Michael Hyatt’s Wisdom I’ve been doing a lot of thinking since returning from the ACFW Conference in Dallas. Michael Hyatt was our keynote speaker at the event, and among the many insightful and inspiring things he said, I took away this vital piece of advice: When building a platform (establishing a blog following, building readership, increasing social network traffic, etc), …
When Fear Makes You Falter At A Challenge
A Familiar Challenge You’d think after having two novels published and awaiting the release of a third (Love in a Broken Vessel, March 2013), writing a fourth book wouldn’t be such a challenge. You’d think I’d have conquered my insecurities, figured out the outline process, plot structure and character arcs. If only it were true…
Thankful—For Someone Else’s Talent
A Thankful Heart I returned from the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference on Sunday with a thankful heart. What an honor and blessing to attend such a wonderful event, reconnect with good friends, and make new ones. But I was also thankful in a new way because of something our pastor said last week while studying Colossians. “We always …
Sometimes God Says, “Hey, Remember Me?”
From the mouth of my babe… I was chatting with one of my daughters yesterday, and we were commiserating on the break-neck speed at which our lives are changing. As we talked about all the “irons in the fire” of her life, mine, and a few other family members, she looked at me and said, “Sometimes I think life gets …
Up, Up, and Away – ACFW Conference Today!
What is ACFW? Today I attend my second annual American Christian Fiction Writers’ (ACFW) National Conference–and I am SOOOOO excited! As you’re reading this, I’m on my way to (or may have already landed in) Dallas, TX, where over 2,000 aspiring and/or published authors will meet for three days of networking, training, and celebrating the very best of Christian fiction. Not a …
When Is God Enough?
God is enough in times of loss. Loss comes in so many sizes, shapes, and colors. My Dad’s death was a loss that left a hole in many lives–mine included. But loss also comes in other forms: job changes, empty nests, even the back-to-school adjustment each Aug/Sept. With every change, there is a leaving behind (loss) of the old and an embracing …