The Asheville Christian Writers Conference has come and gone. Check it out here. In a whirlwind of fun, fellowship, and firehose drinking, I have made it through. This was my first writers conference. It is a great step for beginners. The content is compelling, and the comradery is oozing with encouragement and kindness. This is true of both attendees and staff. The conference is also smaller in nature than many others out there, but that is the purpose so as not to be overwhelming for beginners. I am by no means a professional on conference expectations and etiquette; however, I have attended many in the past (i.e., academic, theological) and this conference fired on all cylinders. With that said, I want to break down my experience, highlight the fantastic teaching, drop some names, and a little encouragement for the aspiring, yet timid author.
A Roller Coaster of Content
When I was younger I thoroughly enjoyed Roller Coasters. Can you hear the familiar sound resounding in your mind? Click, click, click, click, click. I double check my strap to make sure it is secure. Gripping the bar in front of me, my knuckles go white. The ride crests the top and for a brief moment I breathe in the beautiful view. Then… the drop! Accelerating at mind numbing speed, I will my stomach not to lose the last meal. With every contorted twist and turn my head moves this way and that.
The smile plastered across my wind blown face widens in delight. Without warning the exhilaration comes to an abrupt end enabling the release of a long awaited sigh. In an instant, the coaster travels backward with the same breakneck speed and hits every unfamiliar spin and drop. Before I realize it, BAM! The brakes are applied and I hit the back of my seat from the overbearing force of kinetic energy. Whew!
Being at a conference can feel like a fast and twisting ride. Strap in, check the safety bar and enjoy the view before the drop! After “getting the hang of it” I found the ride taking new exciting maneuvers that were equally daunting and encouraging. Moving from class to class and engaging peers and staff along the way was a fizzing experience. Thankfully, I have been keyboarding since middle school which enabled me to crank out plenty of notes.
Content Consumption
We have a goldendoodle. She is a wonderful dog. Mischievous, absolutely! Troublemaker, there is no doubt! She has an intriguing and ever surprising personality, take a look.
In the ever changing list of qualities and traits she has, the one I have found most prevalent is her insatiable desire for food. If you own one, no doubt your head is vigorously shaking in agreement. They will eat almost anything. Watching her gobble up her food like each piece may grow legs and run away is hilarious. The smacking sounds, gobbling, chewing, and inhaling of her food is an accurate picture of what it is like to be fed at a conference.
Every morsel of content drips with the sweet nectar of helpful writing tips, tricks, and ideas. I found a regular need to wipe the metaphorical drool and gobble up all the information I could with loud smacking. It was so good. Below I briefly highlight a handful of breakouts I attended and the wonderful teaching I received.
Social Media | Edie Melson
This breakout centered on the how to use social media as a Christian writer. First, let me say that Edie is a masterful teacher. The content was on point, dynamic, and extremely helpful. If you struggle with social media, congratulations you are not alone. If I were to summarize the swath of notes I jotted… typed down into three points it would be this:
- God is most important
- Be consistent with content and posting
- Social media is necessary
I will not divulge more than that. However, I would strongly recommend you spend some time scouring her socials and website for a vast array of beneficial content. In her short 30-40 minute presentation, I was edified as a Christian writer, engaged, and learned much.
X: http://www.x.com/EdieMelson
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/edie.melson
Website: https://ediemelson.com
Writing Memorable Characters – Pepper Basham
Like Edie, Pepper maintained masterful control over the content she was teaching. She was energetic and fun in her approach. As humans, we enjoy stories. We live in a story, God’s story, and are all characters that face difficulties and growth. We find meaningful relationships in others when we relate to each other and experience the emotions that come along with that. Therefore, we should not expect written characters to lack any of these qualities. If I were to summarize what I learned, it would be this:
- My characters must feel real and relate well
- Without conflict and growth, what is the point.
Again, I would encourage you to check out her socials and website. There is a vast array of content that would help in crafting characters that are memorable. After all, isn’t that the human desire. We want to be remembered for something…
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pepperdbasham
Website: https://pepperdbasham.com
Writing Compelling Scenes | Sarah Thomas
As a historical Appalachian fiction writer, Sarah Thomas presented a wonderful session on crafting compelling scenes. This goes beyond the description of a sunrise / sunset, or the whipping of the wind. Writing compelling scenes requires a good bit of essentials that help drive the character and story forward. Through her teaching, I realized I had been implementing the concepts spoken of. However, I grew in my understanding of their importance. I now have tools that will aid me in reevaluating my scenes with additional scrutiny. Tools that will help me formulate great compelling scenes that equally move the character, story, and reader.
To learn more about all the amazing content Sarah has, visit her socials, website, and check out her Appalachian historical fiction books.
X: https://x.com/SarahAnneThomas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SarahLoudinThomas
Website: https://sarahloudinthomas.com
Developing Deep POV | DiAnn Mills
While I met with almost every staff at the Asheville Christian Writers Conference in passing, I met directly with DiAnn Mills for an abbreviated meeting. DiAnn was very friendly, engaging, and on point. She answered my questions and asked some of her own. This approach encouraged me as a beginner and first time conference attendee. She gave a keynote speech and challenge writers to seek what God has purposed. DiAnn also presented a session on crafting deep POV in story. She presented the content in a story telling way that made it easy to latch onto. I learned much about what I have already been doing as a writer and what needs to change or be adjusted. This way, and I quote DiAnn “the character owns the page and the author becomes non-existent.”
She knows her craft well and no doubt has just as much helpful content. I encourage you to check her socials, website, and engage with her books.
Facebook: https://facebook.com/diannmills
Website: https://diannmills.com
Essentials of Great Dialogue | Zena Dell Lowe
Zena is masterful at her craft. She is a dynamic teacher and imaginative presenter. One thing I found incredibly difficult when sitting in this session was my ability to take notes. The energy she brings is clearly flows out of her passion for storytelling. Almost like an engrossing magic show, she weaved together a plethora of information in such an attention grabbing and coherent fashion, note taking was somewhat elusive. I grew tremendously in this session. Writing great dialogue is to great storytelling what water is to thirst. Without one, the other cannot be satisfied.
She offers many classes and I would recommend you check her socials and website.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thestorytellersmission/
Website: https://thestorytellersmission.com
DISCLAIMER: To all the staff at ACWC, thank you! Every single person, regardless of their role did a fantastic job bringing this together. I look forward to growing in my craft and engaging with other like-minded Christian writers. I feel encouraged and equipped.
Encouragement
Are you a writer who feels like you are putting down the road on an empty gas tank? Perhaps, you feel like this will never work for you. Maybe you have researched online and feel overwhelmed. Good news! Are you ready for it! It is okay to feel that way. Yes, I said it. Writing takes work. Writing takes brain cells and it is difficult. Even if as Bob Hostetler said, “you love words and sentences,” being a writer can be draining and discouraging. May I remind you of this, you are not alone.
There are others out there that want you to succeed, that want to help and encourage you. Seek them out, buy their books, reach out to them. But more important than all that, can I remind you of something else. At the end of your next text, email, blog, or manuscript–whatever you write–it is ultimately about bringing glory to God. Keep this near and dear to your heart and even in the darkest moments of writer fatigue, fade, and plain old burnout, the light of hope will shine like the sun over the gloomy horizon of fear and failure. DON’T GIVE UP! You got this.
P.S. Extra Bits
One thing I heard this past weekend was this, come up with a mission statement and life verse for why you write. I have thought and prayed about this much. I believe I have my life verse.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make straight your paths.
Proverbs 3:5-6
May the God of all grace cause His face to shine upon you (and your writing) as the sun shines upon the earth!
