I brought a huge pot of chocolate velvet coffee, some Georgian iced tea (sweet like you Southerners like it) and some iced coffee. Patti Jo volunteered to make some yummy peach cobbler and I have added a platter of summer fruit.
Later this afternoon we will bring out the boxes of Sees Candy I brought from the West.
The best part of being at RWA is seeing my Seeker sisters that have come to the conference: Mary Connealy, Janet Dean, Myra Johnson, Debby Giusti, and Missy Tippens. We met a little early so we could put on the final touches for our workshop tomorrow.
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| Sandra, Janet, Myra, Debby, Mary and Missy in Atlanta |
Yes, that's right. We are giving a workshop entitled THE BLOG THAT HELPED US SAIL OFF UNPUBBED ISLAND. Can you guess what that workshop is about? LOL We are going to talk about Seekerville and how focusing on contests and the craft of writing not only helped us get off unpubbed island, but has helped so many of our Seeker friends also.
By the way, we had so much fun presenting that workshop. There were many Seeker friends there.
Today I've pasted in a 28 day devotional for writers. I wrote these years ago and took them to the ACFW conference as free handouts in Denver. Some of you may recognize them. But during the afternoon, scroll down as I will add photos and info from our first day at the conference.
I thought you might like to see the photos from the 2013 conference to get you excited for this coming one.
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| Each elevator door at the Marriott features a publisher |
Written by and compliments of Sandra Leesmith
www.sandraleesmith.com
Daily Prayer: I pray that I will lead a godly, exemplary life and that I will have boldness to express my convictions about Jesus Christ in my writing.
Day 1
A scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher I will follow you wherever you go.” (Matthew 8:10)
Many people want to follow Jesus, but it is not an easy road. Writing about Jesus requires sacrifices. What do you have to give up in order to write? Today, make a list of all the things you own that you really don’t need.
Day 2
He said to them, “Why are you terrified, O you of little faith?” (Matthew 8:26)
Have you ever been afraid or terrified? Are you afraid to express your deep and innermost feelings? Are you afraid of critiques and opinions of others? Are you afraid to submit your writing? Are you afraid of rejection? When you are afraid, do you call on Jesus? Today, make a list of all the things that frighten you about writing.
Day 3
For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10b)
When you are at your weakest is when you are the strongest because you turn to Jesus. Sometimes you don’t turn to Jesus when you think you can do it yourself. However, turning problems or challenges over to the Lord gives you strength to overcome. Today, tuck the list you made yesterday into your Bible. Give your fears to Jesus to take care of.
Day 4
“Without cost, you have received; without cost, you are to give.” (Matthew 10:8b)
God has given you gifts. You have talents and skills unique to you. God gave them to you freely. You are to use those gifts freely. He gave them to you so you could bless others. Today, write down all of the gifts God has given to you. Have you used them freely?
Day 5
“Do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say. You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” (Matthew 10:19b-20)
What Jesus told His disciples applies to you. Today, close your eyes and ask the Holy Spirit to help you tell others about Jesus. Thank Him and tell Him you love Him.
Day 6
In Him, we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will so that we might exist for the praise of his glory. (Ephesians 1:11-12a)
God chose you to be His child. The reason you exist and were chosen is so you could praise God. That is the main reason you exist—to love God. Today, tell God how much you love Him. Sing a song of praise to Him.
Day 7
Jesus said to them, “Come to the desert and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31a)
In Genesis, you read that after God created the earth, He rested on the seventh day. Jesus is telling His disciples to take some time to rest. If God and Jesus need time to rest, then so do you. Today, take some time to rest in a quiet place. Spend that time thinking about Jesus.
Day 8
“Come to me all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
This is one of the most popular sayings of Jesus. If you can’t think of what to write, or if challenges interfere with your writing, He says come to ME. Today, say the name Jesus seven times. How does saying His name make you feel?
Day 9
And he spoke to them at length in parables. (Matthew 13:3a)
When Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, He often used parables or stories. The Holy Spirit helps you to understand the stories. Today, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help you write about the love of Jesus.
Day 10
For all of you are children of the light. (1 Thessalonians 5:5a)
You must let your light shine and tell the world about Jesus. As a writer, you have the perfect opportunity. Today, go in a dark room and turn on the light. You can see everything more clearly. Life is more clear when you know Jesus. Thank Him and start writing.
Day 11
“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God because for this purpose I have been sent.” (Luke 4:43b)
Jesus was sent by God to tell about God’s kingdom. You were chosen for a purpose also. Love God with all your heart and you will discover that purpose. Today, tell someone about Jesus and how much you love God.
Day 12
As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him, rooted in him and built upon him and established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7)
Jesus wants you to read His word in the Bible and pray to Him every day. When you do this, you will become more and more like Jesus. Today, thank Jesus for helping you be like Him.
Day 13
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers, petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone, for kings and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life in all devotion and dignity. (1 Timothy: 2:1-2)
Jesus wants us to pray for all leaders. As writers, we need to pray for the leaders in our profession so that publishing will prosper and grow and reach out to more readers. Today, find out the names of the leaders in our industry. List the names of publishers, editors, and booksellers. Pray for them.
Day 14
Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever. (Daniel 3:56)
God loves when His people sing to Him and tell Him how much they love Him. Do you sing to the Lord? Today, praise God. You can do this by singing a song, writing a poem, shouting out loud or clapping your hands.
Day 15
Jesus said to his disciples: “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.” (Luke 6:43-44a)
You are a writer. Your fruits are the words you produce. That is how people know if you truly love Jesus. Today, thank Jesus for helping you be like Him. Thank Him for helping you write words about His love.
Day 16
“But as for the seed that fell on rich soil, they are the ones who, when they have heard the word, embrace it with a generous and good heart, and bear fruit through perseverance.” (Luke 8:15)
It is one thing to embrace the word with a generous heart, but it is another to persevere and bear that fruit. As Christian writers, we must persevere and not let anything block us from bearing our fruit. Today, make a list of all the things that prevent you from writing. Tuck that list in the Bible and ask God to help you overcome so that you can bear His fruit.
Day 17
You ask but do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (James 4:3)
James is telling you to be careful when you ask God for anything, that you are asking out of love and compassion, out of caring and concern for others. Sometimes you don’t get what you ask for because your motives were not pure. You might have been asking out of selfish reasons or because you are envious of others. Today, write down all the things you want to ask God for this week. Beside each item, write down the reason you are asking. Check to see if the reasons are pure and not selfish.
Day 18
Jesus said to the crowd, “Take care to guard against all greed, for though one may be rich, one’s life does not consist of possessions.” (Luke 12:15)
In the writing profession, fame is a temptation. Jesus does not want you to be greedy. What we have here on earth is not what is important. If you have more than you need, then He wants you to share with others. This will give you treasures in heaven.
Today, share some wisdom about writing with another writer.
Day 19
Jesus said to his disciples: “The person who is trustworthy in very small matters is also trustworthy in great ones.” (Luke 16:10a)
You may not have time to write much every day, but are you writing faithfully? If you cannot finish one book, will you be trusted for many? It isn’t the hours you put in, but the consistency that makes a successful author. Today, establish goals and set a schedule. Pray to be faithful to both.
Day 20
“For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” (Mark 10:27)
After reading industry news or hearing a speaker, we think that getting published is impossible. Maybe you’ve received a rejection this week. But you can pray because nothing is too difficult for God. Today, think of something you need to make your writing successful. Ask God to take care of it for you.
Day 21
I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart; I will declare your wondrous deeds. (Psalm 9:1)
When someone does something special for you, it is right to thank them. What has God done for you recently? Have you thanked Him? Today, make a list of all God’s blessings this past week and thank Him.
Day 22
I am not ashamed of the Gospel. It is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. (Romans 1:16a)
Are there times when you are embarrassed to say you write inspirational romance? Has someone put you down for doing so or maybe suggested you write something else? Paul was not ashamed. He knew how important it is to read about Jesus. Today, tell someone you write inspirational romance.
Day 23
Jesus said to his disciples. “I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will acknowledge before the angels of God.” (Luke 12:8)
If you write about Jesus, Jesus will tell His friends, the angels of God, about you. Today, write about Jesus.
Day 24
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival.” (Luke 12:37a)
You don’t know when Jesus will come, so be ready at all times as if He were coming today. Will He find you writing or making some excuse not to? Today, look at your writing schedule. What do you need to do to make it ready for a visit from Jesus?
Day 25
“Much will be required of the person entrusted with much.” (Luke 12:48b)
Jesus says one who has been asked to take care of a big job, will be required to do so. He expects the job to be done and He is pleased when the job is done well. You have been given the gift of writing. He expects you to master your craft and be professional. It is a big responsibility to represent Him in the written word. Today, read an article, listen to a tape or read a chapter from a professional book that will improve your writing skill.
Day 26
Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, and persevere in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
Rejoice in the hope that what you are writing is true and will be published. Endure past the negative critiques and the rejections. Persevere and write, write, write. These are important ways to stay close to your work with Jesus.
Today, find a way to rejoice or be happy with your work in progress. Laugh and smile and tell someone how happy you are.
Day 27
“I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened for you.” (Luke 11:9)
Jesus is telling you that He will send the Holy Spirit and together they will help you write about the love of Jesus. Today, write down all the things you want the Holy Spirit to help you with in your writing.
Day 28
The Lord has done great things for us; Oh how happy we are. (Psalm 126:3)
Whenever God does something good for His people, they sing and shout and praise Him. Do you do that in your church? Does your family sing and shout thanks to God? Do you? Today, sing a song of praise to God. Sing a song you know or make up one.
Bible quotes from New American Bible, Oxford University Press, l990.
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| Darlene, Debby and Sandra unloading at the hotel |
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| Walt Mussell checks me in |
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| Debby, Darlene, Myra, Walt |
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| Gathering before FHL meeting |
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| Robin Lee Hatcher wins 2nd place short historical IRC |
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| Natasha Kern accepts first place long historical for Tamara Alexander |
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| Gina Welborn presents 1st place long contemporary to Rachel Hauck |
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| Do you recognize any of these people |
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| Mary Curry wins Touched By Love first place in long contemporary and third place historical |
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Natasha Kern, Missy, Robin Lee Hatcher
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| Renee Ryan and Mary |
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| Janet and Myra |
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| View out my hotel window |
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| Literacy signing-HUGE event |
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| MIssy signing. Do you notice the Rita flag? |
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| Piper and Janet |
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| Debby and first timer Tracy Poole |
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| Go Janet |
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| Go Missy |
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| Debby praying |
