What is Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference

So…are you guys gearing up for writing conference season? I am…and it feels like it’s going to be a doozy!

In fact, today I’m attending the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference. I can’t go for the entire conference this year, but since it’s taking place 30 minutes from my house I’m popping in today and tomorrow to hang out with other writers, glean from the great teaching, and…of course….dress in costume!!

If you’ve never been to the BRMCWC, I’d like to give you a few tips- and hopefully encourage you to visit next year, or even in the fall when they have their annual Novel Writing Retreat.

BRMCWC is held at Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina. About 30 minutes east of Asheville, NC and about 2 hours northwest of Charlotte. It’s nestled in the mountains and the entire atmosphere sets the stage for your conference experience.

Blue Ridge offers some of the quality classes you’re used to receiving at the ACFW or Mount Hermon conference but at a smaller scale. The

conference center has rooms scattered throughout their buildings, surrounding a beautiful natural area where author photos can be taken, author videos made, one can take walks, or just enjoy sitting by the quiet stream.

Meals are offered in the dining hall, and like many other Christian conferences, worship time and devotionals are offered each day.

BRMCWC was my first writer’s conference over 6 years ago and it was a fantastic place to start. The smaller size and relaxed atmosphere created plenty of opportunities to meet other writers and talk with editors/agents. It’s a wonderful place for writers, especially new authors, to learn more about the craft from knowledgeable teachers- as well as a place to meet agents!

 I had the wonderful opportunity to meet my first agent here!

In the past, BRMCWC has had presenters such as Rachel Hauck, Susan May Warren, Beth Vogt, Ramona Richards, Eva Marie Everson, Alton Gansky, Chip MacGregor, Steve Laube, Diann Mills, Deborah Raney, Steven James, and so many more. This year, Steven James is back, and I can’t wait to take my oldest son to his classes J

As you can see from the pics, it’s a beautiful place with some great people. I even had my author video created here last year with LDP Media.

I also won my first major writing award at this conference.  In 2010 I won The Foundation Award for my favorite novel, Just the Way You Are.

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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus. Her debut historical novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015 and has garnered awards such as Reader's Favorites Award, finalist in the Grace Awards, and shortlisted for the Inspy Awards. Her second historical novel, The Thorn Keeper, released in Feb 2016 and her first contemporary romance, A Twist of Faith, released in April 2016 with a 4 star review from Romantic Times. You can get to know Pepper on her website, www.pepperdbasham.com, on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, or Instagram.

Highlights from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference-2011

Hello Writers Alley,

It’s me – Pepper, and I’m delighted to share the highlights of my visit to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference two weeks ago. This was my fourth year at Blue Ridge, where each year I attend as a day guest because the conference is about an hour and a half from my home in TN.

Nestled in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains, just east of Asheville, Ridgecrest Conference Center might be a bit unexpected for this growing conference, but it’s the perfect place. Beautiful, quiet, with friendly people at every turn.

I was so pleased to recognize lots of faces this year, as well as be recognized by fabulous authors like Deb Raney, DiAnn Mills, and Jim Rubart. Getting to meet new authors like Edie Melson (we’d met last year, briefly, Gina Holmes, and Ramona Richards was another treat. And waving to familiar aspiring authors like Lisa Carter and Lori Roeveld. Oh what a blast. And this year there was even more courses , agents, and editors  than last year.

But I’m rambling (no surprise). I wanted to give you a few of the highlights.

I was only able to attend 2 days – so I tried to pack as much in as possible. I attended DiAnn Mills, Writing Romance That Sells course, Ramona Richards Writing a Lady to Love course, and returned to DiAnn Mills for Writing Dialogue.

From Writing Romance That Sells:

1.       Characters are vital. We remember well-written characters. KNOW THY CHARACTER!!!!

2.       DiAnn suggests filling out a detailed character chart on each character, and filling out the Myers-Briggs personality test for each of your main characters. It gives important information that makes your characters more three-dimensional and complex.

3.       What are some things that make a ‘selling manuscript’?

a.       The triumph of a character through pain to fulfillment

b.      Unusual plots with your unique ‘spin’ on them

c.       Transforming love that makes each main character better people

d.      Witty dialogue

e.      Emotive conflict

f.        Satisfactory ending

4.       Each page in your manuscript must have some type of conflict

5.       Your protagonist should initiate the action rather than be a victim*** (I liked this one. Readers like strong, independent women)

6.       Quick look at 5 Plot Elements

a.       A sympathetic character (make us care)

b.      A problem arises resulting in conflict (make us desire something)

c.       Conflict must have twists and turns, and character must grow (make us have to fight for our desire)

d.      A climax must exist (make us fight to the finish)

e.      Resolution (make us meet our goal, find our treasure, recover our lost item, get the guy, etc.)

A Lady to Love – this class was absolutely awesome. If you get the chance to sit in on it at a conference near you – DO IT! (here are some highlights)

What makes a woman unforgettable? Scarlett O’Hara, Marion Ravenwood, Jo March, Hester Prynne, Vivian (from Pretty Woman)

1.       All of our current movie heroines descend from Cinderella

a.       A young woman struggling against her environment

b.      Breaks free of the conflict because of her personality

c.       Finds her way to break out

d.      End of story resolved well

2.       What type of woman should we write?

a.       One who cares deeply

b.      Independent

c.       Women who face immediate conflict

d.      Smart

3.       Three conflict for your heroine:

a.       Environmental Conflict (something you can ‘see)

b.      Internal Conflict (something within the heroine)

c.       Interpersonal Conflict (with others)

4.       Heroines are one of 7 personalities:

a.       The Boss (ex. Queen Elizabeth I) a ruler

b.      Seductress (ex. Scarlett O’Hara)

c.       Spunky Kid (ex. Meg Ryan in most of her movies) ‘girl next door’

d.      Free Spirit (ex. Lucille Ball) – follow their own path; ultimate hippie

e.      Waif – ‘Ultimate damsel-in-distress’

f.        Librarian – control freak, prim, proper

g.       Crusader – (ex. Marion Ravenwood from Indiana Jones) adventurer

Most heroines have a basic personality of one of these, with another type or two layering over the foundational one.

Okay, I’m going to stop for now. I have so much information – so many notes, but I’ll just have to save those for next time. What would you like to hear more about? Writing romance? Writing Dialogue? Writing heroines? The dance of character and plot?

Or would you like to learn more of the basics? What are conferences like, or specifically the BRMCWC?

What's Up The Street For Next Week?

~*~Dreams~*~

They are the ethereal wispiness of wishes past and present and a grasp on what we hope will be coming in the future.

And as writers, we carry many dreams in our pockets, taking them out one by one to polish and perfect, admiring and loving before slipping them back into our pockets.

Dreams are fulfilled and sometimes discarded, but we are always left enriched for having them.

What are your dreams?

Coming Up...

Pepper brings to us a quick snap shot of tips from the recent Blue Ridge Mountains Writer's Conference on Monday.

Tuesday with Sherrinda is all about when life gets in the way and you have to put a short "hold" on your writing.

You must gain a reader's trust and on Wednesday, Mary has tips on how to keep and maintain that trust to keep them turning pages.

Sometimes simply doing a random search of your WIP is not enough. Casey has a few tips on her Thursday post to help spot the problem areas in your body language.

Krista shares on Friday the importance of your finances and managing them along with the writing dream.

~ NewsStand





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