CLASS WC Blog has moved to http://www.classeminars.org/blog/wcb/

The CLASS Writers Conference Blog has moved to the following url as of 3-15-2011:

http://www.classeminars.org/blog/wcb/

You can also access the blog from within the CLASSeminars.org website:

http://www.classeminars.org/

If you had previously subscribed to receive email updates, please resubscribe on the new site.

Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy the new look!

Lawrence

Registration Now Open and Conference Reflection by Laura Kramer

Howdy, Folks!

Ok, the time has finally arrived—Registration for the 2011 conference is now open!

Be sure to register early to enroll in the workshops of your choice, and to also (and maybe more importantly to some of you “City Slickers”) get the best choice of accommodations.  Also, when you register and PAY IN FULL for the CLASS Christian Writers Conference by March 31, 2011, you will save $150 off the regular price of $675, for a discounted price of only $525.  Such a deal!

This week we have a wonderful conference reflection by Laura Kramer.  First, though, I’d like to share a brief piece I recently posted on the conference FaceBook page:

I have attended and presented at several dozen academic and/or secular writing conferences, and I must say that the CLASS Writer's Conference has been the BEST CONFERENCE I have ever attended.  I have not only received valuable information and mentoring, but have made life-long friends.  In addition, and most importantly, I have experienced spiritual renewal and the presence of the Holy Spirit both during and after the conferences. 

My life, my writing, and my professional calling have all been changed permanently because of my participation in the conference and other CLASS training seminars and events. And of course, the scenery around the Ghost Ranch is like watching God create a new set of paintings each day.  DON'T MISS THIS WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY to learn from seasoned professionals and experience God's blessings!

If that didn’t quite convince you to attend this year, check out Laura Kramer’s conference reflection article, “Stretch Marks.”  One of Laura’s strengths is that she allows her creativity to take many forms.  In addition to her writing, Laura is also a speaker and designer of the popular “Psalm 23” jewelry line.  Laura is a CLASSeminars graduate and frequently shares her journey to healing with women's groups, retreats, church groups and bible studies, and conferences nationwide. 

Enjoy, and don’t forget to register this month to save $150; that way you’ll have enough cash left over to buy me dinner in Santa Fe!  :)

Lawrence

Conference Reflections

Spiritual Stretch Marks

By Laura Krämer

I did the unimaginable. I traveled alone to a remote location to be with a group of strangers for six days. Temperatures dropping to the twenties, not-so-private bathrooms, a pay phone, and all the corned beef hash and Brussels sprouts one could eat. This writer’s conference was bound to give me spiritual stretch marks. For a week I labored my way through unfamiliarity.

Deer don’t attack do they, Lord?

The tightening around my heart intensified one black night as I moved watchfully around a herd of deer. Even though I was locked with fear, I felt a supernatural sensation I was not alone. I dared to believe the presence was good. This moment characterized the journey God set me on—to deepen my trust in Him.

Throughout the week my dependence on God was challenged. I was inundated with stories of attendees getting the green light from publishers. However, I had no such story. My editor appointments were days away. Panic rose inside me. I could not ignore the proof of God’s presence, yet I did not hear Him. Questions flooded my mind. What was the point of this trip? Perhaps the purpose was complete. Didn’t I accomplish a lot just by stepping foot on the ranch? I took God off the hook and shut my heart off to anything more. A false sense of freedom came as fear of failure steered the way to give up the dream.

“You want it too little,” said Bruce Wilkinson.

Spoken from behind a modest pulpit, Wilkinson’s words were catapulted by the Holy Spirit straight into my heart. God was no longer silent. My fear of more had led me to stop believing in His dream, but He pushed through my anxiety and beckoned me to trust.

The call to draw near to God was overwhelming. I knew that His delight in me was greater than all I could ever do for Him. Regardless of what I did or didn’t do I could stand in certainty of His affection for me. I gladly received this, yet could not contain it. The overflow of His joy compelled a response to dream again--and to risk.

In spite of my inexperience and unpolished pitch I received three requests for proposals and an article assignment for an online magazine. It was my turn to share the triumphs. I sensed a profound happiness that went beyond the publisher’s recognition. It was the sacred space in which I labored with the Lord.

I left that (Holy) Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico with evidence in my soul of an increased faith. I am grateful for these many stretch marks. They signify the growth and delivery of new life--a deepened trust in the Lord.

 

The CLASS Christian Writers Conference is a great place to meet new friends over

meals, coffee, and in workshops.  In this photo from the 2010 conference, Laura

enjoys a relaxing moment outdoors with Sofia Simpson, a writer and photographer

from Florida who was also attending the conference for the first time.

 

About CLASSEMINARS

CLASSEMINARS, Inc. is the premier full service agency for established and aspiring Christian speakers, writers, leaders, and publishers. A one-of-a-kind organization, CLASS provides the complete training ground for tomorrow's spiritual leaders worldwide.  For more info on CLASS, please visit http://classeminars.org/.

The CLASS Christian Writers Conference blog is managed by Lawrence J. Clark, an author, speaker, and songwriter who frequently speaks and performs in schools, churches, and libraries throughout the United States. He is co-founder, with his wife Kristen, of HisWitness.org and NewBeginningsMarriage.org, for which he writes a regular column based on personality theory, marriage and relationships, men’s issues, and Christian living. 

Writer's Corner: Bullet Proof Research by DiAnn Mills

Greetings and Salutations!

This week I am happy to present a guest article by one of my Houston neighbors, award-winning author DiAnn Mills.  DiAnn is an incredibly prolific writer with fifty books in print, and has sold over 1.5 million copies.  Six of her titles have appeared on the CBA bestseller list, and she is the recipient of numerous awards, including Best Historical of the Year from Heartsong Presents, a Christy Award, and an Inspirational Reader's Choice Award in 2010.

In addition to writing historical and contemporary fiction, DiAnn shares her expertise with other writers as a founding board member for American Christian Fiction Writers. She is a member of Inspirational Writers Alive; Romance Writers of America’s Faith, Hope and Love; and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.  I’m also excited to tell you DiAnn will lead a teaching lab on fiction writing at the 2011 CLASS Christian Writers Conference!

You can read more about her at www.diannmills.com.  Be sure to check out the “For Writers” section, which is loaded with writer’s tips and an excellent collection of quotations by writers.

We’ll be hearing more from DiAnn in the coming months, but for this week, she offers fiction writers some tips and encouragement regarding research for your novels.  And if you’re not a fiction writer, be sure to read her article anyway, as proper research is just as important in non-fiction writing as it is for creating credible characters and believable scenarios in a work of fiction.

Enjoy!

Lawrence 

Writer's Corner

Bullet Proof Research for the Contemporary Suspense

By DiAnn Mills

           

Have you ever had an idea for a fabulous suspense novel, but the thought of completing the research killed the project before you were able to flesh out a plot? Oh, the protagonist was quirky and witty, and the villain was charming and manipulative. Yet a body lay flat without anyone able to solve the murder because you didn’t have the tools to find the killer.

You’re not alone. Many writers forego their dreams of writing a thrilling novel because they don’t have the tools for research. I’m a dreamer. I can explore any plot and write a believable synopsis. When the contract comes through, I’m celebrating—tweeting my new writing project and making claims on Facebook. But that is short-lived when I realize a big problem. How am I going to conduct the research?

Over the years, I’ve developed a thick-skinned approach for finding the details needed to ensure my story is credible. My characters have to walk and talk their roles, so I need to find real live people who have the same careers, expertise, and experiences.

Where do I begin? My first step is to search the public library and Amazon for books and recordings about the character or setting that have me puzzled. What I love about purchasing reference materials is I can highlight and make notes. When I believe I have a working knowledge of the research, I look for people to interview. Don’t panic. I have yet to meet someone who didn’t like to talk about what they do. Don’t you love talking about the life of a writer? Ask a mother about her day with her preschooler. Ask a teacher about her day with her students. Ask a teller what happens when her drawer doesn’t balance. Ask a policeman about how he approaches a domestic violence case. See what I mean? People are honored and appreciate others asking about their normal day—at least normal for them. So go right to the top. Introduce yourself as a writer and have your elevator pitch ready. Two things happen when you pitch your story to the potential interviewee: 1) you hook them into your story, and 2) you make them feel important.

When interviewing a specific career, especially a law enforcement agency or a member of Homeland Security, contact the Public Relations Director and explain what you need. I did this for the Border Patrol and received permission to ride the line with them. What a thrill! I phoned the Public Relations Director of my city’s FBI office, and we began a relationship for a series of books.

Sometimes the information we need takes us out of our comfort zone.

            Maybe you need to visit the morgue.

            Maybe you need to take a class in self-defense.

            Maybe you need to learn how to use a firearm.

            Maybe you need to pick up the phone and get started.

Writing suspense is not for the weak-hearted. Toughen up. Get the facts. You may get lucky enough to have the expert want to read every word of your novel. Move over you best selling writers. There’s always room for one more, and I’m ready to slide into place. 

***

Attendees at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference have the opportunity to meet

one-on-one with some of the Christian publishing industry’s top editors and publishers.

(Photo courtesy Saundra Burns)

Register Early for a GI-NORMOUS Discount!

When you register and PAY IN FULL for the CLASS Christian Writers Conference by March 31, 2011, you save $150 off the regular price of $675, for a discounted price of $525.  (NOTE: registration opens March 1, which is only two weeks away! )

About CLASSEMINARS

CLASSEMINARS, Inc. is the premier full service agency for established and aspiring Christian speakers, writers, leaders, and publishers. A one-of-a-kind organization, CLASS provides the complete training ground for tomorrow's spiritual leaders worldwide.  For more info on CLASS, please visit http://classeminars.org/.

The CLASS Christian Writers Conference blog is managed by Lawrence J. Clark, an author, speaker, and songwriter who frequently speaks and performs in schools, churches, and libraries throughout the United States. He is co-founder, with his wife Kristen, of HisWitness.org and NewBeginningsMarriage.org, for which he writes a regular column based on personality theory, marriage and relationships, men’s issues, and Christian living.