Category: Writing

  • Writers Conference updates-day #1

    Hi all, just returned from a nearly full day at Maranatha Writers Conference. If the other four days are like this, my head will be swimming w/information overload!  Today we heard from Anne Fenske, of  Grace Acres Press on: Secrets every writer should know before, during and after writing their manuscript. 

    TAKING A JOURNEY:

    • Know the rules of the road first
    • Preparation for writing
    • Arrival – journey is not over, but just begun

    KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE:

    • Who, What, Where, Why, When, and How
    • Know the competition out there
    • Marketplace, what is selling hot? and what’s  not?

    WHAT DO WRITERS DO?

    • write
    • Revise
    • Collaborate
    • Re-write
    • Research
    • Revise

    WHAT DO PUBLISHERS DO?  Publishers are venture captialists for people who have intellectual property (whether it be words, art, music)

    It is my duty as a writer to bring something very valuable to the table for the publisher.

    READ AND OBEY what the publishers want. Cannot stress this enough! If they want your name and contact info on the left side of the paper–don’t put it on the right side -more than likely, it will be dropped in the slush pile.

    WEBSITES are very important. Build a database of your fan club w/names and addresses where they can register on your website. Are you out there speaking? mingling? meeting new people and gathering THEIR business cards wherever you go? Even if your book isn’t written–NOW is the time to start your marketing plan!!

  • Maranatha Writers Conference–here I come!

    I’m excited to join many other writers at the annual Maranatha Christian Writers Conference beginning tomorrow 9/20 through Friday. The conference is held at the Maranatha conference grounds on the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan.

    I’m eager to meet new writers, authors and publishers!

    https://writewithpurpose.com/

  • West Michigan Fellowship of Christian Writers

    https://www.meetup.com/wm-fcwriters/

    Great meetup time! Received info on book proposals – some of which I hadn’t seen before. I’ll be able to utilize this info in creating my own proposal. Valuable critique of my own article.

    Looking forward to next weeks Maranatha Christian Writers Conference (https://www.writewithpurpose.org/) hosted  in Muskegon, MI.

  • “The Missionary” by David Lambert & William Carmichael (book review)

    The Missionary

    How far or deep should a missionary or those in God’s service get involved in the political realm? The main character, David Eller, lives out this question through this page turner novel. “Yesterday he was an American missionary serving the poor. Today, he’s an international fugitive.” Normally, I’m not a thriller/espionage type book reader, but this read proved rewarding.

     The real-to-life situations could happen in today’s news. Characters wrestled with their personal faith put to the test through life choices. Good intentions sometimes go awry.

     I’d already recommended this book to several people before I’d even finished it myself. Suspense remained until the very end of the book. Great read!

  • West MI Fellowship of Christian Writers meet Tonight

    “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things…” (Psalm 98) Let’s tell others what the Lord has done whether in poetry, fiction or non-fiction. I want to be a light shining so all can see and know just how good he truly is!

    Come join us —

    West Michigan Fellowship of Christian Writers group meets the first and third Tuesday of every month. Our goal is to provide encouragement, accountability, inspiration & support for current and aspiring Christian writers and speakers.

    We meet this evening at Panera Bread, 4340 Kenowa in Grandville. Feel free to bring a current piece you are working on and other eyes will give unbiased critiquing.

     

    https://www.meetup.com/wm-fcwriters/

  • Books & Bikes

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     See photos of Shelly Beach’s book signing at Bike Week at Harley Davidson in Muskegon. Even though the weather was gloomy and somewhat wet, that didn’t stop bikers from coming.

     

    Still one more day to catch Shelly with her hot new leather jacket – signing Saturday 12-4:00 p.m.

  • Book Signing by Shelly Beach & Bike Week:July 17-18

    Shelly Beach & Teresa Lasher @ Cedar Falls Writers' Conference
    Shelly Beach & Teresa Lasher @ Cedar Falls Writers' Conference

     

    I’m looking forward to seeing my friend and author, Shelly Beach, this weekend at Bike Week. Shelly is the author of several books including, “Hallie’s Heart” and the sequel, “Morningsong.”  These books feature various landmarks in and around Muskegon such as Pier Marquette Park and Maranatha Conference grounds. And, of course, a Harley Davidson bike!

     

    She and her husband, Dan, will be signing books at the Harley Davidson bike shop in Muskegon from 12-4 pm on Friday and Saturday. So why not come on over and say “Hi” to them and see the menagerie of bikes and bikers and booths?

     https://www.shellybeachonline.com/

     

     

  • ACCEPTANCE!!!

    This morning I received an acceptance from “Internet Cafe Devotions.”  They plan to publish one of my devotions in the fall and will notify me when they have an exact publication date.  This will be my first for this publication!–I’m pumped–PTL!  The devo will be published on https://www.internetcafedevotions.com/ and is based on “The cheerful heart has a continual feast” taken from Proverbs 15:15.

     
  • Writer’s Meeting Recap

    Just a few tips gleaned from our WMFC meeting:

     

    • We shared long and short-term goals with each other. Accountability is a huge key in staying focused.
    • Diagrammed our personal goals and how to measure our progress toward our inner voice. We each need to move forward in the direction of our own unique voice. Harmonize with your voice. Disharmony results in being off sync which can happen if we attempt to mimic other voices and style. Clear certain things from our schedules and move them out of the way-mulch-so young sprouts have room to grow. Those “certain things” are different for each of us.
    • Familiarize self with “Christian Writers Market Guide” by Sally Stuart containing a wealth of information for writers.
    • Websites are a great way to further hone our craft and build a writer’s platform.
    • Blog. In order to drive the traffic, adhere to these guidelines:
      • Write regularly in your blog – suggest at least two times per week
      • Assign key words, tags
      • Write on other people’s blogs
      • Social network: Facebook, blog etc.

     

    Assignment for Next Meeting on July 7:

     

    Come prepared with a piece written within the last 30 days. You can post it on “meetup.com” so comments/critique can be offered ahead of time, or bring copies to share at the next face-to-face meeting.

    https://www.meetup.com/wm-fcwriters/

  • Panel Discussion Time
    Panel Discussion Time