Browsed by
Tag: HACWN

Heartland of American Christian Writer’s Network is hosting a writers’ conference in November. Here is the link for information regarding the conference: Christian Writers Conference – HACWN

Several Wordsowers writers have spoken or attended past conferences. This year Cheryl Paden and Kathy Nickerson, Wordsowers members, will be speakers.

+ + + + + + + + + +

At the September Wordsowers meeting speaker/author Karen Watson enthralled us with her powerful presentation, “The Value of Your Testimony.”

In it she asked, “If you could change the world with one WORD, what would it be?

So at the risk of sounding unprofessional, today we’re laying it on the line.

Yes, our goal here at Wordsowers Christian Writers Group is to help authors grow.

But the heart of our mission is sharing the Lord’s goodness, power, and love.

Our writers do that in a variety of ways. Some are direct, like our devotional writers. Others are subtle.

Bottom line: Here at Wordsowers we strive to use our writing gifts for the Lord’s purposes.

Today’s post was originally slated to introduce the 1/2 price special we’ll run for our Wordsowers April 2016 conference.

Instead, we’d like to point to another writers group with the same heart for the Lord, The Heart of America Christian Writers Network–HACWN.

And rather than promoting our conference, we’re promoting theirs.

The HACWN conference runs October 22-24th, 2015. And they’re offering $100 off the registration.

Some of our writers attend the HACWN conference yearly.

Last year best-selling Cecil Murphey sponsored me to attend for the first time.

The conference amazed me.
They presented a treasure trove of information on writing, publishing, platform building, and a myriad of related topics.

In the midst of professionalism, camaraderie flowed.

I felt the same underlying purpose from every publisher, editor, author, and agent I spoke with.

They all had a greater goal than simply promoting themselves or their publications.
They wanted to share the Lord’s love with a hungry, hurting world.

Photo courtesy of artur84 @freedigitalphotos.net

Back to Karen Watson’s question, “If you could change the world with one WORD, what would it be?

Let’s meet at the HACWN conference and learn how to share that WORD with the world.

I Dreamed Big!
The dreams came to pass.
Now I can say I’ve taught at
and several times at
 
(HACWN) in Kansas. 
 
I also teach for our local 
 
Does that make me an expert?
 No, silly, an expert is simply a drip under pressure. 
 
I am a writer who loves to share the bit of knowledge 
I have and continue to glean with others. 
 
What about you? 
Share your writing dreams.

HACWN friends, editors and publishers 2013

Do you love writers sitting around chatting and learning together? Me, too. I used the photo above to illustrate the family feel. Unfortunatly, all critique groups don’t feel like family.

When I first attended a critique group years ago, a woman I didn’t know well bluntly said, “You write in purple prose.” I didn’t have a clue what she meant.love the color purple, I did write poetry, but I submitted a double-spaced typewritten article in black and white, where did she find purple or even rhyme?
Unsure of myself, I didn’t ask what she meant. (Besides, you weren’t supposed to ask questions, just listen to the critique.) When I arrived home I called a writer friend, she explained the critique to me.
I survived six weeks in the group—seven well-published women and me. They taught me more in that space of time than in any critique group since.
Tough, yes. After each session I drove home in tears. My husband couldn’t understand why I returned, but I developed a tough hide.
 
I knew those women wanted the best for me.
So what is purple prose?
  • The flowery speech of King Jameth,
  • Too many descriptive words to convey a simple thought.
  • Lengthy convoluted sentences.
  • Paragraphs of descriptive dialogue.
Editors and readers like concise sentences made up of active verbs and specific nouns. After you write, edit. Edit again. Cut more. Remember many editors pay by the word. Edit your work as if every word cost you $1. Now practice cutting your word count by 200 or 400 words.
One last thought–our move to another city took me away from the woman with a harsh critique, but not from writing. It pays to take what feels like harsh criticism handed to us for our good.
Sally Jadlow 

How do I justify spending the money to attend another Heart of America Christian Writers Network Conference (HACWN) in November? 

After all, I’m on the Leadership Team for Omaha Wordsowers Christian Writer’s Conference and knee deep into the plans for April 24-25, 2015.

But after praying about it, waffling back and forth, I finally said, “This is something I enjoy. The Littleton’s allow me to teach workshops and I love meeting new authors, editors and publishers. Why not attend?”
After the 2012 HACWN conference I understood why I attend year after year—I saw at least four women latch onto a writing future. One of them, Rachel Skatvold is ready to release her first novella, “Beauty Within” next month.
What are the five reasons I attend HACWN year after year?
  1. Inspiration: I’m totally selfish. My number one reason is to find that extra “Umph” to keep me writing through the next year. When I hear about others accomplishments, I’m excited to arrive home and set goals for the next year.
  2. Encouragement: To cheer on another author is like a gift to me. I’m rejuvenated when I have the opportunity to meet “new to HACWN” attendees, give them a pep talk, pray with them and share what I’ve learned in the last year.
  3. Network with editors and publishers: Put my face before them, yes. But also to dig into their needs, both industry and personal. Ask, “How can I pray for you?”
  4. Learn what’s new in the writing industry: Be aware of the changes, but realize the world still wants to hold a magazine and/or a book. I’m also learning how to publish an E-book. I choose to live in a progressive world full of change.
  5. Support your closest writer’s conference. Because of Mark and Jeanette Littleton and their many volunteer helpers, HACWN is available year after year. By attending each year and paying our dues, we make it possible for new authors to have the same opportunities we’ve had in the past.
My new author friends with Rachel Skatvold on the right
Really there are six reasons. Carol Cumberland and family “house” our Omaha group. We have stayed in her home five times—this November is # sixth time.
I can’t wait until November —who knows what new friends I’ll make.

I first met Troy Griepentrog two years ago at the Heart of America Christian Writers Conference (HACWN) in Overland Park, Kansas where he represented Focus on the Family.

In a ten minute interview we talked about a story I’d written. Troy listened intently. Smiled often. Commented on a few ideas of mine—I left the interview feeling I’d met a new friend. Later at lunch we talked a bit about Colorado Springs.
This year Troy again represented Focus at the HACWN conference. He told me he doesn’t have a facebook—but he does browse there once in awhile to check out what is happening around him. Several things I learned about Troy in our short meetings. He has a great sense of humor, he constantly encourages writers, and he loves the Lord. He looks young—in reality he is Grandpa Troy.
Lionhearted Kat: You work for Focus on the Family publications, what is your position?

Troy: I’m a senior associate editor of Thriving Family magazine, and I edit marriage topics primarily.

For the full story see:  Interview and Reviews

February 2, 2012 the Omaha Wordsowers Christian Writers group met at the Rockbrook Plaza Garden Café. Some of us met at 6 p.m. for food and fellowship.

At 7 p.m. Angela talked about a book she bought at HACWN last fall, “The First Fifty Pages” by Jeff Gerke.

After listening to Angela’s presentation I know I want this book in my library. In fact, I wish I’d bought it before the meeting.

There are several things that stood out to me when Angela talked about Gerke’s book. One of his bombs: Character Creation sounds like the book I’m reading. “If you could switch the names around in a dialogue scene and nothing seems out of the ordinary, the characters are week.” (page 57.)

Like I said at the meeting, “The novel I’m reading is rather boring, but it puts me to sleep at night.” Truly the characters in the book are “flat.”

A quote from Angela’s notes:

Don’t tiptoe into your book. Launch the thing with a major dance number.

Next month Daniel Segura is presenting a book about characterization. He’ll post a title soon in case you want to read or buy it before the meeting.

Those in attendance for February meeting: Bill, Lee, Jon, Dan, Matt, Angela, Kat, Merrie and Teresa.

Also, if you want a flyer to advertise Wordsowers at a bookstore or library, email Angela.

If you have any questions or suggestions please contact one of the Leaderhip Team: Angela Meyer, Jon Miller, Kat Crawford, Teresa Tierney

Enjoyed your presentation, Angela.

Kat

I wanted to share with the group my exciting news. I have been offered a contract for my novel. I am so thankful to have been provided a way to the HACWN conference – I would not have met the acquisitions editor to pitch my book idea to (at least not at this point in time).
Make plans now to make it to a conference this year. Work on your craft and then give God a chance to open doors for you.
Blessings to each one of you. Angela Meyer