ACFW Conference Woman on the Street-Live in Dallas

The American Christian Fiction Writers Conference is one of the most exciting events for a writer to attend. New and seasoned authors meet, network, share their joys and sorrows in a venue designed to be uplifting and encouraging. No matter what happens, every conferee goes home with something good.

Today I am playing woman on the street. Yes, I am here in Dallas. I have my microphone in hand and am ready to give you on the spot interviews with some ACFW VIPs:

I see Robin Miller, the Conference Director over there. Excuse, me, Robin, do you have a minute for our readers? She's nodding and coming over to us!!

1. Robin, you seem rather busy. What are you doing?
RM: I'm getting last minute details handled. We work year long toward the conference, planning and paying attention to details, but there are some things that just have to be done onsite.

2. As the conference director, what one help could you offer new attendees?
RM: One bit of advice I offer new and seasoned attendees alike...the conference is for YOU. Only you can determine how much rest you need, how much time you need to devote in the prayer room, how many sessions you can take in one day...set the pace that works for you.

3. What is the greatest take-away you hope conferees have?
RM: I hope conferees go away spiritually recharged as well as having learned something new for their careers or have made new connections. Conference is truly a highlight of many writers' year, and I love hearing stories after the fact of some of the stuff God was doing behind the scenes. So blessed!

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Here is Brandilyn Collins, Prayer Room Coordinator! She will pray with and for you during the conference. What a godly leader. She is also the emcee during the general session and is ready to make you laugh. Let's ask her a few questions:

1. Brandilyn, you look busy. What are you doing?
BC: The day before conference starts is our day-long board meeting. We have numerous important issues for ACFW to discuss this year. When I'm done with the board meeting I'll be running around the hotel, familiarizing myself with the layout. Once conference starts I need to know where the meeting rooms, bathrooms, etc. are so I can help conferees who are lost. And sometime during the day I'll be sure to go to the prayer room and pray over it, asking God to be present in the room as people pray throughout the weekend. I've seen wonderful answers to prayer every year, and I expect no less this year.

2. As the Prayer Room coordinator and emcee, what one help could you offer new attendees?
BC: DO take time to go to the prayer room early in the conference. Ask God to lead you during the weekend. Trust Him to "accomplish what concerns you," as Psalm 138:8 promises. And if you feel a pull to go into the room at some point, GO. It may be God leading you there to pray with someone else.

3. What is the greatest take-away you hope conferees have?

BC: Two things I like to see the conference accomplish. First, that each person learns more about the craft of writing fiction. Second, that each person better understands God's leading regarding his/her writing.

Blessings, all, and look forward to seeing you in Dallas!

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I remember my first time to this conference. I felt so lost in a sea of awesome writers. One of the most crucial first landing points is the ACFW registration desk. Manning this station is Dineen Miller. She has an awesome smile and plenty of helpful directions.

Dineen! Hi! Do you have a minute? (Dineen looks up) I have a few questions:
1. You seem rather busy, what are you doing? I see we'll get something to hold our things in at the conference! That's great!

DM: We’re getting everything ready and in place so that every attendee will be well informed and well equipped. Yes, these bags are stuffed with goodies for you! Every conference attendee will receive a tote, a conference booklet, a note book and pen, a badge and a packet that has all their specific conference information such as what sessions they signed up for, editor and agent appointments, etc. Plus their nameplate for their lanyard is tucked in that little inner pocket of the information folder. Pretty neat, huh?

And we are never too busy to help and no question is too silly. I love serving at the registration desk and our volunteers do too. We’re here to make your conference experience as great as possible.

2. As the Registration Desk Specialists, what one help could you offer new attendees?

DM: Take a deep breath and remember Who’s really at the center of it all. I love Psalm 32:7 that says “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”

Take time to relax and pray. Entrust it all to Him. He’s got you. Enjoy the conference and whatever God has for you in this experience. It may not be exactly what you expected, but I’m pretty sure that if you let God guide you, it will be even better.

3. What is the greatest take-away you hope conferees have?

DM: Clarity as to why they are writing. Encouragement to keep writing. Inspiration for what they are writing. Jesus impacted lives through stories. We do too. That’s a pretty cool job if you ask me! So, perhaps the greatest take-away may be having a heart and passion for your future readers. God meets them on those pages in stunning ways. You just never know...

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Can you hear the music? Rachel Hauck leads our worship time. She, the singers, and musicians in her group are preparing songs of praise. As conferees we gather several times during the conference to worship the God who loves us with songs and praise.  While the band is tuning, let's ask Rachel a few questions.

1. Rachel, you seem rather busy, what are you doing?

RH: I'm always surprised how busy the conference is for me. I'm up early to get worship going during breakfast and then I'm off to teach a class or perhaps meet with my agent or my editor, or publisher. I meet up with other authors. It's a great time to network. I do like to be available to meet new people so I try to hang around the lobby.

2. As the Conference Worship Director, Rachel, what one help could you offer new attendees?

RH: This may sound weird, but "Let the conference come to you." Meaning, whoever you sit by for lunch, or next to in a workshop, bloom! Talk to the people next to you, strike up conversations. If you see someone you want to meet or admire, go up and say "Hello" but don't over extend your expectations of what might happen. Just breathe. See what doors the Lord will open.

3. What is the greatest take-away you hope conferees have?

RH: That they have tools to keep on this publishing journey. That they feel assured this is what God has called them to do!

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Casey Miller is the Appointment Coordinator. He is the incredibly organized guy who coordinates hundreds of appointments for conferees with agents, editors, and mentors. He has plan B-Z ready to go for any situation. 

Hey Casey!

1.  You seem rather busy in this office, what are you doing with all these papers?

CM: When I am in the conference office, I am usually working on cancellations of appointments and trying to see if I can get them filled before they expire. If I am not working on appointments, then I am working usually on last minute tweaks and changes to the Gala Awards slide show presentation. ACFW is always striving to make things better for the attendees and its members.

2. As the Appointment Coordinator, what one help could you offer new attendees?

CM: The ACFW membership is the most gracious group of people I have ever met. I have seen editors, agents, mentors, and various other attendees giving up of their time and their appointments to someone who they felt needed those more. ACFW attendees are the best! The one bit of advice I would offer to all attendees is to learn your environment. There are many times I can see the  stress and frustration on their face because they don’t know where they’re going, and this could be avoided just by taking the time to learn where everything is located…also download the ACFW App! The phone app is usually up to date and will help tremendously…I also hear it even has an alarm to set for appointment times and for CE’s & Workshops.  

Mary here: I totally didn't know about the app! What a great idea!!

3. What tip could you give conferees regarding appointments?

CM: I would say the biggest mistake I see the new attendees make is not doing their investigative work first, before making their choices for appointments. For the seasoned attendees, their biggest mistake, is not talking to their agents first. I will get 30-40 change requests a day from both sets of attendees and it is usually from these two examples.

4. Is there any other tips you can give?

CM: I recommend you meet with members from your zones, find crit partners, and meet up with some same genres attendees. This conference is a great event and you want to enjoy it to its fullest. Attendees must also take a step back, take a breath, relax, and go to the prayer room. You have to go at a pace that you are comfortable with.

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Look! There is Casey Herringshaw, the Carol Awards Coordinator. Let's ask her a few questions:

1. What exactly are the Carol Awards?
CH: The Carol Awards are ACFW's award to acknowledge the best in published Christian fiction--both traditionally published and self-published. The Carol's are a premier Christian fiction award, coveted by any who receive or final in the award. The finalists are books that should not be missed.

2. How are the books nominated? And can Indie books be nominated? How are winners selected?

CH: Books are entered by the author. Right now any indie book that has earned the author a certain amount of revenue (further information is available on our Carol Awards page on www.acfw.com) can be entered in the award--we have several Indie books this year up for awards--exciting! Winners are judged in two rounds. The first round with 5 individual judges and scores and the second round with 3 individual judges and scores. The book with the highest score wins. smile emoticon 

3. What is the greatest take-away you hope conferees have? 
CH: I hope they walk onto the conference floor and are flooded with the reminder of why they love writing. That their energy for the craft is rejuvenated and that they connect with friends both old and new.
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What questions do you have?
How can we help you?

I can't wait to read your comment(s)!

Photo Courtesy: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dallas-Reunion.jpg - rated-permission for reuse and modifications.
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If you found any typos in today's post...sorry about that. 

Mary writes young adult mystery/suspense Christian fiction, is honing marketing and writing skills, and loves to pen missionary and Bible adventure stories on her ministry blog, God Loves Kids. She has finaled in several writing contests.

Visit Mary at her website and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter

Getting To Know Your Character: The Challenge

As a mom of school-age children, it seems that everything goes out the window when summer hits (excuse the cliche). Schedule, routine, patience... yep, these lazy summer days are really unpredictable summer chaos. And with that, comes a lack of focus on my writing and my characters.

Soooo, I thought, it might be fun to take a CHALLENGE with all you AlleyPals and AlleyCats, in the name of getting to know our characters better!

The Challenge: Find a practical, intentional way to get in your character's shoes, to step into the "skin" of your leading lady, or hunky hero, and discover more about their point of view.

On Monday, June 30th, we'll all share what we learned. Perhaps, you'll discover something you didn't expect about your hero. Or, maybe it will give you insight on more research you might need to do. You might even be inspired to write a new scene...one that you'd like to share with us in the comment section that week??

For all those who take the challenge, there will be a drawing for a $10 Amazon gift card, too!

www.amazon.com

To give you some examples, I have quizzed my dear AlleyCats on what they've done in the past to connect with their characters. Here are some fab tips:

TELL! One of our AlleyCats writes internal monologues for her character before she even starts on the book. What a great way to get inside the character's head, and start refining that voice!

PIN IT! This is such a fun idea! Create a board and start pinning things AS your character. Whether she is a mom of a toddler pinning high chair recommendations, or a 19th century debutante pinning authentic cameos, start pinning and creating a visual foundation as you create.

WATCH! A few of us AlleyCats write settings in different countries or time periods, and if we haven't traveled there, then it gets a little overwhelming. Check out a documentary on the country (or the culture), or watch films set in that country or time period. Such a fun way to spend a Friday night...and work too!

READ! Got a character who loves fashion? Splurge and pick up a fashion magazine. Flip through and look with your fashionista's eyes. Perhaps your character is a dramatist. Have you read any good plays lately? Like, really read them?

My character is a 16th century Protestant in Catholic England...yeah...heavy. So my challenge is going to be read through the Anglican Church's Book of Common Prayer. Hoping it will get me in the language and give me a better understanding of her belief system.

LIVE IT! As you experience life situations that your character might find themselves in, switch from your pov to theirs. For example, one of our AlleyCats has a character who is afraid of flying. Yep, our sweet AlleyCat put herself in her character's shoes the next time she flew! GREAT way to experience it...maybe a little torturous too. :) Also, remember when you find yourself in typical surroundings for your character, use your character's "eyes". Even if it's the garden, a college campus, or a grocery store...begin to live life with your character in mind.

A great craft book on characters, recommended by a couple of the Alley Cats, is Brandilyn Collins' book, Getting Into Character. Check it out for more ideas on connecting with your character.

Hope you are inspired to join us in the challenge! Can't wait to hear from you on the 30th!

Let me know if you are going to participate, and give us any tips you might have to connect with your character.
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Angie Dicken first began writing fiction as a creative outlet during the monotonous days of diapers and temper tantrums. She is passionate to impress God's love on women regardless of their background or belief. This desire serves as a catalyst for Angie's fiction, which weaves salvation and grace themes across cultures. She is an ACFW member and is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. Check out Angie's personal blog at www.angiedicken.blogspot.com

What Up the Street For Next Week?

Have you found your favorite costume yet?
If you're dressing up (or if you could dress up as anything) what are you going to be?
It's so much fun to put on a mask and change your personality into someone (or something) you can only be in make believe.
Don't we do that a little bit with our characters? Put on their personalties for a little while as we write them?
Are there any characters you're writing who are difficult masks for you to wear? Difficult to get into their skin?

Some books about writing characters:
Characters, Emotions, & Viewpoint by Nancy Kress
Plot Versus Character- A Balanced Approach to Writing Great Fiction by Jeff Gerke

Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins
Believable Characters: Creating With Enneagrams by Laurie Shnebly

What's Happening This Week?

Monday - Angie brings The Writers Quench to you today - what do you do with thirsty sentences?

Tuesday - Julia challenges Pepper's last week post about Plotting from a Panster, with her own spin about Pantsing from a Plotter :-)

Wednesday - Sarah comes to help set you straight on setting goals with Goals-Schmoals: Here's What You Really Need

Thursday - More from Wendy from the fantastic book by Swain called Techniques of a Selling Writer

Friday - Cindy continues her series What's Missing From Your Novel? with Deep POV.

SIDEWALK TALK

It pays to be a frequent guest at The Alley - winner of Diann Mill's novel Attracted to Fire is Joanne Sher.

Here's some helpful (and fun) tips for Character Development:

http://www.keirsey.com/

What's your movie personality? http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/Movie-Personality-Quiz.aspx

Classic Movie Personality Test - http://similarminds.com/movie.html

http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/37_Hc1O/Which-Lord-of-the-Rings-Character-are-You

http://www.quibblo.com/quiz/1ew_zT/Which-Jane-Austen-heroine-are-you

On Being Mentored: Thanks Brandilyn Collins, Cara Putman, Robin Caroll

Attending a conference with more than seven hundred conferees in a congested city (especially for country girls) can be intimidating.

Behind the scenes of any stellar organization stand gifted workers willing to help. Three fabulous authors set aside time to guide and instruct over 150 first timers through storms of doubt, earthquake nerves, and mountains of questions. 


A loop was created for this specific purpose. Emails from these ladies first popped into our inboxes in June, opening doors for questions and offering tidbits and trade secrets. Newbies felt the freedom to ask any question.

I present you these godly ladies

 who served as first timer mentors:

Robin Caroll was the ACFW conference director. I found her checking details and assisting anywhere needed. Robin never took the stage-you had to look to see her (you know the type-the one cooking in the kitchen or standing behind the camera--ever present, never seen).

All seven hundred some odd conferees had appointments with either agents, editors, or mentors. Robin kept the pace moving, which enable all of us to enter our appointments at our given time. Because of her efforts, we each had our "Moment" of opportunity.

Robin and her husband, Casey Miller (the poor soul who arranged our appointments) sat with Pepper, Casey and I at the Pizza party. We laughed, sang, and danced to 80's music.  What a fun couple!

Robin, you became a friend in a heartbeat, a tower of strength, and a source of help. Thank you.

Serving as conference MC, Brandilyn Collin's humor and her Zondervan stories from the past made us feel like we were at home with a group of friends who had always known each other.

We laughed with tears dripping down our cheeks to her dramatized stories as if we were all gathered in her living room following a tasty dinner for an hour of stories. 

Many of us noticed a special side of Brandilyn: her loving, caring, giving side. 


One time I walked into the lobby area of the ladies room. Off to the side of this large room sat Brandilyn and a conferee--alone, praying. 


Another time I saw her in the comfy sofa section of the open hall area sharing what she had learned in the writer's craft with a small group of conferees. 

One morning I had slipped out of my hotel room early to go to the prayer room and had forgotten my Bible. I found Brandilyn's laying open on the table in this special room, inviting anyone to use it. As I leafed through the pages for my quiet time, I saw her notes and comments next to passages on almost every page.

Brandilyn, you SHOWED your love for Christ to us.  Thank you. 

Cara Putman devoted hours upon hours to newbie questions in the months leading up to the conference--she even answered questions repeated several times! 

Cara translated rules, guidelines, and directions (a type of non fiction language not spoken by fiction writers) using her own experiences. She posted links to fun examples of how not to speak to an agent, samples of beautiful one sheets, even photos sites of St. Louis with lists of local restaurants and attractions. WE WERE PREPARED!

During the orientation, Cara's cell phone rang. We laughed. She laughed too. Did she set up the situation? Does it matter? In her uplifting way, she proved people make mistakes, handle the situation in an appropriate way, and then move on. A great lesson to remember prior to those special appointments.

Cara, you radiated a sparky, godly, helping spirit which enabled everyone to sense God's presence.  

Any first time experience needs a mentor/guide to bring about a smooth experience. Have you had someone help you through a first time experience?

Do you have any shout outs, kudos, memories or others comments for Robin, Brandilyn, or Cara?

Meet Me at the Movies: Plotting with Indiana Jones

Welcome to the Movies!!!!

Put on your brown Fedora, pick up your whip, don your best sarcasm, and watch out for snakes, because we’re going to look at Plotting Tips from Indiana Jones.

Not your typical movie for plot points, but I like being unique - and I'm a big Indie-fan. I particularly want to focus on movies 1 and 3 (the other two weren’t all that great IMO) – but Indie’s premiere movie and especially The Last Crusade have some great plotpoints to teach.

So why do we like Indiana Jones? (besides the obvious ;-) or at least, why do we find Indiana memorable?

I think there are lots of reasons: Indy is a strong character. He has a sense of humor, is confident, an expert in something, and he’s quick to risk himself to save others – he’s also vulnerable and flawed. Which make this ‘larger than life’ character more believable. But another reason why I LOVE the Indiana Jones movies is because of the plot - (the action, adventure, suspense, and world travel ;-)

Let's start from the beginning - How do we meet him? In the opening scenes of Raiders of the Lost Ark, our whip wielding hero is walking through a jungle in search of a cave with a golden idol, a historical artifact. There is a feeling of danger. Uncertainty. Forboding.

 Within the first 10 minutes of the movie, Indy is nearly shot with a pistol, jabbed with a poisonous dart, dropped into a deep cavern, flattened by a rock wall, and squashed by a giant boulder. He’s had to use his expertise in archeology to get through booby traps, save treacherous guide’s life twice, outwit his nemesis, while sporting his sense of humor. Whew...what a beginning!

Most stories don’t start off with this much action – except maybe Mary Connealy, Brandilyn Collins or Steven James’ stories. Many novels begin with proposing a sense of uncertainty to the reader - whether it is by peril, attraction, or change.

But action alone doesn’t make a great story. Or perhaps I should rephrase this statement-
meaningful action makes a great story (and action can take both external and internal forms)

Most people will say that fabulous characters drive a plot line. Yes – that’s true. Fabulous characters are the heartbeat to a good story, but plot is the pathways by which the characters give life to the story.

In fact, I like to refer to plot as the character of the story.

Is your plot an aggressive character? Furious? Serious? Funny? Suspenseful?

Does it grow and expand like any good character should?

So how do we string meaningful action together to make a lingering plot?

1.       Begin with a BANG. HOOK the reader.

Indie movies have no trouble offering a beginning ‘hook’. All stories need to be 'caught' by the story from the very beginning. Sherrinda had a great post on this recently that you can read here. I also wrote one a while back that you can read here.

2.       Don’t just keep the reader on his/her toes, but give the characters a purpose that drives the story.

A plot is usually built around a bigger story. In Indiana Jones, the overarching problem is that Adolph Hitler wants to rule the world and one of the ways in which he’s seeking world domination is through the collection of religious artifacts. His hunt is the catalyst that initiates Raiders of the Lost Ark.

It's true for most stories. There is an overarching event driving the plotline.
In Ruth Logan Herne's newest novel, Small Town Hearts, the overarching external goal was establish a candy store - but this goal drove the plotline throughout the story.

The reason I like Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade more than any other Indie movie is because (along with the hooks, cliffhangers, plot turns and such) there is a deeper character development. A deeper story of healing between Indie and his father, as well as a deeper growth inside Indiana. It's almost like a discovery of what true 'worth' really is.

3.       Enhance your characters through a perfectly placed plot

Plots usually bring out a characters past wounds for them to battle or reconcile. For Indie, it’s either his past with Marion or his hurt with his father.

Plots initially ask questions that we answer throughout the story. First questions: Who is this guy?

 What’s he doing? Why is he doing it?

Then the questions become more complex – how will he solve this external goal? The internal one?

A good plot keeps the viewer/reader constantly asking new questions.

How will he get out of this? Will Marion and Indie survive, let alone be together? How will he save his father’s life? Who is the traitor? What will Indy choose, the grail or his life?

As long as the questions keep popping in the reader/viewer’s brain – they’ll stay engaged in the story.

Plots stretch our characters into someone new and better.

Good plots put your characters in places that challenge who they are, what they believe, and maybe even their physical stamina. There are lots of life-threatening situations that take place in Indiana Jones movies such as gunfights, fistfights, boat fights, car fights, burning Scottish castles…you know, the regular stuff ;-) But even if you don’t use such action-packed situations in your novel, you can still place your characters in plot situations that stretch them.

When our characters are challenged, we watch them grow.

Plotpoints to remember:

1.       Frame your scenes (or chapters) with hooks. Catch your reader with a hook at the beginning and then leave them wanting more at the end. (I love trying to do this for EVERY chapter. So much fun)

2.       Shove your characters out of their nice, predictable lives into a new adventure, discovery, opportunity, or trial. (in the Last Crusade it’s when Indie finds out his father has ‘disappeared’ and he’s forced to make a decision to rescue him)

3.       Build the conflict as the story grows. The best stories have both internal and external conflict building at the same time and meet at the climax of the novel. In the Last Crusade, it’s when Indy’s father is shot and Indie must test himself and his faith to save him.

4.       Embrace the unexpected – unexpected turns in the story increase interest and tension. Most authors will tell you to send your characters in places they would never choose to go – or to make choices they would never make on their own.

5.      Character is built through trial - Your plotline has to place your characters in situations where their personalities go deeper than the superficial. Remember, most times we’re only shooting for a happy ENDING – the rest of the story needs to stretch those characters to their limits and beyond. The most memorable characters were forced into change and self-reflection due to circumstances.

And for fun - I found a great blog post called The Indiana Jones Guild to Achieving Your Goals.

And you can purchase your very own Indiana Jones hat at www.shoebuy.com or

Share a part of your plots in your WIP to let us know how you’re doing one of the above things in your story

I just finished reading Mary Connealy’s newest book, Out of Control, and it sets the stage for some wild action (both internally and externally). What is one of your favorite page turners?

Popcorn, a soda of your choice, plus a fruit salad are out. Enjoy the show! J

pictures courtesy of http://movie-wallpapers.org