“The Heart of a Writer”

WORKSHOP INFORMATION

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.”

ROMANS 15:13 (AMP)

PRINTABLE SCHEDULE & WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS 

BIO: Cynthia Ruchti has published more than 40 books—fiction and nonfiction, including the recent award-winning novel Facing the Dawn and the upcoming Love’s a Mystery in Embarrass, WI (Guideposts). She is also the author of the nonfiction Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other  and has contributed to Mornings with Jesus for 10 years. A senior literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management, she was named Agent of the Year in 2020 and 2022 by American Christian Fiction Writers. Her tagline is “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in Hope.”

Write As If It Matters . . . Because It Does

We long to hear that something we wrote helped readers view their distress in a new light, or brought new dimension to their joy, or helped them gain a few hours of escape from what they’re enduring. If you write, you don’t need to be convinced of the power of words. But sometimes we risk losing our connection with story’s impact on author, editor, readers, and the overarching Story that reigns over all.

Soul Care for a Writer

Writers are used to focusing attention on point of view, show don’t tell, action verbs, crisp and engaging dialogue that advances the plot or develops characters, clear takeaway, and editing, forever editing. In this session we’ll look at how those and other elements apply as much to the heart and soul of the writer as they do his or her craft. Can a writer survive without a clear POV? How do we advance our own character while creating imaginative casts? How does strengthening and caring for the soul of a writer translate into high-impact stories? And vice versa?

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BIO: Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of nine novels, including Where Trees Touch the Sky and When Stone Wings Fly. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a park ranger and naturalist at Mount Rainier National Park and Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park. When not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, and decorating crazy birthday cakes. She lives in Albany, Oregon, with her family. Learn more here.

WORKSHOP 1: AT A LOSS FOR WORDS: WHAT’S KEEPING YOU FROM WRITING – Many of us dream of writing a book, but there’s always something standing in the way. Often, it’s us! In this class, we’ll share practical tips and rock-solid spiritual truths that can get your writing back on track and the words flowing. You’ll also take home a printed list of verses to keep near your computer—a powerful defense when those negative voices start whispering in your ear. (For all writers)

WORKSHOP 2: SELFIES TO SHELFIES: TAKING BETTER PHOTOS FOR SOCIAL MEDIA – Photos are one of the fastest ways to connect with readers on Instagram and Facebook. But what if you’re not comfortable behind the camera or in front of the lens? Bring your smartphone to this workshop, and you’ll learn 13 tips that will have you snapping easy photos that will get better engagement on social media. We’ll also talk about how to put your best face forward for selfies and headshots. SMILE! (For all writers)

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BIO: Danika Cooley is an award-winning children’s author of more than a dozen books, and a Bible curricula developer. Danika’s Bible Road Trip™ and Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible are used across the globe. Danika’s email list of more than 40,000 homeschool parents, Christian moms, and kidmin teachers allows her to communicate directly with her readers about her growing list of books, curricula, and resources. View more information here.

WORKSHOP: THE PLATFORM YOU OWN: AUTHOR EMAIL 101

It’s a well-known, well-dreaded fact. You need a platform. There is just one platform that converts best, reaches your true fans, and that no one can take away from you. Your author email list is the platform you own. Learn why you need an email list, how to build one effectively, and how to leverage your list. Learn, too, what to say to your faithful followers, and how often to say it.

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BIO: Kendy Pearson is a veteran high school teacher and an accomplished musician. She is also a music instructor, worship leader, Bluegrass fiddler, and Civil War reenactment enthusiast. When she discovers a pocket of American history omitted from the schoolbooks, she enjoys digging in and turning that pocket inside out. She is the owner of Pear Blossom Books, an eight-time award-winning author, and she often dreams of ice cream, snowy days, fireplaces, and maple trees. Kendy is the mother of four grown children and lives with her sweet hubby and two amusing miniature dachshunds. Visit her here.

WORKSHOP 1: THE SELF-PUBLISHING TOOLBOX – When you are your own publisher, you still want to compete with the traditional houses. You want to stand out from the countless self-published authors who sell fewer than 200 books in their lifetime. But how? This workshop will provide a clear to-do list of resources, strategy options, goal considerations, and budget specifics. We will also look at how to prevent decision-making overload. (For all writers)

WORKSHOP 2: POINT OF VIEW (POV) MASTERY AND STORY ARC ESSENTIALS – In this session, we will cover three requirements for a novel the reader cannot put down: POV mastery techniques, story arc elements for an engaging story, and the bookends of success—great hooks and satisfying endings. (For fiction writers)

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BIO: Mary Stone is a gifted writer and speaker who earned her Master of Science Degree in counseling from the University of Nebraska—Kearney. She recently retired from teaching and counseling at Lower Columbia College in Longview. Mary’s book Run in the Path of Peace—the Secret of Being Content No Matter What, was a finalist in the Cascade Writing Contest . Mary’s short story collection, The Innocents at Home—Children of the 1940s, remained on Amazon’s bestseller list for several weeks. Learn more about Mary.

WORKSHOP: CRAFT CAPTIVATING CONFLICT

Conflict is the most important element in any story. Readers want to follow a story with characters tormented by internal or external sources of conflict. How characters respond to conflict is what makes for a gripping read. It’s the push and pull, the “will they?” or “won’t they?” that cause readers to stick with a story until the end. If the story becomes predictable or has no conflict, there’s no reason to continue reading it. (For fiction writers)

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BIO: Jennifer Anne F. Messing is a two-time Cascade Writing Contest winner and seven-time finalist (Published Short Story) and the author of four books including American Fiction Award winner, Love’s Faithful Promise. She’s a poet, speaker, graphic designer, and past-president of Cascade Christian Writers. She earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism. She’s had more than 250 short stories, articles, and poems published in 75 magazines and books including: Guideposts, Woman’s World, Bible Advocate, LIVE, CaféLit, OregonReport.com, Purpose, Seek, Evangel, and Standard. Philippine-born, she’s s a wife and mother of three grown children. Learn more.

WORKSHOP: PROLIFIC PUBLISHING IN MAGAZINES MIDST A BUSY LIFE

Is your life jam-packed, but you long to get published? Learn ways to capture and organize your ideas, thoughts, notes, and diary entries. Craft them into saleable magazine articles, short stories, and poems. Use journaling techniques to ignite creativity. Self-editing, proper submission formatting, entering contests, and submitting to US-based and international magazines will be covered. We will also discuss the importance of a writer’s social media presence and publicity and offer suggestions on time management. (For all writers)

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BIO: Sean Benesh wears many hats in the world of creativity, digital media, entrepreneurship, and education. As the founder and editor-in-chief of Trail Builder Magazine, he is deeply immersed in the world of mountain biking, championing trails, and connecting with outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. He has a passion for storytelling, which extends beyond the trails—he’s also a freelance photographer and writer. He teaches at Warner Pacific University. He loves guiding students through the ever-evolving landscape of media, equipping them with the skills to thrive in a digital world.

WORKSHOP: GROWING YOUR PLATFORM USING SOCIAL MEDIA

In today’s digital landscape, a strong social media presence is essential for authors who want to expand their reach and connect with readers. This interactive workshop is designed to equip authors with the strategies and tools needed to grow their platforms using social media effectively. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting, you’ll learn how to harness the power of social media to build a loyal audience, engage with your readers, and increase your visibility in the crowded online marketplace.

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