured on some different Substacks (including this one!)
Please share a few links to your favorite pieces of work, and tell us a little about each one.
The first piece I wrote that got picked up and shared beyond my usual readership, was, of all things, a critical review of a kids’ tv special. I wrote about my disappointment in the ending of the Bluey special episode The Sign, when we have all come to expect such quality and sensitive writing from this show. Mamamia republished it and I got to add ‘Bluey Correspondent’ to the many hats I wear.
What Parents of Only Children Want You to Know
For Mother’s Day this year I wrote for Growing Faith about being a parent of only one in a culture where that isn’t the standard. I wrote about how letting go of any pretence that we are in control of our fertility has helped me embrace my one child as a precious gift.
How postpartum OCD affected my every waking moment
On my own Substack and elsewhere, I’ve shared my struggles with OCD, particularly how it took over my life in the postpartum period, leading to a hospital admission. This piece for Mamamia explores the reality of living in a ward for three weeks with your four month old baby.
I am still really proud of this guest post I did right here on Something Funny, Something True, where I talked about the model of motherhood presented in the Anne of Green Gables series, and how grief has shaped my own parenting journey.
I wrote on my Substack about my ongoing love for cemeteries, and in particular the cemetery where I get to help with tours. This piece is a reflection on inner-city living, green spaces, infant mortality, the permanence and impermanence of death, and the things we can learn from the past.
Who is one other Substack writer you admire?
I’ve been really enjoying reading work from another Amy on Substack,
at Sub-Creations. This piece reflecting on a new Pope and the rise of AI was a beautiful blend of two very interesting topics.
Amy here again. One of my own favorites of Beccy’s work is her piece on community amid the rising costs of living, Glad and Generous Hearts. I appreciate Beccy taking the time to answer my questions and share a little of her portfolio! I highly recommend subscribing to her Substack. You can also follow her on Bluesky and Instagram.
What a delightful series! I enjoyed "meeting" Beccy and look forward to following her work!
Enjoyed reading this! I look forward to reading future interviews!