I'M AT ACFW!!!!!

Okay.

Not really.

I'll admit, I'm super bummed that I'm not officially "AT" ACFW this year.

BUT -- I decided to have a wee bit of fun and sneak in there!!!!

First off, I went by way of COKE to keep sweet Pepper company on her trip. We're good roadtrip buddies like that.

Then... our Pepper posed with the one and only Amy Simpson (she, uh, looks crazily like Casey Miller these days -- WHO KNEW!) and let me sneak in the picture...

And THEN our Pepper got to go see the ONE AND ONLY Sherrinda, who we ALL love and hold very near to our hearts, so of COURSE I had to sneak in the picture too!!!

Shame on Pepper for giving Sherrinda bunny ears...


OH! And I snuck in to listen to the band practice... this dude can play guitar! (Let's play where in the world is Krista Phillips and see who can find me!)

OH! And then there is the fabulous Rachel Hauck... I kinda photobombed this one.

I would have more pictures... but the fun is just starting on Wednesday night!

Moral of the Story: (because I have to have SOMETHING informative about this blog post besides my rediculousy bad photoshopping efforts...)

When life throws you lemons and you don't get to go to one of your FAVORITE writing conferences EVER --- PHOTOSHOP!

(you're welcome for the little free advertising there Adobe)

CHAT! - Are you at conference or going?? Tell us about it!!! We want to live through your experiences! (and make sure to use your #acfw2015 on Facebook and twitter so we can see all your fun pictures and steel them to photoshop ourselves in!)

If not --- let's commiserate!

If you've ever been -- what is your FAVORITE conference moment?
If you haven't -- feel free just to make fun of my pictures I guess! :-) :-) :-)

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

So...What's Your Book About?

Okay, y'all. The 2015 ACFW Conference is almost here! But whether you're going or not, today I'm asking the question I hope you've been practicing your answer to:

That's right! My roommates will tell you that I am famous for putting people on the spot with this question so they'll be ready when the agents and editors ask.

Let's hear it! Give us your best elevator pitch. I'll start us off in the comments. Don't be shy!

The ABCs of A Writing Community

In light of the gathering writing community this week at ACFW!! An oldie but goodie!!

Pepper here.

I've always been impressed with the way the Christian writing community pulls together. I remember a conversation the Alleycats had at one of our get-togethers about what a unique group of individuals Christian writers are. In a highly competitive profession, where a large group of writers are trying to get their story in with a small number (and growing smaller) of publishing houses, we'd expect less friendliness and community and more isolationism and suspicion.

But no.

My experience has been one of the support, encouragement, and celebration.

In fact, Dawn Crandall (a writer I've never met) started reading my book two weeks ago and has not only given me GREAT pointers for publicity, she's also hooked me up with her entire Street Team of early readers! I'm serious. I received 30 FB messages in one day offering to be an influencer for my May debut.

CRAZY! AWESOME!

And endorsers? Laura Frantz and Julie Lessman were quick to agree - even though I KNOW both of them are enormously busy. Julie Klassen gave me some tips. Carrie Turansky encouraged. And all along the way people have come alongside me (as I'm wading through this new pool of 'publication') to help.

So - what do you do to build your writing community?

Let's get to the basics. A, B, C.

Appreciation and Attend - I didn't start out with a writing community. The Writer's Alley was a grasp for community between a few newbies (Sherrinda, Casey, Krista, Mary, and me) But along the way, I began to come upon new contacts too - by showing appreciation and attending other blogs.

It's sad how many people show appreciation nowadays - and the simple act can make the best impressions. I think that's one of the reasons God talks about an attitude of Thanksgiving in the Bible so much. A thankful heart is attractive and welcoming.

Ruth Logan Herne once told me that 1/2 of the battle is 'showing up'. That's how you build community too. BEING somewhere! Seekerville was one of the first places I visited because of  author Mary Connealy's recommendation. (I'd written her an email to show my appreciation for her book, Petticoat Ranch) - the appreciation led to my attendance at Seekerville! And eventually to creating a daughter blog, the Writer's Alley.


Build and Bring - These two go hand-n-hand and carry the same connation as the movie Field of Dreams. "If you build it, they will come" - Well, building something worth reading is a key ingredient to growing a writing community. Whether it is your novel, short story, or blog, make it worthwhile and (I cringe here because I'm so bad at this) consistent. I've recently revamped my blog to make it a more consistent offering - something I can actually DO! 2 days a week.
So build something worth reading and it will bring the readers and community!

Collaborate and Cooperate - this is where we give back! Promoting and encouraging other writers or readers on the journey helps create a sense of community. It's a give and take relationship! It may mean something as simple as sharing their FB status to promote their book. Letting them know you're praying for them. Offering to be an influencer or endorser, or being willing to host them on your blog.

Cheering as a team is so much more fun than cheering alone.

So - what are some ways you build your Writing Community? What would you add to my list? Let's work together here ;-)
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Pepper D Basham has been telling tales ever since she was a little girl. When her grandmother called her a “writer” at the age of ten, Pepper took it as gospel and has enjoyed various types of writing styles ever since. A native of the Blue Ridge Mountains, mom of five, speech-language pathologist, and lover of chocolate, Pepper enjoys sprinkling her native Appalachian culture into her fiction wherever she can. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC, where she works with kids with special needs, searches for unique hats, and plots new ways to annoy her wonderful friends at The Writer’s Alley. She is represented by Julie Gwinn and debuts her first novel, The Thorn Bearer, on May 7th 2015.

www.pepperdbasham.com

What's YOUR story?

It's been an exciting couple of months for me... starting with signing on with WildBlue Press to seeing the pieces of the publishing puzzle start to come together from edits to a title contest and off and running toward a cover design. It feels like I jumped the curb from the school zone to the NASCAR circle, but it's been one heck of a ride and I'm still flooring it with all I've got!

Yesterday something exciting happened. My very own bio page went live on my publisher's website. We've been all signed up and working toward this goal for a few months now but something about that made me feel rather official. Validated.

Silly, in a way, I suppose. It's not like having my backstory posted online means I've made it to the top, or any such nonsense. My book wont be releasing until the end of October and this was merely one more lap in the race. But I think it's special because I'm a story-teller. I tell stories about fictional people. Their struggles and triumphs. Their fears and aspirations. I love that I have a passion for it. I count myself privileged to have found something I love doing that I seem to not stink at, and even when I did, to still find enough love and joy in it to keep working to get better. :)

And yet, I forgot what a simple pleasure it is to tell a piece of my OWN story. I got to write a brief snapshot of my journey and others actually read it and cheered me on. People may think writing is a solitary venture, but while our laptop might often be our closest companion (though admittedly a pretty lousy conversationalist) most writers long for actual community. Not just to have a following of readers--sure it would be really nice if people actually read my book when it came out so I don't feel like a giant flopping failure. But like any other dream so closely tied to your heart, we need encouragement, congratulations, and commiseration. Sharing yourself in open forum for the world to pick and poke at can be a pretty intimidating thing. We realize not all books are for all people. Everyone has a different opinion and not everyone who reads my book is going to think I'm Houdini with words.

But to know that my story, MINE, encouraged someone? Made them smile or believe in themselves even just a smidgen more, well... it just makes me feel honored to be heard. To have a moment. A moment, maybe small to others, but big and wonderfully thrilling for this humble writer making strides toward a bigger goal.

If you want to read my story, it's here.... but I also want to read yours! It doesn't have to be long or eloquent, but it might just encourage someone else barely clinging to a dream.

So tell me about your dream... What's YOUR story?

<3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Amy Leigh Simpson is the completely exhausted stay-at-home mama to the two wild-child, tow-headed boys, one pretty little princess baby, and the incredibly blessed wife of her hunky hubby.

She writes Romantic Mystery chalked full of grace that is equally inspiring, nail-biting, and hilarious. And a little saucy! Okay fine, a lot saucy. :) She is a member of ACFW, and now uses her Sports Medicine degree to patch up daily boo-boos. Her greatest ambitions are to create stories that inspire hope, raise up her children to be mighty warriors for Christ, invent an all-dessert diet that works, and make up for years of sleep deprivation. 

Look for her debut novel due out this October with WildBlue Press!

5 Steps to Creating Your Writing Ritual

As I peel the veil separating the writing process from the finished book, people often ask what my writing ritual is. I have to laugh, because I think it often looks like this photo depicts. "Five more minutes. Mommy needs five more minutes."

Any work at home mommies relate?

I'd like to say that my desk always look like it does at the bottom of the collage. Unfortunately, when I'm in the middle of writing, it looks like the top version. So do I have a writing ritual? Not really.

Here's what I do have:

• Find a place to write. Most of my writing occurs at my desk in my bedroom. I have a hutch on the desk (and the floor around my desk) to hold my research materials. If I'm writing a historical, I'll often have 5 or 6 go-to books that provide the rich details I like to incorporate in my books. Contemporaries don't always require that level of information, but if the suspense thread is strong, I'll still have source materials.
• Be flexible about that location. When I really need to grind out words, I have a favorite Panera that I escape to. The staff are wonderful, the tea flows freely, and I can focus without the every five minute distractions. I have also been known to hide at the law office -- scaring the cleaning service more than once with my late night entries.
• Identify signals that tell you it's time to write. If I'm writing a historical and contemporary at the same time, I will use music to signal to my brain which era I'm in at the moment. Swing tells my mind we're in the WWII era. Country identifies more contemporary times.
• Identify how to beat writer's block. If I get stuck, I'll change the location I'm writing at. I may also pick up a good novel, watch a movie I adore, or get out a legal pad. It rarely takes many paragraphs before I'm back into the story and ready to write.
• Have fuel readily available. My go-to snack food is almonds and in the right season peppermint Hershey's kisses. I don't know why, but I love those two things. When I'm at Panera, it's an asiago cheese bagel and ice tea. Little things that help me stay in the chair and focus.

If you're a writer, do you have writing rituals? What are they?

Shadowed by Grace is on ebook sale right now for $2.99. This is a great time to give it a read. And don't forget you can read the first chapter of Shadowed by Grace and watch the videos on why I wrote about the Monuments Men here.

___________________

Cara Putman

An award-winning author of twenty books, Cara is a lecturer on business and employment law to graduate students at Purdue University’s Krannert School of Management. Putman also practices law and is a second-generation homeschooling mom. She lives with her husband and four children in Indiana.

When Your Well is Dry...Building Your Creativity Muscles from the Source

Readers: I'm in the midst of some ACFW stuff and we bought a house and changed a job this week so I'm sharing a favorite post from earlier in the year. Hope it helps you when your own creativity is dry, as it has for me.

Bezalel. He makes an appearance in Exodus 31. I might be tempted to skip over a minor character in my Bible reading. The middle section of Exodus is chock full of genealogies and detailed instructions for the tabernacle and the ark of the covenant.

Of course, we know there are no minor characters in the Bible as every jot and tittle has much to teach us about how to live our life. And of course about the main character, Jesus who breathes out of every verse.

Twice I've read Exodus 31 and ended up journaling about Bezalel, a character who I may have skimmed over once or twice in my reading before. I discovered he had something to say to me about living the life of creativity.

The first time I thought it was a lesson just for me, the second time I decided to share. Because of the commonality of the human experience, you may have the same struggles in your creative life as I do. Or maybe you have different ones, but God may use His words to speak truth into your life.

Exodus 31:1-6 The LORD said to Moses, "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft. And behold, I have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. And I have given to all able men ability, that they may make all that I have commanded you:...

31:11b According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.

What can this passage teach us about the creative life and our calling as writers? How can what we learn from Bezalel help us when our well of ideas seems to run dry?

1) See I have called by name Bezalel...

God has given us callings for our lives. Roles designed JUST for us. Nobody else can fulfill this unique calling.

Let's not waste our time trying to reach someone else's goal. Just because the market is looking for more Amish fiction authors, doesn't mean that's what YOU should do.

DON'T LET A MARKET DEFINE YOUR CALLING.


DON'T LET MAN'S APPROVAL DICTATE YOUR CALLING.


Instead grow in your understanding of who God called you to be as a writer and as a person.

Be yourself, the unique writer God made to reflect His image to a hurting, vulnerable world.

2) I have filled him with the Spirit of God...

Are you feeling empty, with no creative energy to spare. You may be empty of human strength, but like Bezalel God has filled you up with His Spirit.


My study Bible (Lutheran Study Bible, ESV version) says: "In addition to their God-given talents as created beings, these men received supernatural abilities from the Holy Spirit."


Don't worry that your creativity isn't enough. He is filling you and He is enough.


We often talk about God giving us gifts as writers, but even more powerful are these supernatural abilities.


God's ability goes far beyond ours and is sufficient to equip us for this calling of writing.

3) ...with ability and intelligence...

I notice that AFTER mentioning Bezalel is filled with the Spirit of God, then God mentions he has gifted him with ability and intelligence.


The Spirit of God is first and more powerful, but then he also gifts with ability and intelligence. The strengths you have as a writer are those he needs you to share.


BUT God also gifted Bezalel with intelligence. To grow into our craftsmanship, we need to be intentional. We need to seek out those mentors and instructors who can help us grow. The old saying is so true, more is caught than taught. God intends us to have humility in seeking out other's help in areas in our writing where we struggle.

4)...with knowledge and craftsmanship...

God gives us many opportunities to grow these original gifts, although they are all GIVEN by Him.


Don't despise the growing process. It may take more time for some to grow into their craft than it does for others. The season of life may also influence the growing process.

But whether you are a seed, a sapling, or a "teenage" tree God wants you to keep investing in the things that will help you grow strong. Seeking out the help of others. Reading great books on craft. Attending conferences. Entering contests and paying attention to the responses of our critics even when it stings.

5)...to devise artistic designs...

God crafted you to be an artisan. From the very beginning he knew you would delight in light and color on the page, making a symphony for His glory. He created you for this purpose and then watches as you grow into it.


The creator of purple crested mountaintops and wave-shimmered beaches knew you would have a love for beauty. He wanted you to share this love with others to reflect His glory. None of this was an accident.


So can't the God who created all this help you to find the right word to describe your setting or know the best path your plot should take? Do we see Him as the God of the big picture when it comes to our writing or do we notice that He is the crafter of every detail.


6)...and behold I have appointed with him, Oholiab...

Just as he created us to be in community, he created us to be united with other writers. Don't forget that God has gifted others in areas we struggle with in our writing. He designed us to learn from each other in all areas of our lives. Learning from other writers often means admitting just how much growth we need.


Because he has appointed many other writers, we need to embrace their journeys. He has created us to cheer for each other when our contest scores are dismal. Sometimes we see other writers who are receiving the call to publication and think why them and not me? We spend time judging other writer's abilities. It is not our place to question the calling of those God places in our lives to support.

Part of our calling is to help others grow into their calling.


7) ...that they might make all that I have commanded you...

One most important part of our calling is to be obedient. What does that mean?


It might mean putting away our writing for a season to raise children or when the financial need of our family means working more hours.


Perhaps he calls you to write in a different genre than you expect. I've been spending the bulk of my time on nonfiction writing.


Maybe there is something specific he wants you to share based on your unique experience.


Whatever it means, let's get down on our knees often and ask him about our writing lives. And take the time to listen to what he might have to share with us.




When God calls my attention to a specific character in scripture more than once I know I need to pay attention. I was surprised by how much a little known character in Exodus can teach us about how to live the creative life.






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 writes and reviews for Library Journal and the website Wonderfully Woven.