Yes, That Really Happened! By Patti Jo Moore

As writers, we know that story ideas are everywhere. People-watching can often send our minds into overdrive, and we start playing the “what if” game in our thoughts. What if that man patiently accompanying his wife in the grocery store is actually a spy?

We can also use incidents in our own lives to add an interesting twist in our stories. Has something unbelievable happened to you? Maybe something so crazy that later you find yourself thinking, I can’t believe I did that! Or Did that really happen?

Since I recently returned from attending the American Christian Fiction Writers’ conference in San Antonio, Texas, I’ve been reflecting on what I learned, the friends I saw, and yes—even some zany things that happened. 😉 It occurred to me a few days ago that some of these happenings might find their way into my future stories.

Because I’m not a seasoned traveler, I was a bit nervous as I prepared to board my flight at the Atlanta airport. *Side note: For those of you who’ve never been in my hometown airport, it gets CRAZY!* As I headed along the jetway to board the plane, I glanced behind me to see if I was the last passenger. The line ahead suddenly stopped, sending me plowing into the woman ahead of me. Cringing, I profusely apologized, preparing to be met with a glare. Instead, the woman laughed and joked about not having her brake lights on! I had no idea who she was, but I liked her right away. 😊 A few hours later, I was leaving the registration table at the writers’ conference when a woman approached me, smiling as she introduced herself. She was the same woman I’d bumped into, and also a Hallmark author whose books and movies I love! I gushed like a crazy fangirl, but she was so sweet and since then we’ve visited and emailed. I have a new friend!

When I checked into the hotel, the kind employee smiled and handed me a bookmark with a Bible verse on it, along with my room key. As I stepped away from the counter to join a friend, I glanced down at my room number. Room 666. Seriously? At a Christian conference? For a minute I thought it must be a joke. ☹ The woman who’d helped me was now busy with another guest, so I went to a different desk clerk. When he saw my room number, he shook his head and exclaimed, “I told her not to give anyone this room!” He completely understood my reason for wanting a different room, and happily assigned me to a new room on a different floor. 😊

I could go on and on…but you get the idea. Those clumsy moments we might have, or something that we can later laugh about can all become part of our stories. Even something that might seem unbelievable to others—yet really happened to us—can all find their way onto the pages of our stories. If you’re too embarrassed to admit an incident really happened, no worries. You’re a writer, so folks will just think you made it up. 😉

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance. Proverbs 15:13

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After being deceived by her beau the previous year, library worker Sadie Perkins feels she’s meant to remain single and serve as a missionary to orphans in Africa. Her plan is to return home to Riverview after a year, and open an orphanage in a lovely house she’s admired since childhood. She didn’t plan on losing her heart to someone who intends to demolish the house.Widower Shaun O’Leary of Savannah yearns to make his father proud, and hopes to accomplish that by overseeing a hotel project in the town of Riverview. But first he must have a house demolished before hotel construction can begin. After meeting lovely Sadie Perkins in Riverview, he’s puzzled why she seems upset when he mentions his plans. He’s also saddened that she’s leaving for Africa soon, because he’s fallen in love with her. As Sadie prepares to board a ship, she finally has peace and realizes what she should do, yet still feels sad that the house she loves is to be demolished. When Shaun suddenly has an idea to save the house Sadie loves, he rushes to the Savannah port to tell her, but the ship has sailed. When things seem hopeless, can dreams still come true?

Patti Jo Moore is a former kindergarten teacher who now writes full-time. Her “Sweet, Southern Stories” feature characters who face realistic struggles and challenging situations but always have a happily-ever-after ending.

Patti Jo loves Jesus, her family, cats, and coffee. When not writing, she loves spending time with her family—especially her precious grandbaby. She enjoys connecting with readers and can be found on Facebook at Author Patti Jo Moore. You can also visit her blog at http://catmomscorner.blogspot.com

She has three contemporary stories and one historical, all with Forget-Me-Not Romances


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Back from Conference? Get to Work! by Angela Arndt

Welcome Back!
Have you ever gotten home from a writing conference and all you wanted to do was unpack and sleep? Sorry. Your job just started.

Angela Arndt

Don't believe me? Consider these:

Thank You Notes
Send a hand-written note instead to every editor, an agent or mentor you met, even those who turned you down. Consider sending a note to the workshop or continuing education instructors, too.

If you really want to show your appreciation, include specific things from your conversation. List the follow-ups that they suggested and tell them how you are going to do them.

Last year, award-winning author, James L Rubart, suggested that your thank-you note echo the theme of your book. My book is set on a bee farm, so I sent a small jar of honey with my handwritten note. If you met in the coffee shop where an agent ordered tea, send them a small box of their fav. Details show that you care.

3-2-1 Contacts!
Are you wondering what to do with all those business cards? There are several apps that will pull the information from them to import directly into your Contacts program.

Be sure to note where you met them and how you connected. Did you sit beside them in a workshop? What did you talk about? Put that information in the Notes section

Why bother? These are new members of your writing tribe. Everyone needs new friends.

Facebook: Like, Follow or Friend? 
Should you “Like” their business profile or send a friend request to their personal profile? The answer to that question is this: how well do you know them?

• Business Page - if they are multi-published authors with followers in the thousands and the only interaction you had with them was to ask them to pass the pepper, you should probably "Like" or “Follow” their business page.
• Friend Request - if the two of you had long discussions and he or she said, “Here’s my card, be sure to friend me on Facebook,” then do it. 

If You Got a Request
If someone asked to see your work, go to the agency or publisher website for submission requirements and follow them. If you can’t find enough information there, check out the requester’s personal website. You may be able to find what you need there.

If “No” was the Answer
What if the agent or editor declined? Don’t worry, the answer could have been, “Not right now” instead of “No.” Check out Wendy Lawton’s blog post, Fatal Submission Fails or Steve Laube's Even the Best Get Rejected for real encouragement if your interview was a disaster.

There you are. You have plenty to do. What are you waiting for? Get busy!

About the Author

Angela Arndt writes women’s fiction with a thread of romance. Stories of strong, independent women in difficult situations set in small Southern towns are her favorite. She and her husband live outside one in the middle of a big wood with thousands and thousands of honeybees. Visit her at www.angelaarndt.com or connect with on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

Writing Is Not a Solo Trip by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu

Angie, here: Last week, I had the real pleasure to room with my friend, Marie Wells Coutu, while at the 2016 American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference. So today, when we had a bit of a schedule mix-up with today's post, she agreed to write this wonderful piece for you. I know you'll like it.

The writing journey is not a solo trip.

That’s one of the key takeaways that I got from the past week at the annual ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference.

Even more than in past years, it seemed, the winners of the Genesis and Carol Awards thanked their families, mentors, and critique partners as well as their agents, editors, and—of course—God.

And, one after another, they encouraged unpublished and non-winning authors to persevere in our writing. As Ted Dekker said, Christian fiction is “story in which you ultimately bring the light of Christ into the darkness.”

The awards program reinforced the feeling of the entire conference that we (meaning all Christian writers) are family. Rather than competing with each other, we support one another and lift each other up. As each of us studies to learn the craft of writing and as we help others to grow in their craft, we raise the overall level of excellence in Christian fiction. And that makes our books more attractive to those who need light in their dark world.

But not only are we on this journey with other writers, but we are traveling with Jesus.

In one of the conference breakout sessions, Allen Arnold (former fiction publisher at Thomas Nelson who is now with Ransomed Heart Ministries) taught that we not only write for God, but we should be writing with God. When we have the Creator of the universe as our writing partner, we can find freedom in our writing. We relinquish “the illusion of control” and find peace, hope and joy that will permeate our stories.
In accepting the Carol Award for Historical Romance, Karen Witemeyer quoted Psalm 115:1: 

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! 

She reminded us that “all you do is for God’s glory.”

While we often need solitude to write our stories, we should not—indeed, cannot—succeed independently. By joining with God and with others in the industry who are passionate about Christian fiction, we can shine His light into dark hearts.
We can encourage others who travel with us on this path, as well as those who will come behind us. And God will get all the glory.

About the Author

The Secret Heart
by Marie Wells Coutu

Marie Wells Coutu’s newest novel, The Secret Heart, will be released in late August from Write Integrity Press. Follow Marie on Amazon.com to be notified when it becomes available. The Secret Heart is the third book in the Mended Vessels series. Books in the series are contemporary re-imaginings of the stories of biblical women, including Esther and the woman at the well.

Her debut novel, For Such a Moment, won the Books of Hope Contest. Thirsting for More, the second book in the series was a finalist in the 2016 Selah Awards Contest. You can find more about Marie and her novels on her Facebook page (Author Marie Wells Coutu), at her website (MarieWellsCoutu.com), or follow her on Twitter (@mwcoutu).

Marie retired after 15 years with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, and she and her husband now divide their time between Florida and Iowa.

The Secret Heart

Beautiful Shawna Moore married Hunter Wilson, the governor of Tennessee, after a whirlwind romance, only six weeks following her first husband’s death in Iraq. Now, she wonders if the governor loved her at all or only hoped to avoid a scandal.

An investigative reporter—and friend of Shawna’s—is asking questions. If he discovers the truth about Shawna’s baby, Hunter’s chances for reelection could be ruined. But keeping the secret is destroying their marriage. Will Shawna convince Hunter to choose his family and drop out of politics, or will he continue to put his career first?

The Secret Heart will be released in late August from Write Integrity Press.

ACFW or Bust? Busted! by Terri Weldon

I’m not at the 2016 ACFW Conference. Oh, I made the decision early in the year not to attend. Still as my friends were preparing for the conference I found myself wishing I was attending. So I decided to remind myself why I didn’t go this year.

Limited vacation days. My employer is generous with vacation days. Still there is a limit and I made a conscious decision to spend those days traveling with family this year. We’ve gone on three trips so far and I’ve loved every minute. Definitely the right choice. 

Nothing to pitch. Appointments are a big part of the allure of ACFW for me. Frankly this year I didn’t feel like I had a manuscript ready to pitch. I could have made an agent appointment but I didn’t feel up to pitching myself. Besides, even if I had, with nothing viable to send the agent I didn’t see the point. Wow! That sounds dreary. Don’t worry, I’m not sitting around in the doldrums. I have plans to edit two manuscripts. And yes, I could have pitched them. I didn’t want to. I promised myself I wouldn’t pitch anything that needed revisions. I wanted to be able to come home and hit send if I had a request to see my work. Truth be told, I want to be in the position of sending it from the conference itself. That’s my goal for next year. 

I’ve been to Nashville before and conference is there again in just two years. Totally selfish reasoning, but conference is expensive and if I’m going to be honest I’ll admit that played a part.

Did I make a wise choice? Yes and no. Of the three reasons I listed, spending vacation with my family is the only one I’d hang my hat on again. Even without appointments ACFW is exciting. There are some great workshops where I could have learned a ton. Two friends of mine have been nominated for the Carol. One of them for the first time and I won’t be there with her. That makes me sad. One of my Seriously Write sisters is at ACFW and I’m missing the chance to spend face to face time with her. Countless friends who I rarely get to see are attending and I’m missing the opportunity to be with them. To check out which cute shoes they brought. To find out if one of them bought those pink pumps she wanted or not. 

As far as seeing Nashville again – well I can’t even explain why I thought that was a good reason. Nashville’s a fun city and there is more than enough to see to warrant multiple trips. I will let you in on a secret, in 2018 there is a wonderful mall VERY close to the hotel. I can’t wait to visit it again. 

Bottom line, I’m planning on attending next year. What about you? Are you making plans to attend ACFW or another conference next year? I hope you’ll let me know and let me know what you’re looking forward to the most.

Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing.

Readers can connect with Terri:Website: www.TerriWeldon.com or Blog: Seriously Write

My Worst Conference Mistake by Heidi Chiavaroli

This is Heidi's last post with us as a regular contributor on Seriously Write. I'm going to miss her posts and I'm going to miss working with such a wonderful individual. I look forward to having her as a guest on Seriously Write as often as she is able to visit. So long Heidi, we know God has a wonderful plan in store for you!

- Terri

As you read this, I’m no doubt excitedly preparing for the ACFW Conference in Nashville next week. While I’m not a stranger to both local and national conferences, I  do still get those butterflies. 

I’m certain you can find a multitude of blog posts on how to prepare for a conference, so I won’t outline that here. I’ll just give you one tip of advice—and it’s one that I struggle with myself.

Relax. Be yourself.

That’s it. Sounds easy, right? But it just isn’t, at least for me. So when I start getting wound up, I remember my first national conference six years ago. I was far from relaxed. Prepared, yes. Organized? Of course. I had all my appointment times carefully written down, and I thought, memorized. I’d remembered a whole pitch after all. Certainly I could memorize an appointment time.

Or so I thought.

You know that appointment that you really want? The one that you practically came to conference for? Yeah, that one. I was late for it. Ten minutes late. And as many of you experienced conference attendees know, ten minutes in Pitchland is like an hour in the real world. It’s bad. Really bad.

To this day, I still don’t know how I got the times mixed up. I’d been ready. Prepared. Maybe far from relaxed, but I had that pitch down.

And I blew it. While the agent did graciously squeeze me in, I could tell I’d already made my not-so-good impression.

I’d been so busy rushing around, trying to gather extra appointment slots, that I’d missed the appointment I wanted most.

I’m convinced if I had just taken a breath and relaxed, maybe even tried to enjoy the conference a bit, I wouldn’t have been late for that appointment. Maybe if I had went out of my way to bless another writer instead of racking up unneeded appointments, I wouldn’t have made such a naïve mistake.

Yet even so, God is full of grace. One busted appointment wasn’t the end of my writing career. Far from it. And that conference wasn’t totally ruined. I met some amazing women who are still very much a part of my writing life.

So yes, do relax. But even if you fail at that, if you make a mistake like I did, give yourself grace. Look around, find another writer who might need someone to talk to. In this business you are never alone.

Heidi Chiavaroli is an author, runner, wife, mother, and grace-clinger—not necessarily in that order. Ever since taking her first trip to Plimoth Plantation with her sister, mother, and grandmother at the age of nine, she has been fascinated with history and its significance to today’s people and culture. Heidi is the winner of ACFW’s 2014 Genesis Contest, Historical Category. Her debut novel will release next year from Tyndale Publishers. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two sons, and Howie, her standard poodle. Learn more about Heidi on her website: www.heidichiavaroli.com.  

Conferences by Terri Weldon

The Romance Writers of America (RWA) national conference is in July and the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) conference is in August this year. These are two fantastic conferences held annually and I’ve been blessed to attend them in the past. Both conferences have unique attributes and I’ve learned so much at them.  

There are also a host of smaller conferences available for writes to attend. I’m less familiar with these, but would love to attend a few in the future. Some of the conferences on my “hope to attend” list are:  Mount Hermon, Colorado Christian Writers, and the Oregon Christian Writers. I’ll be honest, I partially want to attend Mount Hermon because of where it is held. I’m telling you go online and look at the gorgeous scenery and you’ll be making plans to go with me. 

I’m fortunate that my local ACFW chapter holds a one day mini-conference each year. We just had one in April and Allen Arnold was our speaker. Everything I had heard about his workshop, The Wildness of Writing with God, was true. The conference was phenomenal! If you have the opportunity to hear Allen teach – go for it. You’ll be glad you did.

There are also other local conferences in the area that I’ve attended. Local conferences are a wonderful option when vacation days from work or finances don’t allow you to attend a larger conference. There are other perks as well. Oftentimes with a smaller group you have a better opportunity to mingle with the conference instructors. 

Don’t get me wrong, there are definite pluses to national conferences such as the opportunity to meet online friends face to face. Plus the sheer number of editors and agents who attend the conference that you can make appointments with or chat with, and the chance to meet your favorite authors. 

How about you? Have you had the opportunity to attend one or more conferences? Are you attending one this year? Unfortunately I won’t be at RWA or ACFW, but hopefully next year!

 Terri Weldon is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and shopping for shoes. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction. She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has two adorable Westies – Crosby and Nolly Grace. Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing.

Readers can connect with Terri: Website: www.TerriWeldon.com Blog: Seriously Write

ACFW Conference by Terri Weldon

Terri Weldon

I remember the few weeks leading up to my first RWA Conference experience in San Antonio earlier this year. Fear, anxiety and excitement all battled for traction. Are you heading to the ACFW Conference? Relax and take some deep breaths. Terri has an encouraging word for you today! ~Dora

Exactly two weeks from today I’ll be flying to St. Louis for the 2014 ACFW Conference. I’m excited, but nervous. In the remaining fourteen days before conference I have a boatload of tasks to accomplish, friends to contact, and a whole lot of praying to do. So let’s spend a few minutes talking about my list.

Proper preparation is essential to having a successful conference. There are agent appointments, editor appointments, meals with industry professionals, and chance run-ins in the elevator or hallways. Be prepared to pitch your book every chance you get. You never know when someone will fall in love with your novel.

At my first ACFW Conference, I rode the elevator with Steve Laube. No one else. The perfect opportunity to try out my elevator pitch. I didn’t! Quiet as a church mouse, I rode downstairs and attended his workshop. By the time the class was over I’d worked up my nerve and thankfully he was gracious enough to my listen to my pitch. Once I worked past my nervousness, I managed to pitch the novel because I’d practiced my elevator pitch more times then I care to admit.

The last thing you want to do is have an opportunity to pitch your novel and then trip all over what the book is about. After all, you’re the author, if you don’t seem enthusiastic about your writing, how can you expect to nab an agent or entrance an editor?

The second thing to remember is to have fun. Don’t become obsessed with your schedule. Be flexible, skip a class if you feel overwhelmed. Rest, call a friend, or stop by the prayer room. Make a point to meet your online friends in person. Be a blessing to someone else. Smile and befriend people who are alone in workshops or at meals. God may plan for you to bless them. And who knows, you may make a lifetime friend. In this industry there are variables we can’t control, but having a great time at conference is within our realm of control. By the way, if you run into me at conference and I’m having a pity party, feel free to quote me!

And finally, pray without ceasing. Commit your writing to the Lord. Trust Him that your conference experience will go according to His plan. Nothing will calm you and take away your worries like placing them in the Lord’s hand.

So, what about you, are you going to meet me in St. Louis? If you are, tell me what you’re most excited about. If not, I hope you’ll share a prior conference experience with me.

****

Purchase Link

Misty Winslow is determined to find her prince, and she meets the man of her dreams through an Internet dating service. Or is he, because the new dentist in town also sets her heart aflutter.

It's love at first sight for Tyler Davenport, but before he can finish his first root canal, Misty is involved in an exclusive online romance with Wes99—Tyler’s online persona. How can he tell her he’s the man she’s been waiting to meet, and how rational is it for him to be jealous of Wes99! Soon Tyler's pulling out all the stops to woo Misty.

As Christmas approaches, Wes99 and Tyler both ask her to meet them under the mistletoe. Which man will she choose?

Terri is a lead analyst by day and an author by night. She enjoys gardening, reading, and playing in the hand bell choir. One of her favorite pastimes is volunteering as the librarian at her church. It allows her to shop for books and spend someone else’s money! Plus, she has the great joy of introducing people to Christian fiction.
She lives with her family in Oklahoma. Terri has three dogs – a lovable mutt and two adorable Westies.

Terri is a member of ACFW and OCFW, a local chapter of ACFW. Her dream of becoming a published novelist came true in November 2013 when Mistletoe Magic, released from White Rose Publishing. To learn more about Terri visit her website at www.TerriWeldon.com.