Once upon a time, I dreamed of writing a book. I’d read thousands of them, surely I could write one. My first attempt was rather feeble. The most that can be said for it was that I finished, and an editor said I had an engaging voice. It wasn’t published, but the bug had bitten and writing became an all-consuming …
>ACFW Conference, Part II, Genesis Winners
> St. Louis, 2011 ACFW Conference It’s always a little difficult for me to encapsulate what the ACFW conference is all about. Yes, it’s a professional organization dedicated to benefit the members by instructing, providing services and a community of like-minded people – people who want to write books with an eye toward publication. It does all that, and every …
>2010 ACFW Genesis Finalists
>One of the highlights of the ACFW Conference (which is where I am right now while my blog is on auto pilot) is the awards banquet on the last evening of the conference. Posh frocks, lots of sparkle and glitz, a kilt or two. And three or four dozen very nervous attendees who have the noted honor of being contest …
>ACFW Winners – Congrats!!!
>I’ve just returned from the ACFW conference in Denver. Two of my friends from Tulsa won their Genesis categories!! I am so thrilled for LACY WILLIAMS and JAN WARREN. Major kudos! The complete list of winners is below the pics of Lacy and Jan. Lacy Williams, Genesis Winner, Historical Romance Jan Warren (left) with me and Cindy HaysJan was Genesis …
>GENESIS 2009 FINALISTS
>Today the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) announced the 2009 Genesis Finalists. This annual contest for unpublished authors is gaining more recognition each year and is a contest that’s very close to my heart. The past two years I’ve been fortunate enough (thrilled and humbled) to final and then win my category. It’s a nerve-wracking, exhilarating learning experience, but when …
>HUMBLE PIE
> For the past few months, I’ve spent nearly every writing moment finishing my Genesis entry which was fortunate enough to final in the 2008 ACFW contest. My preliminary scores were good—two very good and one so-so, but it propelled me into action. Top priority—finish the thing in time for the conference. I made it, pinging out at 72,000 words. …
>Home from the conference
> It’s hard to believe the 2008 ACFW conference has come and gone. It was all I hoped for, and most of the things that I fretted about, simply turned out to be pre-conference jitters and negative self-talk, which writers are very good at it. I’ll be writing more later about my reflections of the conference, but for now, I …
>MATTERS OF THE HEART
> Last week was hard—so many emotions going on that I did what I do best—closed my eyes and took each day one at a time. Do you ever have times like that? The week’s plan started simple enough. Polish my Genesis entries and send them off. Spend an unhurried day on Valentine’s cooking a nice dinner for my hubby. …
>I’m On Seekerville Today
>My friend, Myra Johnson, asked me to be the guest blogger on Seekerville today. The Seekers there have a ton of information about contests, how to prepare a manuscript, and personal stories of contest wins and misses. It’s fun and informative. You can read my take on winning the ACFW Genesis contest (Historical Fiction) this past September. And while you’re …