by Sherri Stone Last year I watched the awards gala on the live feed from St. Louis and wondered if it would be just as cool to be there in person. Nope. It was so much better! I arrived Thursday feeling like a kindergardner dropped off for the first day of school who didn’t even know how to stand in …
I Love to Live on the Mountain Top (at the ACFW Conference)
by Tina Radcliffe Coming home from the 2012 ACFW Conference in Dallas I was reminded of the Amy Grant song, because truly my spirit was soaring on the mountain top fellowshipping with the Lord and my writer friends. A recap of conference for those who couldn’t make it this year: Breakfast Praise & Worship Squeals of delight and hugs at …
Six Things I learned (about writing) from watching my dachshunds…
By Elizabeth Ludwig Okay, so I admit it…I’m a freak about my dachshunds. I absolutely love to watch them play. So imagine my enjoyment when the two I had, multiplied to six adorable puppies! I learned quite quickly that each one is vastly different from the others, and not just in temperament. They have distinct personalities, which of course, tied …
Have You Ever Felt Small? Advice for Writing and Life
by Kathleen Y’Barbo Have you ever felt small? Really, really small? The kind of small where someone could walk right past and not even notice you? Maybe it’s the people in your world who just don’t seem to know you’re there. Or it’s a goal you’ve long since given up accomplishing because it seems there are so many others doing …
Book Review: Bees in the Butterfly Garden
Title: Bees in the Butterfly Garden (The Gilded Legacy) Author: Maureen Lang Publisher: Tyndale House Date: June 2012 ISBN: 978-1414364469 Genre: Historical Romance Reviewed by: Laura Hilton Meg Davenport has never wanted for anything-except her father’s love. Raised in an exclusive boarding school among Fifth Avenue’s finest, she was trained to be the perfect society wife. When Meg was younger, …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 1
Day 1 That God’s will be accomplished at the conference Psalm 115:1–Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory. Dear Lord, as we gather in Dallas, we are filled with thoughts of what the time will hold. Workshops, fellowship, worship, meetings with mentors, editors, agents, and old friends. Our purposes are many. Some want …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 2
Day 2 Good weather for travel Luke 8:24b–And He got up and rebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and it became calm. Dear Father, your world and its beauty are amazing gifts, and earth’s varied nature displays your creativity and vast power. As many of your servants travel to conference, we ask that you harness the …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 3
Day 3 Nancy Kress and the Early Bird Session Proverbs 2:2–Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding. Father, we thank you for blessing of Nancy as she comes to ACFW to sow the talents you’ve given her into others. I pray for her time to be multiplied as she prepares for the conference, safety as she …
Platforms Ain’t Just for Shoes
by Ane Mulligan In the court of publishing, if story is king, platform is queen. There are a lot of good novels so how do you stand out? By having a ready-made readership before you’re published. Editors look for Internet presence. When they Google your name, what do they find? I’ve spent a few years building my web presence. Google …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 4
Day 4 Wisdom in decision making for the Operating & Advisory Board as they meet before the conference Romans 15:5–Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus. Heavenly Father, Creator of all things, we pray for the Operating Board: Margaret Daley, Richard Mabry, Fay …