Topic: Conference staff Verse: 1 Thessalonians 1:3a–Constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love . . . Lord, we lift up the conference staff to You today. Thank You for their hard work and long hours of preparation. We pray that Your hand be upon them as they serve throughout the conference, using their spiritual gifts …
Bugged by the Ladies
by Dana Mentink Consider the humble ladybug, fellow readers and writers. She’s less than a quarter of an inch long, silent and stoic and more than likely unnoticed in your yard. Truth be told, she’s a powerhouse, a dynamic dame that can teach us a lot about the wild and wacky world of writing. Let’s take a moment to look …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 28
Topic: Spotlight Sessions Verse: Proverbs 2:6–For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Dear Lord, Guide the editors and agents as they share the platform. Give them wisdom to impart the needs of their publishing houses or agencies. May they be clear, and let their words be encouraging. In Jesus’ name, amen.
40 Days of Prayer: Day 29
Topic: Paid critiquers as they work on submissions Verse: 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17–Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. Heavenly Father, We praise You for our salvation through Jesus Christ, and we …
Those Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer
By Donna Schlachter I keep promising myself that one of these years, I’m going to enjoy summer. Instead of spending the months of June, July, and August cooped up indoors writing and revising and researching, I’m going to spend the time in a mountain retreat, on the front verandah, surrounded by trees and a babbling brook. Writing and revising and …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 30
Topic: Agents at the conference Verse: Psalm 143:8a–Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You. Our Heavenly Father, We lift up our agents who are giving of their time and expertise to attend our conference. Bless them with the strength and stamina they will need to meet with both their clients as well as new …
Subtle Set-ups and Powerful Pay-offs
by Christine Sunderland Life is a journey from choice to choice, an exercise of free will. When we choose, a genetic component changes, and we become slightly different people. We have chosen a direction that informs our genes and colors our future choices. As readers we follow this journey in stories. We wonder where the choices will take us. But …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 31
Topic: Editors at the conference Verse: Psalm 141:2–May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting of my hands as the evening offering.Verse: Father, Thank you for the editors attending this conference. We are so blessed to have them at ACFW. We pray for strength and wisdom for them every moment of every day of the conference. We …
Critiquing Suggestions for Transitioning to Published Author
by Carrie Fancett Pagels I’ve posted elsewhere about not despising the day of small beginnings, as the Bible also tells us. One of the blessings of working on three “smaller” publications in the past several months is what I’ve learned about my writing life. For example, how can I best work with a Critique Partner (will abbreviate as CP henceforth.) …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 32
Topic: Brandilyn Collins as she emcees Verse: Psalm 66:16–Come and hear, all who fear God, And I will tell of what He has done for my soul. Lord, we pray for energy, a clear mind, wisdom, a clear voice, and lots of fun as Brandilyn emcees during the conference. May the words she speaks come forth with joy, rooted in …