Write His Answer

It’s been a challenging week! In addition to directing the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writer Conference, I’m also an author, editor, and publisher. That’s lot of hats, especially when I add the most important ones of wife, mother, and grammy – all, of course, under the umbrella of follower of Jesus Christ.

I’ve been reminded – again – that He never promised it would be easy to follow Him. Nor does He promise to remove obstacles from our paths. Instead, the Bible says “problems and trials are good for us—they help us learn to be patient” (Rom. 5:3 TLB).

Yes, this is the same passage I quoted several weeks ago from The Message. Obviously, I still have much to learn when it comes to patience.

Yesterday and into the wee hours of this morning I felt like I was hitting my head against a brick wall (or my computer!) as I tried to figure out how to remove the white background in the logo for my small publishing house, Ampelos Press.

Ampelos is the Greek word for vine in John 15:4-5: “Take care to live in me, and let me live in you. For a branch can’t produce fruit when severed from the vine. Nor can you be fruitful apart from me.  Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in me and I in him shall produce a large crop of fruit. For apart from me you can’t do a thing.”

I’ve got Jasc Paint Shop Pro, a powerful software program if I just knew how to do everything I know it can do! I did online searches, followed the “easy” instructions I found, even downloaded a free graphic design program. Nothing worked.

My patience was growing – thin that is! Then suddenly the unwanted white background disappeared. I don’t know what I did, but it worked! Thank You, Father.

What if I hadn’t persevered? Yes, my dear friend Jo Hardesty Lauter, a gifted graphic artist and author, offered to remove the background for me. But I felt compelled (okay stubbornly driven) to learn how to do this.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you follow my example. Father calls us not just to give but to receive help. But I do know that it is far too easy for gifted writers to give up. Too many manuscripts are never finished, and too many finished manuscripts are never published because we give up.

Friends, let’s determine to “Keep [our] eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!” (Heb. 12:2-3 MSG)

Colorado Christian Writers Conference Updates

Take a look at the new Breaking News page. You’ll be encouraged by the testimony of three conferees whose books are now published because they persevered. Marilyn Wentz says, “I’m 53 and I am now publishing something I started at 12.”

Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference Updates

Speaking of persevering . . . Mark Ammerman, a pastor from Lancaster, PA, is one the keynoters at this year’s Philly conference. I had the privilege of working with him to get his End Times novel, PUSH, into print. It’s a gripping page-turner that I believe the Lord is going to use in Ephesians 3:20 ways. I can’t urge you strongly enough to purchase a copy (it’s available on Amazon), read it, and pass it on. His keynote in Philly is “Write His Answer . . . Now!” I am convinced there is no time to waste.

Because the time is short, more than at any time in history Father is giving us the opportunity to not just write but to publish His answer. I’m very excited about the continuing session we’re offering this year, Indie publishing: A Walk through CreateSpace. In these interactive workshops led by Bart Palamaro from Indie Author Support, you’ll learn:  Critical Word page setup requirements. Using Styles and Sections to simplify your work and create a consistent appearance. How to open a free CreateSpace account with proper royalty and tax setup. When and how to get an ISBN.  Front and back cover size and resolution requirements. Choosing a cover style. Proof a book using Softproof and print copies, troubleshoot problems. Pick sales channel. Price your book. Order books, costs, and drop shipping to a third party. Convert your book to KDP (Kindle format). Much more.

Keynotes, continuing sessions, and clinics are now in place along with 48 faculty members. Now the work of updating the website begins.

News You Can Use

Dianne E. Butts writes a blog I highly recommend, Dianne E. Butts About Writing. Her latest post has a wealth of info on How to Write and Get Published by Magazines and Book Publishers, also the title of her new ebook. Dianne will be serving on the faculty of both the Colorado and Greater Philly conference.

That’s all this week. Check the Colorado and the Greater Philly conference Facebook pages for updates between now and next weekend when I trust I’ll have loads more to share with you.