BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE

Smoke Signals by Vonda Skelton

I hate tobacco smoke. I hate the way it smells, the way it permeates my clothes and hair, and especially the way it kills. But in this season of my life as a caregiver, cigarette smoke has taken on a new and positive role—as a way to communicate with my terminally-ill sister, Gail.

The doctor gave us the bad news six days before Christmas. There was nothing more they could do and my sister had “weeks to months” to live. Three days later my sister and mother moved in with my husband and me. Together, we would love Gail and care for her and make her final days as comfortable as possible.

There was one little problem: Gail is a smoker. The problem was complicated by the fact that we can’t leave her alone—even for a moment. My mother has asthma, and cigarette smoke is one of her triggers. So even though I hate cigarettes, that means I have to be the primary patio-smoke-partner. After all, inhaling secondhand cigarette smoke for a few weeks won’t likely kill me. Mother could die from an asthma attack.

Our first night out, I wiped down the dirty, wet patio chairs and bundled us up in warm winter coats, hats, and gloves. With her catheter bag hanging from her walker, my sister toddled to the door and I held her steady as we maneuvered the step down to the deck.

Our warm breath created whirls of smoke in the frigid air before the first cigarette was ever lit. After safely seating her in the chair, I handed her the Marlboros. Her hands shook as she fumbled a cigarette from the pack and placed it between her pale lips. She flicked the lighter. Nothing. She tried again. Nothing. I removed my gloves, took the lighter, and gave it a flick. Still nothing. I ran back into the house, grabbed the long-nosed grill lighter, positioned it under the stick of tobacco, and flicked. Bingo! The dirty deed was done. I was hired.

We sisters sat in the cold mist and faced the awkward night together. She puffed and I talked about grandkids, the economy, and how to get four meals out of a chicken. Two cigarettes later I was shivering and reeking of smoke. I helped my sister out of the chair and back into the warm house. I’d done my job.

An hour later, we did it all again. I could feel the resentment rising as I coughed and shivered in the cold rain. Not exactly my idea of quality sister time.

Four days later, my attitude had totally changed. Oh, I still hate cigarettes. I still hate the way it smells, the way it permeates my clothes and hair, and especially the way it kills.

But I love the way my sister opens up and talks while we’re out on the deck. Yes, much of it is medication and illness-induced confusion and confabulation. But there are times the conversation centers on gut-wrenching hurts and pleading apologies and faith-affirming questions about her new Lord. We’ve shared our disappointments in ourselves and others. We’ve shared the celebrations we missed. We’ve shared a mutual heartache for the years we lost as sisters. And even though the cigarettes remain a sore spot (How can it possibly be time to go out there AGAIN???), they’ve become a source of communication between two sisters who never had much in common. And whether the communication is written or spoken or simply sent up in smoke signals, the message is the same: Jesus loves you. I love you. I’m glad we’re here.

She cries and puffs. I cry and cough. The words float among the smoke swirls…and we have another day of life together.

Luke 15:2 tells us that Jesus “…welcomes sinners and eats with them.” I have a feeling He’d sit out on the deck and breathe the smoke-filled air with my sister. He’d probably flick the lighter, too.

Vonda Skelton

Another Congrats

The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) has announced its 2009 Christian Book Award Finalists and one of our faculty was named. Eva Marie Everson and Miriam Fienberg Vamosh's book REFELCTIONS OF GOD'S HOLY LAND: A PERSONAL JOURNEY THROUGHT ISRAEL, published by Thomas Nelson is one of six finalists in the Inspiration and Gift catagory. Those of you who attended last year's conference will remember talking about this book and the adventures behind it.

About the book: This unique armchair tour of Israel includes four-color photographs, related scriptures, historical and archaeological information about each area, and a description of what it looks and feels like to be there today. Providing more than a coffee table book of slick photographs, authors Everson and Feinberg-Vamosh (one Christian, one Jewish) enlighten readers with a deeper understanding of the land of Israel-the land that holds not only God's story but the story of His people.

Winners (and we're pulling for Eva) will be announced at an open-to-the-public dinner to be held March 19, at the Dallas Convention Center.

Congratulations to you Eva on this prestigious nomination.

To learn more about the awards or ECPA click here.

Al Gansky

The Deal of the Century

Psst. Hey, buddy (or buddette), have I got a deal for you. Registration for Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer's Conference is underway. Promotional material has been mailed, but I wanted to do something for the readers of this blog while helping registration along. So here's da deal: I will give away 10--count 'em--10 copies of my most recent supernatual suspense novel ENOCH to the first 10 people who register this week and send me an email (with their mailing address) saying they have done registered.

But wait! There's more. I will autograph each book. Remember, my autograph will garner 25 cents more when the book is sold at a garage sale. You may read the book, give it away to a friend, or use it as a drink coaster. That's right, you are free to use the book anyway you chose.

Here's some info on the book:

An unusual message is popping up in unexpected places around the world--in radio commercials, movies, TV shows, even within the pages of the New York Times.

Believing that someone is playing an elaborate prank, FCC agent Gene Manford and FBI agent Katherine Roone begin an investigation. But nothing in their training has prepared them for what they are about to encounter. Enoch will take you on a mind-bending, fast-paced journey tnrough a story of good versus evil.

Endorsements:

"Enoch is...chilling, because of the truth he tells. Excellent book. Highly recommended."
--Hannah Alexander, author of the Hideaway series.

"This book moves like a rocket, packed thight with twists and turns and jaw-dropping moments of crystaline prose so transcendedent you'll weep.
--John Robinson, author of the Joe Box and Mac Ryan series.

"Enoch kept me up past midnight more than once and made me late for an appointment. What a ride!
-- Athold Dickson, Christy Ward-winning authorof Winter Haven.

"Enoch is wonderfully imaginative, sometimes a little unnerving, and never predictable.
--Deanna Julie Dodson, author of In Honor Bound.

"I had an idea of what Enoch was about from the title, but I have to say the story was nothing I expected. Thoughtful, heart-tugging, powerful thrilling...I was drawn in from the first page. Enoch is a story you'll want to read in one sitting and that you'll pass on to a friend just so you can talk about it!"
--Tricia Goyer author of A Whisper of Freedom.

Well, that's my bribe, and I'm sticking to it.

Alton Gansky

Congrats to Steven

I recently learned that faculty member Steven James has won a Reviewer's Choice Award as one of the top 10 books of 2008. THE ROOK, a suspense novel, received great remarks. "Best story of the year--perfectly executed. A page turner with fabulous characters and unrelenting surprises."

Back cover blurb: "An arsonist has struck a top-secret research facility at a key US naval base. But it's not just a random terrorist attack. These people were after something specific. When Special Agent Patrick Bowers is called in to investigate, he is drawn into a deadly web of intrigue and deception. With his own criminology research being turned against him and one of the world's most deadly devices missing, Bowers is caught up in a race against time to stop an international assassin before it's too late."

The Reviewers Choice Award announced the winners at The Suspense Zone.

Congratulations Steven. May this be the first of many awards.

AG

Have a new book come out? Signed a contract recently? Won an award? Made your first sale? Let me know by sending an email to me at alton@altongansky.com.

My First Conference

THE FIRST CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE I attended, I attended as faculty. That's right, I didn't attend a conference until I had already published three books. But I do things backward. It's one of the hallmarks of my life. For example, the first funeral I attended, I performed. That was tough. At my first conference, I remember thinking, "Man, I wish I had gone to some these when I started." I learned alot. Trust me, doing things backwards is not the way to go.

Of course, that was good number of years ago and things have changed. One of the best ways to place your material is by face to face pitching at a conference. A writers conference is the best way to network as well as learn the craft. Since my first conference, I have taught a great many other gatherings and each one has taught me something new, and placed me in contact with other writers, editors, agents, and publishers.

Faculty members don't get paid much for the time, travel, and the effort they invest in being at our conferences. They do this work because they believe in giving back to the writing community, and because they gain from being among other writers and publishing professionals.

Attending BRMCWC is an investment in yourself and in your writing future. And, it's a lot of fun. I hope you have opportunity to register soon.

AG

I Love a Success Story

Some years back (since I have no concept of time I can't tell you how many years back), I met a talented and funny lady. As I recall, a small group of Blue Ridge conferees and a couple of faculty were participating in a Ridgecrest sport (rocking in rocking chairs) and talking about writing. Gina Holmes was in that group. She became a friend as did the others. Over the next few years I watched her grow as a writer. I also watched her struggle to break in to the business. Not long after that first meeting, Gina founded Novel Journey, a blog site that quickly became the premiere site for all things writing related. She has conducted interviews with many famous writers including Dean Koontz, Tess Gerritsen, and many others.

As popular as Novel Journey is (and time consuming), Gina never lost sight of her goal: to write novels. It's an honor to report that she has recently signed a two-book deal with Tyndale. I asked her to send a little PR piece to remind us all that perseverance can lead to publication. Here is what she sent:

GINA HOLMES attended her first Blue Ridge Mountain Writer's Conference in 2004. It was there she formed connections that would make all the difference on her path to publication.

It was that first conference where she met several published writers who would go on to become mentors, hooked up with her first critique group, bought her first copy of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers (a must have book for every writer!) and met the man who would later become her literary agent.

 

Gina has attended this conference most years because she always makes new friends, and learns more about the craft of writing and business of publishing.

 

Recently Gina sold her first novel to Tyndale. CROSSING OCEANS is expected to release Spring 2010, and all because she invested in her writing career with one conference that changed everything.

 

(Gina is the founder of popular literary site, Novel Journey, voted one of Writer's Digest's most valuable websites for writers.) www.noveljourney.blogspot.com

Congratulations Gina! We'll look for you on the bestseller list.

 

AG

What's Behind Door Number Three

The only thing predictable in life is that it is unpredictable. You may recall a television game show called Let's Make a Deal. At the end of every show, Monty Hall would give certain contestants an opportunity to trade what they had for something hidden behind a door. Most of the challengers, knowing they might receive a greater prize but also knowing they might get a clunker, chose one of the doors.

There's something enticing and mysterious about a closed-door. Even more enticing is a door that is open just a crack. What one of us doesn't want to peek behind a partially open door to see what's there? Over the years I've learned that life is this way. We make our plans, we get our education, we think we know how life will work out, but before we know it, we're doing something we never expected.

When I was in school there were two subjects I hated : typing and English.  Now I spent very large chunks of my day seated at computer keyboard typing and wishing that I had paid more attention in English class. The very things I hated became the things I do most.

I've discovered that the writing career is very much the same. When I first began writing I assumed I would be writing magazine articles and hopefully nonfiction books. Writing a novel just didn't seem possible for me. As it turned out I've written far more novels than nonfiction books, and I seldom write magazine articles. This fact still surprises me.

The thing about the writing life is that we need to be explores. We need to be open to change and the unexpected turnout. As writers we are creative people. We are open to new thoughts, new ideas. In fiction we manufacture entire worlds and create people. In nonfiction we creatively organize facts and present them in a matter that the reader will not only understand but enjoy. Yet many new writers insist on closing doors instead of jiggling doorknobs. Some poets think the only thing worth writing his poetry. There are novelist who think the only thing worth penning are novels. Those who specialize in devotions or magazine articles often overlook other avenues of expression.

I've been looking at my project list, both projects I have (through Gansky Communications) been retained to do and personal projects I want to do. Just a year or two ago the items on this list would have all look the same: write proposal for new novel; work on current novel; think about future novels (and if I have time, consider a nonfiction book). My list doesn't look that way now. Instead it reads like this: do second draft of movie treatment; finish work for hire project; bid on freelance editing job; start major rewrite project. The list goes on. Here's the thing: I'm enjoying every aspect of every project. I love writing novels; I thrive on writing novels, but I enjoy other kinds of writing as well. In fact, it's the variety that enlivens me.

Now that 2009 is here, we face a fresh and clean year to try new things. Of course there are, and should be, types of writing that are our forte--the things we love most and thrive in. But the writer's soul needs variety. You need variety. If we as writers only read in our genre and write only one type of product, then we're missing out on some of the great adventures of the writing life.

Try your hand at something different this year. If you're a poet, then write a magazine article; if your journalist write a short story; if you write for small publications aimed at one of the big houses. Don't be afraid of strange territory. Go exploring. Climb the literary mountain. By doing so, you may find joys and accomplishments you never imagined.

Be daring. Be it adventurous. Be curious. Take a risk. Who knows, there may be a treasure hidden behind door number three.

Alton Gansky