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| Glynna Kaye, Janet Dean, Debby Giusti and Pam Hillman |
We're live ACFW Conference in St. Louis! Enjoy these first day pictures. More coming tomorrow. Leave a comment and we'll pick a non conference attendee to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card. Winner announced in the Weekend Edition.
Tina Radcliffe will be tweeting live from the Saturday night gala at https://twitter.com/TMRadcliffe Keep an eye on the ACFW Conference web page for the live blog link to the gala. Last year's is here. Join the Seekers Thursday and Friday night in the bar area for a late night chat.
If you are a Villager attending conference look for a Seeker and we'll give you a smiley face sticker for your badge to identify you as a Villager.
This is raw footage from today and the genre dinner. NO TIME TO EDIT WRINKLES.
LOOK AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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| Tina Radcliffe and Pepper Basham |
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| Mary Connealy, Cara Putnam and Julie Lessman |
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| Helen Gray |
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| Glynna Kaye and Tina Radcliffe |
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| Mary Connealy, Janet Deand & Debby Giusti |
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| Julie Klassen |
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| Carol Cookie Moncado and Tina |
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| Mary Connealy, Glynna Kaye & Janet Dean |
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| Tina, Julie and Mary |
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| Terry Weldon |
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| Tina and Jackie Layton |
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| Hallee FBI Bridgeman & Tina |
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| Guess whose manicure |
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| Erica Vetsch! |
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| Jeanne T and Tina |
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| Patti Jo Moore, Sandra Orchard, Janet Dean, Candee Fick, Glynna Kaye and Debby Giusti |
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| Clari Dees |
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| Mindy Obenhaus |
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| The Editors-Emily Rodmell and Shana Asaro |
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| Helen Gray and Love Inspired Sr. Editor Melissa Endlich |
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| Renee Andrews |
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| Patti Jo Moore and Susan Anne Mason |
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| Lenora Worth and Kathryn Springer |
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| Jan Drexler and Julie Lessman |
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| Jan Drexler, Linette Mullins and Julie Lessman |
Oh, I so should've gone to ACFW this year! Everyone's pics on Facebook and Twitter are making me a tad jealous. ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm sure y'all are having an awesome time. Count me in for the gift card, please.
Can't wait for more pictures!
Love the pictures! Can't wait to see more and hear more news of what is going on!
ReplyDeleteLooks like fun and I wish I was there! Definitely won't miss it next year.
ReplyDeleteHaha! Laughing at Courtney's comment! I feel you, girl! We'll have a virtual pity party together! ;) Ha. More like a "Natalie, what are you doing out of your cave? Get yourself back in the writing zone!" party. :D
ReplyDeleteWould love to be entered for the gift card.
Loving the pictures!
Get back in that cave, Natalie!!! ;)
ReplyDeleteAs I was scrolling through Facebook tonight, I groaned to my BF and said, "I should've gone to St. Louis."
His answer? "I know. I told you to."
Ruthy might get us if we try to have a pity party though. Lol!
Thanks for cheering me up, bud.
Reverse those last two sentences. Goodness, my phone is jacked up.
ReplyDeletesuch fun.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I have to sleep!
:)
I will live through this week...I will enjoy it emensly through your pictures, TINA! Thank you! And, yes, I'd love $25.00
ReplyDeleteSee you tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteWhat fun photos!!! It's so great seeing you all having a blast together. Is the ACFW conference always in the same city or does it move around each year?
ReplyDeletePlease include me in the drawing! :)
Looking lovely, ladies! Have an amazing few days :)
ReplyDeleteOh, so fun!!!!! You all look marvelous and like you're having the best time ever!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy yourselves, we've got everything under control here, and honestly, WE DIDN'T EVEN REALLY NEED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LAST NIGHT! I COULD HAVE HANDLED THAT BABY WITH A GARDEN HOSE AND TWO HANDS TIED BEHIND MY BACK!!!! BUT IT WAS NICE OF THE GUYS TO COME OUT AND STAY AWHILE. THANK HEAVENS THE CAFE WAS STILL OPEN AND WE COULD GIVE THEM COFFEE...
'Sall I'm sayin'!
AND WE LOVE MORE PRIZES!!!!!
YAY!
Heidi, it moves. Next year is in Dallas.
ReplyDeleteCOURTNEY PHILLIPS!!! GOOD GIRL!!!!!
You nipped that pity party in the bud, and um, hey...not for nothin', ladies, but I'm making big progress this week on two fun projects and (whispers) spent no money...
:)
Here, have some chocolate, darling, you'll be fine!!!! :)
I've managed 1K every day and two days got an extra 2K done because my daughter took over the day care cuties.
Squeezing time like grabbin' hold of an old dishrag for one last counter scrub!
Love the pictures. I can see that everyone is having so much fun. Thank you for sharing and I can't wait to see the next round of pictures. And yes, I could use $25 too!
ReplyDeleteSmiles & Blessings,
Cindy W.
Loving the pictures, Tina.
ReplyDeleteNo sobs here, Ruthy. Working hard. Alas, no fireman either. But I have US Marshals and DEA agents. :)
So excited to see the pictures. It feels a tiny bit like being there! Thanks so much for taking time out of your conferencing to update us! I'll be checking back often.
ReplyDeleteHey, girls, that was a fun browse through the pictures!! Looking good!!
ReplyDeleteDid someone say it was going to be in Dallas next year? Smile, smile, smile!!!
You girls all have a safe journey home! :-)
Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI think the manicure belongs to Erica Vetsch. She always has perfect nails!
Looks like some fun costumes.
Can't wait to see/hear more.
Rose nailed it!!! What is the deal. She looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteDallas next year.
ReplyDeleteGreat pics, everyone! Oh, it looks like so much fun. And the genre dinner makes me smile. Tina, you look so good in scrubs...wherever did you find them??
ReplyDeleteLOL!
Can't wait for more pictures. Keep'em coming!
Oops I forgot to say GOOD MORNING!!! From BBQVILLE, St. Louis. The air smells like BBQ.
ReplyDeleteI brought bagels and coffee from the Starbucks downstairs.
And we are off to another busy day. Stay tuned!
Where did I find the scrubs? I wore scrubs to work as a nurse and working in pharmacy. I sleep in them.
ReplyDeleteMary, haven't you heard? Sleep is highly overrated.
ReplyDeleteSweet dreams, toots!
Natalie and Courtney, so good to hear you're working. If we can't go play with our peeps in St. Louis, we might as well be productive, right?
ReplyDeleteI'm putting the final touches on my Christmas novella. Christmas. Pretty hard to write about big, fat snowflakes when it's close to 90 degrees in Denver.
More chocolate, please...and did I hear Ruthy is in charge of the prize vault??
Mercy!
Amazing photos!!! Oh, I'm green with envy!! But I'm so happy y'all are having a good time. Looks like a fantastic time.
ReplyDeleteTina, I did NOT see one wrinkle!! You're all looking gorgeous! No editing needed. :)
Trying so hard not to be jealous. You girls have a blast. Say hi to anyone who cares.
ReplyDeleteAudra, I agree. Tina looks great in scrubs. And I think it should be the new rage in conference attire!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I need MORE COFFEE. Because I was ready to call Ruthy and ask if they had a fire at her house last night!
ReplyDeleteYou scared me, Ruthy. Then I slowly came to realize you're talking about your characters.
Need a jolt of caffeine to get the ol' brain clicking on all cylinders this morning. :)
I love seeing pics of ACFW!!! Praying for safety and fun for all!
ReplyDeleteCount me in for the gift card, please.
Aw, looks like you are having a great time! Someday I'll get to go to an ACFW conference and meet everyone... :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoying living vicariously through my favorite SEEKERVILLE authors and all the photos.
ReplyDeleteTINA, you are adorable in your scrubs, I bet they are comfy for sleeping as you said. Can't wait until that Carol is in your hands!
MARY, love that cowgirl hat! It looks great on you.
AND a photo of Kathyrn Springer, another favorote LI author, so fun.
Hope everyone enjoys your time at ACFW!
Looks like everyone is having a great time! Maybe someday....
ReplyDeleteI love looking at pictures of famous people! Thanks for sharing. It looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos Tina, I'm with Missy, I didn't see one wrinkle. Lots of happy smiles. I'm so tickled you are all having so much fun.
ReplyDeleteHi Audra, I'm like you, putting final touches on my novella after the copy editor went through it. I have such an issue with commas, and to think I taught English in school. yikes!
ReplyDeleteMary Curry, I'm proud of you!!!!
ReplyDeleteGET 'ER DONE!!!!!
Oh my stars, I'm all NEW YORK this morning because of Jeter's amazing last game in pinstripes!!!!
#love #Yankees #Jeter
Oh my stars, I have to PICK a chocolate winner for hard work, peeps, so give me some testimony some time today!
I love all the pics!!! I love living vicariously. I love that all my peeps are having so much fun, but I'm also okay with elevated word count!!!
Now, it's not elevated like some can do, it's like Ruthy-tortoise-elevated, but that's okay!!!
We'll pay the dues whilst they party-eth beneath the arch and when they get back we'll welcome them with open arms.
Hugs. Kisses. Fireworks! And OUR TINA IS NOMINATED/FINALIST IN TWO AWARDS!!!!
The Carol Award for Short contemporary and Mentor of the Year!!!!!
That alone is keeping me glued to my seat, watching events unfold!!!!!
Like you Ruthy, Getting lots done.
ReplyDeleteWrite, write, write so I don't turn green. chuckle
I didn't see a wrinkle, either! You guys look mahvelous!
ReplyDeleteDarlings!!!!
Carolyne Aarsen, best line of the day!!!!! "Say hi to anyone who cares."
ReplyDeleteLOVE IT!!!!!
Ruthy, I saw that on the news that it was his last game. I just knew you were crying. But then we know he deserves retirement just like all of us. smile
ReplyDeleteAnd you will have a new player to look forward to. Yay.
Tina, thanks for the great pictures! I love Erica's manicure. What gorgeous nails.
ReplyDeleteI wish I was there with you guys.
Woohoo! More pics!!! And everyone is smiling so it mustn't be as scary as I've been led to believe. :-)
ReplyDeleteI miss being with you guys at conference! Thanks for sharing the pictures and excitement. Celebrating my daughter Katie's 25th birthday tomorrow. I'll be watching the awards on line. Want to hear all about the details some time.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful conference experience.
Hugs to all!
Jill
Hope your daughter has a wonderful birthday. How fun that you will be together. That makes up for no conference. smile
ReplyDeleteawesome pictures. can't say i'm jealous, but i sure do wish for an opportunity to meet some Seeker peeps "live" and in person at some point. (the phone calls and emails are cool, but tactile girl am i and a nice hug would be nifty)
ReplyDeletealas, Ruthy, no chocolate worthy activity happening in my house this week between volleyball coaching and slightly sick four year old *sigh* someday i'll figure out this time thing... at least i've got my subconcious mind working through new scenes for editing. i can feel the deep thoughts percolating - hopefully that will translate into efficient transfer of imagination to computer screen.
So fun to see all of you in pix! Looks like you're having a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteWe are trying to keep Ruthy in line while so many of the Seekers are living it up in St. Louis, but let me tell you, IT ISN'T EASY!!!!!!
Fabulous pictures! I'm sad not to be with you all this year, but I'm waving hi and planning to come next year. Have a good weekend, ladies!
ReplyDeleteFun pictures! You all look FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteBecause of Ruthy's....ah.....encouragement......this week I've been studying Writing with Emotion, Tension, & Conflict (thanks to a gift card from Mary). I'm ready to touch up conflict in my WIP this weekend and add some WORDS! Shhhh, I've been dipping into Tina's secret chocolate stash......Ruthy made me do it!
Hugs to all! Cheering for those at ACFW for fun and friendship and those of us at home for writing and/or reading progress!
Ohhhhh Sherida you are one brave soul to be dipping into Tina's secret chocolate stash.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the studies.
Hi Susanne, I remember fun times together in Anaheim.
ReplyDeleteGo Deb H. You can do it. And as Ruthy always says: "Just do it." I'm sure Nike got that from her or someone hearing her. lol
ReplyDeleteSo fun! Thanks for sharing photos! Everyone looks so nice and love seeing the costumes, too.
ReplyDeleteAlso heard that a Seeker friend has some big news. Can't wait for those details!
RUTHY, I'm working! I've been churning out words, bumping up from 1,500 a day to 2,000! Whoohoo! Thanks for the kick!
Sandra, Ruthy will now have to switch loyalties and become number one fan of Buster Posey!! :) :) Or should I say number 2 fan?
ReplyDelete:)
Kav, conferences are not one bit scary. They are a BLAST. It is so fun to meet all those writers and meeting people who talk to imaginary people just like we do. LOL
ReplyDeleteIt is scary to have the editor appointments but they are only 10 minutes of the whole time and so WORTH the fear. You discover how sweet and nice and human editors are.
Sherida, good for you! Ruthy's good at…encouragement.
ReplyDelete;)
Yes, Missy. Great idea. But I think it better be number two to keep family happy.
ReplyDeleteHi Lyndee. I saw on Facebook that Pepper Basham signed a contract. Maybe that is the news. wooo hooooooo Wouldn't that be exciting.
ReplyDeleteLyndee, you're KILLING ME! You can't not give a hint!!
ReplyDeleteOkay, my break is over. I'm diving back in on edits!
ReplyDeleteYall are the cutest! I'm glad yall are having fun!
ReplyDeleteAnd Report to Ruthy... I got to WRITE this week!!!! OK, so really it was mainly editing, but that counts. Isn't that the Greatest!?!! I'm just so glad I could, & I feel like a SuperStar!! Big Deal for me!
Wonderful photos! Thanks for sharing. It would be great to meet everyone in person.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, I saw Jeter's amazing game. That was awesome! To be at the bottom of the ninth, and his turn to bat, and they pitch to him, and he brings in the winning run. Way to go!
Update for the week: I got a submission ready to enter a contest, and entered it! And have been continuously working since then. Much more than I had been doing! Thank you so much for the kick start. Can't wait to see the final products.
Yayyyy Jana. Ruthy is going to be so pleased. She will be snoopy dancing in upstate.
ReplyDeleteMe too. Congrats.
Fantastic pics, Tina. Thank you for taking time out of your busy day to put them up. I visualize being there while reading the updates. Maybe another year in person.
ReplyDeleteInclude me in the gift card drawing, please.
HI Pat Jeanne, We will both visualize both of us there. smile
ReplyDeleteDefinitely another year in person. smile
Ally, What exciting news. Congrats on getting your contest entry out there. Once you start doing that, the rest gets easier with each step. Hang in there. Congrats again.
ReplyDeleteOoops. The last post I wrote was supposed to be to SALLY not Ally. Typing too fast.
ReplyDeleteOff to play pickleball. I'll be back later to hear all this great news.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I know. Don't tell Ruthy because I'm slipping out instead of writing. But this keeps me healthy. smile
Thanks, Sandra! What is pickleball? Gonna have to research that!
ReplyDeleteJackie and Jennifer, we're having JUST AS MUCH fun here!!!!
ReplyDelete(um, pretend, won't youse??? Whatsa matter wi' youse?????)
:)
Sandra, the best thing about Jeter's retirement is that whatever he does... and he's opened his own PUBLISHING company! .... he'll have fun and has time for a whole new chapter of his life. Like us and writing!
Although the "R" word is not UTTERED in this house.
Still stuff to do!
Myra, Sandra has sent people to put me in restraints!!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't think that's NICE.
I'm trying to be as well-behaved as I can.
It's just hard. ;)
Aha, I snsuck back for a moment and find Ruthy discovered my ploy. sigh
ReplyDeleteAnd yes dear Ruthy, I know its hard. But hang in there. You can do it.
Won one game, lost two so time for a break.
Boo hoo, I'm jealous that SANDRA gets to play pickleball today! Our center is closed for the Jewish holidays. Can't play again until Monday.
ReplyDeleteSANDRA, I hope you didn't set RUTHY free before you took off! I can't be held responsible!!!
Sally you can go to usapa.org to see videos on the game.
ReplyDeleteMyra is playing now too. Its the fastest growing sport in USA now.
Myra, sorry about no pickleball today. bummer.
ReplyDeleteAnd it is frightening to leave Ruthy alone like that. Sorry.
Looking good, ladies! Wish I could be there! :)
ReplyDeleteI used my super bossy micromanagement powers to ESCAPE the captives, Myra Johnson!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI had to brag on my free book on Amazon.... Safely Home is FREE today!!! Click here! and I couldn't do it in shackles! And Sandy was too busy playing pickleball (laugh, laugh, laugh!!!!) to pay the guys enough to keep me under lock and key...
Cheap help never pays off, Sandra!!!!
THEY ADDED MORE PICTURES!!!!! OH, TINA, THANK YOU!!!!! LOVE THEM!!!!
ReplyDeleteSALLY SHUPE, WASN'T IT MARVELOUS????
ReplyDeleteI still get shivers thinking about it!!!! GRINNING! I wish they'd made the playoffs, but oh my stars, we've been there so often... and been so blessed. But the rainbow over right field right before the game and then the amazing should-have-been-staged ending innings: Unbelievable!
We still have a FULL BOX of chocolates for one hard-working, earnest commenter!
ReplyDeleteLet me know whatcha been doing? And no amount of work is too little....
(although I might scoff!!!)
You're giving away chocolate, Ruthy? What kind?
ReplyDeleteI want chocolate. I am in my room working. There is one piece of chocolate in here. Must go find it.
Tina, yes... I UNLOCKED THE PRIZE VAULT IN YOUR ABSENCE!!!!!
ReplyDeletebWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
We stay-at-homes are working hard... pounding the keyboards just like you!!!!.... and the reward is SOMEONE GETS CHOCOLATE....
I pick tonight so they'll find out in the WE tomorrow.....
Work hard, me lovelies!
ReplyDeleteRuthy shakes head, chin down, strolls away....
Her lack of understanding is legendary and she's usually wrong, but in this case:
Mum, Ruthy. MUM.
Ruthy dear, I may have hired cheap help, but did you check where you put the chocolate?. My helpers may have brought it to ME ME ME. smiling.
ReplyDeleteOh Tina, I could send some your way. Text me your room number. yum yum Ruthy. Good chocolate.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, I have been plugging away slowly in spite of the vertigo being extreme. At least I am still working. When I can't write, I am thinking through it and where it will go. I love chocolate!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I just went and checked Pepper's FB page. I think that's the news Lyndee was talking about.
ReplyDeleteBig congrats to Pepper for signing her first contract!!
Tina Radcliffe said...
ReplyDeleteDallas next year.
Dallas? Really??? Oh that is soooo do-able.
MARY H! We can see Seekers and Villagers next year. Yippy!!
The pictures are so much fun. Love all the smiles.
Nancy C
MIssy, you saw it too. Great. I am so excited for her. I hope she tells everyone there. What a fun place to celebrate your first sale. Yippee!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHang in there Wilani. You are doing great.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell Ruthy and I will sneak you some chocolate.
Hi Nancy, You must be from the wild West. Me too. Guess we should start the piggy bank collection going right now. ACFW here we come.
ReplyDeletePEPPER, congrats on the contract!!
ReplyDeleteSALLY, cheering you on with your contest entry.
And love hearing about everyone writing, meeting deadlines, etc. That means more to read :-)
Nancy C
Looks like you are all having a great time. Wish I could be there!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me for the Amazon gift card. i can definitely use it!
Here's the problem with conferences. You have 900 friends on FB and a million Seekerville friends only identifiable by a teeny tiny square picture. So you spend the conference staring at people and name tags praying you recognize people before you make an idiot of yourself or the. I am failing miserably.
ReplyDeleteRuthy, I think Tina needs chocolate. I KNOW she works hard at conferences and it sounds like she's working really hard.
ReplyDeleteMe, I worked hard at school today. Now I get to do my play work - revisions. Got some in this morning, some on my lunch break, but now I'm hitting it HARD for the rest of the weekend.
Toodles.
Oh, Tina, I do that too!!! I remember having to remind myself three times who an author was and we KEPT RUNNING INTO each other... and she said, "Ruthy, here we are again... " And I kept fumbling and having to look at the stupid name tag.
ReplyDeleteWhy couldn't I remember her name. I decided it was because she didn't look like a Rhonda....
She should have been Marilee or something like that.
(those are not the real names. I'm smart enough not to use them here!!!)
I am an idiot conference person, except for Pepper and Helen.
Pepper looks like Pepper and Helen looks like Helen.
I would know them anywhere. :)
Ladies,
ReplyDeleteIt looks like fun, especially since you're in my old stomping grounds. I was born and raised in the area. Went to school in STL. Spent many July 4ths sitting on the grass under the Arch watching fireworks.
I hope you went down to Laclede's Landing.
Enjoy!
b
Mary Curry, I agree!!!!
ReplyDeleteTime to send Tina CHOCOLATE!!!!
If I was there, I always bring a stash of chocolate. I can skip those questionable meals as long as there's chocolate in my room... to share!!!
I'm planning on going to conference next year as well. Nervous about it but excited too.
ReplyDeletePat Jeanne Davis, I think I need coffee as much as Missy. I thought you said "I visualize being there while reading updates. Maybe another year in PRISON! Lol....
Okay, kids. Here's the skinny. I am going to dinner now and then meeting Villagers later.
ReplyDeleteTHE WEEKEND EDITION WILL BE LATE!!!!
VERY LATE.
Tina, ENJOY. Don't worry about the weekend edition. The weekend is long. It will be here.
ReplyDeleteAnd Ruthy is sending you chocolate. She must have found more. :)
Yay Mary Curry. Don't you love weekends?
ReplyDeleteMy dream would be to go to one of these someday! I see the pictures and it's a reader's dream - to meet all these authors would be fantastic! I just love all of you so much! Have a fantastic time and share, share, share!!!! We can live vicariously through you :)
ReplyDeleteLyndee, I hear you about the working! I'm so happy to hear that. When you're like you and me, when it doesn't happen "quickly" it's too easy to get discouraged or think twice, but effort is the key... and keep on, keepin' on!
ReplyDeleteWilani, I've had those weeks!!! And Sherida, you have no idea how happy I am to see that! GRINNING for you!
Am I crazy to love writing? To love, love, love creating stories?
Like Jeter, I'm living my dream. How can anyone not love that amazing reality????
You had me at chocolate.
ReplyDeleteHave fun, all of you in St. Louis. I am editing, editing, editing and plotting, plotting, plotting. So all of you in St. Louis, have a wonderful time. One of my favorite family vacations happened seven years ago in St. Louis. Great memories of the Arch, The Magic House, driving to Hannibal (Mark Twain house), and Grant's house. Have a great time.
And I'm thinking of you all, but especially Tina and her two nominations.
Aww, I wish I was there!! I am living vicariously though your pictures.
ReplyDeleteBy the happy pictures it looks like a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteJan
Love the pictures! Wish I was there. Maybe next year. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you're all having a fun time! You all look great. :)
ReplyDeleteReally late commenting but love the photos they are so cool. looks like you are all having a great time.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the photos- hope you are all having a great time.
ReplyDelete..making me wish I was there. Congrats to Jeanne T!!!
ReplyDeletehave a great time, ladies!
Thanks for sharing the pictures! Brings back memories of the time I went to conference. I'll be glad when I finish this nonfiction book so I can get back to writing fiction - it' so much more fun!!
ReplyDeleteCount me in for the gift card!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLove the pics, Tina! Thanks for posting them. Waving to Glynna Kaye. Miss our breakfasts, cous!
ReplyDeleteI hope I can say this constructively with no judgement in return. When I became aware there was an ACFW in 2011 I was so optimistic of fitting into a group of other writers who like myself had a passion for writing Christian Fiction. What I found on the local chapter was some of that fellowship and it not being a gender gap. But what I found at the 2012 (and now subsequent ACFW conferences) is an industry dominated by women and not much inclusion for men. Its like being an invisible minority and in some ways unwelcome.
ReplyDeleteThe pastor/writer James Robison in DFW once said of when he was being groomed to succeed Dr. Criswell at FBC Dallas and then torn down (denied access as Dr. Criswell refused to retire constantly finding 'successors' he groomed and then denied in access) "I want to be celebrated and just just tolerated."
I have wanted much the same thing within the ACFW and not feel like an outsider tolerated but included. Granted I'll never have my nails grown or painted (humor) but I am a passionate writer with the need of fellowship and seen as someone welcome and of value just as I am. Not that I'm looking for a man's or men's wing of the ACFW but to not be so excluded but rather included.
As much as I wish I were at a conference like that the reality is that the ACFW is primarily made up of and consisting of women - many whom I respect, admire and count as friends and colleagues. I just wish that was as much a reality in the conferences as it is on the loops, email, and phone conversations or one to one in local chapter meetings. I'm not sure how the ACFW will respond to this constructive criticism or of Seekerville that I've come to value as well. And hope my thoughts will not be condemned.
It may be a girls/women's club - but there are or were a handful of men at the 2012 conference as well as some women of color and international whom I found and sat with from meal to meal, seminar to seminar, and workshop to workshop who expressed much the same as I and the handful of men there experienced. I'd like to find more inclusion into Seekerville as a fellow seeker in publishing and for the gift God gives to writers to write beyond the physical gender one is where the target it touching and offering hope to readers. I know most of my readers will be women but I've been surprised to find many are men, their brothers, husbands, and those who find these books that paint women and men so well that appeal beyond the women's club the ACFW can seem to present.
Are there any men writers attending ACFW this year? Beyond agents? If I am wrong to speak up - its just something unspoken and a hope that in 2015 as I plan to attend once again in DFW that I'll find more inclusion than exclusion as well for several men writers who will also be there. Include us. We do not want to take over. We just want to be included.