The first business of a story is to be a good story. –C.S. Lewis (letter to Cynthia Donnelly, August 14, 1954).
I write. And sometimes I talk about it.
Upcoming Events
October 27, 2020–Tuesday Teaching training, hope*writers with Emily P. Freeman
September 2020–ECPA PubU Online, Publishing in a Time of Crisis, Curator, Editorial Track
Past Events for Teen Writers
February 27, 2020—Bridge Teen Center, Beginning Writing: Creating Great Stories
A few times a year for nearly the past 10 years, I’ve led writing workshops at the local teen center. This place is too cool for me.
July 11, 2019—Bridge Teen Center, Advanced Writing: 5 Tips to Improve Your Fiction Writing
February 21, 2019—Bridge Teen Center, Advanced Writing: How to write like your favorite YA author
June 28, 2018—Bridge Teen Center, Advanced Writing: Character Development
Past Events for Adult Writers/Editors
August 1, 2020–Fiction Writing Workshop, Writing with Grace with author Ann Swindell
Check out Ann’s excellent courses (linked above). I enjoyed sharing my own journey to publication, as well as some of the inner workings of the Christian publishing process from an editor’s point of view.
March 19-22, 2020—Refine {the retreat} CANCELLED due to COVID
“Pilgrimage” will be the theme for this year’s powerful and renewing retreat for writers, led by author and speaker Kris Camealy. I’ll be leading the workshop, The Writer’s Promised Land.
November 5-6, 2019—ECPA PubU, editorial track
Far-cited: Why editors need to pay close attention to accurate attribution (and how we can help our authors do the same)
News reports of plagiarism in Christian publishing—they make us cringe, double check our author’s footnotes, and then wake up in a cold sweat the night before a book goes to print. Even for longtime editors, rules about fair use and properly citing sources can be confusing. For those new to the industry, deciphering these aspects of the editing process can make their eyes start to cross. In this workshop, we’ll talk about what we need to look out for as we edit manuscripts, the tools that can support our efforts, and the ways we can help ensure that the importance of accuracy is crystal clear to our authors.
September 26-28, 2019—Maranatha Christian Writers Conference
I will be available for one-on-one appointments with writers who feel their books may be a good fit for Moody Publishers. Be ready to pitch!
February 9, 2019—Guest Interview, Writing with Grace book proposal workshop
I was excited to be back with author and writing instructor Ann Swindell as we talked publishing during this special online workshop. I encourage you to check out her website and sign up for news about her online courses.
September 15, 2018—The Perennial Gen: co-host, Growing Sage, Wheaton, IL
Our online community’s inaugural workshop for Christian women over 45 explored purpose and vocation in the second half of life.
June 23, 2018—Writing with Grace Retreat: panelist, pitch sessions
A writing retreat to help women writers connect with each other and more deeply with the Lord through their love of writing. More information at WritingwithGraceRetreat.com.
April 18, 2018—Festival of Faith and Writing: panelist, Wisdom in the Shadows: Bringing Seasoned Women’s Voices to Light with Jennifer Grant, Kathy Khang, Michelle Van Loon
Those in the second half of life—particularly women—are often just beginning to discover their voices as writers. But it can be discouraging when it seems like attention is skewed toward the young and novel, instead of the experienced and wise. What’s an older writer to do? This panel explores these challenges and issues a call to see the wisdom that comes from age and experience.
