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?

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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.

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WHY GO TO WRITER EVENTS?

A special writer mentoring event.
Australian writers and Wombat
publisher, Rochelle Manners.  

It’s that time of year again when several major writers’ conferences are offering great times of fellowship to writers. In many countries there are different half day or one day events as well as full weekend conferences for writers. Although perhaps some conferences and events are more popular than others, obviously the ones that continue faithfully each year and build up a good reputation are well supported.

Any new writers reading this post? Any beginner writers wondering if they should really spend their time and money attending at least one get together of writers a year? Whether you are considering an event relatively close to where you live, or even an Aussie like me who would have to brave that exhausting twenty plus hour flight across that Big Pond to America again, that question applies to us all.

I was living in rural New South Wales when I first started writing. This was in those years well before there were even computers, and certainly no internet. Except comments from tutors through a correspondence writers’ course, for years I had no contact at all with other writers. Having had so much time writing in isolation, and now being a member of perhaps too many writer groups, I do know about the benefits as well as any reasons not to attend writer workshops or weekend conferences.

Don’t mistake me for a moment. I absolutely love writers conferences.
Since 1991 I’ve attended as many as possible and learnt so much about how to try and improve my writing. They keep us informed about the changing world of publishers’ requirements and promotion needs. I’ve met so many lovely, established authors who so generously share their expertise and experiences.

At a Queensland Christian Writers Conference
CALEB finalists

Be warned. Conferences can almost become an addiction so I’d like to share a few things to consider.

Does the overall programme seem to meet your needs as a writer?

Who are the speakers and presenters of workshops? Are they experienced writers, even published themselves in the kind of book you want to write? Will professionals in the industry like agents, editors, publishers be there to meet and hear from?

2009 in Denver with Loree Lough

For example, romance writers need to hear from experienced, published writers in that genre. However, there are many sub-genres so if the conference only deals with specific ones like fantasy, historical, inspirational etc, etc that you do not want to write, should you choose to go? Ones that try to cover also many general aspects of novel writing as well as the expectations of your genre readers have real value for beginners. Anyone targeting the romance genre should seriously consider attending events organised by organisations like RWA. Of course for Christian writers, whether targeting the Christian market or general market, our own ACFW kind of conference is excellent value for all fiction writers.

Remember that as well as “How to” information, even best-selling, multi-published writers at times simply need encouragement, be challenged by inspirational talks from writers and other professionals in the publishing industry. Or there may be times like I do when you just love to meet old friends again, need face to face “writer talk” over and above contact only on the internet.

So, you’ve found a great conference or event you know could help you. However, does the full cost of travel, accommodation etc and fees risk being too much of a financial burden for the perceived value?

This has to be the best use of your time and money available. Many years ago at one of the first great two day Romance Writers of Australia, I will never forget the words I overheard from an excited, very enthusiastic young woman. It went something like this: “I was absolutely determined to come this year,” she told some other writers. “My husband really didn’t want me to, said he was too busy to mind the kids and we couldn’t afford it. I told him I was going no matter what he said. And here I am!”

I’d had my first books published and she was a complete stranger, but I was very disturbed and my heart feared for that mother and wife. I uttered one of those quick prayers, asking that if the Lord wanted me to speak to her to give me an opportunity to do so privately. A few minutes later, we were the only two left in that bathroom so I warned her she must always put her own romance first before anything else. Nothing was worth more than her husband and family. The poor dear did gape at this bold, older woman and walked away but the next day sought me out, said she realised how foolish she had been and actually thanked me for caring enough to warn her. I never did know her name but have often wondered if at the right time for her she has become published.

The most important consideration:
As a Christian, are you sure this is where God wants you to go? Is this the right time for you to go?

If you are sure this is one of God’s appointed times then be prepared for an out-pouring of HIS blessings on you. As well as learning more about this crazy writing business, He will have other writers and professionals there HE wants you to meet. It may not necessarily be to advance your writing career but simply to share with other writers, enjoy Christian fellowship with like-minded folk and make friends that you can mutually share with down over the years. This has been my greatest delight and blessing.

One final word!
A few minutes ago just as I was about to copy and paste this to Blogger, I saw that Allen Arnold had a post on Novel Rocket blog.

ACFW 2009 with Karen Ball,
Allen Arnold and Debbie Macomber

I was so privileged to meet him at the ACFW conference in 2009 when he was a senior editor at Thomas Nelson. His sessions with Karen Ball were wonderful blessings. Although this is already a long post, I have taken the liberty of copying one of his paragraphs that is essential when considering attending conferences.

He wrote:
We get so busy doing that we can forget how to be still and approach our art as holy ground. Maybe that’s why some Christian speakers, books, and conferences end up focusing almost all of their time teaching writers about craft and how to get published – and so little time on how to actually create with God.

This is just a taste! Do read his whole, excellent blog, STAY WITH GOD at http://www.novelrocket.com/ 

Would love to have comments about why you go to writer events - whether small or large ones.

A Queensland farmer’s daughter, then a registered nurse, the wife of a minister, mother of three children and now a grandmother, Mary Hawkins has always made time to read, write and go to writer events! After enjoying years of planting churches, three short term mission trips to Africa and two years ministering in England with her husband, Raymond, also a published author, they now live in Tasmania, Australia. Mary is a best-selling, international author and delighted her Barbour Heartsong Presents inspirational romance books are now released again as e-books. She also enjoys speaking and presenting workshops at writer events to try and help other writers not make all the mistakes she has over the years. 

She is on Facebook, irregularly on Goodreads, and has a website which does need updating when she can somehow crowd it into her busy days. http://www.mary-hawkins.com

Road Trip Diary

This is a retrospective on the weekend to come, which I wanted to write about, except it hasn't happened yet, so this will have to do. You see, I'm trippin' again...New Zealand must miss me.

Tuesday 30th July: The one and only Chila Woychik will take me to the airport to catch a bus. Don't look at me funny; that's where it stops. This bus will take me first to Des Moines, then I have to change and catch another to Kansas City, where I will be met by the awesome Jan Lazo-Davis and I will enter the house with the TARDIS blue door.

Wednesday 31st July: Various culinary and conversational delights in the Davis household.

Thursday 1st August: The fantastic Robynn Tolbert, with the lovely Morgan Busse in tow, will arrive at the Davis house for brunch. Thereafter, Robynn will drive Morgan and me clear across Missouri, where we hope to find our dorm on a university campus. There we will also find our roommate, the intrepid Deborah Cullins Smith, who is bringing the necessary yummies.

Friday 2nd August: Early in the morning - far too early, really - ouch! - we will seek out the conference centre a whole kilometre distant (walk or drive? I'm thinking walk!) and sign in to the stupendous first-ever Realm Makers conference run by the amazing Becky Minor. I'm not quite sure what the day will entail, as it depends who all wants to talk to me. In any case, the evening is given over to a costume dinner, for which I may have acquired a little something rather like this.

Saturday 3rd August: Oh, the stress! I'm on a panel at 8.30 AM! After that at least the pressure is off, but just a little - in the afternoon, I must present a Splashdown Books spotlight, followed by a lecture on science fiction worldbuilding, AND THEN contribute to another panel (or was that two?). Whew. And in the evening is a public booksigning at which I truly hope to offload all 20 copies of Avenir Eclectia that I have with me.

Sunday 4th August: Hopefully a final shared brunch with leftover con-goers before heading back to Iowa...

But not for long! Rarotonga is calling my name VERY soon after that...

Where Two or Three are gathered ... at a Writers Conference

Photo courtesy of "David Castillo Dominci"/
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I read Dani Pettrey’s marvelous “Conference Benefits’ post on the ACFW Blog a few weeks ago. I would encourage you to read it.

I’ve attended a handful of NSW Writers Centre conferences in my time but the first Christian writers one I attended was the ACFW Conference held in Dallas last year.

It was a challenge for me to convince Fiona, my wife, to let me go, so I suggested we combine it with a holiday in the US. Fortunately, Fi thought that was a good deal.

There are many articles and whathaveyou about the tangible benefits of attending. One in particular, is the opportunity to present yourself and your writing to agents and editors. Speaking only from my own experience, yes, it was invaluable. Did I hook an agent? No. But the two I met gave me wise counsel, which helped me significantly.

I found the entire appointment process such an uplifting positive experience. There were some great stories others were sharing and I’m pretty sure at least one of our own successfully gained representation as a result of the process.

I wrote 3 posts on the conference. If it’s of interest you can find them on my blog: Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3.

The aspect of the Conference that struck me most was its spirit. God was present. I was able to relate the experience to a church conference only the material being covered was different. What’s that old Biblical chestnut: “where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matt 18:20)

It was clear much prayer had been had prior to the event and continued throughout it. I’m continually amazed at God’s faithfulness in answering prayer. This conference was another testimony of it.

Yes, I’ve made some great new buddies, including some who contribute to this part of the e-world. One of those new friends, I met by chance hanging outside the appointments area. Our three-minute chat and then subsequent revelation from reading one of her books changed my life.  I realised the enemy had allowed me to believe one of his lies that had held me back for years.

God is good, isn’t He? He can, and will, use any chance encounter to draw us closer to Himself.

I’d encourage you to attend a Christian Writers’ Conference if you haven’t been to one. Certainly the cost of travelling to conferences makes it particularly challenging to attend. I know so little about the writers conference market here in Australia so am not even able to suggest anything here. It goes without saying I don’t know anything about conferences in other countries except for a few in the US. Perhaps those of us who have some information might be able to share it in the comments below. I do know some of the Aussie Christian Writers Downunder (CWD) crew met up late last year.

For those of you who have attended conferences experienced anything particularly significant or achieved ‘outcomes’ that you’d like to share? Be great to hear from some authors who’ve gained representation or had a manuscript accepted as a result of a conference.

My heart was full when I left Dallas. It stayed like that for weeks afterwards. It’s an experience that I expect will last long in my memory.

Ian Acheson is an author and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel, Angelguard, is now available in the USA, Canada and UK. It is scheduled to be released in Australia in late May. You can find more about Angelguard at Ian's website and on his author Facebook page.

Stretching my Reading List in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Calvin Seminary Chapel on a spring morning

Calvin College’s Festival of Faith and Writing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, last weekend was a readers conference rather than a writers conference. The college campus swarms with writers along with librarians and English teachers, college students and retirees--2000 of us mobbing this campus of 4000 students. I participated in a workshop on short-story writing and got a good start thinking through a new project. But the emphasis of the Festival is less on the details of craft and more on the big picture. I came away reminded of why I do this stuff and motivated to think more deeply about the larger questions.

Conferences are times of seeing old friends and making new ones who share a love of quality literature that explores serious questions of faith. Natalie Miller (left), Kim Childress (center) and I (right) were all in the same writers critique group a lo-ong time ago. Now Kim is an editor, drawing us both in with projects. Naomi Kinsman is one of Kim's authors at Zondervan, and David Diaz? He won the Caldecott for Smokey Night by Eve Bunting. This year he has illustrated Gary Schmidt's Martin de Porres; the Rose in the Desert (set in Peru and due out in June 2012).

Gary Schmidt was at the festival, too. He is on the faculty at Calvin College. He's also the author of several young adult novels I have appreciated: The Wednesday Wars, where the only Protestant in the class gets stuck in study hall learning Shakespeare while his Catholic and Jewish classmates go to religious instruction; and Okay for Now, whose new-kid-in-town protagonist discovers art and skills of observation copying Audubon birds in the library. (I have a soft spot for straight boys with artistic sensitivities.)

Fransisco X. Stork was another YA author I appreciated. As a Mexican American he likes to write about Latino characters. In Marcello in the Real World his character is a high-functioning Aspergers-syndrome teen in his first job outside the protective environment of his special school. Marcello has "a special interest" (one might even say "obsession") with God. I loved the book, but was disappointed that Stork (a gentle grandfatherly man) seems to be more concerned with the fact of faith than with its object.

 The books I have mentioned so far are mostly set in the United States even when they involve minority characters. Some of my favorite speakers were African. Chimamanda Adichie is Nigerian (here interviewed by Susan Van Zanten). Adichie was raised Catholic. "It's a culture," she says, "not just a religion." Her novel Purple Hibiscus wrestles with public holiness along side private domestic violence.

Nigeria is intensely religious, she says. So much so that the next question after "What's your name?" is often "Where do you worship?" followed by "Come to my church." Not exactly typical USA.

This conference is about faith and writing, not necessarily Christianity. The author who impressed me most was Leila Aboulela, a lovely Sudanese/Egyptian Muslim woman living in Britain. Like Adichie, she grew up reading English books about children who ate strawberries and played in the snow. Her favorite book is Jane Eyre, which she sees as distinctly Christian. The main story problem of being unable to marry the man she loves because he is already married is easily solved in Islam with multiple wives. But Aboulela admires Jane's strength of commitment to her religious beliefs, refusing to become Mr. Rochester's mistress. Aboulela's novel The Translator (now on my to-read list!) is a Muslim version of Jane Eyre.

The Calvin College drama department put on a play of Walter Wangerin Junior's allegorical fantasy Book of the Dun Cow. Actors donned elaborate masks and strutted for all the world like roosters, hens and other barnyard animals in an intimate theater-in-the-round setting complete with trapdoors and a walkway around the outside wall. It was a fascinating theater experience that made me want to reread the book.

Although I had systematically combed the library for books by the authors before I went, I left Grand Rapids with a longer to-read list. Also a stack of beautiful new picture books. Festival 2014 is already on my calendar. I love being stretched.