Browsed by
Tag: WCWC2018

Sally Jadlow and Deer Hunting

Sally JadlowSally Jadlow is the author of ten books. Her miracle series, God’s Little Miracle Book (I, II, & III) has been recorded by Sally this past year. There is a growing number of people using audio books these days so we need to keep up with the markets.

Check out her website at: SallyJadlow.com.

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year. A student recently gave me a very helpful book. It’s a thesaurus with the definitions of the alternative words all in one place. “Choose the Right Word by S.I. Hayakawa. (Second Edition)”

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? Marketing. It’s a little like going on a deer hunt and finding few tracks.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? Exodus 4:12 “Now then go, and I, even I, will be with your mouth, and teach you what you are to say .”

At this year’s conference, Sally teaches

Publish Your Book in Audio and What’s at the End of Your Pen?

Pam Morgan Shares about Pushing Through Writers Block

Pam MorganPam Morgan is a Christian speaker, author, and recording artist who has appeared on various radio and television shows, including Oprah. She and her singer/songwriter husband, Phil, have released fifteen gospel CDs and travel nationwide, inspiring audiences from Alaska to the Caribbean. Although Pam enjoys photography, scrapbooking, teaching women’s bible study, French Vanilla coffee, and (of course) chocolate, she says nothing compares to her two favorite pastimes: sharing the hope of Christ and spending time with her beloved husband and their two young adult daughters, Kayla and Alisha, at home in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Check out Pam’s website at www.PhilandPamMorgan.com.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say? Honestly, I don’t enjoy writing. I write because I need to write. I have a passion to encourage others by sharing what Christ has done for me, and I prefer to do that through the spoken, not written word, but I also know that a book or article can reach many more people than I can personally. And so, I write…when I must. 🙂

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? It depends on the day, but mostly marketing.

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome? Yes. Usually, my writer’s block is either lack of desire or physical exhaustion. If I lack the motivation to write, listening to music, reading Scripture or reading a favorite author can help. If I’m just tired, I hang it up for the day and pray for inspiration tomorrow.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? Isaiah 40:31 – They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength…

Be sure to check out Pam’s workshop at this year’s conference:

Speak Up! You Have a Great Book!

Phil Morgan Shares Horn Tooting Advice

Phil MorganPhil Morgan along with his wife Pam have travelled the country in full-time music ministry since 1996, appearing on various radio and television programs including Oprah, Montel, and the 700 Club. Phil has written two books and hundreds of songs, plus a weekly email devotion than highlights his humorous and creative way of expressing Biblical truth. Most recently, Phil has accepted a staff writing position with Valley Songs, the publishing division of Chapel Valley Music in Nashville.

For more information, check out Phil’s website at www.PhilandPamMorgan.com.

What is your motivation? My motivation for writing is always the listener or reader. I enjoy the craft of saying something in a way that is original and insightful, but my biggest reward is when God is able to use something I’ve written to reach an individual with the exact message He has for them.

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing?  I don’t know of any writers who enjoy marketing. Writers tend to be very self conscious and hate to “toot their own horn.” Marketing is necessary for anyone to know what we’ve written, but I think we all would love for someone to take that job off our plate. If marketing lights your fire, come and see me. I may just have a job for you!

How do you juggle your life between family and writing? It’s easy for writing to take a backseat to family, work, life, etc. I find I have to schedule writing time and put it on my calendar. As a songwriter, scheduling time to write with someone else really keeps me on track. For solo writing, I have to set deadlines for myself and stick to them.

Be sure to check out Phil’s workshop at this year’s conference,

INSPIRATION – Where to find it and what to do with it.

Award-Winning Photographer Pat Mingarelli

Returns for Wordsowers 2018!

Pat Mingarelli, Award-Winning Photographer

Pat Mingarelli: I am an award-winning nature photographer with a unique kind of creation ministry. As an outdoor photographer I’ve spent countless hours observing God’s hand in creation. In those time’s I’ve learned that God speaks to us through His creation and the creation speaks to us about God. You can click here to learn more about my creation ministry.

The Creation Speaks ministry examines how nature speaks to our heart, soul and mind about God.

 

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say?  I have a message God has given me to touch others. I want celebrate and glorify God as creator and to encourage people in the daily walk with Him. In today’s world we are detached from creation. We all need to get outside more. Creation has plenty to tell us about God.

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year.  I really like Michael Hyatt and his Platform University

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome?  Yes, and I just start writing anyway. Eventually, the right thoughts just come together.

Pat returns as our on-site photographer, offering photography sessions during this year’s conference.

Book your session now!

Tosca Lee, NY Times Best-Selling Author

Tosca Lee Returns for the

Wordsowers 2018 Conference!

Tosca Lee, NY Times Best-Selling AuthorTosca Lee is the award-winning, New York Times, CBA and Indie bestselling author of THE PROGENY, FIRSTBORN, ISCARIOT, THE LEGEND OF SHEBA, DEMON: A MEMOIR, HAVAH: THE STORY OF EVE, and the Books of Mortals series with New York Times bestseller Ted Dekker (FORBIDDEN, MORTAL, SOVEREIGN). Her books have won the Gold Medallion, the Christian Retailer’s Choice Award, Forward Magazine’s Book of the Year Silver and Bronze, and have finaled for numerous others, including a second Gold Medallion and two Christy awards. You can find Tosca at ToscaLee.com, on social media, or hanging around the snack table. Be sure to check out ISMENI, the free e-short prequel to THE LEGEND OF SHEBA!

“Stories hand-crafted to transport you to other times and places—and adventures with twists you won’t see coming!” –Tosca Lee

Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing.  Have fun—and make it fun for others.

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year.  My husband. He keeps me sane, helps me brainstorm, and reminds me not to take everything so seriously (see above).

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? First drafts!

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome?  I find that “writes block” is a catch-all phrase for mental resistance and/or a lack of preparation—both items I’ve experienced. I hash it out with a trusted confidante, get up to do something mundane or, barring all else, give myself permission to write shoddily and work through it.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year?  The simple knowledge that I am made in the image of the most creative Being in the universe—the same One who created mighty mountains… and strange, whimsical sea creatures.

How do you juggle your life between family and writing?  A lot of late hours, my friend. A lot of late night hours.

Tosca will be at this years’ Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference in April. Check out her workshops. 

To Write or Not to Write: Susan King

Over the years, Susan King continues to be one of the most frequently requested conference speakers within the Wordsowers community. We are blessed that once again, she will be joining us. This year, her workshops include: Making it Look Easy – Achieving Excellent Style in any Genre, and  Turning Personal Experience into a Devotional Message.

Susan King, Associate Editor - The Upper RoomSusan King: For over 23 years, Associate Editor Susan King has served at The Upper Room, a daily-devotional magazine that reaches millions of readers in more than 100 countries. One of her greatest joys has been representing The Upper Room every year at several of 23 different Christian writers’ conferences in the U.S. and Canada. Two years ago, she retired from 27 years of teaching English and feature-writing classes—most recently for Lipscomb University but also for Biola University and Abilene Christian University. Formerly, she served as writer, book editor, and radio-program producer/on-air talent for The Institute of Scriptural Psychology; wrote magazine features as a freelance writer; and functioned as a seminar facilitator in leadership and group dynamics.

Susan lives in Franklin, Tennessee with her husband Joe. Her three adult children live in three different states, and she is delighted that one of them still lives in Franklin—with his wife and Susan and Joe’s two young grandsons.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say?  At the risk of using a cliché, I can’t NOT write. I am a very opinionated person and give much critical thinking in arriving at my opinions so I believe that others can benefit from reading those opinions. Thus, I write feature articles (rather than fiction—probably because fiction may communicate the same thing but does so way too subtly!)

Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing.  Early on, the advice to start out with magazine writing rather than clinging doggedly to writing a book made all the difference for me.

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome?  Everyone struggles with this at some time or another. The best way for me is to freewrite/brainstorm. With the former, you put the topic at the top of the page and then write everything that comes into your mind for 10-15 minutes, non-stop, with no editing/correcting/hesitation. With the latter, the information is in the form of a list rather than one long paragraph. Both of these tend to overcome the tyranny of the blank page/computer screen and not only help me to overcome writer’s block but also give me ideas on the topic that I might not have explored before.

Susan will be at this years’ Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference in April.  Be sure to sign up to talk with her and sit in on her workshops. 

Let’s start off this year’s pre-conference interviews

with the effervescent Laree Lindburg!

Laree Lindburg

Laree Lindburg (Owner/Manager): Before her sole procurement of Electric Moon Publishing, LLC., Laree signed with a literary agent and published devotions and articles. She has worked as a grant writer for a non-profit project, a technical writer for a media company, an e-book design expert for various publishing companies, and a ghostwriter, re-writer, and editor for a law firm.

The EMoon team has assisted over 100+ clients in various stages of publishing and business development. She and her crew operate a full-service collaborative/hybrid publishing place for indie authors, ministries, and organizations.

If you were at a book event and someone asked you, “Why do you write?” what would you say?  To inform. To entertain. To pass the time. To teach my children. I write as a way to record my thoughts, feelings, and prayers. An act of worship.

Share a tidbit that has helped you in writing and/or marketing. Attend conferences–especially the author-friendly ones like the WCWC. When you have an opportunity to meet and talk shop with other authors and experienced professionals in your field of interest–do it!

Do you have a mentor and/or author/and/or book that helped you this past year? I have been reading through “Draw the Circle” by Mark Batterson. Sure, I may not agree with everything Mr. Batterson writes, however, the overall principles of submission, confession, faith-increasing, bold prayer has impacted me personally and professionally. I’ve also made strides to meet with two other industry professionals on a semi-regular basis to discuss writing/publishing/business issues. This has been most helpful to me, not to mention fun!

What frustrates you the most, the editing or marketing? Hmmm… I am coming from the publishing side, so I’d say both, but more so marketing. Authors, whether traditionally published or indie published, have a difficult time grasping the truth that book marketing is heavily upon their shoulders. Others can assist in the venture, but no one is as invested in your work as you are. No one can sell your book like you can. So, be prepared and have a plan. 🙂

Do you ever struggle with writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome? I do. I usually just write anyway–and pray. The outcome may be poor, but the perseverance builds stamina and strengthens resolve.

Is there a scripture that helped you in your writing journey this past year? A word I have been meditating on lately is “decrease.” This is based on John 3:30 when John the Baptist explains to his disciples what must happen to him. “He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease.” The term “decrease” should be applied directly to our spiritual journey foremost then also perhaps stretched in concept to our physical lives–decreasing in selfish sins, media intake, food consumption, extraneous purchases, etc. I long to be less of me and more of Christ. Things work out so much better this way. 🙂

How do you juggle your life between family and writing? What a great question! And so terribly difficult to answer. I’ve recently realized that I put too much emphasis on my ability to multi-task which no one can truly do well–something or someone always suffers. And instead, my goal is to make strides to be more present in one spot at a time. So, I block off specific sections of the day to work, and when I am not at my desk, I try my best to curb the temptation to check work email or write a blog post and in turn be ‘present’ with my family. It’s all a work-in-progress!

Laree will be at this years’ Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference in April. 

Be sure to stop by her table.