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Helping to Change the World…Word by Word

The Steve Laube Agency

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Helping to Change the World Word by Word

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Home » Writing Craft » Page 74

Writing Craft

To Conference We Shall Go!

By Karen Ballon September 12, 2012
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The American Christian Fiction Writers’ conference (acfw.com) is just around the corner (Sept. 18-23 in Dallas, TX), and I’m seeing increasing buzz online about all the fun attendees are going to have. It’s true, too. Writers’ conferences are a lot of fun, especially those focused on the Christian market. In fact, I’ve equated them to church camp because the feel is very much the same. It’s a delight to be with folks you haven’t seen face-to-face for months, even years. And there’s just no joy to compare with being surrounded by folks who love words and writing and reading as much as you do. So it’s little wonder that people are excited. Heck, I’m excited. I’m looking forward to copious amounts of hugs and laughter and coffee shared with those of like mind and heart.

And yet, for all the great fellowship and teaching we’ll find at ACFW and other writer’s conferences, allow me to give two cautions.

First, be strategic. If you wanted to, you could do things from dawn to…well, dawn! Between workshops and teaching tracks, general sessions and panels, spotlight sessions and late-night events, author and editor meetings, brainstorming and marketing sessions…you can find something to fill every moment of every day. I know that’s the temptation, especially considering that conferences aren’t cheap. After all, you want to get your money’s worth, right? As true as that is, you also need to make sure you’re not overdoing it. (Consider reading some of the related posts linked at the bottom of the page.)

Writers’ conferences are among the most exhausting thing I do, and I’m an off-the-scale extrovert! For most of you folks, who tend to tip the chart at introvert with a capital I, writers’ conferences can pretty much do you in. Not only can you end up physically exhausted, but your emotions can run the gamut as well. Hopes rise and fall, dreams come true and crash and burn, and egos are inflated, bruised, and decimated.

So be strategic. Go ahead and sign up for whatever you want to do, but pay attention to your body and emotions. If you start dragging, be willing to head to your room to rest. If you’re feeling hurt or discouraged, get away from the crowd with a good friend and talk it through. Or take some time to immerse yourself in God’s Word. And don’t worry about missing out on anything. Almost everything you want to attend will be available as a recording!

Second, be grounded. Those emotional ups and downs I just mentioned? You can avoid most of them if you prepare your heart and spirit before you head to conference. Remember, the One who tasked you to write has you—and your career—in His hands. He is at work on your behalf, not to make you a best-seller, but to make you the best tool for His work. As much as we’d like to think this whole gig is about selling books, it’s not. It’s about obedience. About writing, because that’s the task He’s given us. It’s about seeking to serve Him and others through the gifts He’s given us.

As you go to conference, go in anticipation, not of what He’s going to do for you, but what He’s going to do to refine you. And use you. That’s where the greatest blessings lie. And that’s where freedom lies. The freedom to be at conference and enjoy every encounter, every event. To rejoice with those who experience wondrous blessings. To commiserate with those who face disappointment. And to be Christ to all you meet.

I promise you, that will make this conference the best you’ve ever had!

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Category: Conferences, Get Published, KarenTag: Get Published, Writers Conference

Rejuvenate!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 6, 2012
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By Tamela Hancock Murray

Of late, several popular Christian and secular bloggers have posted about unplugging for a time. I have enjoyed reading their ideas because I realize the importance of rebooting every once in awhile.

Years ago I read an article that said if being laid up with a broken ankle for six weeks sounded good to you, then you are too stressed out. At that moment, I knew I …

Read moreRejuvenate!
Category: Book Business, Career, Creativity, Personal, TamelaTag: Career, Rejuvenate

Paid Book Reviews?

By Steve Laubeon September 3, 2012
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by Steve Laube You may have read or heard of the NY Times article where an author admitted to using a now-defunct service that wrote positive online reviews for a fee. Unfortunately I was not surprised. There have been many attempts to game the system over the years. One man bought thousands of his books in various locations to launch it onto the NY Times bestseller list (Read a report about it …

Read morePaid Book Reviews?
Category: Book Business, Marketing, SteveTag: bestseller lists, Book reviews, reviews

What is Your Catalyst?

By Karen Ballon August 29, 2012
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I loved reading your responses about your catalyst for writing. So may wonderful motivations and stories in the making. Now what I want you to do, is take a look at what you listed as your catalyst and go deeper. And then deeper. Peel back the layers until you find the heartbeat of what is driving you to write. Sometimes its what drives you to write one particular book. Sometimes you’ll find that …

Read moreWhat is Your Catalyst?
Category: Craft, Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Catalyst, Writing Craft

Read All About It! – The Back Cover Copy

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 23, 2012
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When you consider purchasing a book, either in a store or online, what do you notice first? The front cover grabs your attention. Right? After that, you might flip inside to read the first few sentences of the book, and then venture to the back cover (online the back cover is displayed as the “Description”). Or you may go to the back cover before opening the book. Regardless, the back cover copy …

Read moreRead All About It! – The Back Cover Copy
Category: Book Business, Book Proposals, Get Published, Tamela, Writing CraftTag: back cover copy, book proposals

Have You Discovered Your Catalyst?

By Karen Ballon August 15, 2012
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I just spent 3 days or so with a wonderful group of women writers in a cabin in Tahoe. We explored the elements of powerful writing, and had a number of rousing discussions. But we really came alive when we explored this question:

“What is your emotional catalyst for writing this book?”

What, you may ask, is a catalyst? Well, if we were talking screenplays, the catalyst is that precise …

Read moreHave You Discovered Your Catalyst?
Category: Creativity, Get Published, Karen, Writing Craft

Kick Discouragement to the Curb

By Karen Ballon August 8, 2012
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I don't know about you, but I loved Steve's blog post on Monday, When the Outlook is Bleak. People out there are HURTING.

I was with a friend a few days ago, a best-selling author who was battling an especially difficult edit. Difficult because the edits weakened the book rather than strengthened it. She'd uttered a series of gut-deep sighs, read me changes that I agreed didn't make sense, and …

Read moreKick Discouragement to the Curb
Category: Encouragement, Get Published, Karen, Personal, Theology, Writing CraftTag: Discouragement, Encouragement

The Writers Conference Decision

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon August 2, 2012
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The Right Conference?

As you pursue a writing career, one big question is how much time and money to devote to writers conferences. Conferences have many benefits, including the chance to meet face to face with editors and fellowship with writers. Some writers have plenty of time and money and love to attend conferences because the events get them out of the house and they enjoy meeting other …

Read moreThe Writers Conference Decision
Category: Conferences, Get Published, TamelaTag: Writers Conference, writers conferences

Give Yourself a Break

By Karen Ballon August 1, 2012
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Writing is a funny occupation. Seriously. It's funny and crazy and one HECK of a challenge. I've talked with authors in the last week or so who are thrilled to be writing, grateful to be writing, struggling with  writing, being driven CRAZY by writing (or more to the point, fast approaching deadlines). Many days, I'm immersed in the business of writing. Usually I love that. But every once in …

Read moreGive Yourself a Break
Category: Creativity, Karen, Writing CraftTag: Rest, vacation

In Search of Ideas

By Karen Ballon July 25, 2012
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Authors, I’m guessing you’ve heard this question over and over: “Where do you get your ideas?” I know I’ve heard it more times than I can count. Now, if you’re like most writers I know, ideas for possible stories come fast and furious—most of the time. But what to do when you feel as though the idea well has run dusty and dry?

Well! Let me share a few standards that I, and other authors I know, …

Read moreIn Search of Ideas
Category: Creativity, Karen, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Creativity, Ideas
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