A Milestone in Christian Fiction Celebrated

One of the things I most regretted about missing this year's ACFW conference was getting to see Janette Oke, a writer whose books I devoured as a teen and whose writing inspired me to keep working on my own stories. And I'm sure I'm not alone in that devouring and inspiring.

Here is a link to the Publisher's Weekly article on Janette Oke and her groundbreaking editor at the ACFW conference. Check it out.

This week's installment of ACFW Conference blogs

In case you've been playing along, here's the rundown of blogs that will be discussing the ACFW conference. Next best thing to being there. Which I won't be, unless a miracle happens. Which they do. So, you never know.

  
 Mindy Starns Clark   http://www.amishreader.com                                   20-Jun
  Mary Hawkins   ACFW Blog: Spouse’s Perspective                                21-Jun 
  Angie  Breidenbach   http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com   21-Jun
  Jenny B.  Jones   http://www.jennybjones.com/blog/                               22-Jun
  Deborah Vogts   http://www.deborahvogts.blogspot.com                       23-Jun
  Mary Hawkins   ACFW Blog: her perspective                                            23-Jun 
  Pamela Ewen   http://www.pamelaewen.com                                              24-Jun
  Martha  Rogers   http://www.marthasbooks.blogspot.com                     25-Jun
  Joseph Bentz   ACFW Blog                                                                                 25-Jun 

Here's the next round of blog posts about the ACFW writers conference coming up in September. It's never too early to start planning and getting excited about it. This week many posts are by board members and instructors, so be sure to stop by. Many posts will also be on the ACFW Blog.

• Rick Acker  6-Jun
• Kit Wilkinson  6-Jun
• Randy Ingermanson  7-Jun
• Gayle Roper  7-Jun
• Chip MacGregor  8-Jun
• Robin Miller  8-Jun
• Terri Blackstock  9-Jun
• Trish Perry  9-Jun
• Danica Favorite McDonald  10-Jun
• Susan May Warren  10-Jun
• Colleen Coble  11-Jun
• Erica Vetsch  11-Jun

ACFW Conference Blog Tour

Summer's barely here and we're already looking to September and the ACFW annual writers conference. In anticipation of that ACFW members are going to be blogging about their conference experiences and giving advice on how to make the most out of the experience. This week's bloggers are below. You can find the daily posts on ACFW's blog accessed through ACFW's main page.

Margaret Daley  http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com       1- Jun
Jennifer Slattery http://jenslatterysblog.wordpress.com 1-Jun
Deborah Raney  http://deborahraney.blogspot.com        2-Jun
Melissa Tagg      http://m-tagglines.blogspot.com          2-Jun
Rachel Hauck     http://rachelhayeshauck.blogspot.com 3-Jun
Cynthia Ruchti   http://www.cynthiaruchti.com/blog      3-Jun
Roseanna White http://roseannamwhite.blogspot.com    3-Jun
Cara Putman      http://carasmusings.blogspot.com         4-Jun
Roxanne Rustad http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com     4-Jun

Back in the Saddle Again

I'm trying to get back into the rhythm of writing again. I've never had to write while working a 40-hour week before, and it's a struggle. There just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. If you click over to the right on my Nano progress, you'll see the lack thereof.

However, I believe that if God wants me to do this, He will make a way. I've been trying to write while the kids are doing homework at night. Also, once things settle down a bit at my job and I have my lunches free, I'm hoping to write during lunch when I can too.

I wanted to use Nano as a reminder to try and write each day. I haven't been successful at that but I can try again each day. And this weekend I went to the ACFW Indiana chapter meeting and heard Dennis Hensley speak. Being around other writers and listening to a terrific speaker really helped me feel motivated to write again.

On a sort-of related note, I finished reading Courting Miss Adelaide, a LI Historical, by Janet Dean. It was thoroughly delightful and on top of it, I got to meet Janet at the ACFW Indiana meeting. She is such a sweet lady. So if you love historicals, this is one to get.

So is anyone else out there struggling or is it just me? (Please say it's not just me!) Anyone have any great ideas they want to share?