Writers Conference Notes Nuggets

Writers Conference Notes Nuggets          

I am basking in the afterglow of four days at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference held at Ridgecrest, in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina.

Even if you’re not a writer you’ll probably benefit from my Notes Nuggets. As I reviewed some of my many pages of handwritten notes I could see that much of this can be applied to life in general—not just writing. So writer or not, pick out any of these nuggets that might speak to you. Then think about why it speaks to you.

Michelle Cox said, “No one else can write your story.” Do you have a story you should write? –Perhaps for your children or grandchildren? You don’t need to be a publishing hopeful to write your own story for your loved ones. I like to talk about this when I speak to groups. 

Other Notes Nuggets:

- “When you put feet to the dream God has planted in your heart amazing things happen.”  -DiAnn Mills

“He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NKJV).                                                                                          

Davis Bunn inspires fellow writers

- “Take aim, knowing where you want to go. Establish a clear mental goal. As you take aim, be selective about who you share your dream with.” -Davis Bunn 

- “God calls us to be part of something big and eternal. ... What is your attitude toward your gift? ... Create an atmosphere that invites God into your writing craft. ... There are answers for me—waiting for me.” D. Bunn

- “Plot is conflict and resolution. ... If you don’t have a story worth telling then there’s no need to write it. ... As you develop and create your characters, they will begin talking to you and help you tell their story. ... Decide—will my character change or will my character grow?” –Eva Marie Everson

Eva Marie Everson teaches fiction writing.

- “Magazine writing can benefit you as a book writer. ... Write something that’s uniquely you.” – Jesse Florea

- “Obedience is a big deal to God. ... Read! If you’re not a reader, it’s hard to be a writer. ... What does it mean to be called? Define called: summoned, demanded, asked for the presence of. If you’re called to write, are you setting aside time for it? If you believe God has called you to write, this needs to be a priority. ... Learn your craft. ... Learn how to reach and hold on to your reader. Learn to edit and revise your work. Learn the rules and how to break them. ... Are you using social media as a ministry? ... It’s not about us. Someone somewhere needs the message you have. ... Don’t just entertain with your writing—you want to make a difference. Be great stewards of your words. Make every word you write bring glory and honor to God.” –Terri Kalfas 

- “Books change lives. Ray Bradbury said, ‘You don’t have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading.’ ... Some books that changed my life: Knowing God by J.I. Packer, Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lectures to My Students, by Charles Spurgeon. ... Reading, thinking about, and discussing books can make a difference in a person’s life. Books have allowed me to remember. Books have allowed me to forget. ... We are in the business of changing the world through words you have been given by Almighty God. We are in the business of changing this world word by word.” – Steve Laube

- “When a Christian finishes a project and has not grown and been changed how can they expect readers to be changed.” –DiAnn Mills

- “To write is the fire inside of us—writing is our fire. Elijah gathered the tools to build an altar for the fire. We need tools for building the altar for our fire: 1- Be healed so we can offer hope to our readers. Deal with sin in our own lives—no excuses.  2- Read the Bible. ... 3- Pray. Learn deep, deep prayer. ... 4- Listen to God and others. ...  5- Have a divine viewpoint. Change your attitude and see things from God’s perspective. ... 6. Reinvent yourself. Get healthy, turn off the TV. ... Write as if you’ll never get a chance to write again.” –Karen Porter  

     

- “Fact check everything. ... Don’t not do your homework.” -Linda Gilden

- “Influence redefined: <>Represent Christ. Transform how people view God and connect with Him. <>Our time on earth is limited. Use it for God. <>Shape culture. <>Give ‘em what they want—not pushy, but intentional. <>Be Jesus in the flesh—incarnational ministry. ... Word crafting—some of my deepest times with God are when I’m writing.” –Brad Bloom

These quotes are just a few of my Note Nuggets from BRMCWC. Now I need to mull over all my notes more and begin to implement what I’ve learned. Please pray for me. I really do want every word I write to honor and glorify God.

In the comments below, please tell which, if any, of the above notes spoke to you in a special way. Also tell the title of a book or two that changed your life. I asked that question on my Facebook page and got lots of great responses.

For me, as a teenager, I would say Christy, by Catherine Marshall, To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, and The Hiding Place, by Corrie TenBoom.

These fragments of my notes remind me that I have a lot to learn about the craft of writing and that I am blessed to have had the privilege of attending such a valuable writer's conference.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Your comments are welcome. 

©Copyright 2017 Connie Wohlford