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Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares about her experience meeting with speakers. 

Conference attendee in a one-on-one meeting with author Cheryl St. John.

At the 2016 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference I met three of the speakers. Each made a lasting impression.

First, Lee Warren at his book table. He’s a journalist, author, editor, and member of Wordsowers Christian Writers. I attended his workshop, and purchased his instructional materials for writers. But the time spent at his table wasn’t about his experiences. He asked about my projects and advised what to do next. He suggested I sign up for a one-on-one session with the keynote speaker, which I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing. He told me exactly how to prepare for that meeting. So I did!

The keynote speaker was Troy Griepentrog, a senior associate editor for Focus on the Family. I approached the meeting just the way Lee directed me, and we had a wonderful conversation. He assured me there is a need for articles about the topics I suggested. He encouraged me to send a query email, and promised to forward it to the proper editor.

The third speaker I met was Sally Jadlow, a published author and poet who teaches creative writing.  She edited (and praised!) a poem I brought, and asked what other writing I’ve done. I admitted I’ve only had a few published articles, but two poems and a creative non-fiction piece had won writing contests. She exclaimed, “You’re an award-winning writer! You need to say that whenever you write a bio for submissions.”

I walked away from each meeting with more confidence and knowledge. Thank you, Wordsowers Christian Writers, for inviting such awesome speakers!

What apprehensions (or advice) do you have about meeting with conference speakers?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

 

 

 

Next week, Janet shares about her anticipation for this year’s conference. 

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

 

Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again to share about her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

Wordsowers Writers Conference 2016

The 2016 WCW Conference changed my entire outlook on writing. Over the span of two days last April I was transformed, in my own mind, from “someone who likes to write” into a Writer and a Poet.  I grew to understand that’s who I am,  even if it’s not what I do full-time.

I was surprised to find that people I met at the conference were actually interested in my ideas and took them seriously. They convinced me to take myself seriously, and to pursue those ideas.

One of the speakers pointed out that many people feel they cannot call themselves writers until they have published a book or are writing full time. But really, it’s not just about being published. It’s about having the interest, ability, ideas, and calling to write. Getting published is the icing on the cake!

The speakers all presented very effectively; it was a joy to learn from them. They also were available not only at their book tables, but for one-on-one sessions with attendees.  Agents and editors were available to critique manuscripts (some for a fee, others for free). They told me what next steps I should take toward making my writing marketable.

The experience left me with solid goals and a clearer vision for my writing. The Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference truly opened new paths for me.

If you like to write, even if you’re not yet a “published author,” make plans to come. You’ll be glad you did!

What perspectives would you like to change about your writing?

 

Next week, Janet shares her experience talking with conference speakers. 

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

 

Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

A close friend of mine heard an ad for the 2016 Wordsowers Writers Conference on KGBI Radio, and texted me about it. I looked into the details, but hesitated. There were two strikes against my going:2016 Annual Conference

  • It fell on a busy weekend.
  • It seemed a stretch to my slim budget.

 

However, my friend insisted that I go. She said it was a God thing, a nudge from the Holy Spirit kind of thing. So I registered and went.

It felt awkward going to a conference without knowing anyone there. But at least I live nearby. I met a writer who drove across 2 states just to attend. She felt uncomfortable at first, too, so we visited and sat together at each meal break (the food was fantastic!)

At every workshop I sat enthralled, but managed to take notes. Each one had such wonderful information and helpful Q&A time. Questions were brought up that I didn’t even know to ask, and I learned from them all.

At the book tables I chatted with published authors. They freely gave advice, encouragement, and solid answers to my writing problems.

The core team of Wordsowers Christian Writers worked tirelessly to make the conference run smoothly. I grew to admire and appreciate their experiences, and their selfless motivation to help other writers.

When I left, I promised myself to return the next year. Well, it is now next year. I am registered and ready to go. Won’t you join me?

What is your biggest obstacle to attending a writers conference?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

 

Look for more next week from Janet about her first conference experience.

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

 

 

Today we welcome Brenda S. Anderson, author of Capturing Beauty, a Where the Heart Is Romance. 

First Impressions

That initial reaction when you see, hear, feel, taste, smell, or sense something. As we all know, that first impression does not define what we’re sensing, but it does matter.

Think of a first date with someone. You want your date to see you at your best, so you spend extra time and special care in preparing.

Consider how you choose the books you read. Chances are, what initially drew you in was the cover—and many readers do judge a book by its cover—yet the cover is only a one-dimensional, often false, peek into the story inside.

I’d be remiss not to mention the latest political climate. A single headline will set people off. A headline only reveals the very tip of a large iceberg, but still spawns arguments.

Or take a look at an unpolished agate. At first glance, it looks like any other stone, but once smoothed and polished, the stone reveals multi-layered, multi-hued beauty.

People aren’t much different than agates, are we?

Everything—everyone—has an important story to tell if only we reign in our initial reaction and listen, learn. It’s always important to look deeper than that shallow first impression.

  • When you pass the homeless person begging for food, they have a story beyond living on the street.
  • When you watch a comedian perform, they are more than the jokes they tell.
  • When you see a model with the perfect face, perfect figure, know that they are more than skin deep.

They are all fiercely loved by God, and He wants us to see past the exterior, past the first impressions, into the heart He sees and loves.

What kind of first impression do you leave others?

  • When you nip at a store clerk for making a mistake.
  • When you cut someone off in traffic.
  • When you’ve just finished painting the house and haven’t had time to clean up.

Don’t you want the grace of having others see deeper than their initial reaction? I know I do.

And I’m beyond grateful that we have a Savior who knows every sordid, beautiful detail about us, yet is still wholly devoted to us.

~ ~ ~

About the characters in Capturing Beauty:

Callie Beaumont’s job as a graphic designer is to create dazzling first impressions for her clients. She’s surrounded with what the world defines as beautiful. Her parents are popular TV news anchors. Her sister is a model. And she considers herself plain. People tend to look past her and see only her family. If anyone knows the value of first impressions, it’s Callie.

Then there’s Haven Carlysle. He’s a nature photographer on assignment to capture the north shore of Minnesota’s unique beauty. He’s challenged to see beyond the magnificent waterfalls and lighthouses and lift bridges others photograph and learns to find beauty in the seemingly ordinary, such as earth worms that help dirt breathe allowing vegetation to grow.

Their Story

He’s a nature photographer returning to make amends. She’s a camera-shy naturalist seeking privacy. Their love for a boy brings them together, but the camera could drive them apart.

Photographer Haven Carlysle is a changed man. Six years earlier, he had run from his tragedy-filled life in Duluth. Now he’s back in town to capture the North Shore’s beauty … and to recapture the love of his son. But that means making amends with his ex-girlfriend too. When camera-leery Callie Beaumont steps in to bridge the relationship between Haven and his former family, he’s wary, but she’s his only hope.

Callie Beaumont is surrounded by beauty. Her parents are local news celebrities. Her sister is a model. And Callie is … Ordinary. All her life, Callie has longed to work outdoors soaking up God-breathed beauty, and the opportunity is finally on the horizon. But being the liaison between the handsome photographer and his son has thrown her dreams, and her heart, into chaos.

Can Haven capture her heart when she won’t let him capture her image? And will his poor choices cost Callie her dream job and him the love of his son?

Purchase your copy: Amazon  iTunes   B&N   Universal link

~ ~ ~

Brenda S. Anderson

Brenda S. Anderson writes gritty and authentic, life-affirming fiction. She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, and is Past-President of the ACFW Chapter of the Year, MN-NICE, from Minnesota. When not reading or writing, she enjoys music, theater, roller coasters, and baseball, and she loves watching movies with her family. She resides in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area with her husband of 29 years, their three children, and one sassy cat.

Connect with Brenda  Website   Facebook  Twitter  Pinterest  Goodreads  Newsletter 

 

Seek Twice as Many Rejections

Gladys Merek and Kat
My neighbor’s 90th birthday. Her daughter brought her to my book signing at Barnes and Nobles

In January 2007 I reviewed my writing credits. In the past year I had sold a few Sunday School handout articles, wrote for a newspaper for free (great experience) and sold my stories to several compilations. Of course, I also wrote for my blog, the church blog, a church drama and designed cards. None of the latter brought in income.

My first goal for 2007:  Receive twice as many rejections in that year as I did in 2006.

YOU CANNOT SELL WHAT YOU DON’T SUBMIT

I hung the above on my desk in large letters.

At the end of 2007 I recorded more rejections, but on the positive side, I made more money than I had in the past three years combined.

For the next few weeks I will post lessons I learned about writing, marketing, and getting acquainted with other writers, editors and publishers. .

To begin, at a writers conference I heard about an anthology called “A Cup of Comfort.” I sold them many stories and devotionals until they quit their publications. “The Cup of Comfort” publisher was the only anthology producer I ever knew who paid the author to hold book signings.

The idea of extra money pushed me to find sales locations in Nebraska and Oregon. …

Read More Read More

Think of your website as your home on the web. Where you invite guests to come hang out with you a while. Just like you would prepare for guests to come to your physical address, you need to prepare to have them visit you online.
 
You want your guests to be comfortable staying around awhile, you want them to come back and you want them to bring their friends. In order to create such a place, your website should be inviting, easy to navigate and full of the kind of good stuff they will enjoy.
 
There are a lot of neat add ons you can have on your website, but there are 5 basic things everyone needs to incorporate into their plan for a winning author website.

A Professional Appearance

Take a look at the business websites out there. Stroll through their pages and get a feel for what it looks like. Generally speaking, they will be uncluttered with plenty of whitespace. Don’t add too much color. Keep the font simple – don’t go crazy with this, even if it is fun.
 
When there is too much busyness, it is hard to know where to go on a website to find what you need. And it can simply give you a headache.
 
Create an awesome about page: not just about who you are, but what can they expect on your website.
 
There needs to be blogging activity on your site. Not just quantity, but quality content.  This is generally where people will find the good stuff they like. The stuff they want to hang out a bit to consume.
 
Tools: (free) website building: Blogger, Weebly, WordPress 

Quality Images/Graphics

Every image should be sharp and clear. Your author picture needs to be professional quality. Having an image in each post creates visual interest. And according to Buffer, (https://blog.bufferapp.com/blog-images) visual content is more than 40 times more likely to be shared.
 
Tools: 
My pick where to find images: 

Photo Editing: Canva

Newsletter Sign Up Form

The best thing you can do for yourself is to start collecting emails of those people interested in what you write! When they give you their email, they are giving you permission to contact them directly and they are more likely to buy your materials than followers on social media.
 
Do this through a newsletter. Offer something of value to convince them to sign up. Then when you send out your newsletter, give them valuable information and share when your books are coming out.  
 
Tools: Mail Chimp, Canva (see link above)

Follow Buttons for All Your Social Media Profiles

Make it easy for people to find you! Put those buttons where they are easy to see.
 

Sharing Tools

Make it easy for your audience to share about you and your content without leaving your website. Some of the tools available are: social share buttons, Click to Tweet, Memes (make your blog photo something people will want to share), Pin it hover buttons.
 
Tools: 
Bitly to shorten your links 
Click to Tweet : How to create 
Canva (see link above) 
Images (see links above) 
 
Once you have your basics in place, there will be plenty of bells and whistles to add. Look around at what other people are doing then google how to get it done. There is a tutorial for just about everything!
What tools have you found helpful on your website?



photo credit: www.freedigitalphotos.net // cooldesign

Mind Mapping works for me:
My Mind Map 
In a critique group I asked the writers to list the people they’d rubbed shoulders with that day or that week. I also took the challenge and drew out my diagram. Each of us were amazed at the lives we touched.

 

Joyce, Karen, Audrey
The same happens with our fiction characters. If I want my main character to amount to anything, the reader needs to see them connecting with others:
Hiding Goals?
  • Those who appreciate them and those who don’t.
  • The people they choose to ignore.
  • The neighbor they haven’t spoken to in years.
  • The childhood friend who disappointed them.
We also need to see their dreams and goals.
  • Will they see the dream come to pass?
  • How will they respond if they never see the dream fulfilled?
  • Are their goals realistic?
  • Do they share their goals or hide them, afraid others won’t understand?
I’ve written and sold non-fiction, but last November I took the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge to write 50,000 words in one month. I managed to first draft over 68,000. What a great reminder on character building. One of my big problems—I have a couple faultless characters.
New goal—create flawed humans!
Not Necessarily Physically Flawed 
I Dreamed Big!
The dreams came to pass.
Now I can say I’ve taught at
and several times at
 
(HACWN) in Kansas. 
 
I also teach for our local 
 
Does that make me an expert?
 No, silly, an expert is simply a drip under pressure. 
 
I am a writer who loves to share the bit of knowledge 
I have and continue to glean with others. 
 
What about you? 
Share your writing dreams.
For the month of January I think about what I can possibly do in one year. I post notes in my Bible, my Jesus Calling book, and on the walls in my office.
Not everyone works with written goals. Charles Schultz, otherwise known as Sparky, said he knew his deadline. He mapped out the cartoon squares he needed to fill on large paper. Then he looked out the window. He said he did some of his best work while doing what others would call nothing.
From Charles Schultz Images Online

Sometimes if someone entered his studio while Schultz looked out the window for fresh inspiration, he dashed to his desk in order to look busy. After all, we don’t want those looking on to think writers, illustrators and cartoonists do nothing,I liked Sparky’s idea. We all need to laugh at ourselves more.
So what are my writing goals for 2015?

1.      Finish my WIP “Unscheduled Life.” The novel I started in November’s National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).
2.      Publish “Kat’s Lion Tales.”
3.      Write —“My Thirteen Husbands.” Non-fiction, full of fun and laughter.
4.      Begin novel: “The Oil Change Said it All.”
What are my impossible dreams?
1.      Find an all terrain vehicle for Enoch Stalcup.
Enoch Stalcup

My friend in Estcada, Oregon, who loves to fish and hunt…his wheel chair doesn’t give him freedom. (Enoch built the website for Creating Memories for DisabledChildren.)

2.      Raise money for Creating Memories for
DisabledChildren—(blog) CMFDC needs more dollars to  rebuild the cabins in Ashley’s Park and add more wheel chair accessible trails.
What about you?
Are you trusting God for the impossible?
Share your writers goals and your dreams.
photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles
photo credit: Free Digital Photos // Stuart Miles

You’ve gotten started on social media. Facbook, Twitter, maybe another. Are your profiles working for you?

A profile is more than the image you see at the top of Facebook, Google+, Twitter and any other spot on the web. It’s the about section, the presentation, the images.
If used well, profiles can be a window display for your business. A part of your branding. How people know who you are and why in the world they should follow you.
Here are 6 tips to make your profile work better for you.
  1. Be consistent among all your profiles. You don’t want visitors to your profile to wonder if they have reached the right spot. Use the same author picture (or at least from the same photo session), same colors, same feel.
  2. Use a professional quality author photo. It looks vastly different online from just a snapshot or selfie. If you want to be taken seriously (even if your act is comedy), then present a professional image.
  3. Use quality images for any graphics in your profile header. Make sure you own them or you have the appropriate permission to use them. Sometimes you have to pay and sometimes a simple attribution works. But, DO NOT just grab them from the web. Being on the web does not make them public domain.
  4. Fill out your profile completely. This is often the place where people connect with you. Because your message resonates with them. Because you went to the same school. Because you both love pets. Lots of reasons to connect and this is where you provide those reasons if they don’t already know you from somewhere else.
  5. ALWAYS have links to other places online they can find you. They may stumble across you in one social media, but prefer a different one. Don’t make them work to find you there. Make it so easy they can’t do anything but follow you.
  6. Be active on your profiles. This does not mean you have to tweet 30 times a day or post on FB a zillion times in a week. But when people stop by there should be life. No one wants to hang out where no one else is. How much is the right amount? Whatever you can keep up with. If you can only post once a month or once a day, do it faithfully.
Suggested Resource: Check out Canva to create great headers and covers for your profiles.
Have you found a creative way to use your profile?
May 2008 our oldest daughter called to ask what I wanted for Mother’s Day.

“How about a trip to Oregon.”

free digital Photo
“Mom, be real?”
“Well I need a new computer.”
“Mother, something attainable, please.”
“Honey, I don’t have a want list these days. I don’t really need anything and what I do need or desire are impossible to buy or attain.”
“Mom, that’s really sad. You are the one that taught me to dream big.”
After we discussed my lack of faith, I hung up, opened my Bible and wrote my list.
1.   I’d like to teach a workshop at a writer’s conference.
2.   I’d like a trip to Oregon to see our family

3.   I’d like a new computer.

Marcus, Karen, Me and Kaitlynn
4.   I’d like a tapestry banner with a lion.
(can’t remember #5 but received it)
The next week a virus hit my computer and killed it dead. Deader than dead.
I whined to the Lord, “I didn’t think we’d have to buy one—how will we pay for it?” Husband made sure I bought the best of the best desktop computers. We put it on a payment plan. (Sidenote: can you believe, in only three months an unexpected check arrived—we paid for the computer without interest.)
 

Three weeks after my conversation with my daughter a huge tapestry arrived. 

“Found this in the backroom where I work—it was on sale,” daughter said.
 
Wow. The lion and the lamb are beautifully woven into a huge tapestry. Much larger than I dreamed about.
 
Before long I found an airline ticket at half the usual price. I flew to Oregon and enjoyed family.
 
In the fall a friend I met online sent me an email. “Would you teach a workshop at our first IDAHope writers conference next year.” ‘
 
Can you see me? I jumped, yelled, hollered and called our daughter.
 
“Guess what? I’ve been asked to teach at a writer’s conference.”
 
Feeling blessed beyond belief I sent out emails to everyone I knew. Many friends congratulated me. Then I found out I needed to pay for an airline ticket from Omaha, Nebraska to Boise, Idaho.
 
I backtracked. 
 
Sent out another email saying, “It sounded too good to be true and I guess it is. I’m not going, but I’m thrilled with the invitation.”
 
But God wasn’t done.
 
The next day an email from a friend in Florida arrived.
 
“How much is the ticket? I’m sending the money in today’s mail?”
 
I did go to IDAHope.
 

I met many new authors—some are still in touch with me.

Author Carol Colson
 
I did spend three nights and four days with Carol Colson, a new precious friend whose book will come out soon.
 
I did teach, not one workshop, but two and critiqued twelve manuscripts in all genres’.
 
Now it’s 2015, time to set goals for the new year?
 
How big can I dream?
 
God is the God of the impossible.
 
If I can find it, pay for it, 
plan it in my budget—that isn’t dreaming big. 
I don’t need God if I can do it all myself.
More to come.
Somewhere around early 2008 I desired to teach writers workshops. When a conference leader asked for those interested in teaching to send an application with qualifications, I wrote a short note about my desire to teach and the following:
 Qualifications: Published in twelve anthologies, sixty magazine articles, and wrote for the Plattsmouth Journal for eighteen months. Published Capsules of Hope Survival Guide for Caregivers, and held numerous book signings for A Cup of Comfort. I started a critique group in 2006 and today everyone in the group is a published author.
I thought myself well-qualified, but I didn’t get the job. 
Not even a reply from the Leader. 
Does that mean I did something wrong? 
No, however I did feel disappointed. 
Did I stop sending out requests to teach?
Absolutely not. 
 
And at that time Husband kept saying, “Mook, dream BIG.” 
 
And I did.
More To Come.