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Burdens of Draco: Charissa Beukema & Micah Metz

By: Dezaray Barr

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Metz and Beukema at the book signing in Marion

Charissa Beukema graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in illustration. Micah Metz graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in 2010 with a leadership degree.

Beukema is a freelancer at the moment, but since February, her and Metz have been working a special project. “Micah approached me about illustrating a comic book he wrote. In all honesty, I was terrified to say yes,” Beukema shared. “I had never done anything like this before. Comic books, science fiction, space—it was all new to me. But God pushed on my heart and made it clear accepting the project was the right thing to do. I told Micah as much, saying that, if he would have me, I was all in. We began working together the following day. In an absolute blessing of a journey, Micah and I made this comic book, start to finish, in about 6 months. We had our first signing together at Abbey Coffee Co. in October. Marion is a place special to us both, and we wanted to do a signing here for sure.”

Metz has been working on the comic, Burdens of Draco, for six years. “I have been writing and re-writing, editing and tweaking, making sure the story has an impact on the reader- making sure that it is a story that not only excites the reader but moves them emotionally. With help from a few sample readers and my editor, A.J. Ellis, the story is now complete. The rough page count for the story is 280 pages, which makes for a pretty hefty graphic novel. That is why we are splitting it into 20ish page issues. I am most excited to see how reader reacts to the twists and turns placed throughout the book and the interesting characters that they will meet,” Metz shared.

Beukema said her time at IWU was amazing. “My time at IWU was so much bigger and more rewarding than I ever imagined. Of course, it was a struggle at first,” she shared. “I came from hundreds of miles away, to a place where I had no friends. But I had made the right choice in my college selection. I spent my first week on campus holed up in the Williams Prayer Chapel fervently praying that God would make it clear IWU was where I was supposed to be.”

Book signing in Marion

“While at IWU, I went through a time of spiritual exploration,” Metz shared about his time at IWU. “I researched other religions and looked at what they believed and why. My Dad was a part-time pastor, and growing up in the church was something that gave me good roots in Christianity, but I wanted to make it my own. IWU is where I found the foundations of biblical truth and Christ’s relationship that has made me so solid in my faith today.”

If Beukema could encourage IWU students, she’d say, “Utilize every second you have in Marion. Make it your home, but be prepared to leave. You will not be in this environment forever, and you need to learn how to live outside a supportive and secure Christian environment.” Metz would encourage students, ‘The best is yet to come, but without determination and hustle you will only find mediocre service to God. Find what He has called you to and then relentlessly pursue despite what others are doing around you.”

 

 

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Written by Dezaray Barr, PR Specialist for the Alumni Office. Dezaray is a junior Strategic Communication and Honors Humanities double major at Indiana Wesleyan University in the John Wesley Honors College. At IWU, Dezaray runs both the JWHC Blog and her own blog. Visit Dez’s website at www.dezaraybarr.weebly.com.

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Author Whitney Bailey

By: Emily Neideck

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Whitney Bailey has always lived in the Midwest. She went to a large high school, allowing her to blend in, but when choosing a college, she opted for a smaller, more personal setting. Bailey arrived at Indiana Wesleyan University in 1997 and chose to pursue a degree in writing. She remembers her time at IWU as successful, helping her accomplish the many jobs she would face after college.

Bailey said, “I loved my time at IWU. I tell people that I was invited to my professors’ houses to maybe watch a movie that was related to a book we were reading in class or to just have dinner with my classmates. It is obviously pretty much the opposite of my high school experience.”

The IWU writing department provided Bailey with an educational experience that allowed her to choose classes that fit her interests. She remembers Dr. Mary Brown, her advisor, who encouraged her to take classes in all fields of study to increase her knowledge as a writer.

Upon graduating from IWU in 2001, Bailey began working at a very large company utilizing her degree. When she had her first child, she decided to change her lifestyle, and she began doing magazine writing and copy editing from home. She stated, “Magazine writing wasn’t as fun creatively as I wanted it to be.”

Then, Bailey, decided to pursue writing a novel. “I spent the next couple years writing one really bad novel, but then, writing a second one that was better.”

A Mistaken Match
A Mistaken Match

Bailey’s novel, A Mistaken Match, takes place in New Haven, Ohio, where she is from. The book revolves around Ann Cromwell, a mail-order bride, from London. A Mistaken Match was published by Harlequin, but Bailey said, “Many people hear that, and they assume I wrote an inappropriate book, but Harlequin actually has three very clean, romance categories.” Writing the book involved researching the history of her town. Her time at IWU also guided her to remain true to her Christian values, even in the midst of writing a romance novel.

Spiritually, Bailey believes that IWU helped her extend what she already knew to be true about her faith. She said, “I can’t imagine going to a public college when you’re 18 years old. I had the support system that I needed at IWU.”

Bailey’s fellow classmates and professors showed her the importance of keeping faith at the forefront of her education, career and relationships. Her and her husband also use their faith to parent their four children. Both being raised in a Christian home, they understand the importance of raising their children with those same values.

Bailey is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). ACFW’s mission statement, found on their website is, “to empower Christian novelists by inspiring them to join with God in the creative process, training them in the craft and educating them in the publishing industry.” Bailey spoke of how this organization allowed her to submit her book for critique before sending it to a publisher, and she encourages Christian writers to utilize the helpful tools this

group has to offer.

Bailey resides in rural Ohio with her four children and husband, spending her days parenting and writing about her Midwestern roots. A Mistaken Match will be released for sale on September 1st, 2017.

 

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Written by Emily Neideck, writer for the Alumni Center and a junior Writing major at IWU. She is active on the cross country and track teams. She is passionate about using her writing skills to share the good news of Christ with others and writes often on her personal blog at www.emilylehner.wordpress.com.