Post Conference Perspective

8 Alley Cats in this picture, 10 in spirit.

Where do I even begin to post about the American Christian Fiction Writers conference (ACFW) in Dallas I returned from about a week ago?

To be honest, I don't think I've even begun to process all that I've learned.

The session about dialogue with Rene Gutteridge where I madly took notes as God showed me areas I needed to apply to strengthen my own writing skills.

A late Friday night chatting with my beloved Alley Cat friends, this was definitely a HUGE highlight of the conference for me.

An amazing critique session with Deb Raney. Getting tips on upping my conflict from one of my favorite suspense writers, Ronie Kendig. Meeting favorite authors. Giving a hug to those who have made a difference in my life.

But if there is ONE truth I took home and will carry with me from the conference it is the power of prayer in action.

It may sound cliche but the best thing you can do to help other writers is to keep them in prayer. There is a writer I know who sets aside one day per week for prayer and fasting about writing related things. I love that idea!

Michelle Lim...what an encourager!

The most transformational experiences I had at conference were times in prayer. Time alone in my room before an appointment that went differently than I had anticipated. Time praying with others about writing concerns and so much more. These were times I will always remember because it is so powerful when believers can connect over a shared love of writing. But even more than that because we shared a love for Jesus. That was what held us together.

Then there was the moment one dear lady caught me in the hall and recognized I needed prayer before I even recognized it myself. The Holy Spirit was at work as she prayed not only for my writing life, but the Spirit had showed her the struggle with guilt I had in being a writer and a mom. It was something she had no way of knowing, but she prayed powerfully for me and shared her experience. Something she had prayed only came to light for me later in the conference, at the time I was puzzled but I thank the Lord for the God who knows all and how he leads others to intercede for us.

God met me in my need, in my brokeness and that's where He wants to meet us daily.

I notice as my prayer life goes, so my writing goes. I think sometimes conferences can be mountain top experiences and I know for me I was spending a lot of time praying while away because I was so anxious about the conference. Since coming home, I've needed God to work on my heart in the area of prayer.

With Cheryl Wyatt, beautiful servant hearted lady I was so blessed to meet.

Today I was listening to a Focus on the Family broadcast with Ferni Nichols. She founded an organization called Moms in Prayer International dedicated to interceding for our children and for their schools. I am learning more about them as I am helping to lead a Moms in Prayer group for homeschool moms in my area.

It struck me today how we talk about books as being "our babies." I thought about how the mission of Moms in Prayer and its step approach to prayer might benefit writers.

We start out each meeting with praise focused on a specific attribute of God. Now, I have spiritual themes to my stories, but today I began thinking about specific attributes of God. I really want my stories to show who God is.

Examples would be:

God is merciful.
God is holy.
God is righteous.

How did this apply to my writing?

I believe God is Truth is the central attribute of my story. My main character from my first novel is escaping from a world of lies and looking for the truth that can only be found in Christ.

How about your main character? What does your novel show about who God is?

If you have a prayer request, writing-related or not, please feel free to post it here today or send it through email. My passion is to pray for others and I pray that God would increase my passion and yours for prayer.








Julia enjoys writing women's fiction whenever she can find a chair free of smushed peanut butter sandwiches and lego blocks. She is a wife and homeschooling mama of two littles. She also is a reviewer for Library Journal, Title Trakk and Christian Library Journal.

Scriptures to pray for writers...

Ephesus view from Bay

Lord, give me the power to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3:18). Allow my words to show others how wide, long, high and deep your love.

For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. (2 Peter 1:16). Father, help our fiction to point to your Word and demonstrate that Your Word is true. May we esteem your Word above all other words, not allowing writing to become an idol in our lives but only using our words for your glory to minister to others. Give our words clarity that others may see a true vision of you, so that we may see a true vision of you.

That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. (1 John 1:1). May our Words portray Him who was in the beginning as the origin of all our words, our entire being. As you enliven all our senses, I pray that what we hear, see, touch, and taste would be pleasing to you. As we endeavor to make our stories sing with multi-sensory descriptions I pray that we would allow all in our story's world to point to you, the Creator of earth. 

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27). Lord, I pray in our writing and in all our lives we would conduct ourselves in a manner worthy. I pray that we would act in love towards other writers and that we would stand firm in the faith. I pray that in our writing and our life we would not waver.

In Jesus' name,

Amen

Julie Lessman has a wonderful list of Scriptures to pray for writers on her site: Julie Lessman From the Heart

Do you have favorite Scriptures you pray for your writing? Or share a favorite verse that encourages you in your writing in the comments....

Julia enjoys writing women's fiction whenever she can find a chair free of smushed peanut butter sandwiches and lego blocks. She is a wife and homeschooling mama of two littles. She also enjoys reading and reviewing books for The Title Trakk, a Christian review site.

A Thanksgiving Writer's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Jesus, I can't spend today with my family and a table overflowing in bounty, without thanking You for the gifts You have given me this day.

I have a healthy family. A family that loves me unconditionally and though they might not understand all my writer quirks, or the need to tap on the computer until o'dark hours, they love me anyway. They give me the gift of a glimpse of Your unconditional love here on earth.

God, never let me forget, in the midst of turkey and pumpkin pie, and the feelings of being satisfied, that though in my writing life, I might be craving something, You know the right time to "feed me". Give me the right amount of nourishment, the perfect amount of sweetness and the right amount salt so I might taste the joy of succeeding, but also learn from the experience of failure.

It's a time for learning, Lord, and thank You for this time You have given me. Remind me, God, when I want to be jealous of another's success, that the time isn't right for me and I still need to learn.

Make me eager to learn and willing to give. Hopeful to understand and anxious to soak in the right criticism.

Give me encouragement for my fellow writers and a warm hug when the right words are not given to me.

Guide my friends, Jesus. Bless them today and tomorrow and into the future. That they will be looking upon You as the source of all their blessings.

Thank You for this day of remembering, of being thankful, of joy and love. And may each reader and writer here today be so blessed. May they see the gift in each moment they are given. No matter their situations.

Thank You for  this day and for being our Heavenly Father.

In Jesus' Name,

Amen

Photo Credit

Writing at the Crossroads

I found myself stuck. In my last book, A Shore Thing, one of the supporting characters, Suz, continued to pray for her soon-to-be ex-husband, even as he sat in jail for committing a felony. In Fade to Blue (released this month), Suz became the heroine. I already had a strong sense of her character, so I began the process of asking, “What if …?” and applying those questions to this very real person in my mind. Eventually, I found myself with more questions than answers.

What if …

But just when she does …

What if …

And at about that time …

What if…

As I followed single-mom, Suz, it quickly became apparent that one aspect of the story—her divorce in the midst of faith—would become an issue. So I continued to write and plan, to follow Suz on her path of finding out what she wanted to do, and to learn if her desires matched up with her faith.

Inevitably, my heroine found herself at a crossroads.

May I be honest? If faith wasn’t a thread in this story, I could let my character do or say whatever pop culture dictated. The issue of her divorce might not have been an issue at all and some other conflict would have risen to the top of the plot point chain. In Suz’s case, however, her faith is the point on which she pivots, so how could I ignore her struggle?

As Christians who write, we have to be so careful, though. I’d never want to steer someone wrong, or to as the Bible says “cause my brother to stumble.” Yet I have no interest in sermonizing either. Instead, I want my characters, no matter what the issue, to struggle with their decisions the way we all do at times. And that means that as writers we too have to press in to those corners that we inevitably find ourselves in.

The answers don’t always come easy. If you write, maybe you’re like me, and you often find yourself listening to the voices of many more than your muse. There are readers, of course, but also reviewers, editors, sales and marketing—even critique partners—all who have opinions about what our characters should or should not do. Daunting, isn’t it? But in Jeremiah 6:16, the Lord gives this advice to savor: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”

To writers, this verse suggests standing at the crossroads with our characters. It suggests contemplation, prayer, and continuing to show up and write even through the tough patches.

With Fade to Blue, after I prayed and wrestled to the point of a near-ulcer over my heroine’s decisions, my pastor “happened” to deliver a sermon that provided the perspective necessary to taking that first step out of her crossroads—and I was ready with pen in hand. Don’t you love when that happens? No peptic medication necessary!

I love what Donald Maas says in Writing the Breakout Novel: “Some say success as an author requires a big ego: I say that it requires a big heart.” So true. Not only that, I believe that those big hearts must be softened by our experiences with God’s grace.

Next time you find yourself at a crossroads in your novel, don’t shy away, instead press in. Pray hard. Shut out the voices for a while. Instead, think about what it’s like to hold a seashell, constantly turning it over in your hand. Though they’re often tossed into the sea with nary a glance, seashells are intricately beautiful—even when broken. The more you examine your characters lives, no matter how shattered or sinful they may be—the more beauty can be found. Why? Because it’s in those dark places where God’s grace shines brightest.

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http://www.juliecarobini.com/

I grew up as Julie Navarro, in a family of truly right-brained individuals. Among us you’ll find writers, artists, and musicians, all of us willing to talk about the arts at a moment’s notice.

Over the years, I’ve published several hundred articles and stories in magazines and books, including Aspire, Decision, Expecting, Focus on the Family, Key Magazine and God’s Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life. As I wrote, I found a common theme cropping up: my family, the sea, and God’s timely work in the lives of those around me.

Maybe it was time to incorporate those interests into novels, I thought.
And so I did. Not once, but twice. Both times, God shut both doors and windows. So I continued to write and dream and raise my kids with Dan. Eventually I decided to write romantic seaside novels, and that’s where I found my voice.

When I’m not writing, marketing, or editing for others, I’m driving my kids around town, imagining that my mid-sized SUV is actually a sleek sailing yacht.

The Gift of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving only comes around once a year and is more than just a chance to gorge on pie and stuffing. It is a moment to truly reflect on what God has given us. As writers we have amazing creative minds. You don't have to be published to be able to put words onto a computer screen. To have characters "talk" to us and speak the words of their story until it refuses to allow us anything but the utmost desire to put words down, to release them through our fingers.

On today, the biggest day to give thanks in America, think about who you are giving thanks to. And what all He has given you. We are special, created in His image, a one of a kind creation. Don't waste what He has blessed you with.

May I pray?

Dear Heavenly Father,

On the day when the succulent smells of the holiday fill the home accompanied by love and laughter of those dear to us, may it be a time of contemplation and thanksgiving. In each and every one of us is something special. Be it the ability to write, the desire to spread Your word or the gift of ministering for You in the workplace, whatever it is, I ask that we would be made keenly aware of it. And give thanks and praise for the gifts You have bestowed.

As the family gathers around the table, as stories are shoved to the back of the mind may we take the experience around us and turn them into inspiration for our novels. Plant that bit of dialogue, the characteristics or motivation before our eyes to be filed away as fodder for a later date.

But more than anything Lord may we be continually reminded today and always that the outpouring of words comes directly from You. We are nothing without the Fount of all love, grace and wisdom. You are the reason we write. And may that never be forgotten.

All thanks and giving unto to You today Lord. All praise on this day!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen.

May this Thanksgiving be filled with love, laughter...and the bounty of God's grace.