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Archive for the ‘Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference’ Category

Conference Updates & News You Can Use

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Writing Fiction on February 6, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Marlene BagnullColorado Christian Writers Conference updates . . . 

Neither rain nor snow, sleet nor ice . . . Well it goes something like this! While yesterday’s ice storm prevented us from picking up the brochures from the printer today as we had planned, I’m praising God for how preparations for the May 14-17 Colorado Christian Writers Conference are progressing.

If we have your USPS address, you should receive your brochure in a little over a week. Meanwhile, you can view it on the conference website.

Yesterday I uploaded photos, bios, and the editorial needs of our 18 Book Editors and representatives. Tomorrow, Lord willing, I’ll upload the page for the 11 Periodical Editors. Then I need to tackle the pages for the 18 Agents & Other Professionals and the 21 Authors. Whew! What a huge but joy-filled task. Thank You, Father, for the great faculty You have provided.

Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference Update

I’m still focused on updating the website for the May 14-17 Colorado Christian Writers Conference but soon, very soon I trust, I’ll be able to turn my attention to the Philly conference. I can tell you that so far we have 4 agents, 12 book editors or representatives, and 22 other professionals on faculty.

I think I already announced that Cec Murphey will be keynoting and teaching a continuing session on The Power of Story. “Stories,” Cec says, “are truth in human skin. Whether you write fiction or nonfiction stories and illustrations you need to impact your readers. You can learn to write original  stories, sustain suspense, intrigue readers, and provide satisfying endings.”

News you can use . . .

Grammar test – Take this quiz to see how sharp your grammar skills really are. Are you making common grammar mistakes?

Tips for tags – dialogue that is – A helpful article by James Scott Bell, an excellent author and teacher who has served on our faculty.

Are the words you speak and write pushing millenials away? – If you’ve not seen this onFaith November 7, 2013 article by Addie Zierman, and even if you have, it’s important to read and to read again. Father, please help us think before we speak and write – better still, to pray!

Joel Rosenberg’s Blog – In his January 29 blog, Joel writes about the importance of prayer and asks important questions. “Are we praying for our leaders at this time of crisis? Or are we sniping at them?”

Amen. Father help us to faithfully and prayerfully serve You.

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Overcoming Procrastination

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Goal-setting, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming self-doubts, Writer's Life on December 31, 2013| 1 Comment »

Procrastination is a sin;
it brings me endless sorrow.
I know I should stop doing it.
I think I’ll start tomorrow!

No doubt you’ve seen this poem or something similar. I checked the Internet to attribute it and found 4,390 entries! Obviously procrastination is a hot topic that, like the old game of hot potato, we quickly toss (pass the blame) to someone or something else. Really, isn’t it easier to blame someone else for causing us to procrastinate or to move to another task to avoid doing the thing(s) we know we need to do?

While no one is immune from procrastination, I think writers are especially prone. I’m not pointing an accusing finger at you – I’m pointing it at myself. Despite the chapter on “Overcoming Procrastination” that I wrote for my book, Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers, I struggle with procrastination as much or perhaps more than others. How else could I have written that chapter? I’m an expert! If you’re curious about what I’m learning (but sadly not always applying), click here to read the chapter online.

I especially struggle with procrastination when it comes to planning the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conferences. I know Father has entrusted these conferences to me. Watching Him work and do Ephesians 3:20 things each year (it’s now 31 years for Philly and 17 for Colorado) is one of my greatest joys. It’s just the getting started that’s hard. Well, okay, the entire process is hard! I know I’ll face computer challenges and overwhelming to-do lists and time pressures that will stretch me far beyond my abilities, my limited IQ (it’s amazing how stupid my computer can make me feel), my wisdom, my strength . . .

And that’s the problem! I procrastinate when I focus on me – on my self-doubts and feelings of inadequacy rather than trusting the Lord to enable me to do what I can never do on my own. Although the world says dependency on anyone or anything but ourselves is weakness, like the apostle Paul I’d rather embrace my weaknesses knowing that “when I am weak, then I am strong – the less I have, the more I depend on him” (2 Cor. 12:10 TLB). God-confidence is far better than self-confidence!

Will you ask the Lord what He wants you to do – to write – this year? And will you then commit to do it in His strength and for His glory?

P.S. The website for the May 14-17 Colorado Christian Writers Conference is now updated with the 2014 faculty and continuing sessions. Lots more info coming soon. The website for the July 30-August 2 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference still has 2013 info but I can tell you that Cec Muphey will be on faculty. I hope you’ll visit again, pass the URL on to friends, and save the date! There’s still lots of work to do but as Aristotle said, “Well begun is half done.” I’m excited and hope you will be too.

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So very thankful!

Posted in Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on November 27, 2013| 8 Comments »

50th Anniversary

Thank You, Father, for all You’ve done this year and for the very special blessing of celebrating 50 years of marriage to my beloved husband, Paul, on November 9. Wow, Father! Half a century of blessings!

Thank You for our precious grandchildren. I’m so grateful You moved us within walking distance four years ago.

Father, You know I’m also so grateful for the faculty and staff who served You and Your people at the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. And thank You for those who have said yes to be with us next year. Thank You that the continuing sessions are in place for the Colorado conference.

And what joy it was to give my Write His Answer Seminar in Connecticut in September and to keynote in Georgia and Delaware in October. Thank You for opening these doors of ministry and helping me move tons of overheads to PowerPoint.

This could easily become a book rather than a blog for there is so much more that fills my heart with gratitude. Thank You for family and friends and most of all for loving me and helping me to do what I could never do in my own strength. You are awesome, Lord!

Come All Christians

Marlene Bagnull
To the tune “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come”

Come all Christians join in song
Praise our God the whole day long
Not just on Thanksgiving eve
But throughout eternity
Thank You God for all You’ve done
For Your Spirit and Your Son
And Your Word that points the way
To bear fruit for You each day

Thank You for this land we love
For Your watch care from above
For  countless ways that You have blessed
Giv’n Your strength when we are stressed
Help us never to forget
That in You our needs are met
Change our hearts, our faith renew
Help us serve and honor You

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An elk fell on my head and other news from Write His Answer Ministries

Posted in Called to write, Colorado Christian Writers Conference, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey, Writer's Life on August 18, 2013| 1 Comment »

elk that bit me 

It’s true! An elk really did fall on my head. He lost two legs and his left antler.  And me?  I could have lost my eye if he had fallen just an inch or two lower on my head. Instead Rob Cook’s son had the opportunity to play doctor and use an ace bandage to hold a bag of ice on my head. And my husband has had to look at the growing black and blue mark on my forehead and around my eye this past week.

How did it happen? The same as so many events in our lives.  It was not something I saw coming. It was an accident. I sat down in a dining room chair and shoved it back against my hutch where Mr. Elk had safely resided out of the reach of my grandkids for the past 3-1/2 years. The hutch moved and he fell – onto my head. 

Father, thank You that I was not seriously injured. Thank You that he did not fall on Cindy Watkins and Margie Vawter who spent a lot of time in that same chair pre and post conference. And thank You that my laptop was not on the table when it happened.

It would be all too easy to view this as a conference battle scar and to allow the evil one to steal my joy. But I am choosing to “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you [for me] in Christ Jesus” (1 Thess. 5:16-18 NIV).

Directing the conference(s) has not gotten any easier through 30 years of ministry, but the joys have certainly multiplied beyond what I could have ever asked or expected in the beginning (Eph. 3:20).

What about you and your ministry of written words and spoken words as Yolanda Powell reminded us in her powerful keynote at GPCWC? Do you view rejection as an “injury,” or do you choose to “keep your eyes on Jesus” realizing that He never promised it would be easy to serve Him? Do you learn from your experiences submitting your work to editors or, ideally, first to your critique group? Are you teachable and willing to rewrite your manuscript until it is the best it can be? Or will you keep making the same mistakes because you refuse to listen to advice?  Hopefully my husband can repair my elk, but I’ve learned my lesson. Mr. Elk is never again going to sit up high where he can fall on me or anyone else.

As you continue on your journey to publication, I want to encourage you to check out the Write His Answer bookstore and to order CDs from both the Colorado and Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. The entire Greater Philly conference (over 100 hours of workshops, continuing classes, keynotes, and panels) are available as MP3 files on two DVDs for only $159, postage paid.

If you live in New England, I want to encourage you to come to the “Write His Answer” Seminar I’ll be teaching in Cheshire, CT, September 27-28.

Most of all I want to encourage you to keep on “writing His answer” for men and women, boys and girls who need to know Him.

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The story behind Christian Devotions Ministries and their mission to launch writing careers

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Publishing journey on July 23, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Eddie Jones Apr 2013 

Audio Interview with Eddie Jones
by Donna Brennan

Click here to listen to the interview.

Eddie Jones is an author, speaker, and publisher. He is a co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and is always looking for someone who can write good devotions.

At the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference on July 31 – August 3 Eddie will teach a workshop about working with a small press and another workshop on Thursday during Teens Write. And, of course, he’ll be taking pitches for devotions and books.

I sat down with Eddie on the deck of the main conference building at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in Estes Park and got him to answer a few questions. As we sat taking in the view, Eddie spoke about the various websites that comprise Christian Devotions Ministries and how each one got started. He also shared how Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas got started, and a bit about what kinds of books they’re looking for.

It was a beautiful day although a bit windy. I was able to filter out most of the noise from the wind, but I wasn’t able to filter out the giggles and footsteps of a happy child playing on the deck. Still, I think what Eddie has to say is so interesting you’ll barely notice much of the background noise.
____________

It’s not too late to register for the conference and to request an appointment with Eddie.

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Building the Wall

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Praying for our nation on July 21, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Becky Spencer

Guest Blog from
GPCWC Faculty Member
Becky Spencer

How my heart grieves for our nation! I read in Ezekiel this morning where God said He looked for someone to build a wall, for a man to stand in the gap–but He couldn’t find anyone.

I asked Him what He meant; Ezekiel wrote this during the 70 year captivity, but it referred to when Israel was being warned. Jeremiah was a man weeping and praying and warning over Israel, yet that one man wasn’t enough.

When a nation/culture has been infiltrated with great waves of evil, one man can’t stand against it enough to change the direction they’re heading. Not when the prophets are prophesying lies, the priests are fleecing the people, the princes are also taking advantage of everyone for gain, and the papas have neglected their duty to teach their children God’s holy ways.

We can still build a wall, but it will be more for our own families, churches, and communities while there is still a little crack of daylight seeping through. We can still stand in the gap through intercession.

Building the wall–edifying ourselves in our most holy faith and taking care how we build on the foundation laid, which is Jesus Christ. Teaching line upon line, precept upon precept.

When it has been neglected and twisted for so long, what will it take to sway a culture? They don’t believe the Bible is God’s Word, so it holds no significance to them–certainly not enough to change.

It still has to happen one person at a time as we love them in Jesus’ Name and teach those who have ears to hear. Not everyone trapped in this junk is hateful to the Name. Some are simply ignorant, but hungry.

Too many have become angry and militant, even those who once claimed to love Him.

Hope and Rick [see below], both of your sessions will be well worth attending. Hope, you are SO right on that we must prepare; persecution isn’t coming–it’s already here and heating up.

Marlene, thank you for making this kind of teaching available at the conferences. It’s so relevant, and we need many to pick up their pens as ready swords.
__________________

Becky Spencer is ministering in Swaziland July 8-23. A kingdom of a million people with the highest incidence of AIDS in the world. Experts estimate that almost half of the population is stricken with the disease. About 200,000 children have been stripped of their parents. And 20% of the children in this kingdom have to fend for themselves with no adult present to feed them or send them to school. To learn more about Becky and Grand Staff Ministries click here.

Because we’re living in critical days, the July 31 – August 3 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference is offering these special two-hour sessions on Thursday, August 1. Concerned Christians from the community (not just those who consider themselves to be writers) are encouraged to come to one or more. For more info and to register click here.

Prepare for Persecution – C. Hope Flinchbaugh (10:00 am – noon)
More Christians have died for their faith in the last century than in the previous 19 centuries combined. The Christian church in America has not walked this way before, but Jesus has promised that we will overcome by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Is God calling you to “write His answer” for Christians in the last days? Bring your pen!

A Culture in Peril – Rick Marschall (1:00 – 3:00 pm)
What can one Christian do in the face of our nation’s spiritual crisis? Rather than a traditional lecture, this is a forum where we will grieve for our nation’s ills and encourage each other as God’s warriors to defend biblical principles. You’ll come away with a clearer idea of what you can do, where you are, with what you have!

Compassion, Justice, Advocacy – Steven Lawson (3:30 – 5:30)
Are you concerned about human trafficking, orphans, abortion, the poor, racism, the handicapped, the hungry, the oppressed, and so much more than is close to the heart and call of Jesus? If God has given you a burden to be an advocate, to tell a story, or make a cause or issue known, let’s discover how we can be most effective.

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Connecting with Your Audience

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on July 20, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Tim Shoemaker color

Audio Interview
with Tim Shoemaker

by Donna Brennan

Click here to listen.

Tim is a fulltime author and speaker. He has written several books packed full of fun devotions for parents to do with their kids, and has more recently turned his talents to writing suspense for middle grade readers. My boys are enjoying Tim’s Code of Silence—every chapter seems to end with a cliff hanger.

At the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writer’s Conference on August 1-4, Tim will be teaching a continuing session called Take Your Fiction to the Gym where he’ll be sharing plenty of tips, tools, and techniques for making your writing stronger and getting your manuscripts in shape to compete out there in the publishing world. He’ll also be leading the Thursday morning Bible study lesson—you don’t want to miss that.

I met up with Tim at the Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference in Estes Park, Colorado and got him to sit down to answer a few questions. He’s as interesting in person as he is on stage. Tim shared why he came up with all those crazy—and effective—ways to teach lifelong biblical principles. And, if you’ve ever seen Tim speaking in front of an audience and wondered how in the world did he get some of those props he uses to the conference center or church where you see him, Tim shares a little bit about that as well.

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It Comes Down to Faith

Posted in Called to write, God's promises, Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, Overcoming distractions, Overcoming self-doubts, Pondering Biblical Truth, Writer's Life on July 17, 2013| 1 Comment »

10-1113tm-vector2-3103Do you put off doing things because you don’t believe you can do them? Do you have half-written manuscripts waiting to be finished? What about ideas that you’ve tucked away – somewhere? Are you putting off registering for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference or the  Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference because you’re uncertain that you have what it takes to get in print?

Yes, procrastination is a very real foe, but I am convinced the real reason we procrastinate is because we don’t believe we can do something. And actually, that’s true! We need God’s enabling to do the work He calls us to do. The key is knowing what He is calling us to do. The Living Bible paraphrase of Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything God asks me to do with the help of Christ who gives me the strength and power.”

It comes down to faith – to believing in the One who calls us and choosing to say “yes, Lord, here am I.”Dream%20With%20Me_album%20cover

I want to encourage you to read aloud the “Writer’s Statement of Faith” below. You may need to read it aloud several times a day. I know I do! I also want to encourage you to watch this video of pre-teen Jackie Evancho singing “To Believe.” Yes, Father, help us to believe that we really can make a difference and bring peace – Your peace – to our troubled world.

A Writer’s Statement of Faith

I have strength for all things in Christ Who Empowers me-I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength in me, [that is, I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]. Phil. 4:13 AMP

Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies, so that God will be glorified. 1 Pet. 4:11 TLB

[Not in my own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in me – energizing and creating in me the power and desire – both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight. Phil. 2:13 AMP

My strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power at work within me. Eph. 6:10 TLB

In Him in every respect I am enriched, in full power and readiness of speech (to speak of my faith), and complete knowledge and illumination (to give me full insight into its meaning). 1 Cor. 1:5 AMP

Now I have every grace and blessing; every spiritual gift and power for doing His will are mine during this time of waiting for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Cor. 1:7 TLB

I actually do have within me a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ. 1 Cor. 2:16 TLB

I can be a mirror that brightly reflects the glory of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3:18 TLB

I will commit everything I do to the Lord. I will trust Him to help me do it and He will. Ps. 37:5 TLB

I will lean on, trust and be confident in the Lord with all my heart and mind, and choose not to rely on my own insight or understanding. Prov. 3:5 AMP

I will commit my work to the Lord, then it will succeed. Prov. 16:3 TLB

Sharing Christ is my work, and I can do it only because Christ’s mighty energy is at work within me. Col. 1:29 TLB

I will be strong and courageous and get to work. I will not be frightened by the size of the task, for the Lord my God is with me; He will not forsake me. He will see to it that everything is finished correctly. 1 Chron. 28:20 TLB

I need to keep on patiently doing God’s will if I want Him to do for me all He promised. Heb. 10:36 TLB

I m convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in me will continue until the day of Jesus Christ – right up to the time of His return – developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in me. Phil. 1:6 AMP

His mighty power at work within me is able to do far more than I would every dare to ask or even dream of – infinitely beyond my highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes. Eph. 3:20 TLB

From Write His Answer – A Bible Study for Christian Writers. For more excerpts, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

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ASSIST News

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on July 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

ASSIST

I cannot say enough good things about Dan Wooding and his ASSIST News Service. Dan is making a difference through journalism – a genre that far too often Christian writers overlook. Dan and his wife, Norma, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today. Thank You, Father, for the example of this special couple who are devoted to You and to each other.

ASSIST stands for Aid to Special Saints in Strategic Times. At http://www.assistnews.net/ you’ll find stories that you may not find anywhere else. If you do not already subscribe, I urge you to do so.

I also can’t thank Dan and Becca Anderson enough for again spreading the news about the July 31 – August 3 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference. Click here for a direct link to Becca’s article.

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Making a Difference in Hollywood

Posted in Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference on July 13, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Ted Baehr smiling color

Dr. Ted Baehr

Founder & Chairman
Christian Film and Television Commission ™
http://www.movieguide.org/

Dr. Ted Baehr will present the opening keynote Thursday morning, August 1, at the 30th anniversary of the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference at Cairn University in Langhorne, PA. In “Transforming Our Culture” he will talk about what you need to know about the current state of the mass media of entertainment and how to use your faith to make Hollywood and the world a better place for your children and grandchildren.

Dr. Baehr is also teaching a six-hour continuing session on “Breakthrough Scriptwriting.” Participants will learn how to write a script that is structurally sound, entertaining, morally responsible, and very marketable. He will show you how to go from treatment to theatrical release so you can get the Word out through the mass media of entertainment. He also includes valuable information about key principles of communicating through movies and television from a Christian perspective.

A man with a vision who is making a difference, Dr. Baehr is the founder and chairman of The Christian Film and Television Commission™. He is an award-winning media authority often on television, radio, and in print. His purpose is to be used by God to redeem the values of the mass media and encourage families to use wisdom in selecting entertainment. His books include The Culture-Wise Family, How to Succeed in Hollywood (without losing your soul), and others.

Dr. Baehr is the publisher of MOVIEGUIDE® Magazine (www.movieguide.org). In an email I received from him this morning he said:

“MOVIEGUIDE® is the biggest faith based and almost the biggest family movie and entertainment review site which is why the Hallmark Channel broadcasts the Gala and the short form MOVIEGUIDE® program. Hallmark came to us after looking at the numbers. The average age of people going to most faith based sites, is 55. Our readers average 34 years old with a tremendous growth in 12 to 24 year olds We grew 400% in three years. We are now millions of uniques. We are many times bigger than other sites, because people come to us thinking we are just the most thorough movie review site, whereas we are teaching in all that we do.

“We have a Tuesday DVD newsletter and a Friday new in theaters newsletter on the web (www.movieguide.org).

“We also have a radio program that recently was independently audited to have over 21 million monthly listeners. And we have a TV show syndicated across faith and family networks. www.movieguide.org

“Our iphone app  (www.movieguide.org) was a top 50, and through our various Facebook groups (MOVIEGUIDE ® Facebook group included) we have millions of fans.

“The number of unique readers and visitors of MOVIEGUIDE® has grown 406% over the past three years!!!”

It’s not too late to register for the July 31 – August 3 conference and “Breakthrough Scriptwriting.” No registration is needed for Thursday morning’s keynote at 8:30 am that is open free of charge to the community.

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