COMING SOON! A new book and a writer's event!

For readers of my blog, I apologize. It's been a rough year and a half. But things are finally looking up, even in the book department.

 Christ and the Samaritan Woman at the Well
by Angelica Kauffman

I have been working on a new book for quite a few months. The new title is "I Walked With Jesus: New Testament Stories of Faith & Healing from the Least of These." The book is filled with stories from the time of Christ. Many of those who had an experience with Jesus had only a line or two written about them. Others didn't even have a name attached to the experience. 

All walked with Christ. 

The interesting thing about this book is the freedom I had in writing these stories. I have done quite a bit of studying of the scriptures and the time period, but have had room to create the character behind the story because there was so little written about them.  

If you have viewed The Chosen, you will find my stories similar in nature to what has been produced by Angel Studios. You will see the woman at the well, not just at the moment she meets Christ, but, long before that, when she marries for the first time. You will see how Malchus's life is lived before his ear is cut off at the gate to the Garden of Gethsemane and the healing takes place. You will see the centurion who finally saw Christ as he died on the cross, not through accident, but because of what he'd experienced before that moment. "Truly, this was the son of God" came because he was prepared to receive the message.

The book's new release will be in September of 2021 before the writer's conference listed below.

WRITE HERE IN EPHRAIM CONFERENCE IS COMING UP!

It's that time again to refill your bucket with great writing ideas and direction

at the Write Here in Ephraim Conference!

2016

Come and join us!

My husband and I will be teaching:

CREATE YOUR OWN BOOK TRAILERS THAT ROCK!

Want your book trailer to sing, dance, even rock? Then you'll not want to miss this class. Learn how to create winning trailers for your book(s) with little or no out-of-pocket cash! Learn how to incorporate music, photos, video, text and more into your captivating book trailer. Learn what works and what doesn't when it comes to including your book's message for even greater book sales. 

and

MARKETING YOUR BOOK ON A BUDGET!

 

Have a book out but no clue how to market it? Whether the book is your first or your seventh, learn the ins and outs of book marketing. Get a clue about blogs, interviews, and that thing called book trailers. What about reviews, social media, advertising, contests and book signings? Find out what free and low cost marketing can really do for your latest book in this fun, informative class.

Writer's Conference has begun!

The League of Utah Writer's Conference 

has begun!

You're not too late if you still want to get into the great classes!

Register here. My husband and I will be teaching a marketing class. We will also have a table set up with our books, including this one:

Watch the trailer...

Barefoot Book Marketing on a Shoestring Budget

PUT SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11 ON YOUR CALENDAR!

If you're needing assistance in the marketing arena, whether that assistance be book tours, book reviews, book trailers, blogs, radio interviews and more, contact Jill at: thewriters4literacy@gmail.com.

I will be teaching a class on book trailers and how to set up an author blog.

Time: 9:30 - 3:30
Place: Literacy Action Center
3595 S. Main Street, Salt Lake City

YOU PROVIDE THE SACK LUNCH AND WE PROVIDE THE HANDS-ON CLASSES!

$35.00

Questions? 

Contact Jill at:

 thewriters4literacy@gmail.com

or Kathy at:

kathy@ariverofstones.com

Writer's Conference Coming Up in March!

Need some writing, editing or publishing assistance? Can't afford to spend tons of money on a conference? Then you'll want to check out:



I will be teaching a class entitled: Marketing Your Book on a Budget: How To Market With Little or No Money.

Check out the Facebook page.

You can learn more about the conference here: http://writehereinephraim.weebly.com/.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. I would be happy to help.

I have been to many, many conferences, but not one that does a great job for $15! Come and have some fun!

Getting the Most Out of a Writer's Conference

HEAD'S UP! YOU'LL NOT WANT TO MISS THE LDS STORYMAKER'S CONFERENCE!

Date: May 10-11, 2013
Place: Provo Marriott Hotel
Link: http://www.ldstorymakers.com
I will be teaching a marketing class and signing my books! Would love to see you!


Not only do I speak at writer's conferences, I attend them. And through the years I've learned a few things about how to make the best out of a conference.

Interestingly, it isn't always the popular speaker that I get the most out of; it's the speaker that stretches me and makes me want to try something new like editing in a new way I'd never considered.

Photo by: tom@hk, courtesy of Flickr

Stretch. Through the years I've come to realize that the classes that will be of the most benefit to me are those that take me to the next level. There's no need to take classes that I primarily know; I say, primarily, because there is always something someone can teach me. But don't take a class simply because you feel as if you'll be more comfortable there.


Whether I want to write better setting, or I need new ideas on how to market, I take the classes I need the most, whether the speaker is of the popular variety or not.

Take some breaks. I give myself time for breaks, too. I don't attend every hour, rather I give myself a couple of slots during the day (other than lunch or dinner) to reflect on what I've learned and set some goals.

My mind can get so filled with ideas that by the tail end of the conference I'm just sitting there learning nothing anyway. So why not give my mind some time to reflect?

Do it on you own. I used to attend classes with friends even if I didn't particularly care for the subject or didn't want to attend another class alone. But I've learned that it's okay to do it on my own. I can always meet up with my friend later. I need to take the classes that will cause me to stretch.

When it comes to stretching, this physical exercise helps with stress. I know this because since I've developed an hour exercise program and have been implementing it 5-6 days a week, my stress has decreased and my ability to do more has increased.

Stretching can do the same thing for you. While you're in class, don't take notes about everything you hear--it will drive you crazy anyway--write down those things that strike you, that cause you to ponder, that awaken your mind or cause you to want to leave the class and get started on the idea right away.

Live in the moment. While sitting in a lecture I often find my mind leaving even if my body doesn't. I am writing down all sorts of things; experiencing the moment if you will. People around me might think I am taking copious notes. What I'm really doing is applying something that I have just learned from the speaker.

Getting the most out of a writer's conference takes guts. It's really about giving yourself some time to reflect, not being afraid to do it on your own, being willing to stretch, and being open to the moment.

Living in the moment is always where I get my best stuff.

Writer's Conference a Spiritual High

If you've ever attended a writer's conference, you'll understand me when I tell you that often, you return home with so much information that your head is bursting. You may even think to yourself, "What do I do first? There is just so much information for me to assimilate, I don't know where to start."


My husband Doug in the center. I'm sitting next to him.

The good news about the Aspiring Author's Summit I was a part of on Saturday was that the ideas were out there, but something else took the cake; I call it the icing.



My husband and I are the last two panelists on the left. 

Typically, when I've attended writing conferences the information is plenty but the motivation less so. Though I have been inspired to move forward I haven't been touched. Though the ideas have helped me to improve in my writing, I haven't felt as if what I'm doing extends from a higher place.

In a nutshell, I haven't felt God.

Allow me to share just a few quotes that I recorded on that day:

"Tears of joy and tears of sorrow have different chemistry."

"Changing your thoughts is better than a face lift."

"Eat that frog. Do the hardest thing first."

"Keep commitments to yourself as if you're keeping the commitments to someone else."

"81 percent of people want to write a book--but they don't do it."

"Selling 10,000 books in one week is better than selling 10,000 books in one month."

"Find your voice and then inspire others to find their voice."

"Better done than perfect."

"God has a million ways to reach us, what matters is how we reach back."

"Write about the glory within yourself."

"Be the channel of grace. Plant seeds of hope and healing."

"To sell more books, write more books."

"A co-author in a project needs to have your same heart."

A big hug you to all those who shared and to all of those I met. It was an incredible experience!

To August!