writing
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Conference Season – Part 4 – My Book Therapy Retreats
Kimberly Buckner is here to share her experiences with the My Book Therapy Retreats. She’s not only an amazing writer and critique partner, she’s also a dear friend.
I was in my third year of writing with purpose when I found the edge of my ability. I’d been to conferences, local chapter meetings, read blogs. I’d heard the rules.
Show don’t tell.Use deep point of view.
Don’t head hop.
I had a pretty good idea of what to do, but couldn’t figure out how.
Then I joined My Book Therapy.
I arrived at Storycrafters, leaning on the guarantee that if I came with an idea, I would leave with a story.
Fourteen of us gathered in a quiet retreat center north of Minneapolis as Susan May Warren handed us the pieces of plot. I think we all know that a good plot has many layers. But Susie was able to show me what those layers actually are and how to build them. Over the two-day
period, she broke out character development, story structure, and scene structure.Susie taught each topic, dissembling the how into digestible portions. Then, there was time to actually try it as she came around and guided us forward individually. She helped with all
those things that everyone else seemed to get, but I just couldn’t sort out. I left a little overwhelmed, but with more tools and the knowledge to use them, right in time for NaNoWriMo.Over the next few months, my story grew. It was incredible to watch the plot emerge and
the characters changed as they were meant to.In February, I had my new story ready in time for Deep Thinkers, the second retreat in the MBT series. My writing had hit a new level, and I wanted to continue to improve. Deep Thinkers focused on the emotional development of the characters through the plot. This retreat definitely went through more technique than I could implement all at once, but slowly as I digested the knowledge, it sank in. Once again, the one-on-one time to talk about my specific strengths and weaknesses, to brainstorm, and to look at my personal work, was so
valuable.I came home with yet another roadmap, this time to write the second plane of my novel, and to take the plot points and make them impact my character, and hopefully my reader, to their core.
Now, the non-technical assets I gained? Aside from a few extra pounds from great food…cohorts. I’d call them friends but they’re more than that. In this solitary endeavor, it is refreshing to spend time with those who share a passion for story. I have gained brainstorming
buddies, encouragers, really a community of co-laborers. We keep in touch, spur each other on, and celebrate the milestones as they come.
So, am I there yet? Not by a long shot. But the MBT retreats showed me the how-to of good novel-writing. The small group and intense focus on craft have been the greatest assets I’ve found yet for my writing journey.
Kimberly Buckner is the charter president of ACFW – Arkansas chapter and continues to serve in this roll. She’s been a member of the Association of Christian Fiction Writers for four years and has had the wonderful opportunity to attend this conference each year, where she enjoys not being the only person who hears voices in her head, and tries valliantly not to gawk at her favorite novelists. She’s also a member of My Book Therapy, an educational forum for writers, and it was following a retreat with MBT that her second manuscript semi-finaled in the national ACFW Genesis contest and won the national Touched By Love contest. She has written several articles for her company’s newsletter, and the ARMM newsletter, and the MBT E-zine.Conference Season – Part 2 – ACFW
Conference Season – Part 3 – Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference
And still to come…
May 4 – Christina Tarabochia – Oregon Christian Writers Summer Coaching Conference
May 11 – Karen Barnett – Mount Hermon
May 18 – Jodie Bailey – Blue Ridge
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Is it Worth the Time to Write?
My days are full.
I homeschool my younger two kiddos while trying to keep up with the school schedule for my high school kiddos. Afternoons are filled with sports, often four kids in four different activities. We live on a small farm with a horse, twelve sheep, a pig, two steers, two dogs, three cats and a guinea pig. This time of year the lawn always needs mowed and the lawn mower always needs fixed. The house…well, we don’t have a housekeeper and it shows. I could go on, but I believe you understand.
I’m swamped.
Is it even possible for a busy mom to find success in publishing?
Don’t count me out. Writing isn’t my hobby.
Most of us have a passion, something that’s part of who we are. Honestly, I believe that we all do, but my husband insists I’m mistaken. If you’re a runner (beyond my understanding), you run. If you’re a hunter, you hunt. If you’re an artist, you find time to create.
I AM a writer.
During seasons of our lives, such as when our kiddos are small, these passions may have to be modified. But modified doesn’t equal removed. Yes, sleep is important, but so is not losing who we are, that unique spark that God gave us.
Each day there are sacrifices I make to write. I work very hard to be sure the sacrifices are my own and not my children or my husband’s. That’s not always possible. When I leave town for a conference, they must take over. It’s a gift they give to me.
I’m not involved with a lot of church activities. A lunch with a friend is a very rare treat. When my kids are off having their own lives, I strap my fingers to the keyboard rather than take a nap or watch a film.
There are crumbs on my counter, no towels in the upstairs bathroom, the flowers in the vase are dead and no, that’s not a blanket over the television, that’s dust.
And I’m happy.
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Conference Season – Part 3 – INCWC
Angela Breidenbach joins us with insights into the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference. Thank you, Angela!
Christian career conferences for authors often focus on craft and pitching. Important and crucial elements in building a writing career. Many conferences are known for being tipped toward fiction or non-fiction. Some are small local, others regional, and a few are large national events.
The Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference is a newer regional opportunity offering fiction, non-fiction, children’s, and freelance. It’s held in Spokane, Wa. allowing writers around the Pacific Northwest shorter and less expensive travel options. (A big deal since the airlines consider this region “remote” and charge higher flight rates.)
INCWC offers a smaller venue. Wonderful for building friendships in the industry. The classes are taught by seasoned professionals like Blythe Daniel, Jim Rubart, and Clint Kelly. (Do I get to tell you I’m on faculty too?) Classes include options for writing craft, marketing, career, and speaking. Is that all? No. But then again, how can one describe anything to its ultimate?
Pitching, sure there are opportunities, but some of the best pitching chances are at the meal tables where the faculty hosts a chat time while breaking bread together.
The conference director, Jan Cline, put together an excellent CD package of the classes and general sessions from INCWC. They’re very affordable and available on the website: http://www.
inlandnwchristianwriters.com/ conference The conference has a new facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Inland-Northwest- Christian-Writers/ 110714949018877
Upcoming 2013, the keynote speaker will be Doc Hensley.My favorite part of INCWC is the super well organized schedule. Jan, the director, is always on the look out for better, more effective ways to run the event. She’s gifted and shares that gift generously.
I also like the holistic view of writing that this regional gem displays. Writers write. In order to make a living as a writer, Solomon’s wisdom of seven income streams must come into play. Fiction, non-fiction, freelance, speaking, editing, teaching, and coaching are some options. But it’s possible to break down fiction into genres, non-fiction into genres, freelance into types…you get the picture. Designing book covers, websites, virtual assisting, can also be avenues to use writing talent as an income stream. The INCWC offers the opportunity to learn and grow in many of these areas to help a writer earn money and grow their career.
Come join us in March in Spokane. You’ll be blessed as I am by the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference.
(I’ll be on faculty again and would welcome feedback on what attendees would like to learn from me too.)
Angela Breidenbach’s family tradition is to make photo memory quilts for each child as they graduate high school. Each unique quilt displays memorable moments of family life spanning birth to graduation. Angela is Mrs. Montana International 2009, a multi-award winning inspirational speaker, and author. Her works include Gems of Wisdom: For a Treasure-filled Life, Creative Cooking for Simple Elegance, and on Kindle Creative Cooking for Colitis. Other works by Angela include compilation books and devotionals from Guidepost, Group, and articles in magazines, ezines, and newspapers. Angela also coaches courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and life coach. Angela serves as an assisting minister for her congregation in Missoula, MT. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom’s brain for the study of schizophrenia, but she’s also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. Angela is married with a combined family of six grown children and now several grand children. Look for her next book, A Healing Heart, from Abingdon Press April 2013.
Angela Breidenbach, Speaker/Author
http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com websiteConference Season – Part 2 – ACFW
April 27 – Kimberly Buckner – My Book Therapy
May 4 – Christina Tarabochia – Oregon Christian Writers Summer Coaching Conference
May 11 – Karen Barnett – Mount Hermon
May 18 – Jodie Bailey – Blue Ridge
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Digging Up Seeds
I had a dream the other night that, for the most part, isn’t unusual for me this time of year. I knelt in the dirt digging around to find the seeds I’d planted days before. No, that’s not just a dream. I really do that. But in my dream I found a pea spreading out in the earth. I picked it up and placed it in my palm. As I stared a bright green sprout burst forth and grew toward the sun.
I don’t know that the dream had any particular meaning, but I woke up happy.
Yesterday, I was really out in my garden. And I was really digging up my seeds. Don’t judge me! I never claimed to be a patient woman. Anyway, I think I expected to see the growing seed again. But instead I found a bunch of half-eaten peas and a few that were just beginning to show signs of life.
Bummer. But I probably planted fifty peas, so I think I stand a good chance of harvesting at least a few yummy treats.
The moral of the story (if this silly story even has one): Even in my impatience sometimes miracle happen or it’s important to plant a lot of seed.
You decide.
It certainly applies to my writing. Every once in a while, usually about the time I’ve given up, I receive some kind of request or encouragement that I hadn’t expected. I love those days!
As for the second moral, in publishing it pays to sow a lot of seeds. Maybe one will take off.
What do you think?
