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Interview and Book Give Away with Deborah Dunn

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By Vonda Skelton | January 26, 2010

It's almost Valentine's Day, so love is in the air – or is it? According to my dear friend and southern sister, Deborah Dunn, it may not be love. In her book, Stupid About Men: 10 Rules for Getting Romance Right, Deb helps women learn how to make good choices in men. Deb is a licensed family and marriage therapist, as well as an author and speaker. She's also the founder of the Southern Christian Women's Conferences, and I'm honored to be part of the Southern Sisters Team!

Deb and her husband, Rick, live in NC and have been married since 1969. They have two children and a beautiful granddaughter.

You can find out more about Deb, her books, and her ministries at her website. And be sure to visit the Southern Christian Women's website to learn how you can bring the conference to your community.

Want your own autographed copy of Stupid About Men? Just leave a comment and you'll be entered in the drawing. Even if you've gotten romance right, perhaps you know someone else who could learn from Deb's wisdom.

I realize that some of you may want to leave a personal-experience comment, but don't want your name listed. If that's the case, please simply email me with your comment and I'll post it anonymously. You'll still be entered in the drawing and no one will know who posed the comment. 

And because this is the time when "love" is in the air, I've expanded this interview to include even more helpful information.

Vonda: Okay, let's get started. First of all, Deb, as one who apparently did get romance right, what led you to write the book, Stupid About Men?

Deb: I've noticed this disturbing trend in my therapy practice, and it's an addiction to romance. Romance is a drug that prevents women from having to deal with the tougher issues in their life like getting an education, managing money, the fear of being alone, aging, finances, dealing with stress, problems with their children, and many other important life challenges. It's an avoidance that's very similar to how men use sex. With the rise in men's addiction to pornography and Internet sex, I've seen an equivalent rise in women's focus on and cravings for the ultimate romantic experience. We all want that to a degree, but that's not the primary goal of long-term relationships. Unfortunately, much of the romance we read (even Christian romance), the movies, and the fairy tales we were read as children perpetuate that myth.

Vonda: So, are you saying that it's wrong to want to fall in love and marry?

Deb: Absolutely not! God wants us to find love, marry, and have children. But when we let our romantic feelings get in the way of wise mate choices–when we make decisions with our hearts only and not our heads–then we get in trouble, especially if we marry too young before we know who we really are or before we matured and learned how to stand on our own two feet. If we marry too young because our hormones are in control and not God, then we risk missing the opportunity of getting an education, developing independently as whole beings, and finding what it is we really want (and what God wants) for our lives.

Vonda: Okay, I know you, so I already know the answer to this question, but I'll ask it anyway: Are you saying that women in general are stupid?

Deb: No way! Stupid behavior don't mean women are stupid, but that they are making irrational choices that throw caution to the wind and don't take into account all the consequences. The warning signs are there but we let our romantic feelings override. We indulge in magical thinking; taking risks in the name of love, and promise to love a man for life without looking critically at him and what we are doing BEFORE we marry him.

Vonda: Why do you use fairytale narratives, referencing characters like Cinderella and Snow White, and how do they relate to some of the most common mistakes women make?

Deb: Well, its fun, for one thing, and we can all relate to them, for another. But the problem is that we relate to them too much. We have allowed them to be a model for femininity in our lives, when in actuality, they should be cautionary tales about what we shouldn't do at all!

Vonda: Can you be more specific?

Deb: Sure. We all know Cinderella's game. And Little Red Riding Hood – my heavens, the girl went into the forest wearing that sassy red cape, carrying a basket of goodies. Where was her mother and why did she dare think she could talk to a wolf? That hussy Rapunzel lets down her hair (a sexual metaphor by the way) for the first guy who gets her out of the tower. Snow White sleeps her life away with food or drugs or television until a man comes along and wakes her up. Or there is Wendy, who adopts lost boys and thinks she can mother them to death and turn them into suitable partners.

Vonda: Ha ha! I have to admit, I've never thought of the princesses' actions in quite that way! So, why do you think women are more likely to buy into the love-will-conquer-all myth?

Deb: We've been taught that somehow the power of our love can change anything, which is true for women of faith. But we've confused the power of God's love with our own sexual love. We've fallen for the "all you need is love…" myth. Relationships and marriage require a whole lot more than romantic love!

Vonda: Oh, how well I know that! I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband, stupidaboutmen but it still takes work on both our parts. That leads me to this question: Why do women stay in bad relationships?

Deb: Women are naturally rescuers and nurturers. We are biologically wired to give the benefit of the doubt and to give "second chances." We need to nest and bond. Once we women fall in love with someone, we tend to want stay with that person because we are biologically wired to mate for life. When we have a man who feels the same way, we should feel cherished, especially if they treat us well. (We just have to make sure we're treating them well also.)

But because of this natural instinct on the part of women, we sometimes tend to stay much longer than we should in abusive, unhealthy situations and have great difficulty ending relationships with men, even when they are bad for us.

If we are with men who mistreat us, are cruel, abusive, emo
tionally or physically, then we need to leave them and get help. Staying with them only teaches them they can get away with bad behaviors.

There is nothing godly, Christian, or scriptural about staying with a man who continues to degrade us, in spite of what some churches may tell you. God does not call us to be martyrs for love of a man; only for love of Him. Most abusive men actually keep us from being godly or from serving God at all for that matter. We are too busy simply trying to survive.

Vonda: Do you think some women are particularly vulnerable to rescuing and taking care of other people, especially unhealthy, abusive, manipulative men?

Deb: Yes, there are women who confuse being needed with being loved, and only feel valued as long as they have lots of other people who depend on them. But the problem is that they never get their needs met in return. That's classic co-dependence, which is typical with the oldest child in a family, adults who had to take care of siblings as they were growing up, or with those who've had emotionally unstable parents. Sometimes they simply have an overabundance of nurturing instinct.

Vonda: As the oldest child, I can certainly identify with that! Okay, let's change gears here. Do you think women are more afraid than men of being alone?

Deb: Yes, I do. For thousands of years we've been financially dependent upon men, and we've been programmed to believe that our worth as human beings is correlated with having a man who takes care of us. That's taught by the major world religions, the media, and marketing. Unfortunately that means if she doesn't have a man, she interprets that as a sign that she hasn't proven her worth either to the world or to herself. For women of faith, they may secretly feel being alone as God having forgotten them, which is a lie of the enemy.

Vonda: So where should a woman start if she wants to stop being stupid with men?

Deb: She needs to go on a man-diet for a while if she is single. If she is married she needs to quit focusing on men as being the problem and look to her own issues. She has to stop assuaging fear with yet another romance, either the ones found in books or that cute guy sitting in the church pew she secretly has a crush on. She certainly shouldn't fall into the trap of using one man to get over another. That's a recipe for disaster. Relationship difficulties are not always just being with the wrong person; it might be about knowing how to be with a man of any kind.

The generally accepted wisdom is that it takes at least two years to resolve emotions and conflicts and feelings related to the breakup of a serious relationship. If you don't address your issues and do some changing yourself, then you just bring the same issues into the next relationship. Look at other ways to increase your self-esteem and be honest about how you might be using men to avoid serious developmental tasks, like going back to school, getting a better job or taking care of your children. Resolve your issues with your parents and your ex before you move on. Stop looking at men as the answers to your problems in life. Allow God to help you solve your problems, and then He might bless you with a good man, or start working in the heart of the man you already have!

Vonda: What great words of advice, Deb! Thank you for writing this much-needed book, and thank you for sharing your insights with us today.

And remember, readers, simply leave a comment and you'll be in the drawing for a free copy of Deb's book! Be sure to come back next week to see if you're the winner. In the meantime, I know there are women in our lives who need this book–YOU may need this book! Don't wait.

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Maybe today you're going through a conflict with your significant other. Maybe you have more questions than answers right now about what you're supposed to do in a situation with your mate, your children, your job, or your ministry. I'm thankful that we serve a God of peace.

May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times and in every way. 2 Thessalonians 3:16

Let's seek His peace and His wisdom, whatever we're facing this week.

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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Is Your Doing of the Calling Getting Lost in the Doing of the Stuff?

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By Vonda Skelton | January 19, 2010

clockfreeimagesThe past few weeks we've been talking about starting again, whether that means starting over, pressing forward, or completely changing gears. But, as we've already discussed, the most critical thing to do is to Start.

Start something.

Start somewhere.

In my search for how to do what I feel God has called me to do, I've been reminded–yet again–that my problem isn't coming up with the idea, it's finding the time to do it.

And for me, the doing of the calling is often lost in the doing of the stuff. The tax stuff. The bookkeeping stuff. The event planning stuff. The interview stuff. The book order stuff. The promotional stuff. The website stuff. The blog stuff.

There's just too much stuff to do! And it's all stuff that has to be done. So–yet again–here I am, trying to organize my time so I can get to what I really feel called to do…the writing stuff.

So, here's what I'm doing, starting this week:

1.     Have a schedule, specific to the day.

2.     Start each day with a plan of things that I want to accomplish within that schedule.

3.     Monitor my time with a timer.

The Schedule:

I tried to think of everything I need to do in a week, including the things I don't normally do on a weekly basis, but should–like taxes and bookkeeping. Other than getting up, having quiet time, and working out, the schedule is different for each day.

The Plan:

This is a list of specific things I plan to do that day within the item/category I have listed on the schedule. For instance, I have 10am to 12 noon to work on a current writing project. Under the plan, I have "Begin narrative outline of novel." (Everybody's different, but this is the way I always start my novels. It's sort of like brainstorming with myself.)

The Timer:

For each item/category listed, I will use a timer set for the amount of time I've allotted. I don't allow myself to do anything else during that time. I have a manual timer that works well, but you can also find online timers at and Just be sure to set to an alarm sound so you don't have to keep flipping back to look at the time.

Some will like the fact that the online version can run silently in the background without the "tick-tock" of the timer, but I've found I do better with it. It reminds me to stay on task! (But since I'm too easily distracted by the notification that there's new email in my Inbox, I've turn off the automatic mail delivery and its sound.)

So now, I have the schedule, I have the plan, and I have the timer. BUT…

As I write this, it's Monday afternoon, the first day of my new schedule. And, of course, my plan didn't work. According to my schedule, I'm supposed to have already worked out, cleaned one room, and worked on a writing project for two hours (among other things).

But instead, I lollered in bed with my 5-year-old granddaughter (for you non-southerners, lollering is similar to hanging out, only it has to be done with lots of hugs and kisses and it's usually done lying on the couch or in the bed), listened as my 8-year-old grandson educated me on the pros and cons of briefs versus boxers, and played a competitive game of Aggravation with the grandkids (I won).

The morning schedule? A wipe-out.

The time with the grandkids? Priceless.

So, what do I do now? I just start again.

I know there will be many days when the schedule and the plan and the timer won't work. But I'm praying there'll be many days when they will. When they do, those will be the days that I'll be doing the work of a writer.

And on the days that they don't? On those days I'll be doing the work of a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, friend, mentor, and helper.

And both can make a difference for eternity.

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Writing Opportunities Just for YOU!

As always, be sure to study the publication and the writers' guidelines carefully.

1.     Cup of Comfort Call for submissions (Thanks, Jo Rae!)

2.     The Naked Gospel Songwriting and Performance contest 

3.     Cec Murphey's The Christmas Spirit (I know I've listed this one before, but it's too good an opportunity to miss!) 

4.     Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Two winners-one for general fiction and one for young adult fiction. Penguin publishing contract and $15,000 advance for winners! Submissions accepted January 25, 2010 to  February 7, 2010. 

5.     Chicken Soup is always looking for stories. Current needs include stories about dogs, cats, mothering, dieting, and many more!

6.     Have you been to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference? Has it made an impact on your life? Write about your experience and you might see your words in print! Check out the Homepage and scroll down to Cynthia Lovely's beautiful words. (Great job, Cynthia!) Then contact director Al Gansky with your story.

7.     Small Group Trader is looking for article submissions on missional, outwardly-focused small groups. Scroll to bottom for submission guidelines.

8.     Erma Bombeck Writing Competition Deadline January 31, 2010.

9.     VISTA needs list here. Deadline January 25, 2010. Several of our group have been published here!

10. LIVE needs list here. 

11. AARP is a hard market to enter, but it would be a great one to at
tempt. 

12. The Christian Communicator 

13. Country Woman Magazine 

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I'd Love to See You at These Upcoming Conferences:write2ignitelogo

1.     Write2Ignite Writers Conference for adults and teens who want to write for children. February 26-27, 2010. North Greenville University, Tigerville, SC. Scholarships available!

2.     Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, May 16-20, 2010. Ridgecrest, NC.

a.     Scholarships available. Scroll down to information.

b.     Need a female roomie? Melony Brown would love to talk to you! Contact her at or call .

3.     Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival for those interested in media arts (screenwriting, directing, producing, acting, TV and radio), June 3-8, 2010. Ridgecrest, NC. This conference is for adults, but teens can apply to be a Gideon Intern. I'm co-directing the Intern Program with Sarah Sumpolec and would love to see you or your teen there! 

a.     Intern application deadline February 15. 

b.     Screenplay contests for teens and adults. Cash prizes and film production awards! Upcoming deadlines: January 30 (teen contest), others in February-April. 

4.      North Texas Christian Writers Conference, September 17-18, 2010. Dallas/Fort Worth area, TX. 

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Text for Haiti through the Red Cross

We can't end our time together without praying for the people of Haiti. Prayer is an incredible opportunity to bring the needs before the Father.

But we can do even more. 

Let's face it. Most of us can afford ten dollars. And when we add all our ten dollars together, we get millions. 

It's easy and safe when done in association with the Red Cross. All you have to do is send a text to 90999 (on my iPhone, it looks like 909-99, even though I typed in 90999) and type the word, Haiti, as the message. You'll immediately be asked to confirm and then ten dollars will be added to your phone bill. You can do this three times on AT&T.

I hope you'll do it. Now. While you're thinking about it. The whole thing takes less than 30 seconds. 

Ten dollars is not much to most of us, but it can mean the difference between life or death to a child in Haiti.

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As we continue down this path to doing what He's called us to do, let's remember this proverb:

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.  Proverbs 16:3

When our plan is His plan, it will succeed. Oh, that we will seek and know and work His plan!

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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So What Are We Waiting For?

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By Vonda Skelton | January 11, 2010

walkway2bobspaldingOkay, let's be honest here. I have a feeling you're like me…and last year you had some great ideas. Some really great ideas. God ideas. Ideas that you knew you were supposed to share with others through writing and/or speaking. Your intentions were good.

And yet–for whatever reason–they're still just ideas. Ideas sitting in your computer…in your journal…or maybe even just in your head.

I know, because I had them, too.

I had some great ideas at the end of 2008. I knew what path I was going to take in 2009: I was going to write a new non-fiction book. My agent was excited about it and I even had most of the proposal done.

And then life took over.

My sister became terminally ill with cancer and moved in with us for her care. Two months after she died, my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. On the evening of her outpatient cancer surgery, I was doing CPR on her on the floor of my extra bedroom. She had heart damage from the lack of oxygen and ended up with a cardiac catheterization. Then she had daily cancer treatments for 6-7 weeks. Eight days after finishing treatment, she had a hip replacement.

And during all this time, we were still dealing with the catastrophic financial situation of my sister's estate, legal/court issues with a close family member, relational conflicts within our family, and I had a jam-packed travel/speaking schedule with over 50 events across the country.

Needless to say, the idea never got written. And to be honest, I'm now no longer even passionate about it. But I AM passionate about another story God began giving me during 2009. I know the story well…because I lived it. I lived the story last year.

So what am I doing about it now? It's still just an idea. An idea sitting in my computer…in my journal…and many parts of it are still just in my head. I know it's a good story. I know it could speak to lots of people.

And even though I have good intentions about writing it, I haven't.

Well, this weekend, I was reading Bonita Lillie's blog, Encouraging Words for Writers, where she had posted some words Paul said about this very thing in his letter to the Corinthians: 

So here's what I think: The best thing you can do right now is to finish what you started last year and not let those good intentions grow stale. Your heart's been in the right place all along. You've got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 (The Message)

Wow.

I don't know about you, but that speaks volumes to me. I can't let those good intentions grow stale! I know that with God's help, I have what it takes to finish what He's given me to do. I just need to make sure my heart's in the right place and then get to it!

So what are we waiting for?

(Photos courtesy of Bob Spalding Photography)

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Kudos for The Christian Writer's Den Gang!

My goodness, y'all have been busy! Look at what God has been doing in our group!

1.     Edie Melson (SC). Edie is Managing Editor of Centered Magazine and an instructor at writer's conferences, so it's fitting that her new blog would be for writers! Be sure to check out The Write Conversation.

2.      Nan Jones (NC). Nan's short story, "Dignity", has been accepted for publication in the anthology, The Ultimate Christian Living, by Ultimate HCI Books. The books will be in stores at the end of March, 2010. She also has a new website and blog. Be sure to check them out! 

3.     Cindy Jones (MS). Cindy has started a new blog, Chapters of Hope. She says she's had a ball putting it together!   

4.     Jo Rae Johnson (SC). Beginning January 22, 2009, "All About Home with Jo Rae" will be on EVERY Friday in the 12 Noon hour on ABC Channel 13 in the SC/NC area. This show is in addition to the early show the second Tuesday of every month. Early or late–six times a month–you can watch "All about Home"  Here's a Facebook photo of Victoria Dunkle and Jo Rae Johnson on the All About Home Set December 8, 2009.

5.     Cheryl Barker (KS). Blue Mountain Arts is using her poem "Daughter, You're My Precious Valentine" in their 2010 Valentine's Day line. She is looking forward to getting my samples in the mail soon and surprising my daughters with the cards this year! 

6.     Kristi Butler (NC). Kristi's new book, Gracie's Groundhog Day Surprise, has just been released and she has her Author Visits to schools begin this week! (BTW, Kristi and I will be at the Write 2 Ignite Conference next month. If you're interested in writing for children, you won't want to miss it!) 

7.     Marsha Fisher (NC). Two of Marsha's blog entries have been picked up by xxx church's blog. This ministry provides resources to men, women, couples, teens, and churches dealing with sexual addiction. You can read the entries here and here. Please note: These links will take you to a resource site for those dealing with sexual addiction. 

8.     Cynthia Lovely (NY). Cynthia ha
d an article published in her local Sunday paper, Gazette Newspaper, in December and she has an article in the January issue of Cross & Quill.

9.     Mary Cate Bratcher (SC). A portion of Mary Cate's testimony and some of her poetry has been published online at RenewAmerica.com. Also, one of her poems was included in the book, Letters to Darcy, by Tracy Ramos.   

10.  Norma Vera (TX). Norma has had several articles/devotions published recently at The Christian Pulse. You can read her entries here. She also has a blog that will be gearing up again in the near future. Be sure to check out  Grandma Teach Me Wisdom.  

11.  Melony Brown (GA). Melony's latest book, Solving Word Problems for Life, Gr 6-8, has just been released. This is the second in the "Solving Word Problems for Life" series by Melony.  

12.  Phoebe Leggett (SC). Phoebe's poem, "Angel Christmas," was featured at Devokids.com back in December. 

Congratulations to all our great Christian Writer's Den writers! Thank you for allowing us to celebrate with you!

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Don't forget–next week I'll be posting writing opportunities right here. And who knows, your name could soon be here on the Christian Writer's Den Kudos List!

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Seeing Through the Lies is Named a Best Devotional Book of 2009!

sttlcover100pxI just found out that my women's book, Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe, has been named a Top Ten Best Devotional Book of 2009 by Lori's Book Reviews. What an honor and encouragement!

Although it's not officially a devotional book, it has discussion questions in the back, so women are using it as a group study/group discussion book. You can check it out here, if you'd like to take a look. It's available through Amazon or here at my website, but if you'd like a personalized copy, be sure to order through PayPal on the website. I'd love to personalize a copy for you. Don't believe the lies! 🙂

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The New Year's Gift Winners are…

1.     Terri Kelly is the winner of the New Year's free writing workshop download and handout, Write a Novel Children Will Love! Hope you enjoy it, Terri!

2.     And the winner of Marlene Bagnull's Bible Study for writers, Write His Answer, is…#8–Crystal Stoddard! Crystal, send me your mailing address and the book will be on its way!

Congratulations, my friends!

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And now, as we commit to finish what we started, let's remember these words Paul wrote to encourage the church at Ephesus. They're written for us today:

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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The Sin That Hinders in 2010

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By Vonda Skelton | January 5, 2010

crossandmanMy dear friend, Linda Shepherd, author, speaker, and founder of the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, recently shared some words of wisdom with me. She has given me permission to share them with you.

"After a word from the Lord, [a friend] and I have been working hard to ‘remove the sin that hinders.' It's a good word, a word that requires a thorough search of one's heart. I've searched and I continue to do so. And as I've confessed revealed sins, I've seen God show up.

Today, as I was reading the book, The Stronghold of God by Francis Frangipane, I read this:

'What we become to Him is far more consequential than all we shall ever do for Him. He wants our love and companionship. Indeed the Scriptures tell us that he ‘jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us' (James 4:5). Thus, if our devotion to our task exceeds our devotion to Him, He will personally hinder our success. It is out of love that God delivers us from the unanointed momentum of our zeal. He intentionally dries up our vigor. The Lord insists that our success not originate from our strength but from our union with Him.'

Wow, what powerful words. How careful we must be not to worship our work, but to seek instead a way to more powerfully abide with Christ."

I have to tell you, friends, I don't know Francis Frangipane or his ministry, but this passage spoke volumes to me. The paragraph Linda quoted actually begins with, "God has always been more concerned with the condition of our hearts than the activity of our hands."

Even though we seek to serve Him with everything we do, it's so easy to get caught up in the activity of the hands and forget the condition of our hearts. I admit it. Sometimes I struggle by allowing the job to come before the joy of knowing Him intimately; the project to come before the purification of my heart; the calendar to come before the call to holiness.

I confess my sin to you today. But more importantly, I confess it to my Father. Like David, I cry:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from your presence
       or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation
       and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
       and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:10-13

Then. Then I will teach others. Not before the cleansing and the renewing and restoring. But after. After everything else is in order…only then can I teach others about His mercy, His goodness, and His grace.

Oh God, create in me a clean heart in 2010!

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Three Happy New Year Gifts to YOU!

I hope your Christmas and New Year celebrations were blessed with the love of family and friends and that God is already giving you a glimpse of what He wants from you this year. I know He is doing that for me. What a gift.

And I want to take this opportunity to share THREE New Year's gifts with you!

First of all, since this is the time of reflection and reevaluation, I'd love for us to look at the call God has placed on our lives–spiritually, relationally, and professionally. And then let's look at what we plan to do to follow through with that call. In other words, what are your goals for this year?

As I posted on Facebook last week, 2009 was a hard year for me, with way too much hardship, sadness, conflict, and hurt. My goals for 2010 are:

1) To be in constant communication with God, recognizing quickly when I'm out of his will.

2) To be more joyful, kinder, and more forgiving in my relationships.

3) To honor Him with the work of my hands and my heart.

So, what are your goals?

Each person who posts at least one goal will be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Marlene Bagnull's incredible Bible Study for writers, Write His Answer. This is the Bible Study that changed the way I viewed my writing. For the first time, I saw this desire to write as a ministry, rather than a selfish self-indulgence. So post away and you could start your year learning how to Write His Answer! That's a $14.00 value!

bitsy_hilton_head_cover_100px Secondly, I'm going to extend the free give-away of my new downloadable class and handout, Write a Novel Children Will Love. The first person THIS WEEK who orders the class will get an instant refund! And that's a $14.95 value!

And thirdly, I know you'll want to take advantage of this gift from my friend, writer and speaker, Robin Bryce! Sign up for her free e-newsletter and yo
u'll receive her free "Tips to Keep Your Audience Engaged." It's packed with good information to help you connect with your audience, whether through the written or spoken word.

So what are you waiting for? Three gifts to kickstart your writing and/or speaking ministry in 2010. Enjoy!

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More Good News…write2ignitelogo

You may recall that I'll be teaching at the second annual Write2Ignite Conference (for adults and teens interested in writing for children), to be held February 26-27 at North Greenville University in Upstate SC.

Well, now I'm thrilled to tell you there are Cec Murphey scholarships available for YOU! Here are the links to the conference schedule and the scholarships.

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The End is NEAR!

The Gideon Media Arts Conference and Film Festival Intern Program and Screenwriting Contest application deadlines are quickly approaching. Don't let a talented teen miss this incredible opportunity to learn from film producers, directors, professional actors, radio and TV personalities. We can change the world for Jesus through the creative arts!

High School Screenplay Contest deadline January 25, 2010

Intern Program Conference application deadline February 15, 2010

And don't worry. Sarah Anne Sumpolec and I are co-directors of the Intern Program and we'll take good care of your kids! (And yes, I know she looks like a kid herself, but she's a mom of three!)

BTW, this amazing conference is for adults who are interested in acting, directing, screenwriting, radio and TV, and any other media arts. The Intern Program simply allows talented teens to have the unique opportunity to attend. So y'all come! It's June 3-8, 2010.

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Next Week is KUDOS Week!

Please contact me with your name, state, praise, and any links, and we'll celebrate with you next week!

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I'll be in GA, OK, CT, and SC over the next few months and would love to see you if you're in the area! Check out the schedule here.

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And now, as we look out over the incredible opportunities of 2010, please join me in praying these words of David:

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
       and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

I pray God's blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

(Cross photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net. Gift photo courtesy of FreeImages.co.uk ) 

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