Next week is the Colorado Christian Writers Conference. And it's already affecting me big-time. *smile* Comes with being the assistant to the director. As I spent four days on something that I expected (from past years) to take me two, I had to wonder why I had scheduled three proofreading projects that really needed to be done by today. Going from past experience, I purposely didn't schedule any proofreading projects to be due one week before, during, or after the conference. But hindsight says I should have planned two.
I've asked the Lord often in the last week why He allowed this, and the only answer I got was Ecclesiastes 11:6 (NLT): Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow – perhaps they all will.
Then, too, yesterday at church the Lord reminded me over and over that loving others as Christ loves them, having a heart for people, is an aspect of serving Him. And I certainly have had my share of dealing with people in love this past week. Somehow I don't think it will end. But that's okay. I'm learning that when I pray over a reply, I no longer want to lash out. I have more patience (something I learned a long time ago not to pray for, but . . . I think the Lord delights in answering those long ago prayers now *grin*).
So . . . thankfully I finished one project Friday night (late), the second last night (late). Today I'm devoting to the third project. THEN I can focus on CCWC. This week's major project is arranging for drivers for the faculty who fly in to DIA and need rides up to Estes Park where the conference is held. The fun starts next week on Tuesday.
Daily Bible reading: Tuesday, May 6—Numbers 23–25; Matthew 1
Wednesday, May 7—Numbers 26–28; Matthew 2
Thursday, May 8—Numbers 29–31; Matthew 3
Friday, May 9—Numbers 32–34; Matthew 4
Saturday, May 10—Numbers 35–36; Matthew 5:1–26
Sunday, May 11—Jonah; Matthew 5:27–48
Monday, May 12—1 Kings 1–2; Matthew 6:1–18
Showing posts with label Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colorado Christian Writers Conference. Show all posts
Monday, May 5, 2008
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Colorado Christian Writers Conference
Twelve years ago in June we moved to Colorado from Illinois. We also changed jobs—from a very good-paying secular job for my husband supplemented by my part-time salary as a teacher in a Christian school to full-time church camp director (Roger) and kitchen manager (me).
My writing was just starting to move forward and show results. And I'd started attending American Christian Writers' conferences when they were close enough. One of the reasons I was excited about the move (other than we could definitely see the Lord in everything!) was the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
So one of the first things I did, after the first busy, busy summer season at camp, was to contact someone about CCWC. The contact person informed me that she no longer was in charge and that she'd sent my name to Marlene Bagnull who would be directing the conference from then on.
I was familiar with Marlene, but had never met her personally, through doing her study for writers, Write His Answer. Marlene graciously answered all my questions and offered me a scholarship to the conference the next spring. God provided the rest of what I needed in wonderful ways. And the rest (I know, clichéd) is history.
I've been at every CCWC since 1997. And if you're counting, that's 12 years this year. There were years I didn't think I'd be able to go because of lack of funds, but every year those funds came in.
There are several things about CCWC that makes it stand out above other conferences. Every year Marlene, with the Lord's help, works very hard to make sure there is a good balance of faculty for both fiction and nonfiction. And the workshops are geared for writers at any level, from not even sure of a call to write all the way up through advanced. This conference is bathed in prayer long before the workshops and faculty are decided. And it shows.
The conference is held in beautiful Estes Park, right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The YMCA of the Rockies has an ideal auditorium that suits the needs of the conference. And for those of us who spend a lot of time in the lobbies, we are treated to awesome views of the mountains that surround Estes Park. But the scenery is really only the icing on the cake.
The spiritual aspect of the conference has an impact on me every year. Many times I've gone so needy and the Lord meets me there and encourages me to continue on. I've grown in my walk with the Lord each year.
And I've grown in learning the craft of writing. When I first started attending, I focused on the nonfiction aspect, because that's what I was writing. And my first sales came as a result of the contacts I made there: an article in Discipleship Journal, several devotionals in various devotional books, newsletter articles, etc. But my heart has always been in fiction, so I started attending the continuing sessions and workshops that dealt with fiction. I met several of my favorite authors along the way, people I consider good friends and mentors today.
Through working as a volunteer at each conference, I started building a network of writer friends, editors, agents, and authors, which is a pretty large circle of influence today. For a very shy, introverted person this is huge! I'm amazed at what God has done. Because of CCWC, I am a freelance editor and proofreader today. My first proofreading job with Barbour is a result of Marlene's recommendation to an editor there. Because of CCWC, I review manuscripts and do in-depth critiques for a literary agency as well as individuals through my Web site. Because of CCWC, I've had several articles and devotionals published. Because of CCWC, I joined ACFW when I was just beginning my fiction writing journey. Because of CCWC, I'm a part of a local critique group. And because of CCWC, I've learned a whole lot more about running a conference. The Lord has opened up new areas of service and leadership, broadening my network even further.
CCWC is a top-notch conference. I'm privileged to be a part of the conference staff, and it has been my experience in the workshops and general sessions to grow as a writer and editor.
This year's conference is May 14–17 at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Please visit the Web site to get a pdf brochure, learn more about the faculty and staff and workshops, and to register. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll address them in later posts.
We hope to see many of you there this year.
Daily Bible reading: Friday, March 7—Job 3-–4; 1 Corinthians 2
My writing was just starting to move forward and show results. And I'd started attending American Christian Writers' conferences when they were close enough. One of the reasons I was excited about the move (other than we could definitely see the Lord in everything!) was the Colorado Christian Writers Conference.
So one of the first things I did, after the first busy, busy summer season at camp, was to contact someone about CCWC. The contact person informed me that she no longer was in charge and that she'd sent my name to Marlene Bagnull who would be directing the conference from then on.
I was familiar with Marlene, but had never met her personally, through doing her study for writers, Write His Answer. Marlene graciously answered all my questions and offered me a scholarship to the conference the next spring. God provided the rest of what I needed in wonderful ways. And the rest (I know, clichéd) is history.
I've been at every CCWC since 1997. And if you're counting, that's 12 years this year. There were years I didn't think I'd be able to go because of lack of funds, but every year those funds came in.
There are several things about CCWC that makes it stand out above other conferences. Every year Marlene, with the Lord's help, works very hard to make sure there is a good balance of faculty for both fiction and nonfiction. And the workshops are geared for writers at any level, from not even sure of a call to write all the way up through advanced. This conference is bathed in prayer long before the workshops and faculty are decided. And it shows.
The conference is held in beautiful Estes Park, right on the edge of Rocky Mountain National Park. The YMCA of the Rockies has an ideal auditorium that suits the needs of the conference. And for those of us who spend a lot of time in the lobbies, we are treated to awesome views of the mountains that surround Estes Park. But the scenery is really only the icing on the cake.
The spiritual aspect of the conference has an impact on me every year. Many times I've gone so needy and the Lord meets me there and encourages me to continue on. I've grown in my walk with the Lord each year.
And I've grown in learning the craft of writing. When I first started attending, I focused on the nonfiction aspect, because that's what I was writing. And my first sales came as a result of the contacts I made there: an article in Discipleship Journal, several devotionals in various devotional books, newsletter articles, etc. But my heart has always been in fiction, so I started attending the continuing sessions and workshops that dealt with fiction. I met several of my favorite authors along the way, people I consider good friends and mentors today.
Through working as a volunteer at each conference, I started building a network of writer friends, editors, agents, and authors, which is a pretty large circle of influence today. For a very shy, introverted person this is huge! I'm amazed at what God has done. Because of CCWC, I am a freelance editor and proofreader today. My first proofreading job with Barbour is a result of Marlene's recommendation to an editor there. Because of CCWC, I review manuscripts and do in-depth critiques for a literary agency as well as individuals through my Web site. Because of CCWC, I've had several articles and devotionals published. Because of CCWC, I joined ACFW when I was just beginning my fiction writing journey. Because of CCWC, I'm a part of a local critique group. And because of CCWC, I've learned a whole lot more about running a conference. The Lord has opened up new areas of service and leadership, broadening my network even further.
CCWC is a top-notch conference. I'm privileged to be a part of the conference staff, and it has been my experience in the workshops and general sessions to grow as a writer and editor.
This year's conference is May 14–17 at the YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park. Please visit the Web site to get a pdf brochure, learn more about the faculty and staff and workshops, and to register. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments and I'll address them in later posts.
We hope to see many of you there this year.
Daily Bible reading: Friday, March 7—Job 3-–4; 1 Corinthians 2
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