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When Words Don’t Come | News You Can Use

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Pondering Biblical Truth, Publishing journey, Uncategorized, Writer's Life on March 11, 2015| Leave a Comment »

pen & inkwellWhen Words Don’t Come

Guest post by
Starr Ayers

If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed. Habakkuk 2:3 NLT

Staying in tune with God can be difficult … especially when we don’t hear anything. As I drove my daughter, who has Down Syndrome, to an appointment, she listened to her favorite station through her headphones. Before long, she huffed and began thumping on her radio.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

She gave no reply but continued to thump her radio in frustration.

“What’s wrong? Isn’t your radio working?”

“No.”

“How long has it not been working?” I asked.

No answer.

“Did it work yesterday?”

“No.”

“Did it work the day before?”

“No.”

“Did you wear your headphones at work anyway?”

“Yes.”

My heart broke. After my daughter’s appointment, I stopped at the store for batteries, replaced the old ones in her radio, and drove her back to work. When I left, she was wearing her headset and was working to the beat of the music once more. As I climbed into my car, God whispered, “She didn’t hear anything, but she kept on listening. You should too.”

Once again, my daughter was the teacher. I was the student. Sometimes, God is silent. During those times, the temptation to change the channel is great. We want to remedy the situation ourselves. Search in other directions. Fill the dead air with the sound of our own voice or the voices of others, or simply “thump” in frustration.

Although the words of today’s text may not be the words we want to hear, they do give us some much-needed insight. Listen. Keep watch. Remain steadfast. Live in expectancy. God will speak. He won’t remain silent forever. Although He may not rush in with His answer as quickly as I supplied the batteries for my daughter’s radio, His timing will be perfect.

Don’t grow weary and lose heart, my friend. Keep on listening. God’s words will come, and you’ll be dancing to the rhythm of His beat once more.

 

StarrAyers

Starr Ayers is a third-generation artist, writer, and speaker. The mother of a daughter with Down syndrome, her heart is to encourage the acceptance of those with life-challenging disabilities and to inspire others to embrace their own uniqueness in Christ. Starr is a contributor to the book Hopelifter: Creative Ways to Spread Hope When Life Hurts and is published monthly in Thrive magazine. Connect with Starr at http://bringinglifeintofocus2.blogspot.com, or starrayers@triad.rr.com.

First appeared in www.christiandevotions.us. Used with permission of Christian Devotions Ministries.

Thank you, Starr, for this important reminder of the verse that comes before Habakkuk 2:2, the theme of the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences. And thank you, Cindy Sproles, for your ministry through http://www.christiandevotions.us and giving me permission to reprint this. You can meet Cindy at the July 29-August 1 Greater Philly conference and the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries, Eddie Jones, at the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. I want to encourage you to subscribe to these daily devotions and to check out their helpful guidelines for writers.

 

News You Can Use

Set of multicolored big buttons made of glass or plastic with metallic borders

Leading Hearts Magazine

ASKS:

“Is God Calling You to Write?”

Wish You Had Your Own Writing Coach?

Now that could make THE difference to help you answer your call. Right?

This is exactly is why authors Angela  Breidenbach and Linda Evans Shepherd are presenting a live webinar called Secrets to a Successful Writing Career. And the best news is that even if you can’t make it to the live class — if you sign up, you will automatically get a recording of the class.  To Register: Click HERE.

The class will cover:

The big picture – What you need to know – to embark on the journey to publishing and readership.

  • Which key tools do you need to help you in your journey?
  • How do you get, find, and keep an editor or agent?
  • Finding a publisher and other publishing ops.
  • What is ‘platform’ and how do you build one?
  • What do you need to be writing now?
  • How do you write like a pro anyway?  What do you need to do in order to create excellence in your work?

We will cover this and a lot more to help you not only get published, but build an audience and an enduring readership – so you can answer your call to write.

Webinar Details:

When:  Thursday, March 12

Time:  9:00 pm EST, 8:00 pm CST, 7:00 pm MST, 6:00 pm PST

Where:  Watch our live Webinar on your own computer; or sign up and you will automatically get the replay to watch at your convenience.

NOTE:  Students will receive handouts plus, Angie and Linda will be live, in person, to answer your questions.

To Register: Click HERE.

About our Presenters:Angela Breidenbach

Angela Breidenbach is a captivating speaker, coach, and author. Angela serves nationally as the Christian Author Network’s (CAN) president. With a volume of appearances online and on television, stage, and radio Angela loves to share her knowledge to build up others. (And yes, she’s Writer in the #Muse & Writer comedy duo.)

linda shepherd hi res 2 from we bLinda Evans Shepherd is an award-winning, best-selling author of over 30 books.  She’s the president of Right to the Heart, the publisher of Leading Hearts Magazine, an international speaker as well as the director of Instant Writers Conference and Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA). Linda will give a keynote, “Write, and Speak, His Answer . . . Prayerfully” at the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. She will also teach the continuing session, “Reaching Women through Writing and More.”

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Need ideas to market your book?

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Promotion on March 10, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Karen Whiting from FB 3Always Think Marketing

Guest post by
Karen Whiting

 

Marketing should begin before you write your proposal and continue through long after the book’s release. When you first have an idea that’s the time to think how you can grab the attention of readers.

Example: With my first book, on finger puppets, I thought of how I could use it in teaching puppetry at regional festivals and what might get vendors who carry books to purchase it. I brainstormed jingles and phrases and came up with I incorporated into the proposal, “Let your fingers do the teaching.” That ended up on the back cover of the book.

Results: I applied and got on faculty at a puppet festival. As I taught there, another person on the faculty loved what I did and said she wanted to take the book with her on a 60-city tour where she was teaching Sunday School leaders. I gave her sample puppets too. A vendor who chose to carry the book told me he did Sunday school conventions and ministry conventions all over the country. That launched the book.

So how do you think marketing? Think in each direction that marketing reaches readers:

  1. Media – Think of short pitches that would interest a listening audience. They like humor, stories, and tips. What are the stories behind your book or in it? What did you learn that could be put into 3 top tips?
  1. Speaking – What topics can you fit into a 45-minute talk or workshop? I wrote a book on time management and that can sound a bit boring. But, I used principles from creation and decided to title a workshop, Created for purpose and beauty. That grabs attention better, as it gives hope and meeting planners can see how they can add in some fun, like including a fashion show or flower arranging as a side workshop.
  1. Articles and blog posts – What are some key ideas you want to convey to your audience? Those are ones to build articles on that relate to the book. So, for my time book I’ve done articles on accountability partners, get out of time debt, different time zones (personality and time), etc. Some expanded on ones I only used in sidebars of tips while others reinforced a larger section of the book.
  1. Social networking – As you write the book, can you sum up what you cover each day? The summaries could make great tweets. Can you jot down a few lines related to what you thought as you wrote? These could be blog posts or short FB post.Whiting Nature Girl
  1. Print – This includes freebies on your website, handouts, promotional material, etc. As you envision your idea, what do you see? These images can be great to capture for print. Can you create a handout of what you’d cover in a daylong or weekend retreat? These would be good for flyers for meeting planners. I created one on last year’s release (Nature Girl) for scout leaders. Last month I transformed it a bit for camp directors and did a mass mailing to Christian camps with the handout plus a few supplies for doing activities in the book. Next month I’ll put it on my website as a free handout. I created a fun quiz for a time I would be at a bookstore Mother’s Day weekend. It was part of launching a book for women and I did a quiz on a man’s laundry personality. The men loved the quiz, laughed, and I sold a ton of books that day.

I love helping others brainstorm and think  of unique ways to market their books and catchy phrases to use as a basis of marketing. Ideas are limitless!

______________

Thanks, Karen, for sharing such great ideas. You really are the “idea queen.” I’m so glad to have you on faculty at both the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the July 29 – August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.

Among other things, Karen is offering a 30 minute paid consultation to “Develop a Unique Marketing Plan for Your Book.”  She will help you create realistic and workable plans to reach your audience building on your strengths. To learn more about Karen visit her website at www.karenwhiting.com.

Karen is the queen of creativity, the master at innovative ideas, and an expert
in transforming an insight into a tangible and powerful marketing tool.
During a recent writer’s conference, I attended her marketing sessions.
As we sat in a circle, she took the focus of each book,
gave each author ideas, examples, and practical steps to market each book.
They all evoked an “Ah!” from the participants.
The skill Karen has to craft a powerful marketing tool
from a mere concept is a gift few possess.
Janet Perez Eckles
Author & International Speaker

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Conference updates and winter’s last hurrah!

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on March 7, 2015| 1 Comment »

HopeIt’s been an exciting and busy week!

I’ve spent a good bit of time working on the website for the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference. It’s not yet been proofread, so if you find mistakes, please overlook or, better still, let me know so they can be corrected. The major amount of time was spent making certain I had added all the faculty interested in doing paid critiques to the Paid Critiques page and to their bios. (There were a lot of additions, and there still may be a few more.)

I really appreciate all the faculty who have volunteered to do these. Considering what they would typically be paid outside the conference setting, it really is a labor of love for them to review your manuscript pre-conference and then sit down with you for 30 minutes. This can be one of the most valuable aspects of the conference and a huge help in strengthening your manuscript. I encourage you to do at least one paid critique. I do not, however, encourage you to have more than one faculty member critique the same manuscript. You’re likely to get differing opinions that may just confuse you.

Sandy Quandt has written a helpful blog post, “Critique, or Not? That Is the Question.” If you’ve not read it, I urge you to do so. You’ll find it right before this blog.

I was interviewed on Patti Shene’s blog talk radio show Lit(erally) Speak(ing) this week. I think you’d enjoy learning more about what’s behind the conference – rather WHO. Patti is hosting a drawing for a free copy of my books, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers or My Turn to Care – Encouragement for Caregivers of Aging Parents. The drawing closes this coming Monday, March 9, at 8:00 pm MST. (Don’t forget to move your clocks forward tonight.) Here’s the link to enter the drawing and listen to the interview: http://ow.ly/IqBuf. Patti will be at the conference and available to talk to you about her show or beginning your own show on blog talk radio.

I’ve been primarily focused on the Colorado conference, but next week I must finalize the faculty and program for the July 29-August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference so I can open online registration April 1 – no fooling! Spring really is coming – also no fooling! I am so eager for warm (not hot!) days and to be able to again work in my back porch “office.”

Thank You, Father, for Your promise:

“Oh, that we might know the Lord!
Let us press on to know him,
and he will respond to us
as surely as the coming of dawn
or the rain of early spring.”
Hosea 6:3 TLB

 

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Critique, or not?

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Craft of writing, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Writer's Life on March 6, 2015| 1 Comment »

Grumbling face croppedCritique, or not?
That is the question.

Guest post by
Sandy Quandt

Picture the following scenario with me, if you will. Two individuals are engaged in a deep conversation. One of the individuals becomes aggravated. Defensive. Begins making excuses. Questions the other’s authority. Pouts. And finally sulks away disgruntled.

Now, which of the following do you believe was the unhappy participant in the conversation?

  1. A) Toddler who hit his brother
  2. B) Teen who missed curfew
  3. C) Writer receiving a critique

If you chose C, you are correct.

Receiving a critique is sometimes difficult for those of us who call ourselves writers to endure, wouldn’t you agree? Especially for those of us in the beginning stages of our writer’s journey.

We’ve written the next best seller. Why is it so difficult for others to see that? We may have read several books on the craft of writing. We might have participated in an on-line discussion group, webinar, workshop or conference. We know what we are doing. If the so-called experts can’t see that, then who needs ‘em?

While I am guilty of thinking this way, may I suggest that it is NOT the correct attitude for us to have at any stage of our journey?

The first time I got the courage to actually submit my freshly written darling for a critique at a Society of Childrens Book Writers and Illustrators conference, I was disappointed I was not able to speak with my first choice editor of a major New York publishing house. Instead, a multi-published author in my genre had the privilege of reading my best seller.

She was kind in her critique and complimentary of my efforts, but when she told me my story, Mandee the Manatee, started off slow, I knew she didn’t know what she was talking about. Of course it starts off slow. Have you ever seen an actual manatee swim?

It did not take me long, though, to realize my critiquer was correct. Mandee the Manatee was not ready for publication. It sits in a drawer of my desk.

I followed that critique with a brand new novel, In the Valley of the Shadow of Death, for an appointment at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference with James Scott Bell. You know, the guy who’s written tons of best sellers and all those Writers Digest how-to-write books. Surely he’d know what he was doing and be able to recognize quality work when he saw it. Maybe even ask for a full to send to an editor he knew.

When Mr. Bell told me he found it difficult to read the dialogue I’d written in the appropriate dialect to reflect the area of Appalachia where my historical novel was set, I balked. What did that guy from California know about the way people in Appalachia speak?

Next.

Figuring out that maybe the dialect was a bit too difficult for the average reader, I did away with it, but left enough distinctive words to reflect the region. With that done, I submitted my baby to a super-star editor at another major New York publishing house during another SCBWI conference.

She was complementary. She loved my voice. She enjoyed reading the sample. By this time, I was ready to hand her the full manuscript I’d brought with me that was sitting on the floor board of my car. But . . . she felt it wasn’t edgy enough. Now, if I’d change my historical middle grade novel to a young adult vampire romance, she’d be more interested. This after telling me my title, In the Valley of the Shadow of Death, was too morbid. Seriously?

There have been other critiques and appointments. One editor at an American Christian Writers Conference even went so far as to take my one sheet, proposal, and three sample chapters of Valley back to her superiors, only to be told historicals weren’t selling in the children’s market.

Although I never enjoyed being told my writing really wasn’t where it needed to be, and I still don’t, with each and every critique I’ve improved. That is the point after all, is it not? To keep improving. To keep striving to make our writing the best it can be. To write as unto the LORD?

2015 CCWC Banner

 

Will you be heading to the CCWC this May? If so, might I suggest you get those writing samples polished until they shine. Sign up for appointments and critiques. Believe the person sitting opposite you has your best interest at heart, even when their words hurt and sting. They want you to succeed. Really, they do. They are professionals who know what they are talking about. Trust them.

Here are a few things I’m learning through my mistakes which I’d like to share with you for this writing journey we’re on.

  • Bite your tongue if you have to, but don’t argue.
  • Don’t make excuses.
  • Don’t question the critiquer’s judgment.
  • During the appointment take notes whether you agree with what is being said, or not.
  • Take a breath when you feel like your dreams are crashing around you.
  • Take a walk and talk with God until you can get your feelings under control.
  • Take your time once you return home to reassess your writing. Look at it with fresh eyes after letting it sit for a week or two.
  • Reread your notes. It might surprise you how much wisdom that critiquer had after all.

______________

Thanks, Sandy, for sharing your hard-won wisdom. Sandy weaves “words of encouragement and hope” on her Woven and Spun blog at http://www.sandykirbyquandt.com/.

Father, please give us teachable spirits. Help us – help me – not to fall in love with our words but to listen, to learn, and to seek You for the words we write.

Check out the list of critiquers and genres for the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference (http://colorado.writehisanswer.com/paidcritiques).  Meeting for 30 minutes with one or more of these professionals who will have read your manuscript pre-conference is a great opportunity to make your writing the best it can be.

Banner 2015 GPCWC

Paid critiques will also be available at the July 29 – August 1 Greater Philly conference. I’m working to finalize the faculty and program and with the Lord’s help plan to open online registration April 1.

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Writing Saved My Life!

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Writer's Life on February 20, 2015| Leave a Comment »

pen & inkwellGuest Blogger
Barbara Haley

I was ten years old when I asked God to show me if He was real. The next day my sixteen-year-old sister was killed in an automobile accident. God was real. I shouldn’t have asked.

Of course, I didn’t tell anyone. Instead, I stuffed the guilt and the excruciating pain when my parents said things to me like, “You may look like her, but you’ll never be as good as her.” Or, “Comb your hair a different way; I can’t stand to look at you.”

Thirty-five years later, I finally opened up to a therapist. He sent me home to write a letter to my big sister from the point of view of a ten-year-old child.

After just a few sentences, my heart connected with the hurting little girl inside, and she began to voice her pain. Begging forgiveness from her precious older sister for causing her death. Suggesting that everyone would have been better off if only she could have died in her sister’s place that day. And finally, admitting how very much she hated God for what He’d done.

My next letter was to that sweet child—explaining to her that she didn’t cause her sister’s death and that God was not angry with her for her honest feelings and reactions. I released that child to be exactly that. A broken and confused child who desperately needed to know she was loved by God and family.

That writing changed my life and instilled in me a desire to learn how to use my life experiences to minister to others through the written word.

But I needed to learn how to write tight. To eliminate wordiness. To organize my thoughts. To connect emotionally with the reader. To stick to one point of view. To create a setting that captures the reader’s imagination and transfers them from their everyday life to an exciting new story world.

Writing conferences. This is where I’m learning the craft. Where I connect with other writers to encourage and be encouraged. Where I receive one-on-one feedback with paid critiques. And where God speaks clearly to my heart through inspiring worship and keynote speakers, informative workshops and continuing sessions, life-changing editor appointments, and most of all—the day to day rapport with fellow writers while sharing meals, waiting in line at the book table, or joining together for intimate prayer and Bible study.

Sure, you can buy books about the craft of writing. My shelves are loaded with them. But only when I began to consistently attend conferences did I really improve as a writer. I needed the immediate feedback and the hands-on practice provided in small groups led by experienced teachers. I grew in leaps and bounds as I jotted down strategies mentioned by other writers and began implementing them in my own writing. And, as I stood amazed, listening to big-name authors share their overwhelmingly deep love for God and His people, I realized just how sacred the ministry of writing is.

Let me encourage you to come and grow in your ministry as a writer at the May 13-16 Colorado or July 29-August 1 Greater Philly Christian Writers’ Conference. The friendships you’ll form will develop into a network of love and support in all areas of your life, and your writing friends will truly become your family. I promise.

______________

Thanks, Barbie, for sharing your heart and for scheduling the appointments and managing the book table at the Colorado (CCWC) and Greater Philly (GPCWC) conference. You are a blessing!

CCWC banner with lodge 2015

CCWC Update – We now have 39 registered from 10 states. If you’re among the next 36 to register, you’ll receive an additional free one-on-one appointment with the agent, editor, or author of your choice based, of course, on their availability. Remember, the earlier you register the  better opportunity you have to get your top choices. If you’re among the first 75 to register for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday you’ll receive a total of FIVE appointments. For more info on our appointment procedures click here and on how best to prepare click here. During the coming week I’ll be adding faculty bios and editorial needs to the conference website to help you make the best choices. The appointment request form will not be available until then, but appointments requests received through April 10 will be booked in the order you register.

Banner 2015 GPCWC

Ted & DanGPCWC Update – I’m grateful that Dr. Ted Baehr (on the left), Founder and Chairman of The Christian Film & Television Commission™ and Publisher of MOVIEGUIDE®, will keynote and teach a continuing session on “Breakthrough Scriptwriting” at this year’s Philly conference.  Ted hosted the 23rd annual Movieguide Awards February 7. To find out who won, click here. Better still, you can watch the Movieguide® Awards this coming Saturday on the REELZChannel, 7 p.m. Eastern time and 4 p.m. Pacific. www.movieguide.org

I’ll be posting info on our July 29 – August 1 conference to the website soon.

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Connecting the Dots

Posted in Called to write, Get your book in print, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey on November 20, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Rhyner Adoption Book

 

Connecting the Dots
From Wannabe to Published Author

by Christine Rhyner

How many of us remember as children taking our yellow wooden pencils to paper and playing “Connect the Dots?”

We began with a single line, then another that might take us in a different direction, then a third that could be quite long, and a fourth, just a tiny inch. We would zig-zag our way across the page until we found ourselves staring at a kite or a butterfly and think, “Cool.”

I have discovered that a walk with the Lord is much like this. In Ecclesiastes 3:11 it is written, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” Though we cannot see the bigger picture God does when we set out on a journey, we must take that first step of faith, that first pencil stroke to move along a path that we believe will lead us to something “cool.”

In print & ebook

In print and ebook

I never realized that finding a blurb about the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference in a trade magazine would lead me to becoming a published author. That ad led me to Founder, Marlene Bagnull’s website where I found “Write His Answer.” What a treasure! While publishing magazine and website articles as a fairly new Christian I had struggled to understand the passion God had placed within me to write, how to approach this calling on my life and how to move forward in my desire to do so for Him and from Him. I immediately bought the book and found just what I needed—a Bible study for Christian writers. I never knew such a resource existed!

Right away I registered for the next GPCWC. There I found the blessing of hundreds of others just like me, with the same focus, passion and calling–to connect with and learn from. I had never felt such a sense of belonging, acceptance and encouragement. I was at home!

I knew that I wanted to write a book sharing my testimony about my
God who had determined to make me a mother through international Adoptedadoption. It was during perhaps the third summer I attended the conference that God decided the timing for such a book was right. I had learned a lot, grown as a writer and explored various ways of communicating my story. Then, it just happened. While on the ride home back to NY, my entire book outline just poured out of me onto paper while my husband drove. I saw the dots starting to connect!

After returning home, I set to work sharpening my book’s theme and message. As I wrote chapters I also worked on a proposal. After I sent off this proposal to an editor who had taught at the conference and graciously offered to review it for me (an amazing benefit of the GPCWC in that professionals will actually offer to follow up with you on projects), it was clear that my proposal was a mess. But I had already purchased W. Terry Whalin’s “Book Proposals That Sell” at the conference. Why wasn’t I using it?

After carefully following Terry’s direction and advice, my pencil took a detour and I re-wrote a proposal that garnered three positive responses and a contract within a few months!

But the picture, as any author will tell you, wasn’t quite complete. I now needed an editor to help me polish my first manuscript submission to a publisher. Back to Marlene’s website I went. What I thought was a random pick of an editor to hire was actually God’s way of connecting another dot. This editor was a staff member of my publisher’s, able to give me insight into their expectations and navigate my way through the process! Additionally, she is a godly, professional, faithful woman, always quick to respond to my many questions and concerns.

After a few more months of hard work and re-writes the dots were finally connected! In fact, I saw a butterfly. One that had finally emerged from its long night captive in a cocoon, now beautiful and free to fly forth with a message of a mighty God’s blessing, grace and forgiveness before and after an adoption journey.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13 goes on to say, I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.”

As authors, we need that sense of purpose God has intended for our work. We can delight in it if we remember that God has called us to do it, that the fruit of our labor is a gift from Him and that this is how we serve Him. Understanding and focusing our purpose and calling is what Marlene brings to authors with “Write His Answer” and her tireless efforts at running the GPCWC for decades. The dedicated, godly and professional people I’ve mentioned above are the kind she offers year after year for our benefit and instruction.

Were it not for a blurb in a writing magazine for the GPCWC I may not have seen How much did you pay for her? Forgiving the Words That Hurt Adoptive Families come to fruition.

How is God connecting your dots on your journey?

For more about my book, view my trailer at:

http://youtu.be/WhoehU5wH0E

Available now through www.clcpublications.com, www.amazon.com, www.christianbookdistributors.com and soon to be available in Barnes & Noble bookstores.

Interested in adoption? Check out my website at www.christinerhyner.com, or drop by my Facebook author page at www.Facebook.com/ChristineRhynerauthor

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I’m back!

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Our Christian witness, Praying for our nation on November 3, 2014| Leave a Comment »

I’m back! Well, I’ve not really been gone although it feels that way. For the past month I’ve spent more time in my garden than in my office except for the week when I had to work on our 2013 taxes. PTL I got them done several hours before the October 15 deadline.

It’s been a good month of catching up on stuff I can’t do during conference season. I still have more catching up to do (will any of us ever really be caught up?), but it’s time to get to work planning next year’s conferences. There’s a book to be written that Father is placing on my heart, and there is the ongoing need to prayerfully address the issues and to “write His answer.”

For now, let me encourage you to do several things.

  • Go to the polls tomorrow having studied where the candidates stand on the issues. A helpful non-partisan tool is  http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm. Join me in praying for the election of godly men and women.

nativity2

  • With Christmas fast-approaching (it’s only 7-1/2 weeks away!) ask Father how you can keep Christ in Christmas through His gift of words. Perhaps He will lead you to post Scriptures on Facebook throughout Advent or to do as my friend, Cindy Watkins, is doing in November with a daily “thank You” post. Or perhaps Father will lead you to compile a booklet of poems and short stories as a gift for loved ones. And do be aware of what’s happening in the world around you especially as it pertains to man’s attempt to remove Christ from Christmas. Ask Father for wise words to present biblical truth.

God bless you as you seek to write and to live His answer.

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Wondering Why?

Posted in Called to write, Get your book in print, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Marketing, Platform building, Promotion on July 23, 2014| 5 Comments »

pen & inkwell7 Reasons Why                                          You Need to Come

Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference

July 30 – August 2, 2014

 

 

1. To learn the craft of writing. Okay, maybe you’ve been writing for many years, but there is always more to learn. Master craftsmen will teach  workshops  and  continuing sessions that, as one conferee said, are the equivalent of a semester college course in writing.  You’ll learn from authors like Cec Murphey, Linda Evans Shepherd, Tim Shoemaker, and Jeanette Windle. And they are just four of the 56 authors, editors, agents, and publicists serving on this year’s faculty.

2.  To learn the craft of marketing your work to potential publishers or explore the how-to of indie publishing. If you’ve gotten more than your share of rejection slips or have yet to get your first rejection (I’m sorry, it goes with the territory of being a writer), GPCWC offers a “Get Published” track of six hour-long workshops that will provide practical help. In addition, literary agent, editor, and author Dave Fessenden is teaching a two-hour Wednesday early bird workshop, on “Book Proposals: The Front-End Method.” You also can choose Tim Shoemaker’s continuing session, “How to Get Published.” For those considering indie publishing. we have a two-hour “You Can Publish Your eBook” early bird workshop on Wednesday and a continuing session on how to professionally format a book interior for CreateSpace.

3. Face-to-face opportunities to pitch your work to editors and agents.  At GPCWC full-time conferees get FOUR 15-minute one-on-one appointments with the faculty of your choice. Because we have such a large faculty, there’s a good possibility that  even late registrants will get their top choices. On Thursday afternoon you’ll have the opportunity to sign up for additional appointments with faculty who still have openings. In today’s publishing world, the only way to connect with many agents and editors is through meeting them at a conference. Check out our helpful spreadsheets of their editorial needs. You’ll find links on the pages for our editors and agents. Anxious about meeting a real live editor or agent face-to-face? Jeanette Windle’s two “Practice Your Pitch” early bird workshops (one for nonfiction and the other for fiction) will help build your confidence. Our authors are also available for appointments. They can point out the strengths and weaknesses in your writing, answer questions, and provide helpful guidance.

4. To learn the craft of marketing/promoting your published work. And yes, it’s a craft, and not one that comes naturally to most writers.  I’ve often said that the reason I quit Girl Scouts is because of the stress of trying to sell cookies.  Whether or not you like marketing, the fact is that you hold the key to the sales of your book.  But the good news is that it’s a craft that can be learned. We’ve also got a track of six hour-long marketing workshops.

5. Friendships with other writers. My closest friends are writers I’ve met at writers’ conferences. In amazing ways writers connect deeply with one another more quickly than I ever have in the chit-chat before and after Sunday morning worship services. And we need each other. A key verse for me that I’ve experienced and sought to follow is 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Encourage each other to build each other up” (TLB). It happens at GPCWC!

6. Inspiration and encouragement to keep on keeping on. Our keynoters will challenge you to “Write His Answer.”

7. Direction from the Lord. Each year, and this is my 31st year directing GPCWC, I see God at work in Ephesians 3:20 ways.  He has a plan for you and for your writing.  He is the One who makes the impossible possible. Indeed, GPCWC is “More than a Writers Conference.”

There’s still time to register and to request appointments. Housing is still available in Cairn University’s Heritage Hall. None of the workshops or continuing sessions are filled because of the university’s large classrooms. If you need time payments or scholarship help, please ask. You can email me at mbagnull@aol.com or call 484-991-8581.

God bless you and your writing – Marlene

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Living in the 11th Hour

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Our Christian witness, Persecution of Christians on July 19, 2014| 1 Comment »

PUSH coverA writers’ conference
that is more than
a conference just for writers!

Do you share the growing sense of urgency I feel as you watch the news? I believe the following “Specials” the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is offering July 31 and August 1 are critically important in equipping us to effectively “live His answer.” Please join us. If you live too far away, I urge you to order the CDs after the conference. The order form will be posted on http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com.

Living in the 11th Hour (Thursday, July 31, 10 am to noon) with a panel of eight including Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Association. The goal of the panel, in light of the urgency of the day we live in, is to engage the conference in a moderated discussion on how the Church in our nation can best prepare to stand its ground “in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Persecution is coming. Persecution is here.  How do we stand in Christ, with Christ, for Christ, and with each other in these darkening days—not letting our hearts grow cold or our ‘well-doing’ grow weary? If this IS the Eleventh Hour of earth history (and even if it is not)…how do we joyfully get up each day (while the world is falling down around us) and follow Jesus? (Moderated by Mark Ammerman, author of the end times novel, PUSH.)

Mining for Gold (Thursday, July 31, 1:00 – 3:00 pm) – Learn steps to studying the Bible that will provide exciting, fresh content for your spiritual life, writing, and teaching. Tap into the transforming power of Scripture! Bible teacher and author Julie Coleman offers hands-on instruction in digging deep into God’s Word. Come and find those hidden gems just waiting to be discovered.

Reaching Seekers & Skeptics (Thursday, July 31, 3:30 – 5:30 pm) with Rusty Wright, award-winning author, syndicated columnist, and lecturer who has spoken on six continents. Learn how seekers and skeptics think and feel, what they want and why. Practical tools for finding common ground, understanding felt needs, grabbing attention, touching hearts and minds, and sensitively communicating spiritual truth verbally, in writing, and via the Internet even if you’re not a techie. God can use you to reach seekers and skeptics.

Save Our Children (Friday, August 1, 1:00 – 3:00 pm) with Rick Marschall, author of 74 books and hundreds of magazine articles. Christians are pilgrims and strangers in this world. Surely every believer senses that these times are darker, more dangerous than ever. Our culture has turned hateful toward Christians and children are the primary targets of the enemy. There are things we can and must do as Christians. Let us engage!

There is no charge for Save Our Children. The Thursday Specials are $25 for one, $40 for two, $55 for all three. Please use the registration form at http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/specials. All of our morning and evening keynotes in Chatlos Chapel are free of charge. Following the Thursday and Friday evening keynote we will have a book signing. No registration is needed for the keynotes or book signing.

Of course the conference also offers a wealth of learning opportunities for beginning and advanced writers as well as an all-day Teens Write program on Thursday, July 31. For specific information check out our 16-page brochure athttp://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/brochure.

 

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Shields Up! Conference Updates and News You Can Use

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Pondering Biblical Truth, Writing Opportunities on July 17, 2014| 2 Comments »

Shields Up

“So use every piece of God’s armor
to resist the enemy whenever he attacks . . .
In every battle
you will need
faith as your shield.”

Eph. 6:13, 16 TLB

 

This morning I was more than overwhelmed by everything I need to get done for the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference that is only 12 days away. Unlike the exciting countdown to Christmas that had me breathless with anticipation as a child, the conference crunch zone leaves me out of breath from racing to complete a to-do list that keeps getting longer no matter how hard or long I work.

Yes, this morning I was more than overwhelmed – I was panicking. I allowed my focus on the only One who can enable me to do what I clearly cannot do in my own strength to slip as I focused instead on the piles of paper on my desk and floor and open filing cabinets. A tension headache grabbed hold of me, and my neck felt like it was in a vice.

“I can’t do this, Father. I can’t. Please, Father. Please help me!”

As always, when I cry out for help He answers. This time His very visual answer came through my good friend Cindy Watkins who has been here serving as the Registration and Housing Coordinator since July 7. She prayed as she massaged my stiff neck and shoulders. And she gave me a much-needed reminder that an army of angels is surrounding me and the conference. To make it visual, she grabbed my bright red garden kneeling pad and set it before me.

“Shields up!” she told me. “And stop speaking negative things. Praise God instead.”

I suspect many of you reading this can identify.  But rejoice! The “defeated one” works extra hard when we’re seeking to do the Lord’s work. Discouragement, doubt, anxiety, fear . . . he has an arsenal of weapons he unleashes. It’s at times like these we have a choice. We can embrace his lies that typically contain enough truth that they seem believable, or we can put our “shields up” and affirm aloud that “overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us enough to die for us” (Rom. 8:37 TLB).


Updates – July 30 – August 2 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference

New faculty member – Karen Whiting
Karen is an international speaker and award-winning author of 17 books, including God’s Girls, Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front, and My Mini Dream Room. Her newest book is Nature Girl: a guide to caring for God’s creation. Her book The One Year My Princess Devotions won the 2014 Christian Retailing Best Award in children’s nonfiction. Her book Stories of Faith and Courage from the Home Front won the Golden Scroll nonfiction book of the year in June and gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America nonfiction category. Her writing experience includes more than 600 magazine articles in more than sixty periodicals. She writes for Book Fun Magazine and Molly Green magazines and will be representing them at the conference. Editorial needs are posted at http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/editors. If you’ve already registered for the conference and requested your appointments, the same as with Rick Marschall, another faculty member who just recently joined us, you may request an additional “bonus” appointment. Just email mvawter@writehisanswer.com.

Editorial Needs – Kregal Publications, represented by Jeanette Windle
I just realized I never posted this info to the website. All genres of fiction, but they are getting picky and taking fewer titles; no children’s picture books, non-fiction Christian living, theology, pastoral and church resources, inspirational, some missions, niche genres if the perfect topic was offered.

There’s still time to register before the $15 “procrastinator’s fee” kicks in July 22. Go to http://philadelphia.writehisanswer.com/register. If you need scholarship help or time payments, I’ll do everything possible to work with you to make it happen. Click on Scholarships.


News You Can Use

Gone or Dawn? The Golden Age of Publishing – An encouraging blog from literary agent, Steve Laube.

Fantastical and Endless Opportunities  – Interview with GPCWC faculty member, Pam Halter.

Keep writing His answer!

 

 

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