Live from BRMCWC 2012

Hey everyone! Pepper here, and I'm writing this post from the Blue Ridge Mountains Christians Writers Conference in Black Mountain, NC. It's a fantastic writer's conference that takes place near my 'neck of the woods' and I've had the opportunity to attend it (in bits and pieces) over the past 5 years.

I want to start off by reminding everyone about Divine Appointments. It seems to be the theme of this conference and it's something that I don't think we focus on enough when we are so anxious about pitching our stories to 'so and so' or getting our novels in front of 'what's his name'. Divine Appointments are just that - meetings, usually unexpected, that God strategically places in our paths in which we look back on and think...WOW! Only God could have done worked things out this way!

That's my focus while I'm here at BRMCWC...no wait, I guess I should always have that mentality :-) God's Divine Appointments and Holy Introductions (as keynote speaker Torry Martin said tonight) But in writing it's really easy to lose sight of God-centered work and focus just on the writing-work. God's right in the middle of our calling - weaving through the pages of our lives to add the perfect blend of intrigue, excitement, and wonder.

Have you ever had a moment like that? Or moments like that? I anticipating them! :-)

I just had a GREAT one with author Susan May Warren. It was a fabulous opportunity for us to share information about something that was NON-writing... Loved it!

Another wonderful opportunity was to give a big ol' hug to Alley Pal, Beth Vogt. Isn't she beautiful. I'll get a better picture tomorrow. My phone doesn't take such great shots. And you'll have the chance to see her "Princess Bride" dress. No worries. I'll have a recap of BRMCWC in two weeks ;-)

Here's one of me with Erynn Newman at the My Book Therapy party tonight.

If tonight has been this exciting, I cannot wait to share about the rest of the time I'm here. From an editing workshop with Susan May Warren to "Hollywood Writer" and so many more - I hope to share a lot of info in my next blog posts.

Now for the BEST news!! All because of Divine Appointment several years ago, my friend Lisa Carter met Abingdon Press editor Ramona Richards (Krista Phillips editor)....and TONIGHT she was awarded a 3 book contracts!! WOW!!!

Come on now - share your divine appointment stories? When was the last time God 'wowed' you :-)

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?