By Laurel Blount When I sold my debut novel A Family for the Farmer to Love Inspired in August of 2015, I was over the moon. I had finally stepped through the golden door of publication, and I felt sure from now on I’d be dividing my time between signing books, signing contracts and signing royalty checks. But then my …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Those Teaching Workshops (Day 34)
2018 ACFW Conference 40 Days of Prayer Day 34 – Topic: Those Teaching Workshops Proverbs 8:1–Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice? Heavenly Father, Thank you for the men and women who will be sharing their wisdom through workshops at the conference. We pray even now as they prepare that You would guide them in what they …
Words, Words, Words
by Shirley E. Gould When I was in elementary school, I learned a saying… Sticks and stones may break my bones, But words will never harm me. This childhood saying was meant to encourage kids to not allow what other classmates say to hurt their feelings. But words do hurt! They stay in our memory and mold what we think …
ACFW Conference Prayer: The Worship Band (Day 35)
2018 ACFW Conference 40 Days of Prayer Day 35 – Topic: The praise band as they practice and lead worship Psalm 150:6–Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord! Lord, we thank You for those You have brought together to usher us into Your presence through music during the conference. We pray for health over each band …
How to Get Your Work Published—Successfully
By Susan A.J. Lyttek I teach writing classes to homeschooled youth most every year. For the most dedicated writers among them, they always have one question. “How do I get published?” Twenty or thirty years ago I could have told them to do a, then b, then c and finally you’ll achieve the d of publication. The route is not …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Those Teaching Tracks (Day 36)
2018 ACFW CONFERENCE 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 36 PRAYER – TOPIC: THOSE TEACHING TRACKS “The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.” Psalm 28:7, NIV Father, we come to You in the Name of Your Precious Son, Jesus …
Exercise Your Gray Cells
By K.A. Neely I exercise my gray cells by writing cozy mysteries. Ever since I picked up my first Nancy Drew book I have loved reading and watching mysteries. Having said that, writing one is completely different. I know every fictional tale requires careful consideration to detail. The specifics of the storyline must flow and have continuity, but a mystery …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Those Unable to Attend (Day 37)
2018 ACFW CONFERENCE 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 37 PRAYER – TOPIC: Those Unable to Attend Conference Jeremiah 29:11–For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Lord Jesus, many ACFW members and others are eager to attend the conference but …
Writing From Your Scars
by Tara Johnson I was recently asked to give an aspiring writer my best piece of writing advice. I could have told her to study the craft, told her the best blogs to follow, or given her a checklist of a thousand other steps to pursue her dream, but after much thought, I offered my best piece of advice: write …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Keynote Speaker Debbie Macomber (Day 38)
2018 ACFW CONFERENCE 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 38 PRAYER – TOPIC: Our Keynote Speaker, Debbie Macomber Jeremiah 1:9–Then the Lord stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the Lord said to me, Behold, I have put My words in your mouth. Dear Lord, we ask You to touch our beloved keynote speaker, Debbie Macomber. May you bless …