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Writer’s Headlines: Conferences & MoGo7000

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By Vonda Skelton | February 28, 2013

It’s the 4th Thursday, and that means it’s time to share conferences and MoGo7000 with you!

1.  Florida Christian Writers Conference:February 27- March 3, 2013, Leesburg, FL

2.  Upstate SC American Christian Writers Workshop: March 9, 2013, Anderson, SC

3.  Write2Ignite: March 15-16, 2013, Tigerville, SC

4.  Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference: March 22-26, 2013, Mt. Hermon, CA

5.  Carolina Christian Writers Conference: April 19-20, 2013, Spartanburg, SC

6.  Colorado Christian Writers Conference: May 15-18, 2013, Estes Park, CO

7.  Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference: May 19-23, 2013, Ridgecrest, NC–I can’t wait to see you there!

8.  Write-to-Publish: June 5-8, 2013, Wheaton College, IL

9.  St. Davids Christian Writers’ Conference: June 18-22, 2013, Grove City, PA

10. Writing for Life Workshop with James Scott Bell: June 28-30, 2013, Newark, CA

11. Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival: July 12-16, 2013, Orlando, FL–I can’t wait to see you there!

12. Writers’ Publishing Workshop: August 5-9, 2013, Hamilton, MA

13. Christian Communicators Conference: August 28-September 1, 2013, The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, Asheville, NC--I can’t wait to see you there! Registration is now open.

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The February MoGo7000 Challenge ends tonight at midnight!

Yes, today is the last day to count your words for the February MoGo7000 Challenge. But don’t send your numbers yet! I’ll post the call out next Thursday for your February totals.

Didn’t meet the 7000-word goal this month? Not to worry. Tomorrow’s another day–literally! And that means you can start fresh toward your March goal.

Remember, each month that you write 7000 NEW words on a book project, your name can go into the virtual hat for another entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100!

If you’d like more information on how you can write a book this year and possibly win $100, just check out the MoGo7000 Challenge page.

Somebody’s gonna win–it might as well be YOU!

Write on, sweet friends!

Vonda

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Interview & Book Give-Away with Author Edie Melson

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By Vonda Skelton | February 26, 2013

Yes, you read that right! My friend and frequent cohort in crime, Edie Melson, is with us today to share her new social networking book for…get this…writers! Hoo-wee!

And the good news is, it’s a social media book even I can understand! 🙂

You could win your own copy of Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers just by leaving a comment this week. Be sure to check back next week to see if you’re the winner.

But enough chit chat, let’s get started! Edie, you seem to have a very different approach to social media than most marketing experts I read. Can you explain your thoughts?

I approach social media from the writer’s point of view. I don’t have a degree in advertising or marketing. Because of that, I’m very protective of the time a writer has to actually write. To me, social media is the means to an end—the way to develop relationships with readers, other writers, and industry professionals. It’s not the way I earn my living.

How did you get started in social networking?

It came about because I got my dream job. I was hired as the managing editor of a Christian men’s magazine with a target audience of college age males. When I took the job, it didn’t take me long to realize ninety percent of their interaction happened online, through social media. I had to either come up to speed on social networking to the point where I could lead a team or quit. I got busy and learned the ins and outs of social media.

When did you decide to start sharing your information with others?

I first began sharing what I’d learned with our local writers group, then online on my blog. I got an immediate, positive response so I just kept going. I hadn’t realized it consciously, but being someone who didn’t grow up in the digital era gave others hope that they could also conquer this new medium.

How did this particular book come about?

Back in 2011, the publisher of my devotional for military families, Eddie Jones, asked me to do a small eBook on social media for writers. I was busy with a lot of other projects, but agreed to send him my notes that I taught from to see if there was anything useful. Almost before I could catch my breath he had an eBook up on Amazon.

Social Media Marketing for Writers was super short, only about 28 pages, and sold for 99 cents. It took it less than a month to hit number one in its category on Amazon. And it stayed in the top five until we pulled it in August of 2012.

Why did you decide to take it down?

As you may have noticed, anything digital changes drastically over the course of a year. Most of the how-to information in the book was no longer applicable. The principals I taught about social media and blogging still worked, but a lot of that little book was strictly how-to. For example, how to set up a Facebook account, or a build a blog on Blogger. All the interfaces of those platforms had changed, so the information needed to be rewritten.

Tell us about your new book.

Connections: Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers is a much more comprehensive book. It’s published by Susan May Warren at My Book Therapy. The largest portion of it teaches the principals of social networking. I include information about how to grow a blog, how to organize your social media, and which social networking platforms are important for writers. I also include tips on how to organize your social media life so you spend the majority of your time writing.

It sounds like this one won’t be obsolete in a year.

Absolutely not. I’ve worked closely with Susie to develop this into a book that will be helpful for years to come, and as well as immediately practical. For example, after each short article there is a list of Connect! Activities. These are designed to give the reader an opportunity to practice what they’ve just learned.

So how can we get the book?

Connections is available right now in the print version through the My Book Therapy website. (). Mid March it will be available on Amazon in both print and e-book versions.

Edie Melson Bio:

Edie Melson is the author of four books, a freelance writer and editor with years of experience in the publishing industry. She’s the co-director of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, as well as a popular faculty member at numerous others. She’s also the social media columnist for Southern Writers Magazine and social media coach for My Book Therapy. Connect with her through Twitter, Facebook, and her popular blog for writers,

Thanks for joining us today, Edie. And readers, don’t forget to leave a comment. You could be the winner!

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | February 22, 2013

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Barker

You’ll quickly see that today’s Parting Word is different from our usual format. My friend, Cheryl Barker, posted this on her site this week, and I wanted to share it with you.

After all, the message of her post is the heart of the Christian Writer’s Den: To help and encourage one another as writers and to carry each other’s burdens as brothers and sisters in Christ.

Hitching a Ride, by Cheryl Barker

Sometimes we need to be carried. Just ask the little bird who’s hitchin’ a ride on the back of the pronghorn above—a sight we witnessed, by the way, on our trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone last summer.

Maybe the little guy was tired from a long flight through the mountains or possibly he wasn’t feeling well. Maybe that was the best spot in the meadow to catch a refreshing breeze. Whatever the reason, he decided to use someone else’s strength for a bit.

I wonder if any of us need to be carried today, need to use someone else’s strength for a little while. Let’s not be afraid or embarrassed to accept help. Sometimes it’s okay to hitch a ride. Sometimes we need to be carried.

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Do you have a burden we can help carry through prayer?

Thank you for sharing your words with us today, Cheryl. And friends, I hope you’ll check out Cheryl’s site, Cheryl Barker.

And to all…I pray God’s blessing on the work of your hands and your hearts,

Vonda

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Writer’s Headlines: Writing Opportunities

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By Vonda Skelton | February 21, 2013

Yep, it’s the 3rd Thursday and that means it’s time to share some writing opportunities and contests with you!

And in case you didn’t notice, most of this month’s listings are special to me in some way. Enjoy!

1.  Reach Out Columbia (SC) Christian Magazine writing guidelines.

2.  Fam Fest 2013 Film Festival Short Film Contest. Deadline March 15, 2013.

3.  Round Table Comedy Monologue Writing Contest. Deadline June 30, 2013.

4.  Jamie Britt’s Devotion for Women. From Jamie: For the last few months, God has really impressed on my heart to compile a book of devotions by women for women. This book will hopefully be a year-long journey of finding God’s peace in the midst of situations where it just can’t be found otherwise. I will need your devotions in an attached Word document. Upon acceptance, I will email you and ask for picture and bio. It needs to be in the following format: Scripture along with reference and translation used, short story to illustrate the point, question to ponder, and a prayer. The devotion should be no more than 400 words. (This doesn’t include prayer and Scripture.) I’m extending the deadline. I will need your submissions no later than April 1st. I’m hoping to attend the BRMCWC this year and would love to have this in hand to present to an editor/agent. I really look forward to reading your submissions! Email: Jamie Britt <>

5.  Inspire a Fire Online Magazine submissions.

6.  ChristianDevotions.us writers guidelines.

7.  Doodle 4 Google Contest for Kids. Deadline March 22, 2013.

8.  Interviews with Courageous Women who were overcomers. Melony Brown’s blog submissions.

9.  Gideon Media Arts Conference & Film Festival Screenwriting and Short Film Contests

10. Novel Rocket Launchpad Writing Contest. Rotating deadlines for genres.

11. Utmost Christian Writers Guidelines.

So there you have them, eleven opportunities for you, and most are special to me.

As my friend Carolyn Knefely says, Write on!

Vonda

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Laughter is Serious Business

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By Vonda Skelton | February 19, 2013

Photo courtesy of Tina Phillips/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’ve always had an innate sense of humor. From the time I was a little girl, I loved making people laugh, even if it meant making a fool of myself in the process. My dad educated me in the gentle art of humor through his Miss Carolina Bowler beauty award and his practical joking.

As a kid, it was only natural that I would participate in talent shows. It didn’t matter if I was singing and dancing with a construction-paper-faced broom or playing the part of a down-on-her-luck Queen for a Day contestant, my goal was always to win the audience with humor. And most of the time it worked.

So when I began my speaking ministry in 1998, it was only natural that I would entertain the audience by standing on my head during the introduction. After all, I reasoned, if I could make them laugh, they would be more likely to really hear the truth in my message.* And even though my techniques have changed (Believe me, I haven’t stood on my head in years!), the use of humor has been a constant ingredient throughout my ministry.

But when I decided to write a women’s book, I discovered what had worked well from the stage didn’t make the transition to paper. Brent Diggs in his post, The Secret to Writing Humor, says, “Nearly every tool of comedy is denied to the writer.” How true that is! The tools that had worked so well from the stage–timing, facial expressions, tones and inflections–weren’t available in written words.

That struggle led me to the study of humor writing. And even though I can’t share everything with you in this short blog time, here are some techniques to help you engage your reader through laughter.

  1. Set the story up well. Take the time to lay out the groundwork in a logical way.
  2. Use exaggeration. This is one time you want to take literary license through the use of hyperbole. The story is still true, but you just make it more. As I tell the school students in my Writing is Fun Workshops, take real life and make it bigger, badder, meaner, sadder.
  3. Apply the rule of threes. Even though it’s not officially a rule, we know there is melody in the use of threes. And there’s humor in the use of threes, too.
  4. And whether you’re using the rule of threes or simply telling a story, try to place the funniest word at the end of the sentence.
  5. Punch words and/or punch lines often work well.
  6. Write tight. When I initially write out a story, it’s a rambling story with all the details I normally include when I tell it from the stage. But in writing, I discovered it was best told in no more than half the spoken words.
  7. Use words that begin with hard consonants, especially the K sound.
  8. Use short sentences for more emphasis.
  9. Even in humor writing, be sure to listen for the music or cadence of the words.
  10. Rewrite…rewrite…rewrite.

I hope this list helps you in your goal of writing humor. And just to prepare you as you work on humor, I’ll close with these words of truth from the well-known humorist, Dave Barry:

“It’s hard to think of an ending. The beginning is really hard, and the ending is always really hard, and the middle part is also very hard. It’s just hard, hard, hard.” Dave Barry

*Disclaimer: If you attend the Christian Communicators Conference to learn how to begin or expand your speaking ministry, I can assure you, I will not be teaching you how to stand on your head. I won’t even recommend it. As a matter of fact, I’d rather we didn’t even talk about it at all…

(Photo courtesy of TinaPhillips/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

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And since we’re talking about humor today, I just have to share one of my favorite funny videos, I Will Survive – Alien Song, by I was first introduced to this video by Alton Gansky when he taught a class at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference, long before he was the director.

It’s only a minute. Go ahead. Enjoy!

Write on…and laugh!

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | February 15, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

We’re attending another funeral today. And it’s way too soon.

The past few years we’ve seen the deaths of several friends, young and not-so-young, but still too young to die. They’ve left families, ministries, and friends.

Their absence has left children without parents and spouses without partners. Those left behind are often disheartened with life and its chaos and conflicts.

Perhaps you’ve been through unfathomable loss and can’t get back on your feet.

If so, you’re not alone.

Job knew what it was to lose his family, his riches, and his health. He knew what it felt like to feel far from God. But even in the midst of his broken life, Job proclaimed the truth when he said,

I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. Job 19:25

We can have confidence in that truth today. Regardless of what we’re going through, God is still God, He is still on the throne, and He still loves us. Sometimes that’s the only comfort we can find.

But it’s always enough.

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

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

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Writer’s Headlines: Kudos, MoGo7000, & Christian Communicators is Ready for YOU!

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By Vonda Skelton | February 14, 2013

It’s not only Valentine’s Day, but it’s also the 2nd Thursday, and that means it’s time to celebrate your successes!

Congratulations to all these Christian Writer’s Den readers who are working hard and finding success:

1.  Suzanne Dekock (SC): Suzanne says she has finally ventured out into the social media world with her new health blog, HealthandBlessings. She hopes you’ll check it out!

2.  Jeanne Doyon (CT): Jeanne has several successes to share today! 1)My article called, A Time to Be Still, has been published on Crosswalk. 2) My article, A New Heart-itude, has been published on Crosswalk.com. 3)Open the Word In Canada has printed my article, How Big is Your God? 4)My article, Going Tandem, was published on Crosswalk.com. 5)Evangel (Light & Life Communications) has published two of my articles. Wow, Jeanne, what a great month you’ve had!

3.  Tammy Whitehurst (TX): Tammy also has several things to share: 1)I was delighted, overjoyed, and downright over-the-top yesterday as I opened my mailbox and had payment for an article I had written! 2)I was also chosen for a speaking position in Minnesota this year! ( I really must work on my Texas accent though.) 3)This year I have had articles accepted by Christianity Today, Calgary Canada’s City Lights, Mature Years, and Peace Magazine from Bryan Broadcasting.

4.  Cheryl Barker (KS): I’m thanking God for two articles accepted for publication (don’t yet when they will appear). Evangel accepted “Living to Tell About It,” and The Lutheran Digest accepted “A Surprise from God.”

5.  Barb Winters (IL): I am thrilled to introduce my new blogsite “In the Midst . . . ” A blog about meeting God and finding hope in the midst of everyday life. From my “About” page: My husband says we are living a story. People observe our lives as if they are reading a book. Each of us can choose to live a story of hope or one of heartache and discouragement. When others read my life I want them to be filled with hope. Life can be hard. But God is good! It’s when we see Him in the midst of everyday life that we are most content.

6.  Sally Matheny: My first submission to our local paper was accepted and presented in a two-page layout for the Sunday Spotlight feature. I love interviewing people and sharing their stories–especially when they glorify God. The story about two teen sisters can be found here.

7.  Lisa J Lickel (WI): Lisa’s new mystery has been released! Meow Mayhem is now available.

8.  Cyn Rogalski (PA): I’ve accepted a position with Christian Communicators Conference as their CC Connection Coordinator!

9.  Melanie Wilson (MO): My article, 16 Mistakes Weary Homeschool Moms Make, was published in
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine.

10. Nan Jones (NC): I was chosen as the winner of the Writer’s ADVANCE! Boot Camp Badge of Honor book contest for my book, “If God Be For Me: The Perils of a Pastor’s Wife”. What’s the prize, you ask? I am now an author with Lighthouse Publishers of the Carolinas. Yep! This week I signed and delivered my very first book contract. Thank You Lord. Also, I am a featured author in a devotional titled, “God’s Word for God’s People/ A 2013 Devotional” released in January.

11. Cathy Baker (SC): I’ll have a poem included in an anthology, “Enter the Gateway,” by Torrid Publishing in August 2013.

Congratulations to all these hardworking writers. We celebrate with you!

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MoGo7000 Qualifiers for January…Someone’s Gonna Win $100 This Year!

What a joy to announce the first MoGo7000 qualifiers for 2013. These writers wrote at least 7000 new words on a book project and now have an entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100!

1.  Sue Badeau – over 30,000 words
2.  Marilyn Turk – 9490 words
3.  Cindy Patterson – 7083 words

These writers are now in the running for $100. Want to join them? It’s not too late to reach your goal for February! Need more info? Check out the MoGo7000 Challenge Page for all the details. Then watch for the call out for word counts the 1st Thursday of February.

And don’t forget, the more months you reach the goal, the more entries you’ll have! Can’t wait to see who qualifies next month!

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Drumroll please…We’re pleased to announce that your wait is over!

Registration is now open for the 4th Christian Communicators Conference to be held August 28-September 1, 2013 at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in beautiful Asheville, NC.

The dates are set, the expanded faculty is lined up, the new benefits are in place, The Cove is anticipating our return, and Carolyn and I are excited to watch as God brings another amazing group of sisters into the community!

With registration limited to 30 ladies and membership lasting long past the conference, your conference experience is like no other.

As many have said and you may have heard:
Christian Communicators is more than a conference…it’s a community.

Your Christian Communicators experience doesn’t end at the close of Sunday. Instead, you’ll discover it’s just the beginning! After attending CCC, you’ll be part of a vibrant, exciting group of ladies who experience continued promotional and educational opportunities to learn and grow as speakers, writers, and sisters in the Lord.

At a Christian Communicators Conference, less truly is more…

  • You won’t be surrounded by hundreds of women…but you’ll be embraced by a few who will become lifelong friends
  • You won’t experience long lines for dinner…but you’ll have long conversations over dessert
  • You won’t need change for vending machines…but shared stories at afternoon tea can change your life
  • You won’t find big stages…but you’ll find lots of big hearts

Come and learn in a small, intimate setting…
then go out and change a great big world!

Your all-inclusive package includes everything you need to start or expand your speaking ministry!

How to create and deliver a message? It’s in there!
How to dress? It’s in there!
How to promote your ministry and gain new speaking opportunities? They’re in there!
Headshots? Yes!
Video footage? Yes!
Business forms…determining your fees…generating additional income…
Social media training…fine dining etiquette…a lovely afternoon tea…
The list goes on and on.

As a participant in this unique conference, you’ll learn how to:

  • Discover your ministry focus and mission
  • Create compelling messages by including Biblical Truth and your own experiences and stories of life
  • Incorporate drama, music, props, and humor into your presentations
  • Use the stage to your best advantage
  • Dress for the occasion
  • Develop the forms, manage the paperwork, and set up an organized system
  • Use social networking to share your ministry with others (choice of beginner or intermediate level)
  • Get your information into the hands of event planners
  • Generate income from a product table—even if you don’t have a published book!
  • Interact professionally with church and business leaders, including protocol and etiquette
  • Face your fears and move forward in the call God has placed on your life

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give
the reason for the hope that you have.  I Peter 3:15

The Benefits of the Christian Communicators Conference…

CCC’s program package is all-inclusive. You won’t find a more complete program anywhere!

  • Lodging for 5 days and 4 nights
  • Meals from Wednesday dinner through Sunday lunch
  • Snacks, access to the free yogurt bar and cappuccino machines, and continuous coffee and soft drinks
  • A lovely afternoon tea, appropriate for tea attire, if desired
  • Classes, breakout sessions, and training
  • Handouts, notebook, and bag
  • Reproducible ministry forms
  • Professionally recorded video of your presentation
  • Headshot session by professional photographer
  • Fine dining etiquette class
  • Two additional classes on DVD for continued home study
  • Limited registration
  • Critiques
  • Give-aways
  • Free airport pick up and return
  • Friendship and support from ministry-focused women
  • Personal one-hour phone appointment with Carolyn or Vonda after conference

There are no surprise expenses!

download (3)This is an exciting week of learning, growing, and hearing from the Lord. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out the Christian Communicators Testimonial Page to hear from some of our graduates. Then we hope you’ll head on over and check out the Registration Details, Schedule, Leadership Team, and Scholarships.

Don’t let another year go by without taking the next step in your speaking journey.

Our prayer is that this week will change your life and equip you to fulfill the plan God has for you!

Please feel free to check out all the details at or Contact Me with any questions. I’d love to hear from you. 🙂

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Developing the Melody of Words: It’s Music to Their Ears & Who Won Marti Pieper’s Book?

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By Vonda Skelton | February 12, 2013

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Ahhh…the melody of words. Don’t you love it? Melodic writing truly is music to the ears.

But the melody I want to talk about today isn’t necessarily created through the use of lyrical, literary, or eloquent words. It’s the rhythm of a well-crafted sentence, created when we develop an ear for the beat.

Here are two versions each of four passages, none of which would be considered eloquent, and yet I believe they demonstrate varying levels of music through the beat. Which do you like better? (BTW, the first three examples are in the voice of my 12-year-old protagonist, Bitsy and are taken from my Bitsy Mysteries. The last example is taken from my book, Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe).

Example #1:

  1. I knelt beside her and pulled back a branch of waxy green leaves. “You mean that skinny kid with the spiked hair? The one over there by the cemetery?”
  2. I knelt down on the ground beside her and pulled back a branch of waxy green leaves. “You mean that kid over there by the cemetery? The one who is skinny and has spiked hair?

Example #2:

  1. It felt like sandpaper on sunburned skin.
  2. It felt like sandpaper on a day-old sunburn.

Example #3:

  1. One day we’ll strike it rich together, and then we’ll have lots of food and the mailbox will be full of money instead of past-due bills, and we’ll have nice clothes.
  2. One day we’ll strike it rich together, and then we’ll have nice clothes and lots of food and the mailbox will be full of money instead of past-due bills.

Example #4:

  1. It’s not that she really lied or anything. She just kinda stretched the truth. Made it a little more exciting. After all, a great story must have a WOW factor. And the fact that God said not to eat the fruit just wasn’t WOW enough. So she invented another rule: They couldn’t touch the fruit, either. It was a minor point, but it was a major problem.
  2. It’s not that she really lied or anything. She just kinda stretched the truth. Made it a little more exciting. After all, a great story must have a WOW factor. And the fact that God said not to eat the fruit just wasn’t WOW enough. So she invented another rule: They couldn’t touch the fruit, either. Minor point. Major problem.

So, what did you think? Did you have a favorite between each of the two choices? I sure did, and I’ll tell you why.

Example #1: I liked A best. First of all, the overall writing is much tighter. The B version includes unnecessary words, such as down and on the ground. Let’s face it, have you ever seen anybody kneel up? And since the scene had already been established as being outside, it’s redundant to say she knelt on the ground. Also, the dialogue is stilted and too wordy. How often do we say, “He is skinny”? In conversation, we’re more likely to use contractions. And I like ending with cemetery rather than hair. Not only does it have a better beat, but it leaves the reader with a more powerful image. Isn’t a cemetery more visual than hair?

Example #2: The B sentence is my choice for a couple of reasons. First, sunburned skin simply isn’t as descriptive a simile as a day-old sunburn. And again, take a look at the last word in each sentence. Ending the sentence with sunburn leaves the reader with a vivid picture. Skin is just skin. Sunburn is red and painful and hot. Ouch!

Example #3: If you chose B, we’re on the same page. I prefer the way the items build in both the length of the phrases and in the intensity of the need. After all, nice clothes are good to have and food is necessary for life, but if you have lots of money in the mailbox, you can have both! And oh, can you hear the better beat?

Example #4: I know you had to read a lot of the same sentences, but I wanted you to feel and hear the beat in the first paragraph in order to hear the change of rhythm in the second. Can you see and hear that changing to short, choppy phrases in the B sample made the point much more powerful?

So, did we make the same choices? I’d be happy to hear your thoughts. In the meantime, I hope we all make an effort to develop the rhythm of writing. After all, we want our words to be music to our readers’ ears!

(Photo courtesy of StuartMiles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net)

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Who Won Marti Pieper’s Book?

It’s Beth Fortune! Congratulations, Beth! Just Contact Me with your mailing address AND YOUR CHOICE OF MARTI’S BOOKS, and it’ll be on its way!

And readers, don’t worry if you didn’t win. You can still get your own copies by ordering here: I Would Die for You, Rite of Passage Parenting: Four Essential Experiences to Equip Your Kids for Life, and Rite of Passage Parenting workbook.

Happy writing and reading!

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…

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By Vonda Skelton | February 8, 2013

Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net

As writers and speakers and actors and filmmakers, we’re often faced with opportunities that may not look like they honor the Lord.

It’s easy to defend our projects by pointing to passages in the Bible that are equally evil. After all, God didn’t hide the ugliness of sin.

But the Truth–the overarching goal of God’s Word–is to show His redemption in the midst of the debauchery. Are we including elements of evil in our work? If so, we must honestly evaluate its presentation. Is it truly a needed element? If it is, it’s our job to present the solution when we present the evil.

That should be our guide as we make our choices and walk this path of the creative arts.

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

Are we honoring God with our gifts?

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

Vonda

(Photo courtesy of ChristianPhotos.net)

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Writer’s Headlines: Call for Kudos & MoGo7000 Results

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By Vonda Skelton | February 7, 2013

Who has good news to share?

Have you had something exciting happen recently in your writing or speaking life? Maybe you’ve had an article published, signed a book contract, released a new book, got an agent, or started a new blog. If so, we want to hear from you!

It’s really simple, but I do ask that you contact me with the info in this format:

**Your name
**Your state in two-letter abbreviation
**Link to your website or blog
**Your good news
**Link to your good news, if online (online bookstore, online article, etc)

I can’t wait to celebrate with you in this new year!

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Did You MoGo in January?

If you wrote at least 7000 new words on a book project in January, you could be in the drawing for $100 cash!

To report your January results, please leave a comment below with your total new words written in January. (Please do not send your totals by email or through the Contact page. Totals must be left as a comment by next Monday).

And if you missed out on 2012’s money-winning writing challenge, don’t worry. It’s a new year and that means a new challenge! Here are the MoGo7000 Challenge rules. It’s free and you can join in at any time!

Just remember, each month in 2013 that you write at least 7000 NEW words on a book project, you can receive an entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100! The more months you meet the goal, the more chances you have to win!

So what are you waiting for? Get started now and you could make a lot of headway on a book this year–and possibly win $100!

Write on!

Vonda

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