by Cynthia Ruchti “No more shoulds.” I could feel my eyes widen and my eyebrows creep higher at her no-nonsense statement. She meant all three words. She’d determined to eliminate the word “should” from her vocabulary. No more “I should,” “We should,” “They should,” “You should.” “I’m either going to do it or I’m not,” she vowed. “I either will …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 11
Day 11 Topic: That we mourn with those who mourn Verse: Romans 12:15b– . . . and weep with those who weep Heavenly Father, we pray for those whose dreams aren’t realized at this conference. Some will be disappointed that they didn’t receive what they had hoped for, prayed for, and worked so hard to achieve. If there is disappointment, …
Conference Expectations
by Ian Acheson I waited outside the reception area of the corporate campus waiting for my client to arrive. I was expecting to receive a letter of employment from the CEO that would end my consultant status and see me appointed as a director of the company. We’d been in discussions for six months and all that was required was …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 12
Day 12 Topic: That we rejoice with those who rejoice Verse: Romans 12:15a–Rejoice with those who rejoice . . . Dear Heavenly Father, as members of Your Body, let us build each other up so that we all reach the lofty goals that You have called us to. When one of our members receives good news at the conference, let …
New Releases: September 2013
September 2013 New Releases More in-depth descriptions of these books can be found on the ACFW Fiction Finder website. Contemporary Romance: Plantation Christmas Weddings by Lorraine Beatty, Sylvia Barnes, Cynthia Leavelle, and Virginia Vaughan — Will a reserved widow, a successful novelist, a divorced couple, and a jilted wedding planner find their hearts rekindled with love just in time for …
Finish the Book
By Kathleen Y’Barbo Reaching THE END and Pressing SEND at the 2013 ACFW Conference In less than two weeks, conferees will descend on Indianapolis for the 2013 ACFW Conference. Most hope to leave with some measure of success, be it a manuscript requested, an agent interested, or perhaps new friends made. Others hope to learn how to do what they …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 13
Day 13 Topic: Hotel staff Verse: 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. Dear Lord, hear our prayer. Please be with …
Who is That Person Anyway?
by Diana Wallis Taylor My recent book, Claudia, Wife of Pontius Pilate, came out to good reviews and that of course is encouraging. It also posed some questions, mostly, “How can you take a person who appears in one paragraph in one Gospel and write a whole book about her?” For those of us that write historical fiction, or Biblical …
40 Days of Prayer: Day 14
Day 14 Topic: The ACFW choir as they prepare for Sunday worship Verse: Psalm 66:1-2–Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Heavenly Father, I pray for the ACFW choir as they prepare. There is nothing as beautiful as blessing your name with singing. I pray for each voice–may they blend …
Overcoming Writing Fears
By Loretta Eidson Pressing the send button for that first submission can be the most nerve-racking, push-of-the-button feat ever tackled. Why? Writing thrusts the writer’s reputation into the world. It shouts from the inner corridors of the heart, “I have something to write about, but will the editor think it is worthwhile?” It unveils a hidden desire to communicate with …