ACFW Conference

"Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed." Proverbs 15:22

I've decided to use my blog as a survey of sorts today. Recently my husband surprised the socks off me (a term my mom is fond of:) by telling me we have the funds and childcare available to let me go to the ACFW Conference in Dallas! Before that, I hadn't even considered the possibility.

At first I was beyond thrilled, but as I began thinking more and more about it, and after I read Jody Hedlund's How to Know When to Go to a Writing Conference, I started to question if I'm ready. Going to the conference would be a big financial commitment and I want to make sure I'm using the money, and my time, wisely.

I've heard that one of the biggest benefits of going to the conference is the ability to pitch to an agent and an editor, but currently my WIP isn't ready for that. I know I could finish it in time for the conference (I'm in the rewriting and editing phase), but it's never been critiqued, it's never been in a contest and I'm not even sure if it's quite "there," yet. But should that stop me from going to ACFW?

So, here are my questions for those of you who've gone to the conference:
Was your manuscript "pitch" ready when you went the first time?
If my manuscript isn't ready, is it wise to make appointments with an agent and editor, just to talk about my idea and learn from them?
In your opinion, what is the biggest benefit of going to the conference - do you agree it's the agent/editor appointments?

For those of you who haven't gone before:
Are you going this year?
Is your story ready to pitch?
What are you looking forward to?

I appreciate your insight on this subject. I've had the opportunity to hear Laura Frantz' perspective (thanks, Laura!) and Lindsay Harrel's (thanks, Lindsay!) and I'm eager to hear yours, too.

Happy & Content

“I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:12b

Last week I took all four kiddos to the grocery store. Like always, I felt like I’d met my quota for exercising for the week after our shopping trip.

After picking up my groceries in the parcel pick up area, I started to pull away from the building, but a very old woman and her daughter stepped out of the store’s deli just in front of me. They could have easily waited for me to pass, but I stopped and waved them forward. They both graced me with beautiful smiles and then the older woman began to step off the curb with her walker. It took more time than I’d anticipated and my girls in the back seat asked why we weren’t moving. I told them we were waiting for the ladies to pass.

The little old woman continued to smile at me every once in a while and I smiled back, enjoying this moment to pause in the midst of my busy day. Eventually they moved past and we waved at one another. They both seemed so happy.

Which got me to thinking and I said to the girls: “I hope that woman has had a happy life. I hope she’s had a lot of joy and love. She looks happy, doesn’t she?”

The girls said she did. And I saw this as a great learning moment.

“Who decides if you’re going to be happy?” I asked the girls.

My oldest said she determines it and my younger daughter said God determines it.

“You’re both right.” I told them. “God made a decision even before you’re born that He wants you to be happy. In the Bible Paul called it content. Now you have to make that decision for yourself. You can’t expect other people or things in your life to make you happy, because if you do, you’ll always be disappointed.”

“I want to be happy,” said my oldest.

“So do I,” said my second daughter.

I love teaching my children real lessons during real life experiences, so I’m always looking for opportunities during our day. This won’t be the last time that I talk to them about the importance of being content whatever their circumstances, but hopefully this moment will be tucked away into their hearts as a good memory and they will think about it as they navigate through the ups and downs of life.

Questions about Romance Novels



By Susan May Warren



Hey, Friends! This week will probably be a little quiet with so many of my blogging buddies taking a Fourth of July bloggy-break, so I thought I would keep my post short and sweet! On my Facebook page last week I asked this question:

"I'm currently working my way through Kiss & Tell, How to Write a Romance by Author Susan May Warren. My question for you: What is the best love story you've ever read and why?"

I had a couple people respond that the Bible is their favorite love story ~ that was the best answer and I couldn't agree more! ~ but I was actually looking for fiction titles. I should have been more specific!

I enjoyed reading the varied answers, but I thought I would take the question a step deeper and ask this: What do you like about love stories (okay, I'll call them what they are: romance novels ~ I hate the connotation that the title "romance novel" infers) and what don't you like about them? Do you think they depict "real life" or do you think they give us an unrealistic idea of love? Why do you feel the way you do about your answer?

For me, I love reading a good historical novel with a strong romance woven in. I will only read a romance story if I know it's been published by a Christian Publishing House because I believe the current Christian Fiction Market strives to keep romances realistic and God centered. I almost always walk away with a better perspective on my faith and my marriage and I don't believe an author has achieved what she or he has set out to achieve unless their reader feels the same. Readers today have more expectations for their time and money and they won't settle for anything less.

Thanks for participating today! Please feel free to be honest and open with me, even if you don't agree with what I just wrote! I hope to gain a better understanding of romance novels and why people read them or why they don't. Thanks, guys!

~ ~ ~ ~

Congratulations to debut author Keli Gwyn for

her release of A Bride Opens Shop in Eldorado, California 

on July 1st! I'm looking forward to

being a guest blogger on her website July 11th!