Author: Faith & Culture

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From Timid Writer to Marketing Speaker

By Nicole Miller

 

Had you tried to convince me two years ago that I’d be approached to speak at the Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference, you would have failed. Trust me.

In 2011, I was a quiet, timid writer with a few year’s experience under my belt of attending writer’s conferences. I’d even rubbed elbows with some major editors and agents at the local Oregon Christian Writer’s conference. But something about the Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference felt different.

It was a strange sense that overwhelmed and left me feeling like a newbie all over again.

But it was also a rush of excitement and anticipation.

The memories of the inaugural 2011 Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference fill me to this day—the intoxicating words of the keynote speakers, the intensive workshops, the friendships bonded and the rush of inspiration.

I walked away from the conference confident that big things were in store. And boy, were they. I signed with my literary agent that same year, I moved to a new job that entered me into the world of social media marketing, and I was offered my first chance to teach a workshop.

Now, I have the honor and privilege to be leading two workshops on marketing and social media tricks for writers. This step into teaching has fulfilled me in ways I never expected (and I’d love to see you all at the conference!)

2011 was a year of defining change, and I felt it stirring at the Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference. I can’t guarantee the same experience for you—but I can guarantee you won’t regret the time and investment into your career and your spirit.

I challenge you to journal the day before, the day of, and the day after the Faith and Culture Writer’s Conference. Just see what sort of difference comes about. It could be a big year for you.

 

Nicole M. Miller is an award-winning writer, history buff, equestrienne and a former rodeo queen—all of which come together in her historical fiction and blogging. A social media coordinator and self-proclaimed Facebook and Twitter addict, she coaches writers and small business owners in utilizing social media as a marketing tool. Connect with her at www.nicolemillerbooks.com and www.millermediasolutions.com.

 

 

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How the Scary Guy Changed My Life

By Kari Patterson

 

“You should go to this.” My husband pulled a flyer out of his bag and slid it across the counter to me.

“Writer’s Conference? No way.” He tilted his head, gave me a stop-being-ridiculous look, and waited.

“#1, I’m not a writer. I’m a wannabe. I’m a blogger with a pathetically small following and I say I’m going to write a book but I probably never will. #2, All the people there will be real writers. Authors and stuff. No way I’m going.” He wasn’t listening.

“They have appointments with literary agents. You can share your book idea and get feedback. It’s only $55. I’m signing you up.”

Several weeks later I finally caved.

As I filled out the registration form, I scrolled through the photos of literary agents. Hmm … which one to pick? Oh man, not Bill Jensen. Too scary. Jenni Burke! She looks nice, and she’s smiling in her picture. I’ll pick her. She’ll let me down easy and won’t laugh at me and make me cry.

Jenni Burke. *Click*

Done.

The week of the conference, Western Seminary called. “We’re so sorry. Your registration had an error and had to be resubmitted. Because of that the agent appointments have filled up. The only one left is with Bill Jensen.”

Panic. Scary Guy!

I prepared for the conference as most lame people do when afraid — I pretended it wasn’t happening. Finally, at 10pm the night before the conference, I figured I better have something to give to Scary Guy. So I Googled “How to write a book proposal” and quickly found myself more overwhelmed than ever. It was a little late to begin drafting up the 50-page proposal that Rachel Gardner said was necessary. I had nothing but a blog and a dream. And Scary Guy.

I arrived alone and didn’t know a soul. Holding something in my hand would provide security, so I headed for the coffee. A bright, cheery gal in her 50s started chit-chatting, and to my surprise she wasn’t published either. She was just an artist who loved Jesus, photography and poetry and had come to learn whatever she could. What a novel idea!

From the very first session I was hooked. Paul Metzger had me mesmerized as he shared Jeremiah 20:9 and spoke of a message shut up in our bones, how we should only write if we must write, if we had a message that we could not hold in. That was it! That was exactly how I felt. The more he spoke the more I realized this simple but profound truth: I am a writer. If God has called me to write, I am a writer.

An ISBN in my name does not make me a writer.

Writing makes me a writer.

Cornelia’s workshop had me feverishly scribbling notes and again, encouraged. Where Dr. Metzger had inspired my soul, Cornelia gave me practical tools. I kept texting my husband, “This is amazing. Thank you so much for making me attend!”

But I still had to face Scary Guy. When the time for my appointment came, I waited at the door and read his bio. Oh for crying out loud. He’d been in the literary industry longer than I’d been alive. He represented big name authors. I texted a friend: “Just pray he doesn’t stuff me in the garbage can.”

“Next, Kari Patterson.”

I sat down opposite Bill Jensen, and blurted out, “I don’t know what I’m doing! I’ve never done this before.” To my surprise, he smiled.

“That’s ok … just tell me your idea.”

And I did. And to my amazement, he didn’t stuff me in the garbage can. He didn’t laugh. He didn’t mock. He actually liked it. A lot. He liked the title and the message and he affirmed what I was already doing and gave me clear, practical steps of what to do next. He was thoughtful and listened. He was kind.

I went home and wrote the 50-page book proposal the following week.

A few months later I signed with a literary agent–the same agency which represents Paul Metzger, another Writers Conference connection–and although our publisher is still pending, Sacred Mundane has been written and we’re close. Very close.

But none of this would be if it weren’t for the flyer on the counter, the $55, and the Scary Guy appointment.

Oh, and the lady who chit-chatted with me over coffee?

She lives with us now.

In so many ways, the Faith & Culture Writers Conference was a godsend. There will always be a thousand reason to not. Not go. Not write. Not try. The conference may not be life-changing for you. But it might.

Give it a shot.

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Where God May Lead…

By Bethany Jackson

Our yearning to write can come at any point in our life. Young or old, experienced or beginner, at some point for us there comes a deep desire to pick up a pen and tell a story. I finally listened to the nudging after many years of busying myself with other activities and did not ignore it in 2010. I joined a group called the Writers Connection Group at Rolling Hills Community Church where I attend. There I found a group of writers from every genre, age group and level of experience in attendance.

Dusting off my keyboard and listening to the most fundamental advice, I began writing again. The group was not a class but something even more important for me, a springboard of encouragement to just do it. Just write and let God fill the pages with His inspiration… through our fingers to put those words on paper.

After some time had passed and I grew to know the director, Cornelia Becker Seigneur, I was invited to join the Leadership Team for the first Faith and Culture Writers Conference being held at Western Seminary in 2011. I must tell you that this was indeed a true honor for me. As I walked into the room where the meeting was being held, I was so thankful for being obedient to the nudging in my heart to follow God’s leading to that first meeting at Rolling Hills. I sat down amongst five other women of faith. When introduced, tears welled up in my eyes as I felt unworthy of the honor that this invitation held. I knew in my heart God had a plan for the women around the table and if we stayed in His will and let Him lead us, the conference would be all that He would want it to be.

Now two years later and being asked to be the Administrative Assistant for the second Faith and Culture Writers Conference, I know that being obedient to God’s “nudging” is the first step to being available for Him to work in our lives. Putting a conference together can certainly be a daunting task, but when we let God lead and direct, He somehow puts each task into manageable steps.

We hope that you will be a part of the conference. If you feel a nudging in your heart to come, don’t ignore it, as God may have a beautiful plan for you that day. It is in the small things that God leads us into bigger experiences with Him.

~ Bethany Jackson

 

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Making a Way in the Wilderness

By CORNELIA BECKER SEIGNEUR

It is so exciting to be back this year for the second Faith & Culture Writers Conference on April 5 and 6, 2013.  I am especially grateful to be at Multnomah University where I serve as the faculty advisor for MUSE student publication, which I helped launch in 2011.  I have been an adjunct professor at Multnomah since 2010, and I am thrilled that Multnomah has caught the vision for this conference.

I have been a freelance journalist for The Oregonian since 1996, specializing in faith, culture, family and community stories.  Bottom line is I pen positive stories about ordinary people doing extraordinary things.  Over the years, people have asked me how I got started writing and how am I able to share so many stories of faith. I believe that our culture is hungry for stories that share hope and faith and community.  We need to be looking for those stories and be willing to share them.  Creativity and the literary arts — indeed, all the arts — are a gift from the Creator.

I love connecting and networking engaging fellow people of faith to encourage them to embrace their creative calling. I have always viewed my writing as a ministry, as a calling, as a way to share truth.  Quoting Martin Luther on my Twitter account, I believe that, “If you want to change the world, pick up your pen and write.”

At Rolling Hills, I had put out a call for writers of any and all genres to meet for a time of fellowship.  We had 50 people show up in a space for 25. It showed me that people of faith are interested in this creative calling and they want to gather in community to encourage one another.  Fellow believers are looking for a place to bond around their mutual love for creativity and the Word.  That is when we began dreaming of a larger event, where we would gather hundreds of creative people of faith together for a day to engage, encourage, challenge, and inspire one another in this mutual creative calling on our lives.

I had been involved with the Network for Women in Leadership at Western Seminary, where they used to host a women’s writers conference every other year under the direction of Bev Hislop.  She decided to cease that conference, but was open to something new.  That is when we began meeting and talking about my vision for the Faith & Culture Writers Conference.  She loved the idea and allowed us along with a great leadership team to bring the conference to their campus in 2011.

It was such a wonderful, overwhelmingly positive day filled with creative energy.  I had people come up to me during the event and say they’ve never been to anything like it.  One man wanted to duplicate this in the Seattle area.  Something about the event struck a cord.  People asked if we would return in 2012, but my daughter Rachel was getting married that year and so I knew I could not plan it.  But, 2013 was on my radar.

When the time got closer to think about another conference, Western Seminary decided they were going in another direction (plus, we had outgrown that venue our first year), so I approached Multnomah University.  That made the most sense to me as I am on staff there.  I am grateful that Dean of Campus Life Dave Groom–whom I report to as the faculty advisor for MUSE student publication–love the idea as well.

God laid on my heart those who should help head up the conference this year.  It was a no-brainer to have Bethany Jackson return.  I asked her to join our conference leadership planning team in 2011 and her expertise in event management and facility coordinating was priceless.  This year, Bethany serves as Administrative Assistant.  Kari Patterson was another one that came to mind right away as another potential planning team member.  Kari introduced herself to me at the 2011 conference after the breakout session I led on Freelance Writing.  A fellow West Linn mom, Kari’s soft heart and drive to write is contagious, and she happily joined the team for the 2013 conference, serving as the communications coordinator.  I met Ashley Larkin, this year’s literary agent and mentor coordinator, two years ago, falling in love first with her writing on her blog.  With so many shared connections, including West Linn and the University of Portland, I invited her to my Writers Connection at Rolling Hills, and we have been friends ever since. Her soft heart and get-it-done attitude are exemplary, and our theme verse Isaiah 43:19 came from her.  Ana Brors, our Social Media strategist and web designer, reached out to me on our Faith & Culture Writers Connection Facebook page this year.  She had attended our 2011 event and loved it.  I found her expertise in social media so helpful, asking her to join our leadership planning team as well.

We are excited about our top-notch line up of speakers for 2013. S ome big names — William Paul Young, author of the Shack, Ken Wytsma, The Justice Conference Founder, Brian Doyle, author of 13 books, Dan Merchant, Lord, Save Us From Your Followers filmmaker and producer — and we also have some lesser known names whom I am excited to introduce into the conversation around the intersection of faith and culture and the arts– Keith Turley, author, publisher and marketer from Seattle, Tyler Braun, 20-something pastor, blogger, and author, and Christal Jenkins, speaker and author of three books.  And, Martin French, an exquisite artist, illustrator and art professor, once again designed our classy WORDS logo, incorporating our new theme.

One of the things noted on the survey we took after the conference in 2011 was that people wanted more fellowship during the conference. Time to talk with fellow attendees and speakers.  So we have added Friday night this year, and an after the event social hour on Saturday.

Feel free to shoot me an email with questions at cornelia@corneliaseigneur.com

Or text or call me 503-318-3480

You may also get a hold of our conference administrative assistant Bethany Jackson at newbethany1@gmail.com