ACFW Board Meetings!

Today I'm in downtown Indianapolis for ACFW Executive board meetings. We're plotting and strategizing for the future. We're also setting the schedule for the fall national conference. Woot!

The conference is coming up September 13-15 in downtown Indianapolis. I am so excited. We already have editors and agents signing up to attend. This year I will be offering mentor appointments instead of teaching. I can't wait to have one on one appointments with aspiring authors. I love being able to answer questions and give feedback. It's one small way I can thank all those who help me! You can learn more about the conference on the ACFW website.

I'd love to have you join us!

Why I love Christian Publishing

As you read this I'm in Dallas attending ACFW board meetings today and the conference that starts tomorrow. In honor of it here's a post I wrote last year that is still very true and appropriate!

Eric and me at the 2010 ACFW Gala

This is truly one of the highlights of my year. And Tuesday I was reminded why I can't imagine missing ACFW.

I have a proposal I'm beefing up for ACFW. It's already good, but I really want to push it to great. The problem? I was absolutely stymied. Eric and I had talked around it. He's a great researcher and reads enough to really be an asset in brainstorming, yet I couldn't quite get traction.

So I texted a couple writing friends. Jenny Jones had already spent a lot of time on the proposal, but volunteered to help with brainstorming. Then Tricia Goyer said, sure she'd help me brainstorm. And at conference Colleen Coble and I will squeeze in a few minutes to brainstorm even more layers. Here's why that's so cool!

Pleased to Present the Carol Award Finalists for Christian fiction

So excited to bring you this list of Carol Award finalists. I won a long time ago in short historical... and it is always fun to see who makes the list each year. If you're looking for a summer reading list, here you go. The ones I've read (about half) are fantastic!

Winners will be announced during ACFW’s annual conference gala in September in Dallas.

Debut Novel:
Fairer Than Morning  by Rosslyn Elliott (Thomas Nelson – Ami McConnell, Editor)
The Loom by Shella Gillus (Guideposts – Beth Adams, Editor)
Give the Lady a Ride by Linda W. Yezak (Sky Sail [Port Yonder Press] – Chila Woychik, Editor)

Looking for a Writer's Conference? Come to ACFW

In a couple weeks I'll start one of my favorite times of the year, running first time orientation for the ACFW conference. A few years ago we realized that approximately a third of our attendees any given year were first timers. I'll never forget my first time at conference in 2005.

I went with a fellow writer from Indiana -- a gal I'd met once or twice -- yet, we became fast friends in the six hour drive to Nashville. I met Tracie Peterson for the first time looking like a drowned cat -- boy, would I like a photo of that first impression! That first conference launched my writing career...introducing me to editors, agents and other writers. Finding out that I wasn't crazy for thinking a bit differently from others.

Want to take your writing to the next level?

I'm thrilled that my friend Tricia Goyer and I will be co-teaching a continuing education class at ACFW's conference this fall. This is just one of six sessions -- the only thing that makes me sad about teaching is that I can't attend one of the other sessions!

Here's more about our sessions:

In this class multi-published, award-winning authors Cara Putman and Tricia Goyer will show you that while there may not be one right way to write a novel, there are the best tools to use to take you from unpublished to holding your freshly published book in your hands. We will cover many of the essential aspects required to move from good writing to a story that gets an editor or agent’s attention.

 If you're interested in writing, if you have a complete manuscript resting on your hard drive, if you're not sure how to get started or what to do next, or if you have 20 published novels, the ACFW conference will have something for you. Check out the website to learn more.

ACFW: Always evolving

Yesterday and today I've been in meetings planning a big new adventure for ACFW. If you're dream includes writing a book, then you really need to check out ACFW. My writing journey would look very different without the things I have learned from ACFW members. This year I came back on the board as publicity officer. That's always an adventure, because many of the new endeavors fall under publicity. So this year we started offering webinars. We've had three this fall that went great. Now I'm sketching out plans for what the program will look like on a sustained basis. Then there's this new project, daunting and very exciting! You'll just have to stay tuned for more information, but know exciting things are coming!

ACFW Conference Photos

Gina Conroy and me post Gala

ACFW was an amazing week. Yes, week. I left last Tuesday so I could attend a board dinner and didn't return until Monday afternoon just in time for 4:30 gymnastics. It was so good...but exhausting. Even the Energizer Bunny runs out of energy eventually.

So I thought I'd share some photos with you today. I'm usually terrible with getting photos, but thanks to Facebook, have some great ones to share with you without going through all kinds of contortions to get them off my camera and on to a computer to upload. That'll wait :-)

So the first photo is me with my writing friend

ACFW...Here I Come

When you read this, I'm getting in ACFW board meetings. Then tomorrow, the conference starts.

The conference really is the highlight of my writing year. I can't wait to see so many of my friends that I only get to see once a year. Facebook is great, but it's not the same as seeing and hugging people. I'm also looking forward to the classes I'll get to attend.

This year I'm coteaching four hours -- two with one of my favorite long distance friends -- Tricia Goyer.

The Moral Premise

Right now I'm reading a book called the Moral Premise. The author Stanley D. Williams will teach the Early Bird at ACFW in September, and like any good hyper student, I wanted to get a head start on preparing. The Moral Premise reveals the foundational concept at the heart of all storytelling and successful box office movies. In concrete terms it explains how you can create your own success and, in the process, entertain, delight, challenge, and uplift this generation and the ones to come.

Hmmm, that's a lot to offer in one little book!

It's Almost Here: ACFW Conference

This week I've started one of my favorite times of the year, running first time orientation for the ACFW conference. A few years ago we realized that approximately a third of our attendees any given year were first timers. I'll never forget my first time at conference in 2005.

I went with a fellow writer from Indiana -- a gal I'd met once or twice -- yet, we became fast friends in the six hour drive to Nashville. I met Tracie Peterson for the first time looking like a drowned cat -- boy, would I like a photo of that first impression! Am I ever excited that she is the keynote speaker this year!

Looking for Great Books to Read? 2010 Carol Award Winners

Sunday evening, the winners of the 2010 Carol Awards were announced at the ACFW conference banquet. It was such fun to celebrate as friends' books were recognized for their excellence. I don't know how the judges choose between so many wonderful options. However, I can state with absolutely no qualms that these authors and their books are wonderful.

Extra excited for good writing buds Allison Pittman (a delightful woman and friend), Jenny B. Jones (she is such an amazing Southern belle) and debut novelist Dan Walsh, who writes AMAZING World War Two novellas -- ala Nicholas Sparks.

Then there's Terri Blackstock, who wrote an amazingly personal suspense story, Rene Gutteridge, who has a wonderful sense of humor that shines through in her life changing romance,  Susan May Warren, who has wonderful spiritual threads in all of her books, and Mary Connealy, a fellow Nebraskan with the most amazing sense of humor and books I can't forget years after reading them. And Christina Berry...with a book that will take your heart and hand it back to you at the end. So much talent!!!!

So take this list to your local Christian bookstore and ask your library to order them. They are great books!

2010 Carol Award Winners

• Contemporary Novella: Susan May Warren, The Great Christmas Bowl (Tyndale House;
• Karen Watson, Editor)
• Historical Novella: Janet Tronstad, Christmas Bells for Dry Creek (Steeple Hill; Tina James,
• Editor)
• Short Contemporary: Mae Nunn, A Texas Ranger's Family (Steeple Hill; Melissa Endlich,
• Editor) 
• Short Contemporary Suspense: Jill Elizabeth Nelson, Evidence of Murder (Steeple Hill;
• Emily Rodmell, Editor)
• Short Historical: Dan Walsh, The Unfinished Gift (Revell; Andrea Doering, Editor)
• Young Adult: Jenny B. Jones, I'm So Sure (Thomas Nelson; Natalie Hanemann/Jamie
• Chavez, Editors)
• Long Contemporary: Christina Berry, The Familiar Stranger (Moody Publishers; Paul
• Santhouse, Editor)
• Long Contemporary Romance: Jenny B. Jones, Just Between You and Me (Thomas Nelson;
• Natalie Hanemann/Jamie Chavez, Editors)
• Mystery: A.K. Arenz, The Case of the Mystified M.D. (Sheaf House; Joan M. Shoup, Editor)
• Suspense/Thriller: Terri Blackstock, Intervention (Zondervan; Sue Brower/Dave Lambert,
• Editors)
• Long Historical: Allison Pittman, Stealing Home (Multnomah; Alice Crider, Editor)
• Long Historical Romance: Mary Connealy, Cowboy Christmas (Barbour Publishing; Rebecca
• Germany, Editor)
• Speculative: Kirk Outerbridge, Eternity Falls (Marcher Lord Press; Jeff Gerke, Editor)
• Women’s Fiction: Rene Gutteridge & Cheryl McKay, Never the Bride (Waterbrook Press;
• Shannon Marchese, Editor)
• Debut Author: Dan Walsh, The Unfinished Gift (Revell; Andrea Doering, Editor)

I'm back!

Just got back this afternoon from the ACFW conference. WOW! What a great, amazing conference. The teaching was great. The fellowship phenomenal. The chance to meet with my agent and lots of editors wonderful. And the worship healing. I'll post more later, just know that if you weren't able to attend this year, you really need to make plans now to join us next year in St. Louis.

I'm thrilled Eric was able to drive down and join me for the awards banquet last night. Jeane Wynn took this photo, and I had to share it! Isn't he handsome :-)

The second highlight of the conference was the opportunity to meet Janette Oke! She attended to help celebrate Carol Johnson, and it was a THRILL to meet the author who helped launch Christian fiction and mentored me from a distance as a teen. She answered several letters and I still have those precious responses.

I can't Wait! ACFW Conference is Coming!!!!

We are 105 days away from the ACFW conference. Don't believe me? Just check the countdown running on the side of my blog.

105 days. Wow!

Why do I get so excited about conference? At the conference I've met each of the editors I've worked with. At the conference I've gotten to know them, and hopefully they've gotten to know me. We got a sense of each other's personalities before contracts were offered.

At the conference, I learn from some of the best teachers on the craft of fiction writer. Last year Donald Maass taught the early bird. This year, James Scott Bell is. Last year I attended the published author track led by Allen Arnold, Thomas Nelson fiction publisher, and Karen Ball, the fiction guru at B&H. This year I'll sit in on the track by Michael Hauge, a Hollywood screenwriting expert. Even though I attended a retreat he taught at last year I can't wait to learn more from him this year.

But ACFW has tracks for all levels of writers. A track for those just starting led by Tracie and Jim Peterson. A track for those who've been writing a bit led by Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck. A track on mastering Structure, Symbols, and 3-D characters with Dr. Dennis Hensley. A track for more advanced writers with Gayle Roper. For those with a contract or at least one book out there's also a marketing track led by Chip MacGregor and Jim Rubart -- I attended an extended version in December and it was excellent! And those are just the continuing education tracks. That doesn't begin to touch on all the wonderful elective workshops.

I also can't wait to see friends that I only get to see once or twice a year -- usually at ACFW. Writing can be such a solitary business.

There's so much I love about conference. Volunteering. Celebrating as people receive their first contracts from Heartsong Presents and Barbour. Meeting with my agent and editors. Hugging my friends. Learning how to do this better. Leading First Time Orientation to ease the way for newbies.

If you're a writer, think about joining us. You won't regret it!

Congratulations to the 2010 Genesis Finalists

I'd like to offer a huge congratulations to the finalists of the ACFW 2010 Genesis Contest, a contest for unpublished writers. Many who final go on to receive contracts from publishers. Can't wait to see who wins!


CONTEMPORARY FICTION:
(total entries: 47)

Cindy Hays
Lynnette P. Horner
Chris Kraft
Mark Lundgren
Christina S. Nelson

CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE:
(total entries: 63)

Jeannie Campbell
Sarah Forgrave
Janice LaQuiere
Rebecca Syme
Linda Yezak

HISTORICAL FICTION:
(total entries: 35)

Laurie Benton
Brenda Jackson
Robert Kaku
Lisa Karon Richardson
Katie-Marie Stout

HISTORICAL ROMANCE:
(total entries: 65)

Susanne Dietze
Anne Greene
Pam Hillman
Lisa Karon Richardson
Ruth Trippy

MYSTERY/SUSPENSE/THRILLER:
(total entries: 45)

Rich Bullock
Barbara Early (double finalist with two entries)
Lynda Schab
Chawna Schroeder

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE (there was a two-way tie for the fifth finalist slot):
(total entries: 50)

Valerie Goree
Mindy Obenhaus
Leslie Pfeil
Dianna Shuford
Teri Dawn Smith
Terri Weldon

SPECULATIVE FICTION:
(total entries: 49)

Ben Erlichman
Suzanne Krein
Shelley Ledfors
Andra Marquardt
Holly Smit

WOMEN'S FICTION (there was a three-way tie for the fifth finalist slot):
(total entries: 76)

Lisa Buffaloe
Jennifer Fromke
Terri Haynes
Fay Lamb
Christina S. Nelson
Melissa Tagg
Michelle Ule

YOUNG ADULT:
(total entries: 56)

Angela Bell
Lin Harris
Kasey Heinly
LoraLee Kodzo
Stefanie Morris


The winners will be announced on September 19th at the annual ACFW Conference in Indianapolis.

Thank you, ACFW

Last week I signed my first trade contract. I'll be writing a historical romantic suspense for Summerside Press. And I am thrilled! I met the team at the Christian Book Expo in Dallas back in March. I really enjoyed all of them, but didn't necessarily think I'd have the opportunity to write for them. While you've probably seen their Love Finds You In... books, right now I will be writing for a new line for them. I'm so excited about this historical suspense line. Susan May Warren and Tricia Goyer, both fabulous writers, are kicking off the line in February. And then my book releases in July!

So look for some fun related to Hollywood and World War Two over the next few months, though I'll be spending a lot of time writing, because I also have a contract offer to write in Guidesposts next mystery series. I am really excited about that too. Six authors will be writing this series and we've already started work on that series, too.

And as I've marveled at the opportunities I have, I keep coming back to ACFW. I met Beth Adams, my Guideposts editor, at the 2008 conference, and we clicked. Susan Downs, my Summerside editor, and I have gotten to know each other through ACFW. And that's barely the tip of the iceberg for all I've gained from being a member of ACFW.

I've learned how to write. I've found mentors like Colleen Coble and Tricia Goyer. I've participated in contests as a writer and author that provided invaluable feedback. And I've been encouraged every step of the journey. So if you have a dream to write a book, be sure to check out ACFW. I wouldn't be where I am without ACFW.

And ACFW is rapidly approaching 2000 members. A very exciting mile marker for the organization and for the 2000 member who will receive a box packed with Christian fiction!

ACFW Song

Each year worship is one of my favorite times of the conference. As I'm typing this, I'm listening to the song that many of us would consider the song of this year's conference. It's While I'm Waiting by John Waller. You can watch the video for the song on the artist's website. When you do, you'll notice it was a part of Fireproof.

Lyrics like these make it an incredibly impactful song:

...While I'm waiting, I will serve You

While I'm waiting, I will worship

I will not faint...

So take a moment -- if God has you in a place of waiting -- hop over to the artist's website and listen and worship.

When nothing else remains..

Have you ever noticed how exhaustion takes the edges off?

We can no longer hide from ourselves or God when we are too tired to hold the mask or shield up.

That happened to me at ACFW. I was poured out. Everything I had to offer was wrung out of me by Saturday at lunch.

In July I traveled to Denver in the process of miscarrying. Last week, I journeyed to Denver trying to pretend I was okay while desperately wanting to be real. During worship Sunday morning, I broke. I had no reserves left to pretend that I wasn’t angry at God. That I didn’t desperately question why He allowed this second miscarriage. That I am scared to offer Him all of me for fear of what else He will ask me to give up.

Sunday morning I surrendered. Again.

He’s asked me to believe that He has my best – that all He intends for me is good. That I don’t hae to wait for the other shoe to drop.

Life is parallel lines of wonderful and terrible. Good and bad. Intersecting, separating, Like railroad tracks running into a future that blurs in the distance.

But through it all God remains the same. And His promises never change.

photos from ACFW

Here are some photos from the conference last week. This first one was from the early bird. Almost 300 people participated in this workshop with Don Maas on Writing the Breakout Novel. It. Was. Incredible!

Seriously, if my conference had ended there, I would have still received my money's worth. If I'm not a better writer after this -- say it with me -- I'm a lazy writer!

I'm in the purple sweater, Jenny B. Jones is in front of me looking away from the camera, and fellow Hoosier Ronda Wells is next to me.

This next photo is one Dr. Richard Mabry snapped while Don Maass and I chatted a moment before his introduction. Did I mention that Robin Miller (check out the trailor for her book on her site) asked me literally two minutes ahead of time to introduce one of the most famous men in writing? Ack!

Fortunately a lady right there in the front row had both of his writing books, so I grabbed them and started talking. Seriously, who wants to hear me blather on when a man with his wisdom is in the room.

Then this is a photo of me with writing pal Tina Forkner. One of the best parts of conference is connecting with friends I usually see at conference if at all. Tina is an amazing writer and her personality is so fun! Her daughter is a year older than Abigail and a level six in gymnastics so we had fun comparing notes.

I had my camera but didn't take any pictures. Instead, I loaned my card to Mom and Janna so they could take photos. I need to email those to Janna ASAP.

So for today, I'll end with this photo: it's of my mom and Mary DeMuth. Mary is an AMAZING writer and has such a wonderful heart. She's one of those gals I wish I got to spend more time with. Some day. Until then, I'm so delighted that I got to introduce these two and hear more about Mary's memoir Thin Places. Isn't that a wonderful title -- God meets us in the Thin Places of life...

Are We Dreaming Big Enough

This year's ACFW conference is over. In fact as I type this I sit in the Denver airport waiting for my fight. Have to redeem the time because -- well -- I'm me :-)

I've got much to share, but today I'm going to focus on dreams. Throughout the conference the recurring theme was to dream bigger. From Debbie Macomber who did a wonderful job encouraging and challenging us to the continuing session for published authors to private appointments with editors and my agent -- the message I got loud and clear was to stop and dream.

Sometimes I become so focused on tasks and completing them that I forget to stop and dream. Or to slow down and allow myself the freedom to ask God what He has planned.

At some point I'll need to begin to focus my writing. I received excellent advice since I still can't identify my deeper passion -- ask God what He's planted in me. Isn't that good! So hold me accountable. There's much to share. More to come.

But for now, dig out a journal or card and list ten dreams that seem too impossible to accomplish and then give God room to move.

I'm here!

I arrived in Denver this evening. Made it to the hotel only a couple minutes late for the first board meeting thanks to Tiff Stockton and her darling baby picking me up.

Had a God moment on the plane out...one of those times I could minister -- love it when He does that. Praying it's the first of many this week. Wednesday I'm in board meetings all day and then will help Mom and Janna set up the conference bookstore. Looking forward to spending some time with them.

I'll try to post from the ACFW conference, but will be running pretty crazy starting tomorrow. Have a great week!