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Portly Prose – Does Your Writing Need a Diet? by Lori Hatcher

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By Vonda Skelton | March 29, 2016

Pig PixabayWhen you face a writing assignment with a word count of 250, do you clap or groan? For me, writing with a short word count is much more challenging than writing with a long one.

For several years the editor of a popular anthology invited me to submit 225-word devotions for her consideration. “Two hundred and twenty-five words?” I’d say. “I can’t even build a porch with fewer than 225 words, and you want me to build a whole house?” Crafting a devotion with a hook, scriptural insight, personal application, and conclusion in only a few hundred words seemed impossible.

But I took the challenge. My first attempt tipped the word count scales at an obese 350. I tossed out one of my favorite illustrations. That shaved off 50 words. I reworked the conclusion. Down 25 more. I briefly considered cutting the Scripture verse, but realized that would defeat the whole purpose. My moment of insanity, however, revealed to me how attached I had become to my well-turned phrases. Cut my words or God’s Word? Uh . . . why am I even asking this question?

As I examined my dumpy devotion looking for traces of literary cellulite, I was surprised at what I found. Muffin top metaphors. Saggy similies. Portly prose. Roly-poly rhetoric. Chubby conclusions. My devotion, I discovered, needed much more than a nip and tuck. It needed gastric bypass.

Here are five tips I applied to trim the fat from my writing:
  • Focus on one main idea. Think snapshot, not panorama. Throw out anything that doesn’t directly support your main point.
  • Choose one verse, the strongest one that supports your premise. Resist the urge to throw the whole Book at your readers.
  • Eliminate wordy, conversational phrases. (“In my opinion,” “It appears to me,” and “It’s come to my attention,” are common examples.) These add unnecessary inches to your writing waistline and make your work bulge.
  • Substitute strong verbs for adipose adverbs. If you carefully select your verbs, you won’t need most adverbs. (“Jean silently and slowly walked toward John,” becomes “Jean crept toward John,” saving you three precious words.)
  • Cut most uses of the word “that.” Read the sentence aloud. If it makes sense without “that,” you know the word is dead weight. “To” is also often extraneous. (“Lord, help me to pray more,” becomes, “Lord, help me pray more.”)

These tips will help you tone and tighten your prose, whether you’re squeezing your thoughts into a SizeHand holding scissors 2(00) devotion or donning a billowy 3XXX teaching piece. Just like wriggling into jeans two sizes too small, writing tightly will be painful at first. But unlike those too-tight jeans that hinder your movement, cut off your blood flow, and make you grumpy, changing saggy writing to svelte will force you to write better, think more creatively, and feel more confident about your writing.

Now, if you’re up to the challenge of writing a 200-400-word devotion, check out these fine publications:

Christian Devotions (300-400 words)

Light From the Word (200-400 words)

The Secret Place  (100-200 words)

The Upper Room Devotional (~250 words)

Lori Hatcher-1Lori Hatcher is the editor of Reach Out, Columbia magazine and the author of two devotional books. Her second book is Hungry for God…Starving for Time, 5-Minute Devotions for Busy Women. A blogger, writing instructor, and women’s ministry speaker, her goal is to help women connect with God in the craziness of life. You’ll find her pondering the marvelous and the mundane on her blog, Hungry for God…Starving for Time. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@LoriHatcher2), or Pinterest (Hungry for God).

Lori is a graduate of Christian Communicators speakers training conference and has taught at the Christian Communicators ADVANCED Conference.

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Will You Be One of the 30 at Christian Communicators? It’s Already Half-Full!ccclogosmall

Christian Communicators is a speaking conference unlike any you’ve ever attended. It’s not simply a conference…it’s a community of like-minded women who continue to encourage, help, and pray for each other long after the conference is over!

It’s a full-package conference that includes so much more than simply speaker training. After all, speakers need headshots and videos, business and networking classes, and after-conference phone coaching…and that’s exactly what 30 ladies get at Christian Communicators!

And there’s no better place to connect with the Father than at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in the beautiful mountains of Asheville, NC!

Check out the CCC details and then reserve your spot–before it’s too late!

Happy Writing!

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…Three Scripted Words

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By Vonda Skelton | March 25, 2016

Jesus carrying cross Lost Seed. dot comThree Scripted Words–Which Will You Choose?

I’ve always loved drama. From the time I was a little girl, sitting in front of a black and white TV, I knew that movies and scripts could reach down inside and grab a part of the soul that few things could ever touch.

By the time I was a teenager, I knew the power of the stage, the power of scripted words. And nothing proved it better than Frank Zeffirelli’s movie, Romeo and Juliet. The story. The costumes. The music. The words. I was captivated! I must have watched it a hundred times, and yet each time, it was as if I were seeing it afresh, anew.

My heart danced the night Romeo and Juliet danced—their faces and their lives hidden behind the masks, falling into a forbidden love. A love of good and evil.

Two sides. Two families. The Capulets and the Montagues.

You know the story. Romeo and Juliet fall in love, secretly marry, and spend one night together. The next day, Romeo kills Juliet’s cousin in a battle between their families, and then must escape to save his own life. Unaware of his daughter’s marriage to Romeo, Juliet’s father decrees she will marry another man.

Juliet is afraid to reveal the truth, so she meets with the priest and together they devise a plan that will allow the couple to be together forever. It is a fail-proof plan. With the help of a sleeping potion, Juliet will feign death, and Romeo will return to the city and retrieve her from the tomb. They will escape to live their life of love together, and no one will ever know the truth. A messenger is sent to deliver the fail-proof, scripted plan to Romeo.

But before the messenger reaches him, Romeo hears the terrible news that his beloved wife has died. So he devises his own plan—to join her in death. He mounts his horse and takes off for the city. But Juliet’s messenger and Romeo pass each other in the night. The grieving husband continues toward death, unaware of the truth.

It is a fateful mistake.

Romeo arrives, locates the tomb and—thinking his true love is dead—drinks his own poison in an effort to join her. Death comes quickly and Romeo falls across his wife’s body. Moments later, Juliet awakens to find her Romeo dead. Unable to imagine life without her husband, she tries to drink from Romeo’s vial, but finds it empty. She eagerly kisses her still-warm Romeo, hoping to find poison on his lips. When she finds none, she grabs his sword and thrusts it into her own body.

Her blood drips to the ground.

I sat there in the theater, my eyes glued to the screen, my body jerking with the sobs of emotion—unable to see the images through the tears filling my eyes and streaming down my face. My heart was broken for the two lovers, the two innocents who were merely on opposite sides of a battle, a battle they hadn’t chosen.

Joint funerals unite the city. The music and visuals carry us through the pain and agony.

Two families. Two sides. Joined in grief. Good and evil, exposed in death.

A voice cries from the screen:

“All . . . are . . . punished!”

Three scripted words, spoken to bring the emotion of the story to one pivotal moment. It works. I grieve, along with the Capulets and the Montagues. I can hardly stand it.

And it’s only a movie.jesus holding cross lost seed dot com

But two thousand years ago, there was another script, another drama. Two families. Two sides. Good and evil. God and Satan.

Jesus knew the story by heart because before time began, He had sat down with the Father and the Holy Spirit, and the three of Them wrote the script . . . scene by scene, line by line, word by word.

Directed by the words of the prophets, the story unfolds. The cast—often without their knowledge—follows the plan and brings the story to its pre-ordained conclusion. No actors. No lines to learn, no songs to sing. Because this time, it’s real.

And the story—although a script—is true.

But this drama wasn’t written to generate emotion; it was written to bring freedom and new life for all mankind. The only way to unite a holy God and unholy man was through the sacrifice of a perfect, sinless lamb—Jesus. He would have to die.

No sleeping potion to feign death. No escape from the Father’s decree. Sin required a blood sacrifice . . . and Jesus willingly signed up for the part. After all, He was the only One Who qualified.

His blood fell to the ground.

But the story doesn’t end there. Because from the cross, at the height of His suffering, Jesus cried the three words scripted thousands of years before:

“It . . . is . . . finished!”

Three words, spoken to bring the sin of man to one pivotal moment. It works. I grieve, along with the sinners and the saved. I can hardly stand it.

Jesus, the sinless Grace-giver, received no grace that dark and mournful day. But because of His sacrifice, we—an unholy people—are united with a holy God.

We simply choose which script, which three little words, we want to follow: “All are punished” . . . or . . . “It is finished.”

Jesus is God’s Son.

We are sinners.

We can’t be good enough to get to heaven on our own.

We need a Savior.

That Savior is Jesus.

He is the sacrifice for our sin.

He took the punishment we deserve.

It . . .  is . . . finished!

Three powerful, little words that changed eternity.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

I pray God’s blessing as we celebrate our Risen Lord!

Vonda

Thanks for Sharing!

Which script will you choose? “All are punished” or “It is finished”? #Cross #Jesus #Easter (Click to Tweet)

(Images courtesy of Lost Seed)

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Interview & Book Give-Away with Ramona Richards – Win a Free Book!

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By Vonda Skelton | March 22, 2016

Ramona Richards headshotWriters, I’m thrilled to introduce my long-time friend, author and speaker Ramona Richards to you! We’ve been friends like forever (I think we met at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference), and I’m honored to have her here today to share her latest book, a beautiful tribute to her mother and her quilts.

Be sure to leave a comment for Ramona and you’ll be in the drawing for a free book!

Ramona, I love, love, love your recent release of My Mother’s Quilts: Devotions from a Legacy of Needlework. It was so tender, I began tearing up the at the dedication! It’s definitely a departure from your previous books I’ve read. How did this come about?

I’ve written devotions for a long time, and I had two prior books of devotions published earlier in my career: A Moment with God for Single Parents and Secrets of Confidence. Devotion writing is one of my loves, and I’ve worked hard on the craft. Devotions are a little like children’s books: they LOOK easy to write, but there’s a definite skill involved.

After my mother died, I wanted to find a way to honor her with my writing, and the idea came when I was unpacking all the quilts I’d inherited from her. Mother was a master quilter, but she’d struggled to put her memories in writing. That’s my gift. To combine them to preserve her legacy seemed natural, almost a nudge from God.

I was still working out the details when I had the opportunity to pitch it to Worthy Publishing. They asked for a proposal right away, so I put one together in the next 24 hours and sent it to my agent. After a bit of refinement, she sent it on to Worthy.

A proposal in 24 hours? Now, that’s fast! The photographs in My Mother’s Quilts are lovely. How did theyRamona Richards My Mother's Quilts cover come about?

Another bit of God’s timing, I believe. A few years ago, I reconnected with my cousin Becky on Facebook. We hadn’t seen each other since our teens, even though our mothers had been best friends. Her grandmother was my grandmother’s sister, so some of the quilts I have are as much a part of her family. Becky’s daughter, Mary, is a professional photographer in east Tennessee. Having Mary do the photos turned out to be an astonishing gift, as Becky worked with me on the quilts, arranged for one of them to be photographed in her sister’s house, and organized a family reunion around the one quilt that’s in a museum.

The book would not be what it is without them.

I totally agree. Any advice for anyone who wants to turn their family legacy into a writing project?

Find a narrative thread or common element, and turn it into a story with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Don’t just make a list of events or a string of memories than aren’t related to each other. While each may be entertaining, the goal would be to build a whole story that honors those about whom you’re writing, to show the entirety of their lives, and not just a few entertaining moments. 

And you did that very well. So what’s next for you?

I’m working on a proposal for another quilt devotional, but I’m also finishing up another romantic suspense. I have some major editorial projects in the works. I left Abingdon in December, and I’ve been working harder than ever!

I’m glad to hear you’re staying busy with your writing and projects. How can people get in touch with you?

They can contact me through my website, Twitter, or Facebook. I’m also going to be at a number of conferences this year, including the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May. A complete list will be on my website in a couple of weeks. I do love hearing from folks!

Thanks for joining us today, Ramona. I can’t wait to see you again at Blue Ridge. Your book truly is a tribute to your family. I know my friends are going to love it as much as I do!

And readers, if you’d like a chance to win a copy of Ramona’s book, just leave a comment for her and you’ll be in the drawing. Be sure to return next week to see if you’re the winner.

Thanks for Sharing!

My Mother’s Quilts author @RamonaRichards is giving away a copy of her new book at The Christian Writer’s Den! (Click to Tweet)

RamonaRichards.com

RamonaRichards.com Twitter: @RamonaRichards

Bio:  Ramona Richards is the author of nine books, and her devotions have appeared in such publications as Fulfilled: The NIV Devotional Bible for the Single Woman, Trusting Jesus Every Day, Wonderfully Made, Heavenly Humor for the Woman’s Soul, Heavenly Humor for the Dieter’s Soul, and several others. A writer and editor since 1981, Ramona has worked on staff or as a freelancer with more than 20 magazine and book publishers, most recently as the Senior Acquisitions Editor for Fiction and Christian Living with Abingdon Press. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.

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Parting Words From The WORD . . . Write It Down

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By Vonda Skelton | March 18, 2016
Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.

Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.

The life of a writer can be discouraging. We can work for years on a book, writing and praying and editing and praying and rewriting and praying and editing and praying . . .

Some days the words just won’t come. Sometimes they come quickly, only to be found unworthy. If we’re wise, those words are thrown away.

But we keep going. We work hard until we finally think it’s ready. Yes, this can take years.

Then we pray and work even more until we generate the courage to hit SEND. We’ve reached our goal!

You’d think we’d be able to take a breath now and move on to the next thing. But no. There’s no relief, because life is now in limbo as we wait for an answer. For months. Sometimes years.

I pray that this week the words are coming for you. Good words. Engaging words. Compelling, inviting words.

I pray that the response you receive is a resounding “Yes!”

But what if it’s not? What if this is a time when the words won’t come and the rejections won’t go? What if this is a time when you’re crying out to God, asking Him why He doesn’t intervene?

Don’t give up. Instead, remember these words, spoken by the God of the universe, to the prophet Habakkuk, when he questioned God’s perceived inaction:

“Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets
so that a herald may run with it…” Habakkuk 2:2

It’s our responsibility to write it down. It’s our responsibility to make it plain.

And whether it’s published by a large traditional publisher or simply posted on our own blogs, others can read . . . and run with it.

Don’t give up. Write it down.

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

Vonda

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Writer’s Headlines: Writing Opportunities & Conferences and Christian Communicators Registration is Open!

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By Vonda Skelton | March 15, 2016

newspapersYes, it’s the 3rd Tuesday, so it’s the day to find YOUR next writing opportunity!

1.  Alaska Magazine Submission Guidelines for Freelance Writers – And yes, we have a couple of writers who live in Alaska, so girls, this is for you!

2.  The Cattleman Magazine – Guidelines for Writing for The Cattleman – Yes, we have some cowgirls, too. :-)

3.  Alive Now writers guidelines and theme list

4.  Chicken Soup for the Soul possible book titles – They’re always looking for new stories!

5.  American Girl Magazine accepts entries by children!

6.  Bible Advocate and Now What? writer’s guidelines

7.  Faith Today: Canada’s Christian Magazine

8.  Submission guidelines for BABYBUG, LADYBUG, SPIDER, ASK, CRICKET, and CICADA magazines for babies through teens

9.  Writer’s guidelines for Catholic Digest.

10. Eldridge Plays and Musicals submission guidelines

11.  Photo Life could be looking for your photos!

12. Sasee Magazine for Women. It’s all about women. It’s all about you.

13. Mary Kaarto is looking for counselors.  “I’m looking to interview licensed or certified counselors that deal with substance abuse, domestic violence, suicide prevention, grief counselors, pastors who offer couples counseling and anyone with active involvement in an unemployment ministry for a book I’m writing. Please contact me with your credentials at . Thank you.”

14. Grace Publishing is accepting manuscript submissions

15. Jennifer Hallmark is taking blog submissions for 2016: Have you ever been overwhelmed by gratefulness over an act of kindness by a friend, family member, or organization? Have your children or spouse done something so sweet you just have to share? I have openings on my website’s blog page, Small Acts of Kindness, scattered throughout the rest of this year. I post every Monday.

I’m looking for a 300-700 word story sharing your experience. Please include photos or pictures you’d like me to post, book blurb and cover. I also will add any links and a short bio if you’d like.

Please reply to jenlhall63 (at) gmail (dot) com if you are interested. For examples, go to Thanks! p.s. We also have interviews open on the Writing Prompts blog for the second half of the year.

Well, that should keep you busy for a while! Be sure to let me know when you get that publication!

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Image courtesy of StuartMiles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of StuartMiles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Conferences are your ticket to success!

Here’s a list of upcoming writing and/or speaking conferences. Make your plans now to attend at least one conference a year. You wouldn’t expect to get a job without being prepared and qualified, would you? You can be sure your chances of publication increase with your training and experience in writing as well.

1.  Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference: March 18-22, 2016, Mount Hermon, CA

2.  Mid-South Christian Writers Conference: March 19, 2016, Collierville, TN

3.  American Christian Writers Mentoring Retreats begin in April: Various locations and dates

4.  Write2Ignite for Writers of Children’s Literature: April 1-2, 2016, Tigerville, SC

5.  Orange County Christian Writers’ Conference: April 15-16, 2016, Fullerton, CA

6.  Writing Success 25: April 30, 2016, Stoneboro, PA

7.  Colorado Christian Writers Conference: May 11-14, 2016, Estes Park, CO

8.  Blue Lake Christian Writers Retreat: April 20-23, 2016, Andalusia, AL (This is a NEW conference!)

9.  Northwest Christian Writers Renewal: May 13-14, 2016, Redmond, WA

brmcwc 201610. Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference: May 22-26, 2016, Ridgecrest, NC (I’ll see you there!)

11. West Texas Writers’ Academy: June 6-10, 2016, Canyon, TX

12. Write to Publish: June 8-11, 2016, Chicago area

13. West Virginia Writers Conference: June 10-12, 2016, Ripley, WV

14. New England Christian Writers Retreat: June 17-19, 2016, Hamilton, MA

15. St. David’s Christian Writers Conference: June 22-26, 2016, Grove City, PA

16. Kentucky Christian Writers Conference: June 23-25, 2016, Elizabethtown, KY

17. Romance Writers of America: July 13-16, 2016, San Diego, CA

18. Greater Philly Christian Writer’s Conference: August 3-6, 2016, Langhorne, PA

19. Taylor University’s Professional Writing Conference: August 5-6, 2016, Upland, IN (This is a brand new conference!)

20. Atlanta Christian Writers Conference: August 18-20, 2016, Marietta, GAccclogosmall

21. Christian Communicators Conference: August 24-28, 2016 The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, Asheville, NC. Registration will open in March. Registration opens today! Don’t delay–Only 30 slots available!

22. American Christian Fiction Writers: August 25-28, 2016, Nashville, TN

23. Breathe Christian Writers Conference: October 7-8, 2016, Grand Rapids, MI

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4 CCC girls 2012Ladies, it’s the day you’ve been waiting for! Christian Communicators Conference Registration is now open!

Could this be YOUR year to take the next bold step into your speaking ministry? Whether you’re novice just testing the waters, or an experienced speaker with years of events behind you, this conference is just what you need!

All-inclusive package, including video and headshots? Yes!

Ongoing mentoring and networking opportunities? Yes!

Ongoing community support of like-minded sisters? Yes!

Intimate conference of only about 30 ladies, set in the beautiful NC mountains at The Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove? Yes!

Let this be the year you find out what all the excitement is about.

Anonymous comments from last year’s post-conference evaluation:

“It was unforgettable. Life-changing. It anchored me to a breakthrough understanding of my calling. It was a deep cleaning of my soul, an inspired 4 days that will affect the rest of my life.”

“I’ve attended many conferences and, hands down, this is the best one EVER! It was well-planned and executed. I would have loved to stay another day…”

“I’m a conference junkie, and I’ve never seen a conference so adept at facilitating relationship-building before…”

 Find out more…

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Thanks for sharing!

#Writing opportunities & conferences. #Christian Communicators registration now open! #publicspeaker (Click to Tweet)

Happy writing and speaking!

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…Thank You For the Cross, Jesus

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By Vonda Skelton | March 11, 2016

As we approach the Easter season, my heart longs for an even closer relationship with our beloved Jesus, the One Who died for you and me.

Would you turn off the all the distractions and join me in letting the words of this song lead us to worship the Sacrificial Lamb who took our sin? Forever He is risen! He is alive! Thank you, Jesus, for the cross.

When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Romans 5:6 (NLT)

Yes, we know the Lamb has overcome our sin, and because of that, we sing Hallelujah!

Vonda

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We’re Celebrating YOU Today! And Christian Communicators Registration is Opening Soon!

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By Vonda Skelton | March 8, 2016
FreeDigitalPhotos/Iosphere

FreeDigitalPhotos/Iosphere

It’s time to celebrate YOU with our Christian Writer’s Den Kudos!

Congratulations to the following Christian Writer’s Den friends who’ve been doing the work and finding success!

1. Cathy Baker (SC): I’ve been asked to be regular contributor to the Piedmont Women’s Center site. (Vonda here: I LOVE Piedmont Women’s Center, our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. Thank you for reaching out to these precious mamas and babies!)

2. Cheryl Barker (KS): A poem of mine that’s been previously used by Blue Mountain Arts has been included in their new gift book compilation I Love You, Mom. It released February 1st.

3. Andrea Merrell (SC): I am very excited about being part of the faculty at the Atlanta Christian Writers Conference (ACWC) in Marietta, GA in August. I will be teaching a workshop, meeting with conferees, and doing a short keynote. If you live in that area, I would love to see you there.

4. Beth Fortune (SC): I was asked to speak at a Mother-Daughter Banquet at a church in Monck’s Corner, SC in May.

5. Marilyn Nutter (SC): Had a dialog– The Owl Song– with her granddaughter, published in Wit
and Wisdom for the Wee Ones: A Whimsical Collection of Endearing Quips and Quotes compiled by Eileen Rife.

Friends, if you didn’t have anything to share in our Kudos this month, be sure to check out the writing opportunities I’m collecting for you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~mogo

Who MoGo’d in February?

These friends wrote at least 7000 words on a book project in January and earned an entry in the 2016 drawing for $100 at the end of the year!

#5: Diana Leagh – 54,643 words
#6: Amanda Everett – 8,411 words
#7: Susan Baganz – 8,567 words

Way to go, writers! And readers, if you want to join in the fun and have a bunch of chances to win $100 at the end of the year, check out the MoGo7000 Challenge. It’s free!

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christian-communicators-promo-cove-2016Drumroll please…We’re pleased to announce that your wait is ALMOST over!

Christian Communicators Conference registration will open one week from today! This is the 6th conference and will be held August 24-28 at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in beautiful Asheville, NC.

The dates are set, the faculty is lined up, 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!

Join us this year as we welcome our expanded, experienced Christian Communicators leadership team!

With registration limited to only 30 ladies and membership lasting long past the conference, your 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 relationship 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… ccc girls on couch Oct '11

  • 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
  • Get your information into the hands of event planners
  • 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

WC&T-Tony Fraga

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 Christian Communicators Conference Package is ALL-INCLUSIVE!

Yes, 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 with professional photographer
  • Fine dining etiquette class
  • Two additional classes on video 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!

CCC 2013 fancy stageThis is an exciting week of learning, growing, and hearing from the Lord. But don’t just take our word for it. Check out last year’s 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 last year’s details at The new details and registration will go live next Tuesday!

We’d love to hear from you. :-)

Blessings,

Vonda

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Parting Words From The WORD…My Sin Washed Pink?

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By Vonda Skelton | March 4, 2016
Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.

Laughing Jesus by Robert Wilson, Sr.

It’s another crazy time around here, so now that Easter is only a few weeks away, I thought I’d rerun this post from the past. It’s one of my favorite reminders of what He’s done for me, and for you. PLEASE be sure to watch the video and listen to the words of the song. As my pastor says, if it doesn’t light your fire, your wood’s wet!

Some of you may have seen my Facebook post Sunday afternoon. I was praising God for Who He is and what He did in our service Sunday morning at Westside Church in Simpsonville, SC. The Lord moved so powerfully that we simply worshiped and gave testimony to His greatness for the entire service. Pastor Larry Scott had a message, but as God sometimes does, plans were changed.

Our youth had come home from beach camp, on fire for Jesus and sharing that fire with us. The Truth of His Word came through song and the message through praise. The words of one song, At the Cross by Chris Tomlin, spoke so tenderly to my heart. I can’t write the words out here because I don’t want to dishonor copyright law, but here are the words that broke me.

“…where Your love ran red and my sin washed white…”

Did you get that? His love ran RED and my sin was washed WHITE! My sin was washed white, not pink! Not a mixture of red and white, but all white. No guilt. No shame. His red blood didn’t partially cover my sin. I’m not partially clean, but completely, totally, forever washed clean and white! No trying to measure up. No missing the mark and starting over. No disgrace. No fear.

My sin is washed white! Hallelujah!

It’s been over 24 hours since that service, and I still can’t get that song, those words, and that picture out of my mind. My sin…all washed white by His red blood…forever. Thank you, Jesus.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool…” Isaiah 1:18 NIV

Glory to His Name!

Here’s the official video from the Passion Conference 2014. Listen with your heart and your spirit. And then listen again. I can’t imagine anyone not being moved at the reality of our Lord’s grace. We owe it all to Him.

Glory to His Name!

Vonda

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Publishing: Me & My Big Mouth,Call-Outs for Kudos & MoGo7000, & Book Winner

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By Vonda Skelton | March 1, 2016

Ape with big mouth Pixabay

Today’s the 1st Tuesday, so it’s the day for writing instruction, call-outs, and a book give-away!

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Let’s start with some encouragement and instruction for writers with Me & My Big Mouth!

I’ve always had a big mouth. Even as a little girl, I realized that speaking up when others wouldn’t, talking louder than the crowd, and trying to persuade others to my side often resulted in getting what I wanted.

At least it did until I decided to be a writer.

During my first several years of writing, the critiques of my work–whether delivered by my unpublished critique group members, published authors, or professional agents and editors–were often met with my own push-backs. After all, pushing back had worked for most other things in my life.

But it didn’t work with writing.

The truth is, I wasted years on the road to publication by defending my work. I was determined to convince others of their inability to grasp the brilliance of my great American novel, now bleeding on every page. Couldn’t they recognize a good book when they saw one? That hardheaded, self-centered, know-it-all attitude cost me years in reaching my writing goals.

Now, as I teach at writing conferences around the country, my heart aches when I sit face-to-face with the headstrong version of my younger writing self. With only 15 minutes to glean the wisdom of those who’ve already traveled this road, the younger me–whether male or female, blonde or brunette, regardless of race or age or experience–wastes our time together by arguing every point.

“Don’t be like me!” I want to shout. “Don’t follow in my footsteps. The journey doesn’t have to be this long!” But in an effort to defend their work–often believed given word-for-word by God–the minutes have soon passed and very little, if any, words of wisdom have been transferred from teacher to student.

If you’ve been working at this writing goal for a while and have been to conferences to learn the craft, but still haven’t made progress, consider this:

FreeDigitalPhotos/Iosphere

FreeDigitalPhotos/Iosphere

*Could you and your big mouth be in the way? Mine certainly was for me.

*Friends, please know this is stated with all love and respect. 🙂

Thanks for Sharing!

Me & my big mouth stood in the way of my writing goals. What about you? (Click to Tweet)

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It’s Time to Share Kudos of YOUR Successes!

Hey there, writing friends. We want to know what you’ve been up to. 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 and order ONLY:

**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 for us to celebrate with you!

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mogoWho MoGo’d in February?

If you wrote at least 7000 new words on a book project in February, you can receive an entry in the drawing for the 2015 MoGo7000 $100 cash prize! It’s open to everyone who qualifies.

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

If you missed out on last year’s money-winning writing challenge, don’t worry, the 2016 challenge has just begun. Here are the MoGo7000 Challenge rules. All you have to do is write at least 7000 NEW words on a book project in any month and you’ll receive an entry into the end-of-the-year drawing for $100.

Get started now and you could have and extra $100 next year. And it doesn’t cost you a cent. :-)

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Marilyn Turks Lighthouse Devotions cover

Who Won Marilyn Turk’s Book?

Drumroll, please. The winner is…

Nan Jones!

Congratulations, Nan! Please contact me with your snail mail address and Marilyn will get the book right out to you!

And friends, I know you want to get your own copy, so here’s a direct Amazon link to Lighthouse Devotions, by Marilyn Turk. Enjoy!

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Thank you for joining me today on our 1st Tuesday edition of Christian Writer’s Den. I hope you are encouraged by your visit. Love and blessings to each of you!

Vonda

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