Tag Archives: conferences

Celebrating a Wonderful Day

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It is the fourth Friday of the month, and I’m still focused on my writing. Today is a wonderful celebration of my writing.

For the first time since I took time away from my normal routine to be one of the caregivers for my mother around 3 years ago.

I tried to keep writing, but it became harder and harder. All the emotions of those years caused my writing and creativity became less and less. There were times I thought I would never write again.

My mother went to be with the Lord on the 4th of July. Since that time I’ve fought to bring back my writing.

This morning that all changed. I woke this morning with words and sentences in my head. I got up, sat at the computer, and typed in 685 words. The words flowed easily.

I’m celebrating the feeling of being a real writer again. I’m heading to the Write His Answer Conference feeling like I really belong as a writer.

I’d love to have you join me at the conference. You can find the information by clicking here.

Getting ready to learn

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For a few weeks, I’m going to put off writing about items to purchase in Israel on the fourth Friday of the month. Not only are there a limited number of items to write about, but there is something more immediate in my life.

I’m getting ready for the Colorado Christian Writers Conference May 11-14, 2022.

We usually meet at Estes Park, Colorado YMCA. However, this year will be virtual. I know you might be saying “I want people, not computers.” And normally I would agree with you, but I’ve seen the line-up and the plans and am very excited.

First, the conference will be 100% live. No prerecorded material.

At an in-person conference, there are too many things and classes going on at the same time, so we’re bound to miss something. With CCWC’s virtual conference I’ll still miss some simultaneous presentations, but they are being recorded and I’ll have three months to watch the presentations which I can’t watch during the conference.

I have to admit, I don’t pay to attend CCWC in money. I pay in labor as a member of the staff. But if I did pay to attend CCWC, this would be at the top of the list. The cost is $199 if you register by March 15th. No travel costs. No cost for room and board.

Plus I don’t have to wonder what kind of food will be served.

I’ve included pictures of two of my favorite authors/speakers.

This is where you’ll find more information.

https://colorado.writehisanswer.com/

She will make you laugh and brighten your day.
It is exciting to look forward to his presentations. No one ever knows what the props will be.

Finding My Way

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The last two weeks have been difficult thanks to Covid. Last week I had so much brain fog, I was not able to put together a full, understandable sentence.

This came at a time when I felt I was making progress against three years of deepening depression due to being one of the caretakers for my mom. During this illness, I feel I’ve taken several steps backward.

So what do I do to get fully on track with my writing the things I feel God is calling me to write.

There is a whole list of things I can and will do to regain my physical, mental, and spiritual health. I want to share one major step I’m taking with my fellow writers.

This Tuesday, I’ll start leading a Bible Study based on the book “Write His Answer,” written by my friend, Marlene Bagnull.

I’ve gone through this study twice and each time I’ve grown in my faith and in my writing ability.

Now I’m studying this book again, actually leading this study for others. In my experience, teaching is one of the best ways to learn.

So I invite anyone who feels drawn to reaffirm their calling to write to join me in this study. If enough people are interested, I will create an online study. Let me know.

If you’d like to follow the study up with a writers conference to continue the teaching, I urge you to consider Colorado Christian Writers Conference and the Greater Philly Writers Conference. Check them out at https://writehisanswer.com/conferences.

You can also purchase the Write His Answer Bible Study at the same website.

I’m looking forward to seeing you all next Friday when I get back into my regular blog routine.

Home from the Colorado Christian Writers Conference

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It was a long month of preparation for CCWC, followed by a few days of hectic activity. And that was followed by a few days of recovering from exhaustion.

Since I have chosen to be part of the team of volunteers who help with the conference, my husband, Roy and I arrived at Ruesch Auditorium at the YMCA camp in Estes Park on Tuesday. We helped set up the bookstore and print what was needed for the faculty and conferee packets.

Wednesday through Saturday was constant interaction, movement, and taking care of problems. No matter how carefully we prepare, little things always come up during conference needing to be fixed.

With over 50% of our conferees attending for the first time, many people had questions about where things were or who to talk to or what to do next.

My time was taken by a combination of talking to other authors about my work, talking to other authors about their writing, selling books in the bookstore, helping those in need, etc. Did I have anytime to attend any classes? No, not one. Do I feel going to the conference was a waste of my time since I didn’t go to a class? No, I don’t.

I came home with CDs of the classes and keynotes I missed, so I’ll be able to get the desired knowledge. I gained a lot in the contacts I made. I received a lot of confirmation I am on the right path in the projects I’m working on. I gained a lot of knowledge about how to complete what the Lord has told me to do. I had many opportunities to bless others by helping them.

It was a great conference.

Elevator pitch

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Today, like many times before, I was asked what an author should include in his or her one-minute pitch. As usual, what they wanted was write their pitch for them which I will not do. Below is my answer:

Imagine you get on an elevator (not the high-speed kind) in the lobby of a hotel at the same time as a publisher who would make your book an instant best seller, pay for you to go on a worldwide book tour, and pay you 50% royalties. No one else is on the elevator. The publisher is getting off on the 20th floor with no stops in between. He asks what you are writing. What do you want him to know so he will want to know more and will ask you to talk to him after the elevator ride?

Just so I don’t give anyone the wrong idea, I don’t know of any publisher like that, nor have I ever heard of one and doubt one exists. But it helps to think that way when creating your pitch.