2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 11 – 9/10/17 – THAT WE MOURN WITH THOSE WHO MOURN Heavenly Father, as we prepare for our conference, open our hearts to those who are mourning this year, to those who have lost loved ones or have received tragic news. Open our hearts to those who feel hopeless and helpless. …
ACFW Conference Prayer – That We Rejoice (Day 12)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 12 – 9/9/17 – THAT WE REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice. (ESV). Father God, we lean on You to stir within us a spirit of rejoicing when others get the appointment we thought we needed, when editors and agents show excitement for someone else’s project, …
Going Live (or on the Record) with Zoom
By Johnnie Alexander A few weeks ago, three friends and I—from four different states and three different time zones—got together on Zoom to brainstorm a story I’m working on. Thanks to Zoom’s gallery view format, we could see each other as we talked through our ideas. It was a fantastic way for us to connect with one another across such …
ACFW Conference Prayer – Hotel Staff (Day 13)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 13 – 9/8/17 – HOTEL STAFF Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19, 23 (NIV) Heavenly Father, …
When You Don’t Final—Handling Feedback from Contests
By Rachel Dylan When I first started writing I entered numerous writing contests for unpublished authors. I was excited to enter and see what others thought about these crazy stories that had developed inside my head. These contests were a great way to get feedback and have someone who didn’t know me read my manuscript. I jumped in and started …
ACFW Conference Prayer: For our Conference Treasurer (Day 14)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 14 – 9/7/17 – PAM HILLMAN, CONFERENCE TREASURER Shout joyfully to God, all the earth! Sing about the glory of His name; make His praise glorious. Psalm 66:1-2 (HCSB) Dear Lord, We pray and ask for wisdom for Pam Hillman as she deals with all the expenses surrounding the conference. Give …
Questions from a Young Writer
by Ann H. Gabhart Recently I was interviewed by a young high school girl with dreams of writing the same as I had many years ago at her age. Selena hoped I might reveal some magic path to being a successful writer. I don’t think there is any magic. Instead blood, sweat and tears accompany the writing journey, but joy …
ACFW Conference Prayer – For Robin Miller, Conference Director (Day 15)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 15 – 9/6/17 – ROBIN MILLER, CONFERENCE DIRECTOR Heavenly Father, we thank You for all the ways You’re working to ensure the conference goes smoothly. We lift up Robin Miller, Conference Director. Bless her managerial skills, her organization, her clear thinking, and her communication. Thank You, Lord, as she works diligently …
Hold the Dream Lightly
By Lorraine Beatty Dreams are funny things. They can sustain us, they can torment us or they can rip our hearts to shreds. But we can’t live without them. As writers we dream of that first contract or that perfect agent who will find us that top publisher. But sometimes dreams take a long time to materialize. Sometimes not at …
ACFW Conference Prayer: Genesis Finalists (Day 16)
2017 ACFW CONFERENCE – 40 DAYS OF PRAYER DAY 16 – 9/5/17 – FINALISTS IN THE GENESIS CONTEST Psalm 135:5-6 (NKJV) For I know that the Lord is great, And our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and all deep places. Beloved Lord and Father, Please bless …