by Ian Anderson My anxiety level increased as I approached the open door for the early-bird “writing skills” class. I hadn’t written anything for weeks and felt very unprepared for the session. Fortunately, when I walked into the large room 100+ people were already sitting down. I was happy that I could easily slip into anonymity. This class was just …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 11
Day 11 Topic: That we mourn with those who mourn Romans 12:15b– . . . and weep with those who weep Dear Heavenly Father, please prepare our hearts as we near the upcoming ACFW conference. We all have hopes, dreams, and fears that may consume us in the midst of it. We’ll be surrounded by a multitude of people and …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 12
Day 12 Topic: That we rejoice with those who rejoice Romans 12:15a–Rejoice with those who rejoice . . . Father, Tenderize us. This business of writing can be so egocentric. Especially when it seems our careers are going nowhere and others, who perhaps started after us, are whizzing down the highway of success. Not only do we fight the demons …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 13
Day 13 Topic: Hotel staff I Corinthians 9: 19, 23–For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it. Lord, as we fill the hotel in St. Louis …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 14
Day 14 Topic: The ACFW choir as they prepare for the Saturday gala Psalm 66:1-2–Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Lord, Thank You for the joy that comes with singing Your praises. God, we come to You in this moment to lift up the ACFW choir as they prepare …
What Are You Writing Into Your Story?
by Lanny Smith I like reading Christian action-suspense thrillers. One of my favorite authors is Joel Rosenberg. No matter how dark certain parts of his stories may seem, his novels have always glorified the Lord and inspired me. My first novel, The Radical Ride, was an action-thriller because I wanted to take a blatant, in your face jab at terrorism. …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 15
Day 15 Topic: Robin Miller, conference director I Corinthians 15:58–Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. Lord, You have all the answers to all the questions bombarding Robin. Give her the rest she needs in the days to come. Help her …
Seeking Soup Perfection
by Shelley Shepard Gray I made French Onion soup today. My husband has had bronchitis and feeling under the weather. I’ve felt so badly for him I ran to the store, picked up 5 yellow onions, and started slicing. Hours later, I brought him a bowl of something I’m inordinately proud of. There’s a story here. See, I really like …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 16
Day 16 Topic: Finalists in the Genesis Contest Psalm 135:5-6–For I know that the Lord is great and that our Lord is above all gods. Whatever the Lord pleases, He does, in heaven and in earth, in the seas and in all deeps. Our Heavenly Father, How great You are! You are Lord over every living thing. There is nothing …
Benefits of Out Of Print Book Collections
By Gail Gaymer Martin Recently I had the opportunity to enjoy two of my OOP novellas being used in a published collection of stories with a similar theme. My novella, Apple of His Eye, was published in Barbour’s, The British Brides Collection, which included five novelist with nine stories ranging from Jane Austen to Dickens. This month, An Old-Fashioned Christmas …