Writing with Intent

By Dorothy Love

Contest verse: Saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases on you, which I have brought on the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that heals you.” Exodus 15:26

The newest article/blog contest is now open – and it promotes an exciting new Bible, that highlights not only every time Jesus speaks (like the red-letter Bibles you’re likely familiar with), but every time God speaks!

Your assignment for this contest is to review the God Speaks Bible site and the information it contains about the GOD SPEAKS BIBLE. Write an article that will catch attention, create excitement, and lead the person to click on a link to the sponsors website. We are promoting Gods Word and this new tool for believers, to make people aware of its release to the market. We are also promoting it so that funds may be raised for an initial print publication of 10,000 copies.

Any FaithWriters member can enter (though the writing assignment prizes  listed below can only be won by Gold or Platinum members.) – it’s a great way to improve your writing, support this exciting ministry/product, and build up treasures in Heaven .

And the prizes? Glad you asked

For Gold and Platinum:

First place will receive two of paid writing assignments for the supporting ministry at $75 each and his/her winning entry posted on 100 Christian blogs, plus $500 in additional prizes to ramp up your Bible study. This will include an entire digital and print suite of books by OLF http://www.operationlightforce.com/, the God Speaks Bible App as well as a signed Genuine Leather Collector’s Edition God Speaks Bible.

Second place will receive one paid writing assignment worth $75 from the sponsoring ministry.

Third place will receive a $25 cash prize.

Best Silver will receive a one year paid Gold membership at FaithWriters.

You have until THE END OF APRIL to submit your entry – be sure to check out the details of this contest both on the message boards and at the blog contest page.

There are a lot of ways for writers to share their message with the world – and for others to get to know them.

One way is through your very own spot on the world-wide web.

There are several ways to do this. FaithWriters itself has a portfolio builder (free to Platinum members – only $36/year for others) which allows you to easily put together a writers’ portfolio (no html knowledge required!).

Some people create a website or a blog.

It’s so important these days to get your name out on the Internet.

And your FaithWriters friends, I’m sure, would love to get to know you! So – share your links in the comments!

I’ll start:)

My personal blog is www.joannesher.com, and I’ve also got a writing portfolio over at Faithwriters.

How about you? Share your blog/website/portfolio links in the comments!

Dan Walsh is the award-winning and bestselling author of eight novels, published by Revell and Guideposts, including The Unfinished Gift, Remembering Christmas and The Reunion. Reviewers often compare Dan’s books to Nicholas Sparks. His latest project is a 4-book fiction series with Gary Smalley. The first book, The Dance, just released in April. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Dan now writes fulltime in Port Orange, FL. He and his wife Cindi have been married 36 years. You can email him or follow him on Facebook or Twitter. There are buttons to connect to these on his website at http://danwalshbooks.com.

I (interviewer, Lynda Schab) had the pleasure of meeting Dan and his wife at a writer’s conference a few years ago, when his first book (The Unfinished Gift) was just coming out. It’s been fun to watch his career take off, and I’ve enjoyed every one of his books so far. Now, he answers a few questions about his own writing journey, and offers a bit of encouragement for not-yet-published authors.

LYNDA SCHAB: You recently retired from twenty-five years as an ordained pastor of one church. While many pastors seem to write non-fiction books, we don’t hear of many who go on to write novels. Have you always wanted to write fiction or was this something that God suddenly dropped into your heart? Continue Reading…

It’s April already – and did you realize that at the end of this month, the cost of the 2013 FaithWriters Writing Conference will increase? So, don’t wait until May (or June!) to register for this extremely affordable, highly beneficial, and especially fun experience.

And besides – the sooner you register, the more likely you will grab one of the FREE but limited extras, whether it’s an hour-long appointment with Deb Porter, a speed critique with Deb or Cori Smelker, or a book design critique. It’s first registered, first served on these valuable opportunities!

The conference is less than three months away – so register now. Here are the details:

WHAT: 2013 FaithWriters Writing Conference: Nurturing the Whole Writer

WHERE: Radisson Hotel Portland (OR) Airport

WHEN: Friday, June 28, 2013 at 6pm through Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 8:30pm

COST: Early Bird: FW Platinum members $75, others $85 – through April 30

General Rate: FW Platinum members $85, others $95 – May 1 and following

Price includes Saturday morning breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack, all workshops and options. Price does NOT include transportation or room charges.

Workshops will feature FaithWriters favorites/regulars Timmy Boyle with his Upstanding Comedy, David Ian, Rick “Hoomi” Higginson, Amy Michelle Wiley, Deb Porter, and Cori Smelker, as well as multi-published authors and speakers Sally Stuart (who keynoted the first FaithWriters Conference in 2007!) and Leslie Gould, digital and print-on-demand specialist Lisa DeSpain, and book design firm owner Tamara Dever. Something for everyone – and, as a repeat attender, I can tell you the workshops will be wonderful, and the fellowship will be unforgettable.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out the FaithWriters Conference page for more details and to register.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV

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Sometimes it is hard to find the good in our struggles. Yet, the day our Savior died on the cross is called Good Friday.

Maybe you’re having a “Good” Friday like Jesus did – or a “good” week. Or month. Or year. Maybe you’re asking why God has forsaken you. (Matthew 27:46)

Just remember: if you are His child, it isn’t forever. And He can and will work it out for your good (Romans 8:28). And Good Friday isn’t the end.

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He is risen indeed!

The FaithWriters family wishes you and your family a thoughtful Good Friday and a blessed Easter/Resurrection Sunday

Congratulations to these FaithWriters’ members for their writing accomplishments!

Bruce Fottler‘s Christian drama, The Juncture, is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.

Melanie Kerr‘s poetry book, Wider Than the Corners of the World, is now available in ebook format.

Joanne Sher‘s nonfiction book, Ailing Body Nourished Soul won the One Hope Nonfiction Contest, sponsored by Write Integrity Press.

Lori Dixon‘s Wellspring blog contest entry was recently published in Christian Woman Magazine in Australia.

I so love hearing about your accomplishments. Would LOVE for you to share them with me so I can post them here. Either drop me an email at joannesher@faithwriters.net, or post it in the cheering section on the FaithWriters boards – otherwise, I may not find out!

Congratulations, all!

It’s time to announce the FOUR cash winners from hundreds of entries in this past quarter of FaithWriters Writing Challenge.  Beginning this quarter, the highest scoring entry in EACH LEVEL over the entire ten-week quarter will receive a $50 cash prize.

This past quarter was music-themed, with topics from FLAT to STAFF to ACCENT. The variety of entries, and quality, was impressive. But there can only be one winner (in each level, that is).

And now, without further ado – our winners (with their thoughts).

Beginners-Level 1

Creations Philharmonic Orchestra by Graham Insley

“While I’m excited and obviously pleased with winning, I don’t really deserve the credit. My desire as a writer is simply to become the baton in the Master Conductor’s hand. Even though I am not yet fully surrendered, any win is more a reflection of this happening than any ability that I may have. ” Graham Insley

Intermediate – Level 2

Today I will be in Paradise by Dave Walker

“I am SO excited to hear about my win.

“I worked in the Middle East and know what a struggle many Muslims have with the identity of Jesus. Speaking to converts, it is when they get that right — usually through divine revelation — that they break through.I  loved interacting with Muslims and grew very fond of them. It shows that when you write about something close to your heart, it has impact.”

“I know there is so much more to Faithwriters than I have discovered and I am keen to explore the avenues. (The testimony competition is my next target). What a blessing to have a community like this. Thank you, Mike and Bea, for the way you are carrying it forward.” Dave Walker

Advanced – Level 3

A Denominational Allegory by Jack Taylor

“It’s always humbling to feel that the words you create in private can have impact in hearts and minds all over. I am grateful to those who took the time to read ‘A denominational allergory.’ I believe there is so much we can accomplish together if we realize that though we speak the truth of Jesus differently we are all on the same team. The community is watching us as we interact with each other. Our witness with each other is powerful.”Jack Taylor

Masters – Level 4

I’m In Charge Around Here by Noel Mitaxa

“I’m honoured to receive a prize, as an endorsement of my aim to help readers discover real people stepping out of familiar biblical events and stories (which I like to call “paralell-ables.”)

“I thank God for how FaithWriters has opened doors for my writing, with the Weekly Challenge a constant encouragement. Receiving positive feedback is a great buzz, but the creative treatment of topics by other members is also to be inspired to explore new writing genres” Noel Mitaxa

The FaithWriters Writing Challenge is currently on a break, but will return on Thursday, April 4 with a new quarter of topics. Hope you’ll enter when it starts up again – YOUR name could be here at the end of next quarter!

Congratulations, Graham, Dave, Jack, and Noel!

Nicole O’Dell is an author, speaker, wife and mother of six — including a set of triplets! I (interviewer Lynda Schab) met Nicole a few years ago through an online critique group. She had just signed a contract with Barbour Publishing for her first book series, Scenarios for Girls, an interactive fiction series for tweens about the tough choices they face every day. Since then, Nicole has gone on to publish several more fictional books (including her most recent series, Diamond Estates), as well as non-fiction and devotionals for young girls and teens. She is also a sought-after speaker and founder of the successful CHOOSENOW Ministries, which includes an annual mother-daughter conference in Chicago. If you have teens, or know someone who does, I encourage you to visit her website (http://nicoleodell.com/). It contains loads of excellent information for parents and teens.

In the meantime, Nicole has graciously agreed to answer a few questions about her journey to publication, the writing life, and how she does it all!

LYNDA SCHAB: As the author of several YA books focused on the choices that tween and teen girls are faced with every day, it’s obvious that you have a heart for girls of this age. Was there one particular event that sparked your passion or did it evolve gradually?

NICOLE O’DELL: I do have a heart for teen and pre-teen girls. I think it’s because I suffered through those years and want to help girls avoid the same mistakes I made and not have to face the angst that resulted.

Continue Reading…

When I hear the word neighbor, two different images come to mind (and maybe the same thing happens with you, too).

One is from my Bible, and one from my childhood in front of a television set. And, even though this is a Christian blog, we’re going to be focusing on the latter rather than the former (though, of course, we will not discount Christ’s teachings).

Today would have been Fred Rogers’ 85th birthday. The Presbyterian minister and star of the well-loved PBS children’s show Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood. To Mr. Rogers, we were ALL neighbors. And, if I may say so, he made every child feel special and important – and cared for, just as the Good Samaritan did for the robbed and beaten man in Luke 10:25-37.

Whether we are evangelizing, writing, teaching, or just living our lives, we can treat our neighbors as Jesus would – and we can make people want to be our neighbors, as Mr. Rogers (and Jesus, of course), did.

Won’t you be my neighbor?

Who is my neighbor?

What does being a good neighbor mean to your writing? How are you treating the people in your neighborhood?