You can Achieve a lot in 5 Years

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Five years ago I was about to attend my first ACFW Conference. Like this year’s event it too was in Dallas (a different venue) but was a nice direct flight home to Sydney. I went as a contracted author, my first novel, Angelguard, due to be released six months later in early 2013.

On the first morning (the event started the prior afternoon) a young lady shared a devotional. She was humble, funny, self-deprecating and clearly had a love for Jesus. She had a signed contract for a multi-book series but, like me, wouldn’t release her first book until the following year.

Last week I noticed a photo in this lady’s FB feed of “her pile”. The stories (novels, novellas and short stories) she’d published (both tradional and self). I was in awe. And proud of all that she had accomplished. Melissa has become a writing friend. I’ve read a couple of her stories and love them. Melissa writes rom-com style novels that feature characters who have a faith in Jesus.

Another Aussie friend wrote a post only this week where he mentioned he’d attended ACFW last year for the first time and he’s now in a position of having recently become agented and finaled in a competition at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference.

Comparisonitis

We read about this all the time and it can be challenging to not do it. Remember we have an enemy who will try to mess with our minds at every opportunity. Envy is one of those core “deadly sins” that he tempts us with.

“Your enemy the devil is on the prowl like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

I did do the comparison because it was pretty simple to do … one published, one waiting to be (well I’m believing that to be the case!) and 40% of another. Hey, it pales in comparison. Could I have written more? Yes, I could of and should of. But I chose not to beat myself up or get down on myself, rather to regard it as the past and be stirred to produce more in the future.

Besides being in awe, Melissa’s post inspired me. Look at what we can achieve. Look what is possible. Even when you work two jobs which Melissa does. We all know authors who are similarly prolific. Our own Lisa Harris releases a couple of stories each year while being a missionary in Mozambique with her husband. Kara Isaac has had an extremely busy couple of years releasing three novels and giving birth to a bub! Carolyn Miller, another Aussie author, hadn’t released anything eight months ago but in October the third in her Regency Brides series is released. Sure, Carolyn didn’t write three full-length novels overnight, but wow.

By 2022

Only God knows what we’ll be doing in five years time. I hope I’ll be getting ready to attend another ACFW Conference along with many other members of the ICFW family. And I hope to have more books, both fiction and non-fiction, published.

But more isn’t necessarily the answer. Something we always need to be conscious of. Too often we will place value on ourselves through our “more”, through our achievements. It’s important to remember that we are children of God and already are significant because of that. He created us and therefore we are significant.

Amongst the madness of writing, publishing, working and having a life I asked Melissa for a few thoughts on what worked so she maintained her sanity:

• Never put writing above the people you love. You will never, ever regret spending time with the people God has put in your path. They're there for a reason ... and they will always be more important than fictional people! That said... :)
• Know yourself! Know what works for you and what doesn't. What doesn't work for me is strict word count goals and deadlines (whereas I know others who thrive on deadlines!). What does work for me is finding a long weekend here or there when I can hide away from the world and just write to my heart's content. When you've discovered what works for you, you can lean into that and get so much more done than if you try to do what you see everyone else doing. I've been soooo much more productive since I quit trying to write on evenings after long days of work and instead just focused on finding three- or four-day stretches here and there where I can bang out a bunch of words at once.
• Don't be afraid to take breaks! When it comes to reaching for a dream, it's easy to feel like we need to do and do and do and push and push and push. But for me, some of my best creativity and best productivity has happened after allowing myself to step away ... whether for one night or one weekend or even one month. Those are the times in which God refreshes my spirit and I rediscover why I'm doing what I'm doing.

I love that … such great wisdom. We’re all different and understanding what works for each of us is important.

Go forth dear writing friends. Keep leaning into Jesus and keep believing. And keep writing. Remember writers write. (I always need to remind myself of that)

Grace and peace.

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Angelguard was recognised with the 2014 Selah Award for Speculative Fiction.You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

My chat with Britallachian Romance Author, Pepper Basham + Giveaway

By Ian Acheson

It’s my absolute pleasure to introduce Pepper Basham to the ICFW community. Pepper, a historical and contemporary romance author, and I met at last year’s ACFW in Nashville. 

I recently read The Thorn Healer, the third in her Historical Romance “Penned in Time Series” and loved it. As she is about to release her latest creation, Just the Way You Are, I posed a few questions to Pepper, which she was kind enough in her busy schedule to respond to.

Without further ado please give a hearty international-flavoured welcome to Pepper.

ICFW: In a few words describe yourself.

PB: "I'm a Pepper" LOL, okay, sorry - if you have a name like mine, you learn how to wield it :-)  Hmm, loved, Christian, Mom, writer, positive, helpful, silly, service provider, creative, busy-brained, insecure, disorganized, compassionate, and long-winded.

ICFW: This is a global community, and I know you've travelled. Where's your favourite overseas destination and why? And where'd you like to go next?

PB: I LOVE England!!! Particularly the rural parts of England and Scotland. Derbyshire is my favorite spot I've actually visited in England, but I'd love to visit the Lake District. As far as other places, well, Australia and New Zealand are at the top of my list as well as Ireland!

Penned in Time Series

ICFW: You've published a lot of novels in a short period of time. Please give us a little insight into how you do this plus hold down a job and manage a home, hubby and 5 kiddies.

PB: Haha...does saying I'm diagnosible count? Well, my brain stays in a constant state of creativity and I LOVE stories. Now that my kids are a little older, it's been easier to etch out time during waking hours, but I still do most of my writing in the late evening after they've settled down for the night. Also, I've been really thankful for a 4 day a week job which allows me to have one week to focus on marketing/interviews/writing. That's been a HUGE help. I've never really had that before. My kids are super duper, and some of my BEST cheerleaders, so having them to cheer me on in this crazy whirlwind helps keep me going in the middle of the crazy. But job responsibilities are increasing a bit this year, so I have a feeling I'll be slowing down to two books a year instead of three (unless God wants something big to happen with the books that would allow me to back-off on the day job ... and I'm okay with that) I do love my day job, though.

ICFW: You have a couple of new stories releasing shortly, well one landed last week (7 March) Tell us a little about them both.

PB: Yes! I recently released my first novella as part of a romantic comedy compilation of novellas. The story is entitled Second Impressions and is a Jane Austen inspired romance where a Jane Austen fanatic and a straight-laced hotel entrepreneur go the Bath, UK for two VERY different reasons, and end up falling in love. It's not smooth sailing at first, but when they get a little dose of Austen magic, the romance takes off.

And the second book??? Oh my goodness, Ian, this is my favorite contemporary romance I’ve ever written! Just the Way You Are have everything I love best in a novel - romance, humor, mystery, great kisses, funny kids, delightful banter, and a quirky family. I'm hoping I can keep up the fun from the first book in the rest of the series because I really had a great time writing it...AND love to reread it (as weird as they may sound).

Romantic Times had this to say about Just the Way You Are:

"Laugh-out-loud humor combines with stick-your-head-in-the-freezer kisses in this novel of romance, faith, and a little historical mystery. Too. Eisley Barrett is a positively delightful heroine, her Appalachian charm the perfect counterpart to Wes Harrison’s British swoonworthiness. Secondary characters rich with warm yet unique personalities beg readers to pull up a chair and chat, while the family history subplot adds more layers of intrigue and romance to the plot. Above all, the theme of being treasured “as is” rings true and full of grace." —4 ½ stars Top Pick from Romantic Times. 

ICFW:  What a marvellous review from RT! Britallachian romance (now that’s a mouthful). Tell us about this unique sub-genre. And how do go about weaving “grace and humour” through your stories?  

PB: Isn't that a fun word! Britallachian romance is a novel that is basically a fun culture clash between Appalachia and Britain, with a quirky heroine and swoony hero!  The books can take place all in one locale or the other (or both). I'd love the opportunity to spend more time in the UK to get a stronger handle of personalities because I'm an unabashed Anglophile and want to get my characters RIGHT - but this one has just been super fun and I'm hoping others will enjoy it too. 

The 'grace' part of my tag is, of course, the Gospel -whether overtly or subtly woven through the story. I think we're all created for a purpose, and I love showing how characters find their purposes through the 'grand' story of redemption. The humour? Well, I hope it shines through in relationships and situations within the stories. 

ICFW: What's up next for you after these 2 releases?

PB: My next novel releases in November 2017 and it's the second book in the Mitchell's Crossroads series. It's entitled Charming the Troublemaker and takes up where A Twist of Faith left off ... except we get to learn about country-girl, Rainey Mitchell, and notorious flirt, Alex Murdock, as they fight to save a clinic without falling in love. It's a fun story with some great kisses and some even better messages about inner beauty and being truly loved.

ICFW: Having read The Thorn Healer and it being set in your home state, North Carolina and near Blue Ridge Mountains, I’m intrigued by their beauty. What’s something you really love about living in NC?

PB: The mountains. I LOVE these mountains. They're an integral part of my life, my culture, and my history. It may sound weird, but they bring with them a sense of 'home'. I also love the fierce loyalty of people in the Appalachian culture and their love for family. We're a weird bunch, but we're faithful :-)

Thanks, Pepper for sharing with us and being such fun. All the very best with the novella collection (already an Amazon No 1 across 3 categories) and the release of Just the Way You Are.

Pepper has also offered one commenter a digital ARC of Just the Way You Are. Please leave an email address on your comment if you are interested in the giveaway. We will draw one winner on March 20th.

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

Pepper’s Bio:

Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes novels inspired by her love for history and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Her Penned in Time series has garnered recognition in the Inspys, Grace Awards, and the ACFW Carol Awards. Her contemporary romance novel, A Twist of Faith, received 4-stars from Romantic Times, and most recently, her newest release, The Thorn Healer, received a Top Pick from RT with 4 ½ stars. Her newest contemporary romance, Just the Way You Are, releases in April 2017. You can get to know Pepper on Facebook, or over at her group blog, The Writer's Alley, or Instagram. 

On Timing ...

By David Rawlings

I’m an efficiency nut; always have been, always will be. I’ve spent my career in public relations and the media where timing is everything. I’m not impatient; I haven’t got time for that.

One issue I’ve always struggled with in my walk is the issue of God’s timing. The whole “be still and know that I am God” goes against my grain and is probably my biggest faith challenge. I’m a person of action who is driven by deadlines, so I’m uncomfortable when I’m not at least aware of what’s happening two steps further down the process. In my career that’s been a necessity; now I’ve moved into fiction and the hope of publishing and I’ve been learning lessons about timing ever since.

The timing of development

I entered ACFW’s Genesis competition in 2015, hopeful with the novel with which I was happy. I’d spent years in crafting it and put my heart and soul into it.

I didn’t get anywhere. I was devastated. I thought the novel was ready. It wasn’t.

So I took the feedback and tightened the novel completely. I deepened characters, percolated conflict between them and condensed their dialogue. God used that time to boil my story down, simmer it and concentrate it. Twelve months later, I entered Genesis again and was a finalist.

Bear in mind, in 2015 I was devastated. I didn’t want to know anything about working on it any more. According to my timeframe, it was done. But God’s hand was in that rejection process. The ultimate creator knows the creation process – go figure – and without the extra time, the book wouldn’t have the characteristics it now has. Now it’s being considered for publication. Which leads me to the next waiting period …

The timing of publication

In an ideal world, you write, you edit, you type “The End” polish up your acknowledgements page and then you start printing your novel.

But, as we know, that’s not how it happens.

This is where I am at the moment. I’ve pitched the book to two publishers and I’m waiting to hear back from a couple of agents as well.

And I wait. Uncomfortably … impatiently …wondering why there is no movement and fluctuating between hope and rejection because, in my timeframe, the book is ready to go now.

But now, with the experience of the 12 months’ waiting in writing the book, I’m learning (slowly) to trust Him in the whole publishing process as well. It will happen in His timing.

I was chatting about this waiting process with Ian Acheson (author of Angelguard), and one comment stuck with me. “But the Lord's got it in His big capable hands. Waiting helps us lean on Him more, I reckon.”

Amen, brother. Another lesson.

I’ve had a number of conversations with other writers about this process and found that the endless wait and the investment of time and I’m not alone.

Is this an issue for you?

About David Rawlings

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, I am a sports-mad, married father-of-three with my own copywriting/communication business who reads everything within an arm’s reach. I can see a typo from across the room and always – always – make sure my text messages are grammatically correct. Oh, and I love cooking, comedy and surfing. Over 25 years, I’ve made writing my career and paid the bills with words. It’s not a big leap from the six-year-old writing short stories instead of doing homework.

An Expectant Heart

Image courtesy of Tuomas_Lehtinen
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Late last year a pastor spoke a word over me about the Lord wanting to give me a new book, a new optimism and referenced Habakkuk 2:2-3 which talks of waiting on a new vision. I stored it away and got on with life.

Over the last couple of years I’ve felt an increasing urge to start writing non-fiction material in addition to my fiction. A dear friend who has read some of the material encouraged me to give it serious consideration.

In May I determined I would head to Nashville in late August to attend this year’s ACFW Conference. I’d been to one in 2012 and have longed to return. Soon a bunch of things fell into place: Ted Dekker (an author hero of mine) was announced as keynote, my Angelguard publisher (Lion Fiction) would be present, an editor friend who I’ve never met was attending, and other friends from the US (some fellow ICFW members) and from down under were going. In addition, I submitted the manuscript to the sequel to Angelguard, Wrestling with Shadows (WWS), to Lion in early July.

There was a lot to be excited about. I left Sydney with an expectant heart. But with no expectations. I sensed the Lord would reveal something, what, I didn’t know and was excited to find out.

“There is an ocean of difference between expectations and expectancy.”¹

Meeting old and new friends

My wife and I arrived a few days before the conference. We’d both wanted to visit Nashville. One of favourite TV shows in recent times is “Nashville” and so having the conference in the same city was a great reason to pay a visit. Fiona had to head off to Baltimore for work while I was conferencing so we got to be tourists for a few days before she had to fly out. It certainly is a fun place especially if you like country music.

As I waved Fiona goodbye at 4.30am (yes, she had a very early flight) my sense of expectancy grew. It was still 2 days before the conference started and I had set up a few meetings with various people. I had lunch with our very own David Rawlings (we’d never met before) and breakfast with friends Rel Mollet, Dotti Adamek and Ronie Kendig. It was a special treat to finally meet Rel after being buddies for a number of years.

Dotti Adamek and I getting ready
for Allen Arnold's workshop

Surprise, surprise

One of the wonderful aspects of conferences is running into people who’ve connected with virtually but have never met. I continued to have some delightful catchups.

The Lord kept on surprising me. I unexpectedly got to spend ninety minutes over coffee with Ted Dekker and his business partner. Talk about wow! Then another author hero of mine had a cancellation and we shared dinner together. My heart was buzzing and the conference hadn’t even started.

I set up a meeting with my publisher on the morning the conference started. I hoped he’d give me an update on WWS but hadn’t anything new to share as it was still doing the rounds within the publisher. Then he asked me whether I had any interest in writing non-fiction? You could have knocked me over with a feather.

I lifted my jaw off the table and realised I had an opportunity to give him a pitch. I wasn’t prepared (hey, it’s a fiction conference) and it showed. Tony was kind enough to chat over possibilities and we agreed I’d prepare a proposal and get it to him as soon as possible.

Heart overflowing

And then the conference began. Wow, so many great things happened. Not just for me but others. New friends (you know who you are) got asked to submit manuscripts, Iola and Jebraun won their Genesis Awards and golly gosh it was so good being present when their names were read out. I felt like a proud dad or older brother. And let’s not forget David Rawlings was a Genesis finalist. So great the Beyond the Borders clan is making inroads. Sharing breakfast with the BtB clan was fun. Two tables this year. There was only one when I attended in 2012.

David & Jebraun a few moments
before the Gala Event

The workshops, don’t get me started as I could write another entire post on those, the special worship time, witnessing God’s power and peace in the prayer room, new friends, and on it goes.

“Staying expectant is the opposite [of expectation]. It reflects anticipation for what’s to come. It is being open to what does happen regardless of what you think should happen. Life is not meant to be something we control but something we experience.”²

A few weeks have passed and as I was thinking about what to write for this post I read Allen Arnold’s words quoted above and the Lord reminded me of the word I received late last year.

Will I become a non-fiction author? Maybe. Maybe not. But I sure want to savour the experience writing with the Lord as we discover whether I will be or not. And that’s more than enough for me.

When have you approached a situation expectant and been surprised by the Lord’s goodness? I’d love for us all to be encouraged by each other’s experiences.

Notes: 1 and 2. Allen Arnold, “The Story of With” p103. Self-published.

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of speculative fiction, Angelguard, is available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter

A Tribute to Writers' Spouses — by Patricia Beal

This Saturday, my husband and I will be celebrating 11 years of marriage, and, for half of our time together, I've been working on my debut novel.

Even before I had the idea for A Season to Dance in early 2011, he was already buying writing magazines and books for me, certain that one day my writing dream would come true. Through the years, he has supported the dream emotionally, domestically, and financially, so I thought it fit to pay tribute to him and all writers' spouses out there today.

One of the best ways I gain knowledge, support, and success in the writing life is through writers' conferences. Our spouses should have a conference, too. How great would it be if we could send them to an annual gathering of people who deal with the same things they deal with in the crazy writing life that's their life, too? Here are some of the workshops I believe they should have (veteran spouses and field experts would teach, of course) -

The 100-level classes:

101 - It's okay to let your writer sing "Islands in the Stream" (or other song of choice) 129 times in a row when he/she finishes writing chapter 1 of every novel produced.
102 - How to help your writer practice his/her conference pitch (129 times).
103 - How to be a great body language and sensory detail laboratory without losing your dignity (let your writer touch your cheek and breathe you in many times, so he/she can describe it properly; reach out for your writer's hand many times, so he/she can study what parts of the hands make contact first, and how it feels; and many other potentially awkward and often repetitive explorations).

The 200-level classes:

201 - When you agree to do all the house chores so your writer can work, don't be surprised if he/she spends most or all of that time on social media. That can really be the task at hand for the writer's work day. Take the class to understand why.

202 - How to support your writer during writing contests.

203 - Become an expert on taking social media photos for your writer's online platform. You'll learn to click often and fast and with a smile and proper cheerful attitude.

The 300-level classes:

301 - Publishing as a second language (because a WIP is not a whip, vlog is not a typo, and MS is not multiple sclerosis). Learn the difference between developmental edits, line edits, proofreading, and other terms. You'll hear it (and often pay for it) for years to come--might as well understand it.

302 - The importance of annual conferences and occasional paid professional editors on the path to publication.

303 - Financial planning.

The 400-level classes:

401 - You should only survive on pizza, nuggets, and noodles for so long: Creative meals for the whole family--on a budget.

402 - How to combine family vacations with writers' conferences and book research.

403 - What to do when your writer cries for hours, overwhelmed by the beauty and depth of the characters and stories God has blessed him/her with. 

404 - A lifetime of dreaming big and praying big for two.

By our 2017 anniversary, A Season to Dance will be a 2-month-old book baby, thanks to God and Bling! Romance / Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.

I could not have done it without my husband's unfailing support. Many times I wondered what I would do if I never got published. But that thought never crossed his mind--he always knew that the day would come when a publisher would make an offer, and because he didn't waver, I didn't waver. Thanks, baby!

On Tuesday he will put on his Army uniform for the very last time to "final out" and get his retiree ID card. He wants to go back to college and dreams of getting a walk-on spot on the University of Texas - El Paso (UTEP) football team. At his farewell Friday night, the guys were already chanting: "Rudy! Rudy!" :)

I pray I can be as good to him in his pursuit of a wild dream as he's been to me in the pursuit of mine. "Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!"

Tell me your stories! Who's your main supporter? A friend? Parents? Spouse? What do you think about a spouses' conference? What classes would you add?

*************************************************************************************

Patricia Beal writes contemporary Christian fiction and is represented by Leslie Stobbe of the Leslie H. Stobbe Literary Agency. Her debut novel, A Season to Dance, comes out on May 9, 2017 (Bling! / Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas).

She’s a 2015 Genesis semi-finalist and First Impressions finalist. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of Cincinnati in 1998 with a B.A. in English Literature and then worked as a public affairs officer for the U.S. Army for seven years. Now, after a 10-year break in service, she is an Army editor. She and her husband live in El Paso, Texas, with their two children.

Goodreads - www.goodreads.com/bealpat

Facebook - www.facebook.com/patricia.beal.author

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Web - www.patriciabeal.com

TWENTY FIFTEEN

So here we stand at the end of another year. I’m sure a lot of us say the same thing around this time of the year: “Next year can’t be as busy/as bad as this year.” And guess what? We get to the end of the next year and it’s been busier, or it’s been worse than the previous one (or both). I’m certain that 2016 will be no different for most.

My husband and I started this year off in Finland. I remember standing on the edge of a frozen lake at my daughter-in-law’s childhood home and pondering what 2015 would hold in store. At that time, many of my friends were choosing a word for the year, something they felt God had in store for them. The word I felt God give me at that icy spot was “Breakthrough.” And in many ways, this year has been a breakthrough year. But it’s been more than that, and I’m so glad God didn’t give me the words that truly encapsulated this year—Tough; Loss; Heartache; Hospitals; Goodbyes. If I’d known what the year would hold, I probably would have found myself a pair of ice-skates and skated off into the Finnish sunset the day God chose to give me the word “Breakthrough” instead.

My mom fell ill with heart failure mid-2014. We didn’t think she’d make the end of that year. It was so hard to see her grow more frail with each passing month this year. To lose her in July (five months ago today) was heartbreaking, but it was also a relief. She was out of her suffering and in glory with her Savior. But to lose my dad 33 days later on August 19th was devastating and unexpected.

Then came saying goodbye to both my brothers shortly after my father’s funeral—one more permanently than the other. My youngest brother, two years older than me, immigrated to the land of our ancestors—Scotland. My oldest brother left for Iraq to work on a rotation basis. He’s just landed back home in South Africa after being away for over two months and will be here for a few weeks before heading back to the Middle East. I look forward to seeing him again.

Early September, my eighty-year-old mother-in-law took a bad fall due to being ill and was admitted to hospital for one long month. We were concerned about her condition. I could not plan another funeral. But God knew that.

This Tuesday I bade farewell to my boss who has gone on early retirement. After nine years as his PA, I will certainly miss him.

I’m tired of goodbyes…

But 2015 wasn’t a year of only doom and gloom (although if one looks at what has happened in the world this past year, it was once again a year fraught with terrible global tragedies).

For me, this year was truly a breakthrough year, too, as God had promised. Let me share why:

• I published three novellas—two indie, one traditional.
• I signed another contract with my publisher for my third Passport to Romance which is now in pre-production for publication 2016. Hopefully I get to do a cover reveal soon.
• I dipped my toe in the indie pond, and loved it so much, I decided to stay and play.
• Both my indie books have been released independently and as part of two great box sets.
• I currently have plans for another two novellas in different box sets with international authors, and one of the stories is the first of a new seven book series.
• And finally, I ticked something off my bucket list…I attended the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Dallas, Texas, USA, where I met so many of my precious cyber friends. What a highlight! Below is a pic of me and two of my critique partners, Heidi and Janet.

And so, after such a busy, exciting, and terribly sad year, it is with great anticipation that I look forward to the week between Christmas and New Year as we head for the mountains… me, hubby, my two sons, their wives and my two grandsons. One week to relax and bathe in the majestic splendor of God’s creation.

What will 2016 bring? One thing it will bring for me is at least another three book releases. It will also bring a trip to Scotland in June with my hubby, sister and two nieces to visit my brother and his wife. Beyond that, I’ve no idea, but I do know the One who knows, and that is all that matters. And whether the new year brings more heartache, or tons of joy, God will be there right beside me. He’ll carry me through the valleys, and He’ll rejoice with me on the mountaintops.

How has your year been? Has it been a long twenty-fifteen, or did 2015 flit by without you noticing how you got to December again? What does 2016 hold in store for you?

MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. She now lives in South Africa in an empty nest with her husband and their crazy black Scottie, Wally.

Where I'd Rather Be

As many of you are probably aware, this past weekend was the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) annual conference in Dallas, Texas. Some of you were even able to go. And I have to admit to moments of envy. As my Facebook feed filled with photos and updates from the conference, as the wonderful writers of my critique group met in person for the first time, as I heard about contacts being made with my dream publishers and agents... Yep, I wanted to be there.

It didn't help recalling how one of my close friends recently signed her first contract with a publisher right after a writer's conference she attended. Or the fact that some of the agents I would love to target have a "only if we met at conference" policy.

*Sigh* It's probably just what my writing career needs at this point.

And yet I'm glad I couldn't go! Because if I could have gone, it probably would have been because I didn't have a baby at home needing me...and I wouldn't give that up even for a four book contract with Bethany house!

The Lord has a plan for my life, my family and for my writing.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven"

Wonderfully complex seasons ebb and flow as we travel through life. How important it is to trust in the Lord's plan for our lives and seek His guidance, so that as we pass through this mortal existence we will enjoy the treasures that He has prepared for us. A baby's smile, the laughter of children, the conversation of good friends and family, watching His truth touch the lives of others...or seeing our words in print. ;)

So whether it be family, finances, or health that keep you from places you would go, and things you would do "if only"... Remember to find joy in the journey and trust in the Lord's plan for your life.

For me, though a part of me would have loved to go to the ACFW conference and have all the time in the world to write and pursue that career, I am home raising my three precious children and even planning a fourth in a couple years, and there is nowhere I'd rather be!

Of course, next year's conference might be a possibility. ;)

Angela K Couch is a member of ACFW and a semi-finalist in 2015’s Genesis contest. In 2014 she was a finalist of the “Storming the Short Story” contest, and in 2015 her short stories won the romance category of the same, and won the ACFW Virginia Chapter short story contest. The anthology A Kiss is Still a Kiss holds her story “Shackled” now available for preorder. Angela lives in Alberta, Canada with her “hero” and three munchkins. Visit her at www.angelakcouch.com, or follow on Twitter or Facebook!