The Heart of a Writer
“My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my psalm to the King.
My tongue is like the pen of a skillful writer.” Psalm 45:1 (AMP)
Castcade Christian Writers Fall Conference
with Cynthia Ruchti Keynoting
Saturday, October 14, 2023 ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rolling Hills Community Church
3550 SW Borland Road
Tualatin OR 97062
Register Here
Join us at 8:30 a.m. (PDT) through 4:30 p.m. (PDT) at Rolling Hills Community Church for our Fall one-day conference. Keynote addresses will be delivered by Cynthia Ruchti.
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Cynthia Ruchti – Keynoter
Cynthia Ruchti is the author of more than 40 books—fiction and nonfiction, including the recent award-winning novel Facing the Dawn, nonfiction Spouse in the House: Rearranging Our Attitudes to Make Room for Each Other, and an upcoming novel soon to release—Love’s a Mystery in Embarrass, WI (Guideposts). Plus this is her tenth year writing devotionals for Mornings with Jesus.
She draws from 33 years of experience writing and producing a daily scripted radio broadcast that at its peak was aired on 48 stations across the country. Her books have garnered a number of significant industry honors, including Inspirational Book of the Year multiple times, reviewer, reader, and retailers’ awards, Christy finalist honors, Carol Awards, and others. She serves as the professional relations liaison for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and is a senior literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management, grateful and humbled to have been gifted with the honor of Agent of the Year in 2020 and 2022 by ACFW. She and her grade-school sweetheart husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their children and six (soon to be seven) grandchildren. Her tagline is “I can’t unravel. I’m hemmed in Hope.” You can reach her at www.cynthiaruchti.com or www.hemmedinhope.com/
Her two morning keynote addresses will be:
Write as If It Matters . . . Because It Does: We long to hear that something we wrote helped a reader view their distress in a new light, or brought a new dimension to their joy, or helped the reader 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.
THE WRITER’S COUCH—An Alphabet of Writer Ailments and Prescriptions: Choosing to write presents unique life challenges and decisions. Do I need an agent? Should I quit my day job? How do I conquer rejection-itis? Do I have to compromise my story to get published? You may need a listening ear, a booster shot of courage, or practical tips. The Writer’s Couch is a place where you can find all of the above.
Cynthia will be taking 15-minute appointments as an agent in the afternoon. You will be asked if you want an appointment when you register. About ten days before the conference, we will hold a drawing and let the “winners” know the time of their appointment.
Conference Schedule
8:30–9:00 Registration, Continental Breakfast, Bookstore
9:00–9:05 Welcome and Introductions: President Julie Bonn Blank
9:05–9:15 Call to Worship
9:15–9:30 Devotional
9:30–10:20 General Session I: Cynthia Ruchti, “Write as If It Matters . . . Because It Does”
10:25–10:45 Morning Break: Refreshments and time to visit the bookstore
10:45–11:35 General Session II: Cynthia Ruchti, “THE WRITER’S COUCH—An Alphabet of Writer Ailments and Prescriptions”
11:35–12:25 CCW Business Meeting and introduction of workshop leaders
12:25–1:35 Lunch – brown bag; coffee, tea, and water provided
1:40–2:40 Workshop Session 1
A. “A Window to My World” ~ Taylor Bennett (teen track)
B. “PR Power Punches to Sell Your Writing or Services” ~ Julie Bonn Blank
C. “How to Finish a Novel” ~ Jill Williamson
D. “The Path to Publication: Don’t Despise Small Beginnings” ~ Linda L. Kruschke
2:40–3:00 Break: Bookstore is open.
3:00–4:00 Workshop Session 2
E. “Dream Small” ~ Taylor Bennett (teen track)
F. “Everything I Did Wrong in Self-Publishing” ~ H.L. Burke
G. “Writer’s Survival Guide: Tips to protect your health & well-being” ~ Cara Grandle
H. “Acting for Writers: Tips for character development through acting techniques” ~ Kristen Johnson
4:00–4:30 Dessert, Autograph Party, and Photo Session – all authors available to sign their books
Workshops / Presenters
Workshop Session 1
A. “A Window to My World” – geared toward teen writers (Taylor Bennett)
Take a peek into life as a teen author! This workshop will inspire young authors (and the young at heart) on their journey to publication and help them navigate potential pitfalls along the way. Students will discuss the trap of trying to please everyone and the dangers of not developing a platform prior to publication and the joys of being a first-time author, such as signing contracts at the kitchen table and having books at major literary retailers.
Taylor Bennett is a 21st century author, speaker, and educator with a vintage soul and an insatiable appetite for the finer things in life . . . most specifically, food and travel. Her goal is to use amusing anecdotes and inspirational prose to help both old souls and the young at heart discover the old-Hollywood glamor hiding within their daily mundanities. Visit her blog at http://breakfastattaylors.com, pull up a chair, grab a croissant, and prepare to venture into the world of old-fashioned romanticism one bite (or blog post) at a time!
B. “PR Power Punches to Sell Your Writing or Services” (Julie Bonn Blank)
In building your platform and in selling books and services, expertise and public relations services are important components. Yet many current marketing plans are put in place without this essential piece. Come learn how to be ahead of the pack by learning several PR techniques you can put into place, how to do it well, and how to track results. Leave this workshop with a solid plan for your personal marketing plan.
When Julie is not writing, she designs websites, works a day job with ARMS/Abuse Recovery Ministry Services, and loves to garden and walk the beach. Somehow, Julie also finds time to serve as the current president of Castcade Christian Writers. She is a Certified Domestic Abuse Advocate, an expert on the topic of domestic violence, and an abuse recovery coach. She is a member of the Washington County Survivor Voices Committee and also provides training in abuse recovery as well as on many marketing and writing topics. She facilitates North Coast Christian Writers. She and her husband have four children, one granddaughter, and one fur-child. Visit Julie at https://juliebonnblank.com.
C. “How to Finish a Novel” (Jill Williamson)
Do you find yourself struggling to complete the first draft of a novel? Are you trying to perfect those first few chapters but just can’t seem to get them right? In this workshop, we will talk about some of the struggles that come up when writing a first draft and how to plan ahead so these struggles don’t derail you from reaching your goal. You CAN finish a novel all the way to the end. This workshop will help you learn good habits to help you succeed.
Jill Williamson is a multi-passionate creative who loves the arts. She is best known for being the award-winning author of more than two dozen books for readers of all ages. Fantasy is her favorite genre, and she loves drawing maps for her books. She also produces films with her husband and teaches about writing at conferences and on the Go Teen Writers blog. Visit her at www.jillwilliamson.com.
D. “The Path to Publication: Don’t Despise Small Beginnings” (Linda L. Kruschke)
In this informative workshop, you will learn how to find potential opportunities for having articles, devotionals, and poems published; how to determine which opportunities are right for you; how to improve the likelihood of a positive response from an editor; and how to track your submissions, accepted pieces, and rejected pieces. Top tips will focus on doing your research, staying organized, following directions, and having patience. We will also discuss paying versus nonpaying opportunities.
Linda L. Kruschke writes candid memoir and fearless poetry. She is published in The Christian Journal, Today’s Christian Living, Bible Advocate, What Now?, Fathom magazine, iBelieve.com, Calla Press, Divine Purpose blog and magazine, Agape Review, Milk & Honey Women blog, We Too blog, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Triumph from Tragedy compilation, Life, Repurposed compilation, What’s in a Name compilation, The Cat in the Christmas Tree compilation, The Quiet Hour devotionals, Guideposts devotionals, and several other anthologies. She is editor-in-chief of Swallow’s Nest and the CCW Cascade Writing Contest Director.
Workshop Session 2
E. “Dream Small” – geared toward teen writers (Taylor Bennett)
Aspiring authors dream of seeing their first full-length novel accepted by a revered publishing house. Unfortunately, this rarely happens, but beginning writers can “dream small” and use their love of words to build a springboard to help them shoot into the publishing stratosphere. Take an in-depth look at how to brainstorm and write blog posts, devotionals, poetry, and other short-form works that can boost a résumé and help authors prepare for large-scale success.
Taylor Bennett is a 21st century author, speaker, and educator with a vintage soul and an insatiable appetite for the finer things in life . . . most specifically, food and travel. Her goal is to use amusing anecdotes and inspirational prose to help both old souls and the young at heart discover the old-Hollywood glamor hiding within their daily mundanities. Visit her blog at http://breakfastattaylors.com, pull up a chair, grab a croissant, and prepare to venture into the world of old-fashioned romanticism one bite (or blog post) at a time!
F. “Everything I Did Wrong in Self-Publishing” (H.L. Burke)
All the mistakes of an indie author (and why I’m going to keep doing them)
Award-winning indie author H.L. Burke reveals the less-than-ideal methods she’s used to publish her 40+ books, the basics of self-publishing, and how embracing one’s personal quirks can craft a rewarding career that lets you burn bright rather than burn out.
Born in a small town in north central Oregon, H.L. Burke spent her childhood roaming among trees and farm animals, always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she became an incurable romantic and married her high school crush, who is now a US Marine. H.L. is the author of the Supervillain Rehabilitation Project multi-series, the Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and the MG Fantasy Cora and the Nurse Dragon, among many others. She’s won the prestigious Realm Award twice.
G. “Writer’s Survival Guide: Tips to protect your health & well-being” (Cara Grandle)
This workshop is for both the get-it-done, goal-oriented writer as well as the author who feels overwhelmed. Have you spent years juggling real life and writing? Are you carrying the burden of creating from an empty cup? This workshop is for you.
Cara Grandle is an author of inspirational historical romance novels set in the Oregon Territory in the 1800s. Her latest novels, The Ribbon, The Rock, and The Rose are adventurous western romance. She loves to weave heartwarming tales where the underdog overcomes. Cara is also an acquisitions representative for WhiteFire Publishing.
H. “Acting for Writers: Tips for character development through acting techniques” (Kristen Johnson)
Whether you’re stuck on the whole character creation and development part of writing, or you just want a few tips to deepen your understanding of your characters, acting techniques can help. Whatever your level and however baffling the character creation process is for you, come to Acting for Writers for tips and tricks that we can learn from actors to bring life and depth into the people that populate your stories.
Kristen Johnson discovered acting when she tried out for the volleyball team, and—having no experience in sports whatsoever—she was promptly cut. Through a haze of tears, she then noticed a poster about auditions for Romeo and Juliet. To her utter joy and amazement, she was cast as Lady Capulet and has since gone on to act in many plays, musicals, and operas. Acting has illuminated many aspects of the writing life, and she believes both realms have helped the other as she continues to learn and grow.
Registration Fees & Details
- $60 for members younger than 62
- $45 for members 62 and older
- $45 for students
- $90 for nonmembers