by Denise Hunter With the ACFW Conference a week away, here are some timely tips on packing, gleaned from 8 years of packing for ACFW. If you plan ahead, you can avoid ironing, tedious decisions (you’ll have enough to make once you’re there), and wasting precious time that could be spent gabbing with writing friends and schmoozing editors and agents. …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 8
Day 8 Topic: For a smooth registration Verse: Romans 8:28–And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Lord, you are a God of administration. You planned the world before You began! We ask for the plans and purposes of ACFW’s conference …
Writing Historical Novels, Part One
By Carrie Turansky In January of 2012 I had a short conversation with an editor and I asked her, “What are you looking for?” She smiled and said, “I wish I could find a novel set England at the same time as the popular British TV series Downton Abbey, with a brooding hero and a loving governess heroine, giving the …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 9
Day 9 Topic: Casey Miller as he finalizes appointments Verse: Hebrews 4:16–Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Father, we thank you for Casey, Robin Miller’s husband. We thank you for his commitment to Robin, their children and to ACFW. …
Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Reviews
by Deborah Raney One of the hard things a published writer must learn is to toughen up where reviews are concerned. I hate bad reviews, whether from professional critics or ordinary readers on amazon.com. I especially hate them when they aren’t as much about the book, as they are about demeaning an author’s beliefs, religion, ethnicity, or personality. But bad …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 10
Day 10 Topic: The families we leave at home Verse: Romans 8:26-27–In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because …
Do Yourself a Favor – Follow Through
by Cynthia Ruchti “No more shoulds.” I could feel my eyes widen and my eyebrows creep higher at her no-nonsense statement. She meant all three words. She’d determined to eliminate the word “should” from her vocabulary. No more “I should,” “We should,” “They should,” “You should.” “I’m either going to do it or I’m not,” she vowed. “I either will …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 11
Day 11 Topic: That we mourn with those who mourn Verse: Romans 12:15b– . . . and weep with those who weep Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose dreams aren’t realized at this conference. Some will be disappointed that they didn’t receive what they had hoped for, prayed for, and worked so hard to achieve. If there is disappointment, …
Conference Expectations
by Ian Acheson I waited outside the reception area of the corporate campus waiting for my client to arrive. I was expecting to receive a letter of employment from the CEO that would end my consultant status and see me appointed as a director of the company. We’d been in discussions for six months and all that was required was …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 12
Day 12 Topic: That we rejoice with those who rejoice Verse: Romans 12:15a–Rejoice with those who rejoice . . . Dear Heavenly Father, as members of Your Body, let us build each other up so that we all reach the lofty goals that You have called us to. When one of our members receives good news at the conference, let …