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Category: Interviews

Meet Laree Lindburg. Laree will be at the 2017 Wordsowers Writers Conference representing Electric Moon Publishing. 

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. My husband and I have five children. Last August, my husband prayerfully took over his father’s business which moved our clan a bit west to a rural area. We now live in the home I grew up in from age eight until eighteen. Other than the aforementioned, one of the more significant changes in my life since moving includes the many opportunities to minister to my in-laws and other relation, whom we now live much closer to. Come visit me and we’ll talk life (and books)!

Connect with Laree and Electric Moon: Website   Facebook    Twitter 

Tell us a little about Electric Moon Publishing. What are some of the ways you can help an author? Emoon acts as a publishing partner for indie authors, ministries, and organizations. The author and eMoon collaborate from writing & editing to cover design & interior layout, and finally publishing & distribution/marketing. With eMoon, the author retains all rights and royalties! As a dovetail to publishing, eMoon has prayerfully begun a speaker’s bureau for powerful voices with solid messages. Ask us for more details–www.emoonpublishing.com or info@emoonpublishing.com.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer looking to self-publish, what would it be? Take your time. Do not rush. Traditional publishers allow well over a year to produce a book for the masses to consume. Self/indie-published authors need to slow down. Realize you, too, can create as beautiful and desirable a book as a traditional publisher–the support is out there to achieve such a feat. The key is to be diligent, meticulous; as an indie author, you are your last front before print. It rests on your shoulders, but there are a plethora of experts and talented individuals to help, which makes the option quite desirable, especially since you can keep your rights and royalties.

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Rose Zediker, 2017 Wordsowers Conference workshop leader, will be presenting Put Your Manuscript on a Diet.

Multi-published author and RITA finalist, Rose Ross Zediker, writes contemporary and historical inspirational romances and has hundreds of publishing credits in the Christian magazine genre for children and adults. Her titles have appeared on ECPA bestseller lists and been finalists for the RITA, National Reader’s Choice, Booksellers Best and Book Buyers Best award contests. Rose is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America.

                           Connect with Rose    Blog   ~  Inkspirational Messages

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I like to talk about all aspect of writing, the good (new markets, acceptances) and the bad (cancelled contracts, rejections).

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop? Who will get the most out of your workshop? The greatest take away from my workshop is editors want tight, active writing and the over use of adverbs is ‘telling’ not ‘showing’. Beginning writers and anyone in the revision process will benefit from this information

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Read as many books on the craft of writing and the business side of writing that you can!

 

Check out Rose’s novella Railroaded into Love, a part of the inspirational novella collection, Lassoed by Marriage.

Railroaded into Love

Montana 1895-Molly is tainted by having an outlaw brother on the run and seems the least likely bride for a pastor of a chapel railroad car. Forced together by duty to family and faith, can they build a life and mission together?

Purchased your copy: 

Amazon   ~   Barnes and Noble

 

 

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

 

Lee Warren

Meet Lee Warren, a workshop leader for Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference.

Lee WarrenLee Warren writes contemplative essay and devotional books.

His essays remind you to slow down and enjoy the present moment because we’re only here for a little while. Readers say his essays are vulnerable, open, honest, engaging, insightful and thought-provoking.

His devotional books provide practical, story-driven devotional material you can use every morning to get your private worship started right. Readers call his devotional books encouraging, inspiring and thoughtful.

When Lee isn’t writing essays or devotional material, he is a freelance journalist who has written hundreds of articles for various newspapers and magazines. He’s also a fan of NASCAR, baseball, tennis, books, movies and coffee shops. 

 What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. My first article was published seventeen years ago, but I still make mistakes. I tend to focus too much on tactics and not enough on strategy. I waited way too long to develop a business model. Some of my books have done well, while others have flopped. Sometimes, I focus too much on marketing and not enough on writing. I’m slow to change.

We’re all works in progress and we all had to start somewhere. We can learn from each other. So, let’s sit down and talk at the conference. I’m looking forward to meeting you.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why? Who will get the most out of your workshop? “Writing as a Business – Creating a Plan” will help writers make good decisions about four specific areas of their business: business model, product development, finances, and editorial schedule.

We’ll discuss choosing one of three business models, the ideal creation space (philosophically speaking) for product development, bootstrapping as a new author, and how to develop an editorial schedule so you can stay on pace with product development.

Writers who are ready to treat their work as a business would benefit most from this workshop. Even experienced writers will pick up some great tips and maybe gain a bit of clarity for their vision.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Plan before you write. It’ll save you a ton of time on the back end.

If you are writing fiction, which genre will your book fall into? What is the typical word count for novels in your genre? What is the most used point of view most in your genre? What are the genre tropes you need to include in your novel?

If you are writing nonfiction, how many words is the typical nonfiction book in your genre? What type of tone is common in your genre?

If you are going indie, what types of book covers are doing well in the top 100 bestsellers of your genre? Are there any color schemes that seem to be used over and over again? Do most of the top selling covers use stock photos, or do they use vector images, or something else?

If you are writing articles for magazines, newspapers, or websites, have you read the writers guidelines to learn the word count or to determine what the publication needs as far as topics are concerned?

If you are writing devotions, which layout does the publication you are targeting use? The standard layout is Bible verse, illustration, explanation, application. But some publications want the Bible verse at the end. Others want the explanation before the illustration.

Do your homework ahead of time by reading the writers guidelines and sample copies (or by reading the top books in your genre) so you won’t be paralyzed by the fear of the unknown when it comes time to write.

Connect with Lee: Facebook   Website   Twitter 

Write That Devotional BookIf you are looking for help in writing a devotional book, Lee has written “Write That Devotional Book: From Dream to Reality.” You’ll learn about all of the key components of a devotion, how to structure a devotion, how to map out your book, and how to target a specific audience. This resource even includes a couple of sample devotions in the back, broken down by section. You can find out more about the book on Lee’s website.

Get your copy on Amazon

 

 

Debra Butterfield

Meet Debra Butterfield, the Motivational Editor and Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference workshop leader. 

Debra is the author of the new Writer’s Workshop booklet series Working with an Editor Book 1, from Brooklet Press (an imprint of CrossRiver Media Group), Abba’s Promise, and Carried by Grace: a Guide for Mothers of Victims of Sexual Abuse. Her magazine credits include CBN.com, Susie, Live, The Vision, and On Course online. She is a freelance editor as well as an editor for CrossRiver Media Group publishing.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why. Who will get the most out of your workshop? Attendees will learn to explore point of view rather than automatically giving that role to the protagonist. New to intermediate writers will get the most benefit.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Stay focused on God throughout your journey in life and in writing.

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I am as excited to meet them as they are to meet me. I’m at the conference to help them grow and I can’t do that if they avoid me.

Connect with Debra on her Website  Facebook  Twitter  Newsletter

Working with an Editor Book 1 will be on the shelves before you know it.

In the meantime, check out Debra’s other books on her book page.

 

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Meet RJ Thesman, author of Sometimes They Forget and Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference workshop leader. 

RJ THESMAN is the author of the popular Reverend G trilogy and has just released her newest book, “Sometimes They Forget – Finding Hope in the Alzheimer’s Journey.” Thesman is a certified life and writing coach, a biblical counselor and a Stephen minister. She lives in the heartland of Kansas with her son and an elderly cat.

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I love coaching writers and helping them birth their words. It gives me great joy to give back what has been given to me.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why// Who will get the most out of your workshop? To move toward our writing goals, we first must understand what a goal is and then how we can plan to reach that goal. This workshop is for all genres of writers as we’ll discover ways to meet our writing goals and learn how to avoid the blocks that keep us stuck.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Write what your heart wants to say. We can be bombarded with people who say we “should” write this or that b/c it sells or b/c it is currently trendy. Be true to yourself and authentic in what God has called you to write.

Connect with RJ: Website  Facebook  Twitter  LinkedIn   Facebook Group

 

Sometimes They Forget – Finding Hope in the Alzheimer’s Journey

Caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients grieve through the Long Good-bye while trying to meet the needs of their loved ones. These caregivers find nuggets of hope in “Sometimes They Forget.”

Get your copy HERE.

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Rita Rocker

Meet Rita Rocker, Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference workshop leader. 

Rita RockerRita Rocker is an international published author, life-transforming inspirational and educational speaker, communications and image specialist, and career consultant with Transformation Academy, LLC. She inspires individuals to rise and go forward by providing powerful techniques for victorious personal and professional life makeovers. Clients include teens, adult men and women, and the elderly. She works with individuals, professional organizations, corporations, youth programs, and at conferences and retreats.

Rita has appeared on national television and radio talk shows on self-esteem and communication. Her professional background also includes corporate training, human resources and non-technical project management. She is a former Mrs. Nebraska and Mrs. America contestant (whose husband died during her term from cancer), and on the international board for Professional Woman Network.

On a personal note, Rita’s passion to transform lives comes from climbing out of her own deep pit of very low self-worth, domestic violence with physical/mental/emotional abuse, self-sabotaging behavior through fear of failure and rejection, emotional eating, care giving, personal loss, and self-destructive relationships.

Rita understands what it is like being stricken with several health issues and eight surgeries in two years including a brain tumor, jaw bone tumor and Meniere’s disease. She is very authentic and transparent while filling her clients, audiences and readers with hope, help, humor and heart!

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I have been passionate about providing personal and career development for over 30 years. My passion is to walk alongside individuals, educating and encouraging them to reach their full potential in life, relationships and their given career path, to help build up and influence those around them.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why? Who will get the most out of your workshop? Those who want to really “tell” their story and share all that their book has to offer, whether life, learning, entertaining, educating will leave with tools to use immediately to bring their book pages to life. They will be able to life, or even conviction, to the written page. Participants will gain greater confidence in their presentation skills, enabling them to move away from fear and focus on all of the possibilities of communication with a live audience that can give them such enjoyment. Learn techniques to bring your book to life – taking your story off the pages and infusing emotions, enthusiasm into your audience. It is a fun and rewarding experience for all—especially for you!

Attendees will leave my workshop with numerous tips and techniques to be the best they can be, turning their written story into a knockout presentation to audiences who connect with their genre.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? You have a powerful story to tell and when you ask God to speak through you, He will give you clear direction. As you continue to develop yourself, and your speaking and writing ability, you become even better equipped to build up, minister to, and encourage others. Happiness comes from you making things happen instead of waiting for things to happen to and for you. Exchange your gifts and knowledge with all of those who will be blessed hearing/receiving it. Life will never be the same.

Connect with Rita: Website  Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter

Hope at the End of Your Rope

What is a rope? It is a strong cable that connects, secures or binds. Individual strands are fairly weak and ineffective by themselves, but the synergy of numerous strands (divinely appointed people, places and circumstances) wound together provides great strength for you on your life’s journey. Learn how to use the obstacles thrown in your way as stepping stones to new heights of success and joy.

Rita Rocker knows first-hand how trials and disappointments can leave you dangling at the end of your own too-familiar rope called life, where wearisome circumstances can leave you exhausted, with little energy to fulfill your destiny. Let today be the beginning of your new journey. You are the architect and builder of your life. Using this book as a guide, you can design a new blueprint, one that creates an exciting, fulfilled life from this day forward.

 Get your copy of Hope at the End of Your Rope HERE

 

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Sally Jadlow

Today, we introduce you to Sally Jadlow, one of Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference workshop leaders.

Sally Jadlow has written poetry for over forty years and delights in learning new ways to express herself. Beside poetry, she writes historical fiction, short stories, devotionals, and inspirational faith building books.

Her God’s Little Miracle Books have just been expanded with scripture and study questions suitable for individual or group study and are available on Amazon

Connect with Sally Website  Facebook  Twitter

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I’m old, so my sharp teeth are pretty worn down so I don’t bite–very hard. I only eat small children, not adults.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why/who will get the most out of your workshop? I think its always fun to learn new poetry forms. As writers, we need to learn to write tight. Poetry teaches us to say the most with the fewest words. So, if you want to sharpen your writing skills, no matter if you are a newbie or are an old hand at this writing business, come on in. The water’s fine!

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Never give up. With each rejection, you are step closer to that acceptance.

Click HERE to register for Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference.

Use #Wordsowers2017 when you share this event with your friends.

Click to Tweet an invitation.

 

Today, I would like to introduce you to another one of our workshop leaders, Nancy Kay Grace.

Nancy is the author of the award winning devotional, The Grace Impact. She has been published in several Chicken Soup for the Soul books, devotional compilations (including Abba’s Promise), and magazines. Currently Nancy has an article in the Spring 2017 issue of Just Between Us magazine. She lives in Springdale, AR with her husband Rick, who is senior pastor at SpringCreek Fellowship. They have 2 grown children and 5 grandchildren.

 

Connect with Nancy  Website/Grace Notes newsletter ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~Pinterest

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. I have been discouraged in my writing journey, thinking I misunderstood what God wanted me to write. Plans changed by things outside my control. I’ve had to learn to trust God with my next step. God uses everything in our lives which us material for writing. His timing is far better than I could have planned.

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop and why// Who will get the most out of your workshop? My workshop is “The Potter’s Hand and the Writer,” which will offer inspiration and encouragement for the writer’s journey. If you are discouraged about the writing/ publishing process, this workshop will offer you hope is press on.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? It’s easy to be overwhelmed with all that is involved in the writing journey. One tip I would share is to do the next step. Even if it’s one small thing, move forward toward your goal. Each person’s journey and timeline is unique.

 

The Grace Impact

Through the Bible we see how God lavishes His grace on us. In all things at all times, His grace covers every detail of life, not just the good things, but the difficult, sad, and complicated things. That knowledge can give us the ability to walk confidently through life knowing our heavenly Father is with us every step of the way. As we grow in understanding grace, we are called to be grace-givers.

The Grace Impact has been awarded the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book of the Year Award in the Christian Non-fiction category. The book has also a finalist in the daVinci Eye Cover Design and honorable mention in the Spirituality category of the 2016 Eric Hoffer awards.  It was also a finalist in the 2016 International Book Awards in the “Religion: Christian Inspirational” category.

Watch the trailer HERE.

Get your copy of Grace Impact HERE.

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Don’t miss out. Click on the image below to register for Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference.

Click to Tweet your friends about #Wordsowers2017

Tosca Lee, NY Times Best-Selling Author

New York Times bestselling author, Tosca Lee keynotes the 2017 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference, April 28-29th. Tosca graciously carved time from her hectic schedule to visit with us today.

New York Times bestselling author Tosca Lee keynotes 2017 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference

 

Jeanie: Tosca, between writing deadlines, family responsibilities, book signings, upcoming conferences, and the May 2nd release of Firstborn, your plate seems full. How do you fit everything in?

Tosca: Haha. I keep wondering this, and the answer is I drop a lot of balls. My standard e-mail signature line should read: “I’m so sorry for the massive delay in getting back to you…”

After getting married last year and becoming an insta-mom to four, it’s definitely been a learning process for me! But they are teaching me well. 😀 Seriously, having kids has really put so much priority-wise into perspective. Writing is what I do. It’s how I’m wired. But it’s not who I am, or the end-all, be-all. Still, they are very understanding of the times that I’m holed up in the attic of the old farm house on deadline. I also surround myself with some incredibly understanding and massively helpful individuals—namely, my husband and my assistant (whom I call my Asylum Warden), Cindy.

Jeanie: Whenever I pick up one of your novels, like The Progeny, I literally stay up all night reading it. And it’s not just me. Your books are enjoyed world-wide. How did you get started?

Tosca: You know, I was writing for a long time before I ever thought of it as a thing. As a young teen, I danced with the Omaha Ballet and spent my summers dancing out of state. That was my consuming passion. When it became clear that it wasn’t going to be the path for me, I went off to college thinking I’d go into business or become a news anchor (???) or something like that. But during a trip home my freshman year, I was talking about what I loved about novels and how they’re such an emotional ride, and how cool it would be to design a roller coaster like that for readers. I just blurted out: “I’d really like to write a book.” My dad made me a deal: he’d pay me what I would have made that summer as a bank teller (which I was horrible at) if I’d devote myself to writing my first novel. So I did. I never sold it—it’s in the basement with the skeletons—but I sure learned a lot!

Jeanie: I admire (OK, envy!) how you’ve traveled the world. How does that international aspect impact your work?

Tosca: I was fortunate enough to grow up in a family that traveled a lot. Part of that was being a bi-racial kid with half my family in Korea. (Which made the fact that I used to get massively airsick until I hit high school a big bummer!) For me, getting out of my paradigm and geography is a way to get perspective. Think, dream, see how other people think, dream and live. It’s very inspiring.

Jeanie: What do you see as your biggest quirk?

Tosca: I have OCD. It has at times crippled me and shut me down completely. It’s been one of the biggest challenges in my life, and I hid it for years, and really went through some tough times in silence. Last year I decided to become more open about it, and to encourage others that whatever you may struggle with—whether it be anxiety, depression, ADHD, a chronic health challenge, or whatever it is—informs the unique way you see the world. That you are unique, special and able to use that. And the craziest thing happened when I “came out” with my OCD. Tons of people wrote and said, “Thank you,” and “Me too!” and “I have XYZ…” It was really awesome to be able to just be real.

Jeanie: What do you feel is your greatest strength?

Tosca: Aghhhh… that’s always a two-sided coin. I’m a perfectionist. It drives me crazy. But it’s really good for editing, cleaning (I can clean out a closet like nobody’s business!), or any productive application. When it comes to writing, my characterization and prose are things that readers mention the most. And research/attention to detail. That might be part of the OCD. ;D

Jeanie: What are you working on now?

Tosca: Another thrill ride! Get ready to hold on to your hats!

Jeanie: If you could share only one piece of information with a writer, what would it be?

Tosca: My number one rule of writing is write like no one will ever read it. Why do I say this? I’ll be talking about this at the conference!

Jeanie: Thanks for sharing with us today.

Experience Tosca Lee’s keynote address, “Burn the Fear- Release the Fire: Writing for an Audacious God” at the Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference, April 28-29. 2017. Tosca will be on hand after to sign books and visit with conferees.

Connect with Tosca

Website   Newsletter   Facebook   Instagram   Twitter  Snapchat: @ToscaLee

Today, we would like to introduce you to conference workshop leader, Nadine Brandes.

Nadine is an adventurer, fusing authentic faith with bold imagination. Her debut YA novel, A Time to Die, won the ACFW Carol Award while both it and the sequel finaled for the Christy Award. Nadine’s been known to eat an entire package of Oreos by herself, and watches Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. She writes about brave living and other worlds soaked in imagination. When she’s not taste-testing a new chai, she and her hubby are rockin’ shalom, dorkiness, and board games with college students in the midwest.

Connect with Nadine: Website  Facebook  Twitter.

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you. That I love meeting new people and I’m just like any other writer there—I get nervous and, depending on the day, I can be ridiculously shy. I’m terrible with names. I’m a tea drinker (just come up to me and say “TEA!” and I will hug you. 😉 ) I have trouble finding a writing rhythm and I almost always loathe my first drafts.

You are my people—fellow writers and lovers of Christ! Come say hello, even if I’m in conversation or being an awkward wallflower. 😉

What do you see as the greatest take away from your workshop/who will get the most out of it? This workshop will leave attendees with a full and well-rounded understanding of the YA genre—from readers to writers to publishing to marketing.

This workshop is for anyone who wants to understand the YA genre and market. Being aware of the “hot markets” is key to getting our books out there! And YA is one we need to watch because these readers are shaping the reaing community of the future. I think that writers interested in reaching teens, young adults, or adults who read YA literature (which is the majority of readers in the YA genre) will get the most out of this workshop.

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be? Frankly, it wouldn’t have anything to do with the actual writing craft. It would be this: Immerse yourself in Christ. Perhaps that sounds cliche, but I have to remind myself daily. Write with Him as your reward—not as though a published book or a contract or 100 five-star reviews are your rewards. Because He is the one who will use your writing to reach (and change) the world. Pray over your writing constantly. Draw inspiration from His word. I could go on and on. 🙂

Nadine will also be available to for paid critiques. 
critique submissions
Click image to purchase a paid critique.

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Check out her books!

Book 1 – A Time to Die

How would you live if you knew the day you’d die? Parvin Blackwater believes she has wasted her life. At only seventeen, she has one year left according to the Clock by her bedside. In a last-ditch effort to make a difference, she tries to rescue Radicals from the government’s crooked justice system. But when the authorities find out about her illegal activity, they cast her through the Wall — her people’s death sentence. What she finds on the other side about the world, about eternity, and about herself changes Parvin forever and might just save her people. But her clock is running out.

Book 2 – A Time to Speak

How do you live after you planned to die? Parvin Blackwater should have died in her brother’s place. She didn’t. Now she’s the only one who can protect her village, but no one wants to listen. When the Council starts forcing “new and improved” Clocks on the public, those who refuse are declared Radicals and exiled. Having been across the Wall once, Parvin is the only one who can save them. But instead of going through the Wall, she’s packed into a boxcar, loaded on a cargo ship, and forced out to sea. How will she lead when facing the unknown? Worse yet, why are people suddenly dying before their Clocks have zeroed-out?

Book 3 – A Time to Rise

What more can you sacrifice than your life? Parvin Blackwater is dead. At least…that’s what the Council—and the world—thinks. But her sacrifice tore down part of the Wall long enough to stir up hope and rebellion in the people. Now she will rise again. Strong, free, and fearless. Parvin and Solomon must uncover the mysterious clues that Jude left behind in order to destroy the projected Wall once and for all. Meanwhile, the Council schemes to new levels of technology in its attempts to keep the people contained. Can a one-handed Radical and a scarred ex-Enforcer really bring shalom to the world? This is the concluding book in the Out of Time Series.

If you would like to purchase a copy of her books, visit her books page on her website. 

 

Today, we would like to introduce you to conference workshop leader, Ben Wolf, founder of Splickety Publishing Group (SPG). He will be teaching three workshops at our 5th annual Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference, April 28-29, 2017.

Ben says his writing career started in the 7th grade after he saw the movie Congo on TV. It was so bad that he wrote a parody of it set in Australia and featured murderous kangaroos instead of gorillas. You don’t want to miss his workshops. The Wordsowers Christian Writers (WCW) Leadership Team had the opportunity to interview Ben and share a bit with you about this award-winning author on the Splicity—fast—writing track.

Ben founded Splickety Publishing Group (SPG) to meet the needs of busy folks like him: people who appreciate great fiction but lack the time to read. SPG offers three quarterly flash fiction magazines: Splickety (multi-genre), Havok (speculative), and Splickety Love (romance).

What piece of advice helped you or made a difference in your writing? I’ve always been a fan of Mickey Spillane’s quote, “The first chapter sells the book; the last chapter sells the next book.”

A quote I saw recently said every story is built with the use of the same alphabet—26 letters? How do you glean ideas for a new story line, something different? My ideas come from a bunch of random sources. It could be anything from a dream or a daydream to an observation to a mashup of ideas or concepts that wouldn’t ordinarily go together without serious thought and creativity. It has been a ton of fun to play with my ideas and craft something new and weird and exciting.

When beginning a new novel, how do you piece together your protagonist—find a photo, have a file on hand filled with ideas, or do you fill out a form with all the details? I’m actually really bad at this. Usually I’m a plot first guy, so my characters have to get developed later on. I take notes on the basics (hair color, eye color, height, weight, build, personality traits), but in general I try to let the characters reveal who they are to me as I write the story.

Do you have any amusing story that happened to you while marketing your books? Nothing too unusual has happened to me while marketing my work… yet. This is quite peripheral, but I met Jeff Goldblum at the Oregon Christian Writers Conference a couple of years ago. He was filming an episode for Portlandia, and he proceeded to serenade me in the hotel lobby with piano jazz tunes. It was surreal and amazing. I had books to sell at the conference. Does that count?

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Ben has written six action/adventure novels (five of which are good) and has multiple other projects in the works. His first novel, Blood for Blood won the 2015 Cascade Award for Best Speculative Fiction Novel and has been characterized as “bold…with nonstop tension” and “hard to put down.” It examines the question of whether or not God can redeem anyone—even a vampire. His debut children’s book, I’d Punch a Lion in His Eye for You, is a 2016 Cascade Award finalist and is beloved by children nationwide.

In addition to his writing career, Ben offers a variety of professional services to aspiring writers including: Editing and Proofreading, Ghostwriting, Strategic Novel Planning, Coaching, and Marketing/Branding Consulting, Public Speaking and Teaching on Writing, Publishing, and Flash Fiction, One-on-One Mentoring and Encouragement.

For more information about his writing and his professional services, please visit his website, www.benwolf.com. You can also friend Ben Wolf on Facebook and follow him on Twitter (@1BenWolf).

 

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

Ben will also be available for paid critiques at the conference.

critique submissions
To order your paid critique, click HERE.

 

 

Brooke Williams

Meet Brooke Williams, one of our conference workshop leaders.  We asked her a few questions so you could get to know her ahead of time. 

What would you like conference attendees to know about you? Maybe something that would help them feel comfortable approaching you.

I’m a stereotypical writer…an introvert at heart. The fact that I survived in radio is amazing to me today. If I can do it you can and I’ll show you how! I’m primarily a stay at home mom to two young girls. Ask to see pictures. I’ll drag them out! Haha. When my youngest naps…I write! I’m primarily a freelance writer but I dabble in the author world when I can. I find it a great escape to everyday life and stress!

Feel free to contact me anytime! I write romantic comedy to give you some laughs. My next release Called “The Leftover” drops in September and I’m super excited about it! Check out my website. You can also contact me on Twitter and Facebook.

What do you see as the greatest take away/who will get the most out of your workshop?

I’m presenting the workshop on how to get and give radio and tv interviews. If you want to promote your book, your devotional, a certain topic you cover or whatever, you might want media attention. How do you get it?! I spent over a decade in the radio industry so I have lots of tips on how to get the interviews and then how to conduct them so you don’t feel like you made a mistake getting it in the first place. I also spent five months on the local news so I picked up some helpful tricks there as well. Mostly what not to do. Haha. I’ll pass them along to you! As writers we can love what we do passionately but unless we get it out there for others, it stays in a box. It’s fun to hear about ways to get the word out!

If you could share only one piece of information/tip/encouragement with a writer, what would it be?

Don’t give up on your dreams! Write first and foremost because you love it. Then don’t stop until you reach your goals. No…don’t even stop then! If you stop trying you’ll for sure never reach those goals right?! Don’t let anything deter you. Got it?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

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