Beginning again -- again

I spoke with a fellow writer this week who was excited about his writing again. He told me he thinks about his book all the time, particularly when he isn't writing. And he has managed to find small chunks of time here and there to actually sit and write. He also told me he knows why he is excited about writing again, because according to his words, he hasn't been especially enthralled with the task of sitting to write for some time.

He went to a seminar. Then he went to a couple of good writers group meetings. Then he signed up for a writers retreat. And all of that ignited his passion for writing once again -- investing in his calling as a writer made that calling seem more real, more urgent, more attainable.

Because, let's admit it, there are few things in life as scary as staring at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen, waiting for words of inspiration to come flying out of our pen or our fingertips.

Sure, once we get the words flowing, it's easy after that. Getting some positive feedback from a publisher or editor, seeing a deadline in black on white gets the creative juices racing.

But the every day, mundane, mandatory process of writing can wear us down.

Unless we see value in it.

Let me share a parable with you: Our church runs a small food bank ministry each week. When we first began, we didn't ask for any donations, because we had minimal costs, and our church was happy to cover those costs. What we discovered, however, is that when the clients who received food from the food bank went out into the parking lot, they threw away some food items they had received. So, foe example, if an apple had a bruise on it, they threw it away. If the bananas weren't green, in the trash. And we realized that the clients didn't put a value on something they didn't have to pay for. So we started asking for a $2 donation. And people were happy to receive it, and we didn't find food thrown away. Why? Because they had to "pay" for it (although the donation was always voluntary).

If we don't see a value in our writing, we might tend to "throw" it away -- we'll find reasons not to attend a meeting, we'll find excuses not to write, we'll allow distractions to take us away from our calling.

Investing in your writing career is one way to ignite your passion to write. Remembering how excited you were about your story when you first started writing will inspire you to sit and write. And if you aren't sure you're writing the story you need to tell, sit down and make a few notes that will identify the story that is burning you up on the inside as it waits to be written.

Beginning again, again, is no sin. There is no shame in admitting you got side-tracked, but now you are back on the road again. Setting aside your current work and starting a new one is not the same as quitting -- you are just going to write the story that you should have started with.

Is something holding you back from beginning again, again? Tell it to go away. Nicely, of course. Tell it to come back after you've finished with this book, this story, this poem, this song.

All writers will, at times, face a brick wall of reasons why they can't write. And even if you can't write all day, for an afternoon, an hour even -- find fifteen minutes in your day and at least think about your project.

New beginnings are all around us at this time of the year. Today, right now, is the best time to begin. So sit, write, make notes, don't worry about how much you have left -- count your words from today, right now, and put them in the plus column of how much closer you are to the end.

And then, when you reach the end, begin again, again. And again. And if you haven't signed up for the writers retreat in April with Cecil Murphey as keynote speaker, you need to do that. Check out the details on www.acfwcolorado.com. You will definitely be ready to begin again, again after that.

The Romance I Could Write

I admit -- in my BJ (before Jesus) days, I read a lot of secular romances. I read some not-so-wholesome stories. And after about 20 of them, I was bored to tears. They were all the same: boy meets girl; boy loses girl; girl gets involved with the wrong guy who treats her shamefully; boy1 rescues girl; they live happily ever after.

I am not against the happily ever after -- it just didn't seem real for me. I didn't have that kind of romance in my life, and I didn't know anyone else who did, either. So I stopped reading romance stories.

Even AJ (After Jesus), I avoided romance stories because the couple I did read were the same formula, except for the being treated shamefully, that is. That formula still wasn't real for me.

And then I attended a writers conference, and the only class in a particular time slot I was even remotely interested in was "Writing Romance That Sells" by DiAnn Mills. I wasn't really interested in writing romance; I was interested in writing a book that would sell.

So DiAnn went through the requirements of a romance:
1. Find a character no one would particularly like
2. Redeem the character
3. Put that character in a painful situation you have experienced where you were hurt and betrayed.
4. Write the opening line to the story.
5. Figure out why the hero and heroine would never fall in love and marry.
6. Figure out what makes your story different.

And I came up with a pathological liar who tries to make herself look good by making others look bad, but one of her lies rebounds to attack the only person she really cares about, an elderly widow next door, and she sees what her lies do to her and others. The hurtful scene, which really happened to me, was her boyfriend broke up with her by giving her a record album: 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover. And told her he was going back to his wife (okay, in my case, it was his previous girlfriend)

My opening line was:
Slamming the door behind her, Madison was positive of only two things: she would never come back to Lincolntown, and she would never fall in love again.

My hero (not the jerk with the record album gift) and heroine would never fall in love and marry because she wants a career, and he wants a mother for his three small children. Oh, yeah, and she says she will never fall in love again -- it hurts too much.

And what makes my story different is that Madison learns that her importance is not in what she does, but in who she is in God. And she can be just as important to God changing diapers as she can climbing the corporate ladder.

When I finished the class, saw how DiAnn had tricked me into falling in love with a romantic suspense idea, I told her, "Now, this is a romance I could read. And one I could write."

So, I haven't written it yet, but it is on my list. I fell in love with the parts of a romance I like to write about -- the tension, the truth behind the facade, and the journey towards God.

What kind of a romance could you write? Every genre has romantic elements -- post your comments about your genre and how you weave romance into the plot. And if you haven't written any romance in yet, how could you do that?

This Just In: Writers CAN learn while Comatose

I’m guessing many of our readers are making their way back from ACFW National Conference today. I’m not one of them. I couldn’t go this year but was excited to see updates on Facebook and Twitter and to follow the live blog of the awards ceremony.

I imagine that advocating continuing education to those returning from national conference is preaching to the choir. After all, it’s one of the best writing conferences. Some of us might argue the best. You can’t NOT learn from the experience.

Well, maybe that isn’t true. Maybe one day you woke up a zombie, stumbled downstairs in search of yummy brains for breakfast, and through a series of mystifying events ended up in a conference room with only your tattered, moldy clothing as fortification for the day.

That happened to me this weekend.

Somehow wires crossed, the stars fell out of alignment, and I found myself with a birthday slumber party and a Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference planned for the same weekend.

Ten boys, ages six to ten, invaded my home on Friday night. In a display of sheer insanity, I spent all day Friday cleaning for the occasion. I’ll never do that again. I mean, really, only the village idiot tidies her hovel for the approaching Viking horde.

Aside from the noise and the mess, the party went well. My husband, the sainted Kory of Denmark, took over the party at 11 PM, knowing I had to wake up at 5 AM to drive to Denver for SCWBI. Unfortunately, a lightsaber battle broke out shortly after I’d gone to bed. My husband must’ve been quickly vanquished because the young warriors ended up in my bedroom, fiercely battling and oblivious to the maiden trying to sleep.

The maiden got out of bed and kicked them out. The battle raged on until 2 AM, when Kory the Long-Suffering resurrected and decreed that the army must make camp or DIE!

Shortly thereafter, the zombie maiden rose and walked among children’s book enthusiasts.

In all honesty, caffeine kept me vertical but didn’t do much for my learning receptors. I tried to listen to speakers, tried to apply their advice to my writing, tried to network and smile and form coherent sentences. But how could I absorb anything with the mushy head of cauliflower I had for a brain?

You’d be surprised. The good thing about cauliflower is that it has sponge-like properties. On the way home from Denver yesterday afternoon, Mom and I talked over our last session with children’s author Linda Arms White. I mentioned that I liked Linda’s concept of having a bank of words for her picture books. She only has around a thousand words in her bank and must decide how to spend those words wisely. She allows herself only two adverbs per story. In my mind, those adverbs equate to splurge purchases.

Mom said something to the effect of, “See, you did learn something.”

And she was right. Despite my limited brain function, lack of coordination, and occasional drooling, I did manage to absorb several good tidbits of information, and I’m glad I went. My point is, there's no excuse for not benefiting from continuing education. You can always learn something new. Even if you are undead.



Evangeline Denmark co-authored The Dragon and The Turtle (Waterbrook Press, 2010) and The Dragon and the Turtle Go On Safari (Waterbrook Press, 2011). Evangeline also enjoys writing adult fiction and has perhaps allowed Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to go to her head.

Conferences -- Make time to go

Having just returned from the Colorado Christian Writers' Conference in Estes Park, I would like to reiterate once more just how important conferences are.

I mean, would you expect to sit behind the wheel of a car for the first time without someone having taught you at least the rudiments of driving? Would you expect to pass your driver's test without studying and practicing? Do you think you could just imitate your dad's driving and pass?

Writing is much the same as learning to drive. Sure, you can ride around in a car for days (read many books) and hope to learn how to drive. You can study the driver's test for hours (read books on writing), hoping to understand the fundamentals. You might even watch old videos of The Streets of San Francisco (watch movies and study plot and character arc) to learn how to drive up and down steep hills at high speeds. But you still won't really know how to drive. Or write well.

Going to a conference combines all the basic elements of writing -- learning, having a teachable heart, being able to express your projects to others, brainstorming, taking criticism and rejection, and if it is a Christian conference, spending time with like-minded people. Not to mention, any rejections you get at a conference will probably be the nicest rejections you're likely to get.

Choosing the right conference is key to enjoying the experience. Take a good look at the continuing education tracks being offered, and choose one according to your skill level and type of writing. The continuing education classes are the backbone of your conference. If you mess up on selecting a workshop that isn't appropriate for you, no worry -- it's just one hour out of forty. But choosing the class you will be in every day is much more important.

Determine if you are looking for a conference where you get to meet one-on-one with agents or editors to tell them about your project (pitch your work) to see if they are interested enough to have you send the project to them. If this is not your goal right now, don't worry about setting up appointments, or choose a conference that doesn't offer appointments.

Going to conferences is every bit as important as joining a local writers' group or being part of a critique group. Each of these will give you an opportunity to learn, and you will also be able to help someone else.

Hey, going to a conference is kind of like going to church -- you shouldn't go to church only to receive ministry, but also to give ministry to others.

Conferences are like that. You can make lifelong friends, find out what the industry is doing, and spend time hanging around people who love to write as much as you love to write.

If you cannot attend a particular conference, check out their website -- most conferences offer CD's or tapes of each class, which you can purchase for a fraction of the cost of attending.

The start of the conference season is upon us. If you plan to travel, find a conference or a workshop in the area. If you plan to stay in your home area, do a search on the internet for conferences -- www.shawguides.com is a good place to look, as is the Christian Writers Market Guide.

Go to a conference, come back filled up with good information, excited about your project. Share your passion to write with someone else, and watch their eyes light up.

Conferences -- Are They Worth It?

All right, I admit it. Since last year, I've been rather jaded when it comes to writing conferences. But I suppose it actually began about three years ago.

I had sold 6 books by that time and 3 of them had released. Considering how many other authors said speaking comes with writing, I figured speaking at conferences was my next step. So, I assembled topics on which I was skilled and presented them to every known writing conference where I had any contact with the committees.

Each one of them came back with a "no, thank you" or a "sorry, we already have someone teaching on that topic" or a "sorry, we don't have any openings."

For three years, I continued to submit my requests to speak and attempted to determine where there might be a need. But each time, I was turned down. It started to feel like a duplication of my writing career, where the bigger houses rejected me in spite of being a multi-published author.

So, I had some thinking and praying to do. At first, I was hurt and disillusioned, thinking I needed to become a more "known" name or get to know the "right" people in order to travel in the "accepted" circles of authors and speakers. I began believing I hadn't crossed some imaginary rite of passage that only I knew and had created. After some time spent in reflection, I realized it just wasn't time yet.

But that didn't mean I'd give up. I continued to speak to smaller writing groups, at women's ministry events and various other venues where I could fill a need. That way, I could keep up my speaking from growing stagnant and continue to build a resume.

Another disillusionment from conferences came in the form of rejection after rejection because I didn't have an agent. Despite being a multi-published author with 8 books in print and over 100,000 copies of my books sold, I'd been feeling like I was a unpublished author starting from scratch all over again. The editors were all saying they wanted a publish-ready manuscript that had not yet been sold before they would even consider my writing. But while under contract with my current publisher, I didn't have time to polish my other manuscripts and get them publish-ready.

Needless to say, it began to affect my enthusiasm and even my passion for writing. I started to believe I'd always be "stuck" in mass market, category romance.

That's when CCWC came into play. For those unfamiliar with this conference, it's the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference, and it takes place every year in May at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado. Several of us board members with ACFW Colorado were present this year, and it was an amazing conference!

For the first time in two years, I finally received some encouraging feedback, and multiple invitations to submit my work, despite not having signed with an agent. And although we haven't "inked" the deal, the agent I've been praying would show interest gave me permission to say we are seriously talking should anyone ask if I have representation. Since it's not official, I won't give the name of this agent, but it's looking really good.

I just have to write another book before the end of August. Simple. :)

Oh, and two editors gave me their business cards and permission to bypass the "normal" submission and grow straight to them with this new series.

After too many rejections to count, being turned down to speak at every major writing conference, and feeling like I was missing the "secret" to moving forward in my career, I finally have some great leads and a step up. I'm on the next rung on the ladder, and I'm sure it's only a small nugget of all that's in store.

So, if you're wondering whether or not to attend a writer's conference, and if it's worth the investment of your funds, I'm here to tell you to go! It IS worth it. And if you can't afford one of the national ones due to distance or cost, start small and look for regional ones that might be a bit closer to home. They're out there. I promise. You just have to discover that diamond in the rough.

And if you are having trouble finding one near home, let us know. We'll be happy to help you locate one for you.

Now, how about those of you who HAVE attended a conference. Any success stories that might not otherwise have happened if you hadn't gone? Please share.

---

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since she was a child. Today, she is an author, online marketing specialist and freelance web site designer who lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart. They have 1 daughter and a border collie. She has sold eight books so far to Barbour Publishing, is a columnist for the ACFW e-zine and writes other articles as well. Read more about her at her web site: http://www.amberstockton.com/.

Conference Lessons

Not all lessons are learned in the classroom. I was reminded of some important lessons this week at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in Estes Park.

I took a clinic at CCWC where each person submitted the synopsis and first ten pages of his or her novel prior to the conference. Then, during the meetings we discussed each one and the instructors went over the manuscripts. The instructors were experienced authors and editors. When mine was discussed, they pointed out good aspects and some that needed to be corrected. Later in the day, one member of the group came up to me and made an extremely rude statement about my writing. I have to admit I was hurt and angry. My attitude was tempered the next day, however, when her manuscript was critiqued. I listened to her defend her writing against every comment. Although I don’t know what was in her heart, it seemed she had a need to always be right, even at the cost of putting someone down to make herself feel better. She reminded me of the first lesson – always go to a conference with a teachable heart. Listen to the comments others, both faculty and conferees, and evaluate whether or not your writing would be better if you edited it with those comments in mind. You don’t have to agree, but you can’t learn or improve if you are so busy defending your work you won’t accept advice.

The second lesson was about the importance of being part of a writers group such as ACFW. During workshops and in general conversation, it was easy to spot those who have never been part of a writing organization. They didn’t have the background or skills to be as effective in pitches or in classes. I can’t encourage you enough to be part of a writers group that helps you to learn the ins and outs of the publishing business.

The third, and possibly the most important, lesson was to be prayerful and mindful of God’s direction while at the conference. I felt it most at CCWC as I went through the ups and downs of the days. My value and calling as a writer was affirmed as every time something negative happened, like the comment mentioned above or an appointment that didn’t go as well as I would have liked, it was countered by a positive and encouraging message, which usually came from an unexpected event. I felt God was directing me through these meetings and events. When you go expecting God to direct your steps, He will.

Conference - A Word of Encouragement

I'm not scheduled to blog today, but I thought I'd slip in here since CCWC is...like...this week! I sent the following to our local loop yesterday.

Hello Rocky Mountain Zone!

As I'm sitting here in my office, listening to soaking praise music and loving my Lord Jesus, I feel compelled to write to you. The Colorado Christian Writers Conference is a mere two days away, and I know the emotions that swirl on this particular week every year.

First of all, for those who really wanted to go, but it just didn't work out this year, take heart. Put your faith in God and His perfect timing. Every year I hear about people who said they had really wanted to go but it didn't work out for one reason or another. Then afterward they knew why they weren't supposed to be there. Sometimes it was other things happening at home that they needed to attend to. Sometimes God blessed them in other ways regarding their writing careers or other aspects of their lives. At all times, they knew that God had intervened in their best interest. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." ~Romans 8:28 NIV

I also know how the enemy likes to steal our joy. For those of you planning to come, but are finding one obstacle after another in your preparation, I'm going to introduce a radical thought. Praise God that this is happening! The enemy doesn't want you there because he knows God will receive the glory. "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner." ~1 Peter 4:12-13 The Message

Consider in these next few days to soak in your Lord Jesus. Let no other voice but His speak to you. Play praise music, read your Bible, sit in His presence and listen to  His voice. Conferences come and go, but God is constant. He is the reason we want to write, so why not yield to His will regarding that calling. In other words: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." ~Phil 4:6 NIV

Remember that God loves you all, and whether you come to the mountain or not, be assured that He is with you wherever you are.


Blessings!
Kathy


*************
Kathleen E. Kovach is the ACFW Rocky Mountain Zone Director. CCWC was her first conference ever, and she praises God that He jump started her dream in May of 2002. To Him belongs all glory, and honor, and praise! www.KathleenEKovach.com

Red-faced, It's Conference Time!

Yep. I totally spaced posting last Friday which I was scheduled to do . . . by me. So blushing here. Didn't remember until last night. Wow! My only excuse? The Colorado Christian Writers Conference is this week. Starts tomorrow in fact. I'm headed up via DIA in just a few minutes. And I'll be there until next Tuesday.

So I've been AWOL on most of my lists.

I really believe in attending conferences, and I've tried to make at least one conference every year since the early nineties. Then i lived in Illinois and my very first conference was held in St. Louis by the American Christian Writers. It was through them that I learned of Marlene Bagnull and got a copy of her Write His Answer Bible study book. Then in 1996, we moved to Colorado, and I contacted Debbie Barker about the Colorado Christian Writers Conference the next spring. Only to be told that Marlene would be directing it from then on. So I got to meet Marlene in person at the first Colorado conference she directed and I attended.

A few years later, my husband was working in New Jersey. That summer I learned to use the trains and made my first trips to Marlene's house to help her prepare for the Philadelphia conference. And from there, over several more years and another job for Roger in New Brunswick, New Jersey, I worked myself into where I am now, Marlene's assistant for both conferences.

So, as i said, I believe in the effectiveness and necessity of conferences for writers.

This year, as for the retreat last month, we're looking at a major winter storm to hinder those traveling to Estes Park for the conference this evening and tomorrow. This year, the opposition to us preparing for the conference has been more than usual. Marlene and I and several others who are on the staff have experienced some pretty bizarre things.

Two nights ago, Liz Babbs, a faculty member from England, wrote Marlene, telling her of a vision she had while praying for the conference. She saw the auditorium at the Y completely surrounded be the Lord's mighty warrior angels. Angels taller than the Reusch, fully armed and ready for battle. The next morning I read in my quiet time 2 Kings 6, where Elisha asks the Lord to open his servant's eyes to see God's army surrounding the Syrian army that surrounded Elisha's town. The Syrians had come to kill Elisha, but the Lord's army prevailed. And so, this is what we are claiming for this conference this week. God will prevail over everything the enemy attempts to put in our way. And I believe God is going to do some awesome things. He already has in my own life.

It's not too late to register and come up, even for a day. You can walk in as well. We are meeting on the campus of the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Check out what we have to offer this  year at www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado.

Pray and see if this is what the Lord has for you right now. If not, then please pray for us as we meet. God doesn't always open the doors, and if this one is closed for you this year, that's okay, too. He will make a way for you another time, maybe another place.

To Conference We Will Go

I recently celebrated my first anniversary as a member of ACFW. During my first year I was privileged to go to my first conference, the ACFW National Conference in Denver last September.

As a new writer, I went with the desire to learn and experience as much as I could. To accomplish this, I volunteered to be a part of the choir, picked up people at the airport and helped at the registration desk, where my first “experience” took place. Does anyone else think they would fail to recognize Chip MacGregor because he didn’t look like the picture on his blog? Not to mention by trying to follow the rules, I almost refused a request from our president (again because I didn’t recognize her) when she told me it was okay to break the rules for something. They were probably glad when my stint at the registration desk was over. I had better luck picking up people at the airport since I had prepared signs with their name and ACFW on them. I even did okay in the choir although I could have used a little more practice time before the conference.

I must say that one of the things I loved most was meeting fellow writers. It was fun to sit down next to someone and start asking them where they were from and what they were writing, etc. Everyone had a unique story to tell. I think I met more people from Colorado than anywhere else and they were all writers that I hadn’t met at any of the local chapter meetings.

If you struggle with the cost vs. benefit of going to a conference, I encourage you to try it at least once. Yes, there are ways to get the workshops on tape and save on the other expenses of going, but there is something about meeting others who share your calling. It’s an opportunity for you to share in the successes of others as well as their disappointments. It’s a way to connect with the outside world and see that you aren’t alone in your dreams and fears. Those are some of the benefits. So how do you manage the cost? There are ways to cut the costs. Find someone to room with. Find a conference closer to where you live. Forgo your Starbucks (insert weekly/daily) habit and put that money towards a future conference. Hold a garage sale. Look for a one-day conference if a multi-day is out of reach at this season of your life. Look for conferences that a local chapter is hosting.

This week is CCWC in Estes Park. You can go for a day or more. Next month there are a couple of opportunities; one at Glen Eyrie and one with The Masters Seminars with Susan May Warren and Chip MacGregor. Those are just the ones in Colorado coming up. If these are out of reach, start planning for next year. You too can have a conference “experience”. And it doesn’t have to come from volunteering although that is a good way to force yourself to participate and not sit in a corner soaking it in.

I’d love to hear one of your memorable conference experiences. To conference we will go!

******

Elaine Clampitt is serving as Secretary/Treasurer of Mile High Scribes, the ACFW South Denver chapter which meets at the Barnes & Noble in Lone Tree on the first Monday of each month. Come hear Jeff Gerke speak on Trends in Publishing on June 7th. Visit www.MileHighScribes.blogspot.com for more information.

Ten Survival Techinques for the First Time Conferee

Your palms are a little sweaty. Safely cocooned in your bag are the one-sheets you've bled over. You walk up to the registration desk, and a sudden fear strikes your heart. They've lost your name. Or you won't be registered. If you are, they'll have forgotten to assign you editor appointments.

You give your name and receive your name tag, finding that your very worse fear has come true. Everything is in order. You've been assigned a roommate, classes, and editor appointments. You really have to do this.

You look over the sea of faces wishing fervently for a familiar one--or even a friendly one. You swallow hard and put on a smile and decide to be that face for someone else who has the panic in her eyes that you feel. You made here. You will believe in yourself. You will believe in the One who sent you. It's time to do this thing!

Truth is though I've felt the above, I'm no longer a new-comer to conferences. So here I stand, cheering you on, excited for the journey you're beginning . . . and thinking that all my sweaty palm experiences give me room to offer a little advice for surviving your first conference:

1) Plan ahead and treat yourself to something that will help you through the experience. Before my first conference I bought colored note cards and wrote my favorite Bible verse and quotes on them. Once I checked in I put them all over my room to remind myself to be courageous! (I've also been know to take a pretty tea cup.)

2) Once at the conference, don't do everything. Really. There's too much offered to attend every single option. If you're a morning person choose the morning devos and skip the late night chats. If you're a night person, take a snack and have breakfast in your room. When the amount of material stuffed in your brain becomes overwhelming, find a quiet place and be alone--or a friend and down-load--or take a nap. But do NOT for any reason attempt to conquer every single thing on that bulging schedule.

3) Pray each day that you can encourage someone. The Lord will lead you to that person, he will be buoyed for his journey, and you'll be refreshed to see God at work. It'll take the stress out of the serious pursuit of all those writing dreams and remind you that God is in control.

4) If a speaker or workshop isn't meeting your needs, discreetly slip out and find one that suits you. It's okay.

5) Be brave. Make friends. Believe that the person next to you in line or in your class is a divine appointment. My first conference I met a delightful woman who ended up being from my area. She invited me to her critique group where I've been happily learning for the last 8 years. I didn't seek her out for any reason except to be friendly, but God put us together.

6) And #5 reminds me to mention #6. Pray for the networking aspect of the conference--not just for yourself, but for each attendee. Ask God to weave it all together exactly the right way, networking those who need to meet to take the next step on their writing journeys and further His purposes. I like to imagine God putting exactly the editor and writer who need to meet together, or helping someone find a new best friend, or putting a writer with exactly the speaker who will help him learn that missing piece. I have lots of God stories about how He did this. LOVE to see Him so tangibly at work.

7) Don't compare your writing with others. Usually first time conferees discover they are starting on a new learning curve. Don't be discouraged by that. God has called you to write. He has given you the talent. Now you get to develop the skill. Don't let the prowess of advanced writers make you insecure.

8) Be teachable. Chances are something about this business is new to you. Listen. Don't barrel ahead with your opinions. Ask good questions, not to be noticed, but so you can learn. If a teacher presents a new concept, play with it, think about it, even if you don't like it at first.

9) Celebrate every positive experience, and grieve and move on from the disappointments. Conferences can be highly emotional, especially the first few times, or if you're doing a lot of pitching of a writing project. Hide and have a good cry if you need to. Give appropriate room for your emotions, but don't dwell on the disappointments. The crazy thing about conferences is you can feel deep discouragement one minute and have a fantastic experience the next. Keep your head high, and don't let the disappointments get you down. You don't know what might be waiting around the corner.

10) Trust God. Believe that HE is the one who opens doors no man can shut and shuts doors no man can open. Believe that HE has a plan for your writing and will guide you on the best pathway for your life. Relax. Enter into His plans for this conference and know deep inside that the One who brought you this far will see all this to completion in His time.

And . . .

while you're doing all of that, don't forget to HAVE FUN!!!!

Supporting My Conference Habit

I love conferences. They're better than Starbucks. But slightly more expensive. I'm blessed to be able to use the money I've made from writing to, as my husband says, support my conference habit.

Why do I love conferences? Let me count the ways.

1. I don't have to make my bed. Yes. That is number one.
2. I don't have to cook my meals. That would tie for number one, but I'm automatically outlining here.
3. I get to see friends that are normally only one inch tall on my Facebook page.
4. I get to cram my head full of craft ideas from the workshops.
5. I get to meet editors that can further my career.

Number five is actually where I started with my first conference, CCWC. It was at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference in 2002 that I met then editors Jim and Tracie Peterson in the early bird clinic for romance fiction. I guess I was one of the those in the right place at the right time that year. They went around the room asking us what careers our characters had. When I mentioned dolphin trainer, they both perked up, and Jim said he wanted to speak with me. I had an appointment with him anyway for later in the day. Jim was the acquisitions editor for new authors at the time. Without even knowing if I could write, he said he wanted to see the full manuscript. How often does that happen? I found out in the years following that this is very rare. But my character's career had never been done in a Barbour Heartsong Presents. I made them wait two years before turning it in. If you ask Jim today why I did that, he can mimic me to a T, she "wanted it to be perfect!"

Well, that story is far from perfect as I've learned a little more about the craft through subsequent conferences, but it was the best I had to offer at the time.

Something else wonderful happened at that conference. As if hearing an editor saying they want to see a full manuscript wasn't enough, God, in His all loving grace gifted me with a competition win. I took first place in the unpublished prose contest. No, that wasn't the wonderful thing, although it was terrific. When I walked back to my seat with my certificate clutched in my fingers, I heard God say, "What are we going to write next?" At that moment, He became my writing partner. I knew the years of dreaming, of sweating over a typewriter, of wondering when I would become a real writer had finally eclipsed.

Tracie Peterson had started a tradition at the annual ACFW conference that continues today, handing out contracts to new authors in the general assembly. So, in 2004, with the deafening applause of my peers, and huge smiles from my Writing Partner, I received the contract for Merely Players. That story is now available in the anthology Florida Weddings.

See why I like conferences?

I share this not to discourage those who haven't had this life changing experience, but to let you know it can happen to you. Go to conferences, read books on the craft, take advantage of the free resources available on the Web, like my blog, Craft Cinema. I was in my mid-forties when I attended that first conference. Not young, not old, but exactly where God wanted me.

I pray you have a conference experience soon where you know beyond any doubt that God is ready to partner with you. There is no greater feeling.

Except maybe the part about not making your bed.

********************

Kathleen E. Kovach is the Rocky Mountain Zone Director for ACFW, leads a local critique group called JOY Writers, and is an award winning author with five books out and one on the way. www.KathleenEKovach.com

Conference Time

It's that time of the year again. Right now I'm at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference, helping Marlene Bagnull with the second conference she runs each year. I arrived last Wednesday night, and we've been scrambling ever since to get the details taken care of. We have a record number attending this year at 283, and we are rejoicing in God's provision. Of course it makes for more behind-the-scenes work. This year, Marlene also put me on faculty, and today I taught my editing workshop on punctuation. Would you believe around 50 people attended that class? We had great participation, but goodness, my mind still boggles at that number. And today I had a good number of appointments, as well. I'm excited about those I spoke to today.

As always it's good to connect with other writers, editors, agents, and publishers—people who understand and love this wonderful world of writing and the unique minds that go with it. And I'm loving seeing my Colorado friends here in Philly, many of them for the first time: Jeff Gerke, Tanya Warrington, and Shannon (Hill) Marchese. And I'm probably missing someone. Though I'm too tired to go look at the list.

Next month is the annual ACFW Conference in Denver! And I already can't wait. I'm looking forward to more wonderful times with my writer friends. This is the one conference I attend that I pay for. But even then I won't be sitting idly in classes. Since Colorado is hosting the conference we have many unique opportunities to volunteer and give back to a great organization. Some of the opportunities we've already let you know about through our chapters and the ACFW Colorado loop. Others we will try to keep you updated with here on the blog as they come up. If you are interested in helping out in some way, please leave a comment on the blog, and I'll get back to you with the possibilities. Many of you have already volunteered. Thank you to all of you for making ACFW Colorado a great place to be!

Why Go To A Conference?

Just as Memorial Day begins our summer season, May seems to begin our conference season. And just like Memorial Day where we spend time with family and friends as we celebrate and remember, writers conferences are a time to meet and renew friendships with writing family, to celebrate, and to remember.

Writing can be a very solitary experience as we sit at our computers or typewriters or pads of paper and toll away at our stories and articles and books. And yet as solitary as the writing life can be, most writers long for the fellowship of other people who understand their eccentricities, who have heard voices in their heads, seen faces in their dreams, and who wake up at night with a great opening line or conflict or plot point screaming to be written down.

In other words, conferences are great places to meet people just like us.

Conferences are great places to celebrate successes and commiserate rejections and encourage those who are wavering in their writing lives. And even if you always seem to celebrate someone else's successes and commiserate your own rejections, remember that any time you encourage you are building the Kingdom of God, uplifting His people, and fulfilling His calling on your life.

Conferences are also useful for the memories they create. It's nice to meet up with fellow writers who weren't published the last time you saw them, or maybe they were published but not in hardcover. Or maybe the triumph isn't even about publishing, but they have finally gotten the courage to make an appointment with an editor, or talk to an agent about their books.

There are plenty of great conferences available. Ask a fellow writer for their recommendations. Check out Sally Stuart's Market Guide. Search online for conferences catering to your genre or market niche.

Consider every conference as an opportunity for ministry. Go with a heart open to what God wants to accomplish. Be willing to be open and vulnerable, eager to help someone else feel better about their writing.

And then watch as God works a miracle in you and in your writing.

Preparing For My First Writer's Conference

In two short weeks, the 12th annual Colorado Christian Writer's Conference is being held at the YMCA of the Rockies, in beautiful Estes Park. Although I am a conference veteran from my youth ministry days, this will be my first one devoted to the craft of writing. As the newest ACFW member that blogs here, I'm going to assume that other newbie writers might need some conference preparation tips too. Here's what I've learned from my own experiences, lessons taught at the writer's groups I'm in, friendly advice, and a few helpful websites:

BEFORE

PLAN AHEAD

1. Study the Conference Brochure. Identify What you most need to learn, then choose workshops that provide it. Learn something new.

2. Know who the faculty are. There will be professional writers, mentors, Agents, and Editors there. If you happen to sit next to one of them at a meal, or land a coveted appointment with one of them, it would be nice if you knew their name.

3. Find out what is required to make appointments with your chosen professional, and make your requests early. Prepare a list of questions to ask editors, agents, and/or writers -things you want answered before you return home.

4. Create a 30 second pitch for your book/article/screenplay idea and practice it. Try writing your idea in 20 words or less. Your time will be limited during your meeting, and you'll be prepared to answer the most popular question of your conference stay, "What do you write?"

5. Prepare professional looking proposals, one sheets, and queries, and have copies available if an agent or editor requests them.

PACK

1. Comfortable clothing and shoes - the level of professional attire depends on the standards of the conference you're attending. Dress in layers for varying room temperatures. Check the weather ahead of time and bring an umbrella, snow boots, or whatever else is needed for your trip.

2. A sturdy tote bag to hold the following:

• Laptop and/or paper and pens - you decide what works for you.
  
• Business Cards - make sure ALL of your information is current.
• Bible & Journal
• Thank you notes for follow up after your appointments
• Water Bottle, mints, and snacks
  
• Camera
• Money for the conference book store. You know you'll want to buy stuff! :)
• An extra tote or room in your suitcase for the stuff you buy.
• Labeled folders, manila envelopes, or even an expandable file. Possible labels might include:

1. Contacts - To hold business cards/brochures of people you meet.
2. Expenses - Receipts for tax deductions like meal expenses, transportation, CD's or books to improve your craft, etc.
3. Proposals, Queries, One Sheets - self explanatory, and it looks good when you're organized.
4. Workshop Notes/Handouts - Even for those you don't attend so you'll have them if you buy the CD or mp3.

A little organization before you leave will save you lots of time and hassle while you're there AND after you return home!

DURING

1. Prepare for little sleep, your creative energy will be high, but pace yourself. Unplug if you need some quiet time to reflect and relax, or just need to escape for a nap.

2. Don't be shy. Meet as many people as possible and ask questions. Everyone has something to share and there will be those who are new or attending alone and they're feeling awkward too. Practice active listening and don't monopolize the conversation, but speak up when it is your turn to do so. Remember that you have something to share too.

3. Talk to the professionals. They are there to help you grow as a writer. Ask your questions and write down any thoughts or ideas they share that you might forget.

4. Remember to collect and file business cards, handouts, receipts, etc. These will be very important to you after the conference ends.

AFTER

1. Give yourself a few days/week to regroup. You may find yourself in "conference overload" and need time to process all that you learned. Keep your notes and ideas handy!

2. Send thank you notes to the people you had appointments with, your roommates, and anyone else you need to acknowledge that made your conference a memorable experience.

3. Take what you learned and apply it to your writing. WRITE. RE-WRITE. SUBMIT. REPEAT.

4. FOLLOW UP! If an agent or editor requested your work, send it to them within 30 days, or even 2 weeks. The sooner the better. It's amazing how many people don't follow through with this step. Don't let fear hold you back!

5. Stay connected to the writers you meet. You're adding value to other people. Who knows your writing trials and triumphs better than other writers?

Above all else, PRAY before, during, and after the conference!

I hope these tips have fanned the flames of excitement as you prepare for an amazing 4 days! Look for me while you're there. I'll be the curly redhead with the big smile and the dazed look on her face. I'm kidding...sort of.


My helpful sources:

Megan DiMaria's Writing Conference Tips

Lessons from my friend, Michele Cushatt

The Words For The Journey Blog

Preparing to attend a writer's conference by Julie H. Ferguson
(Used with permission)

The wonderfully creative, mostly organized, and occasionally wacky brain of Niki Nowell

Peak Writing Conference: Writing the Gift with Excellence

In case anyone has missed it, on this wonderful website we have a little nifty “events” page up there in the navigation menu. Go ahead check it out, I’ll wait…

Now then, when you’re done reading my ever-so-lovely post, click on that brilliant useful page and check out the Colorado Springs chapter’s one day conference, Peak Writing Conference: Writing the Gift With Excellence.

We will be having three wonderful speakers, Donita K Paul, Lisa Tawn Bergren and Beth Jusino.

The date of the conference is the 28th of February, the cost is $55 for ACFW members and $60 for non-members. And that cost includes food! I don’t know about you… but for me, when it comes to conferences, it’s ALL about the food. =)

I would give you more info… but then you wouldn’t go to that page and find out all the fantabulous stuff to be had there. You can even download the registration form from that page.

For me personally, the best thing about the conference is the fact that my best friend is flying in from California to see me (and Kim… and her agent. Whatever! It’s all about me! LOL) and will get to attend the conference too.

Blessings… and happy writing!

Colorado Christian Writers Conference

Registration is now open for the Colorado Christian Writer's Conference. Marlene is offering a special bonus to the first 50 people who register. So get on over to the Web site to check things out. Don't wait for the brochure if you're already on the mailing list; she's not sending them out this year.

I hope many of you plan to attend. The emphasis on fiction just keeps getting stronger. (Maybe because her closest helpers are ACFW members! *smile*) Here's a note Marlene sent out about this year's conference.

Hi everyone -

Registration is now open for the May 13-16 Colorado Christian Writers Conference and I am praising God! I want you to be among the first to know since the first 50 registrants will receive a fifth 15-minute one-on-one appointment. Lots of new and exciting things are planned so I hope you’ll visit www.writehisanswer.com/Colorado today.

I've never repeated a theme in 12 years of directing CCWC and 25 years of directing the Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference, but as I consider the crises facing our nation and world, I cannot think of a more important assignment than to "write His answer" (Hab. 2:2). I'm praying you will accept His assignment and make plans now to join us on the mountain for this year’s CCWC where you will be encouraged and equipped to write about a God who is real, who is reachable, and who changes lives.

Whether you are publishing regularly or not-yet-published, and whether you write fiction or nonfiction for children or adults, CCWC is an investment in your writing ministry that can open doors and change your life.

God bless you as you “write His answer.”

In His Service – Marlene

P.S. Please note we have replaced our 8-page brochure with an oversized postcard. Not only are we saving trees, we’re passing the monetary savings on to conferees through no increase in the price of registration. Despite the glum economic warnings, let’s not forget that our God is faithful!

If any of you have questions, leave a comment or e-mail me. Click on the link on the contacts page with my name. As Marlene's assistant I can answer most questions; if not, I can get an answer quickly from Marlene.