ACFW National Conference - 68 Days and Counting!

Yep, in exactly 68 days the American Christian Fiction Writers will invade the North. After two years in the Lone Star state we're setting up in Minneapolis and we can't wait to get there!

I've been fortunate enough to have attended all ACFW conferences since our very first one in Kansas City back in 2002 when 100 people attended and ACFW was just starting to grow into the 1600+ membership we have today. This year we expect 500-600 attendees and the conference is better than ever.

This year's keynoter is Angie Hunt. Angie is a prolific author and a great encourager to writers of all levels. I had the honor of sitting in a writing clinic that she taught at the Colorado writing conference I attended last year.

For any Christian who writes fiction, the ACFW conference is the one conference you should be attending this year. Continuing classes and workshops will be taught by the best professionals in the business. Nearly every CBA publisher intends to have representation there. Think Bethany House, Whitaker House, B&H, Zondervan, and Tyndale, just to name a few. Agents such as Chip MacGregor, Steve Laube, Alive Communications, Hartline, Browne & Miller, and a lot more. Awesome worship. Networking opportunitites. Massive 100-author book signing at the Mall of America coordinated by Barnes and Noble, and much, much more.

There is still time to sign up! Just go to the ACFW Conference Web Page and first study the offerings by clicking on the links in the sidebar menu. Then click on the registration link and get started.

It all takes place in the 5-star Sheraton Bloomington Hotel. I spent several days at this hotel last March and I can promise you a comfy bed in a well-appointed room. comfortable meeting space, an awesome dining experience with great food. All that along with a very splashy and exciting award banquet on Saturday night where we'll announce the winners of the Genesis writing contest, Book of the Year winners, Agent of the Year, Editor of the Year, and Mentor of the Year. ACFW has a block of rooms held at a special low price so don't wait too long to make your reservation!

Have I whetted your appetite yet? Good! See you in September in Minneapolis!

Table for One Please

As I started the first sentence of this blog post I wrote, "Last week's research trip to Wisconsin . . ." Then I paused. It wasn't last week. It was two weeks ago! And that means that I missed posting anything at all to Writer's Journey last week. What happened? Summer madness in the forms of interruptions.

But, I digress. The point of this post isn't about time flying or forgetfulness. It's about courage and stepping out of my comfort zone.

When I wrote about my trip TWO weeks ago, I focused on the jewel of my trip. The Red Mill in Little Hope, Wisconsin. Today I'm focusing on a sort of personal victory for me.

Dining alone in a sit-down, formal restaurant has always been off my trodden path of life experiences. Not a drive-through, not a fast-food place. A bona fide restaurant where a person waits on you, takes your order, and brings you your food.

As one being single all my life you'd think I would be used to dining alone, but to me dining out like that is more for the social aspects than it is for the food. Without someone to share the experience of good food and conversation, why bother to go? I've often seen people dining alone. Usually that person will have their nose in a book. That makes sense, and will more-so when I have one out that they can be reading :-). But, sometimes they aren't reading. Just dining alone. Slowly. As if savoring every bite.

While I was in Wisconsin I couldn't resort to my old standbys of fast food joints where I could take a book and wolf down a cheeseburger. I had to go to places where my characters might like to dine. Experience the restaurant through their eyes. Take notes and pictures. Talk to the servers in some cases. I needed to step out of my comfort zone.

The first restaurant where I had lunch was a treat. It was rather eclectic in decor, but casual with unique twists on common dishes as its fare. I engaged the women who worked there in converstion and explained why I was there. I snapped pictures with abandon and made copious notes while I ate. That notebook of mine was my crutch. While waiting for my food I made notes. It was also my conversation partner.

That evening I took myself out again. Still full from my lunch, I probably wouldn't have gone to a sit-down meal, but I had to for the sake of the story. Again, my ever-present notebook served as my dining partner. That night I enjoyed a meal of deep-fried perch. A huge departure from the low-fat diet I like to maintain, but I was in Wisconsin, the state I grew up in, the land of traditional Friday night fish frys that are so much a part of the Wisconsin culture. So I indulged and enjoyed every minute.

The next morning I was tempted to take advantage of the complimentary breakfast my hotel offered, but I had one more place to visit before heading home--a small cafe someone had told me was the place to go to get a taste of the locals as well as good food. And boy did I! I'd forgotten that Wisconsin has no state-wide ban on smoking, and this place was so small it never heard of a non-smoking section! Other than that, it was perfect for what I needed. The decor was like a step back in time and so were the prices. I'll never forget the cap one man with a cigarette dangling from his lips wore, "Fish or Die." The breakfast was great.

In retrospect as I look back, I realize that in all the restaurants I visited, I attacked my food with a vengance. Since I had no one to talk to I focused on eating. Maybe I subconciously ate fast so I could leave and get back to my comfort zone. I don't know if I'll ever decide to eat alone in such restaurants for no reason except to go out to eat, but I learned a new thing about myself. I have the courage to do what needs doing.

And you need that in this crazy world of writing.

A Slice of Heaven on Earth

Tuesday morning I left my home bright and early to trek north to Wisconsin to the setting of the story I am working on -- working title "Above All Else." I have set my story in this particular spot because the publisher I'm targeting had suggested the locale for one of their stories in the line they are releasing over the next couple years.

Little Hope, Wisconsin is no more than four corners three miles south of Waupaca. Starting out, I knew that the only thing of significance there was the Red Mill, an old grist mill that was built and put in operation in the 1850s. I knew that a family had purchased the property back in the late 60s and had refurbished the mill, and had added a covered bridge and a very small chapel. But I wasn't prepared for what I actually experienced upon arriving there -- the presence of God in such a remarkable way.

Everything about this precious spot glorifies God. God the Creator, God the Protector, God the Peace-giver, God the Shepherd. I wanted to stay there and go no further. Set next to the Crystal River, with birds singing in the pines overhead and trails to follow, you feel so close to God and so far from the busyness of life.

It was hard to tell the owner, Don, goodbye and be on my way, but I had other places to visit and see. And see I did. I'm ready to return to my WIP with renewed vigor. I could never have done the place justice without seeing it for myself.

My opening scene has the heroine recalling how her uncle calls Little Hope a slice of heaven on earth and she wonders how could a place with only a river, an old mill, and nothing but trees and meadows be that. She'll learn by the end of my story that it is just that because He is there. Of course, I know He is everywhere because He has promised to be with us until the ends of the earth. But I think He has a very special presence in places that are designed to give all glory to Him. And the Red Mill in Little Hope, WI is such a place.

It was a very special couple of days.

The Winner of Ruby Among Us Is . . . .

Bonnie Leon!

As soon as I get Bonnie's mailing information I'll get it to Tina and she'll be sending a spanking new signed copy of Ruby Among Us to Bonnie.

Thanks everyone for joining this contest. Check back because I'm sure to have another giveaway contest very soon!

Contest Deadline for Ruby Among Us is Extended

Due to unexpected circumstances I will not be drawing the winner's name for "Ruby" tomorrow night, but will draw it instead on Thursday morning.

So, if you've not yet left a comment for winning this book, scroll down to the post just prior to this one and leave your name and contact info on the comment page!

Be sure to check back on Thursday to see who wins the book!