My Christian Writers Conferences

Circles of Influence

by Edie Melson, co-director SWCWS, BRMCWC

With Google Plus gaining momentum, circles is the new networking buzzword. But the circle of influence concept has been around a long time—and the good news is—you don’t have to be part of Google Plus to put this principal into practice.

We have a lot of opportunities for you to widen your circles here on My CWC.

• We have our new Facebook page.
• As well as our Yahoo group.

We also have some new opportunities as we begin the countdown to Southwest Christian Writers Studio. Kickoff date is only six weeks away (don't froget to register) and we wanted to let you in on some of the preparation.

Opportunities for you:

First, we’re offering you the chance to join our blog affiliation. Here’s what you’ll get when you become a blog affiliate:

• We’ll list and link your blog, with a one or two word description, on this site. This is an excellent way to find new readers because our site has thousands of unique page views per month.
• We’ll also, periodically highlight blogs from our affiliate list.
• You have permission to repost any blog post on your site.

To qualify for this, all you need to do is agree to post our conference logo and link on your site.

Second, we’re offering all our blog affiliates the chance to submit a short post for possible publication on this site. We are asking you to finish ONE of the following statements with your post:

• I love Southwest Christian Writers Studio because . . .
• The reason I write (list the type of writing you do: fiction, non-fiction, devotions, blog posts, etc.) is . . .

To take advantage of either or both of these opportunities, email Edie at: ediegmelson(at)gmail(dot)com

Requests from us:

We want to let folks in the writing world know about Southwest Christian Writers Studio. You are crucial to our success in getting the word out. Here’s how you can help:

• Retweet our announcements about Southwest. You can find these by following our hashtag #swcws. Not sure how to do this? Go to your Twitter page or your Tweetdeck and search for #swcws. On Tweetdeck you can set up a column to follow this hashtag so it comes up automatically. With Twitter you can set up a list and follow the hashtag that way.
• Post on Facebook about Southwest Christian Writers Studio. You can post a link to our website:www.my-cwc or to our Facebook page 
• Post a review or article about Southwest Christian Writers Studio on your blog. If you attended last year or plan to attend this year, write a post telling your readers why. We can also provide an article for you to repost, if you’d prefer.

So get started now, and harness the power of social networking to widen your circle of influence.

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

Of Writing and Preseason Football

It doesn't happen often, but every once in awhile I come across a day that has so many television shows I want to watch that I could sit on the sofa from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. This happened this past Saturday. Normally, I only watch television after dinner or occasionally during lunch, but last Saturday was semifinals of the Little League World Series with a team from California facing off against Little Leagueres from Montana. On the international side, Mexico was duking it out with Japan. (California and Japan advanced to the final game and California won. I'll give you time to finish cheering.)

I love the Little League World Series. Best baseball ever. I also love auto racing (why does that feel like a confession?).  There was a NASCAR race that afternoon, I wanted to see. That evening, the Chargers were playing a preseason game. So Little League game one at 9 a.m., Little League game two at noon, NASCAR Sprint Cup at 4:30 p.m., and Chargers football at 7 p.m.

That's too much television for me. I had to let something go so I blew off my beloved Chargers. The logic? "It's just preseason."

The other night I had dinner with one of my daughters and her husband (a grandson too). We chose a sports restaurant because the Bears, my son-in-laws favorite team (we're praying for him) were playing. We watched very little of the game. Why? Again, "It's only preseason."

So why does preseason football even exits if viewers dismiss it so quickly? Because it helps the coaches see players in a real game. Granted the game doesn't count to viewers but it counts to would-be players. The game is a test.

Okay, here is where this turns to writing. I have had many conversations with people who want to be writers. They contact me in a variety of ways, many at one of our conferences. Some share a common problem: They don't know what they want to write. Articles? Devotions? Novels? Biographies? Works of theology? Feature films? Documentaries?

I begin my advice with a question: What do you read? What we read is a good indicator of our writing interest. For some people, however, that's not enough. They remain uncertain. So I ask the next question: "What are you working on?"

"Two articles, a novel, a devotional and I've been thinking of writing my memoir."

I suppress a sigh and ask the third question: "What have you finished?"

"Um, nothing."

And there it is--the problem. Sampling food at a smorgasbord is not the same as eating a full meal. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for exploring writing possibilities. I thought I'd write nonfiction books, and while I have, I become a novelist. I'm happy with that. Try different things, but finish them. If you have an article in the works, then finish it. If you think you might like to write a novel, then write a couple of chapters and see if it fits. Get on the field and play your heart out, even if it's only "a preseason game." Write like you're trying to make the team.

Remember, it's only a preseason game to the fans; it's a career in the balance for the players. Be a writer that leaves it all on the field, preseason or not.

Alton Gansky

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

Two Birds with One Stone

[The following article by Aaron Gansky (yep, my boy) appeared on his blogsite a few days ago and is used by permission. Aaron teaches creative writing, holds an MFA, and is a writer. He was on the 2011 BRMCWC faculty. Aaron's has a new short story out (in e-book format), published by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas. An Affair to Forget is available for download at the bargain rate of 99 cents. --ALG]

by Aaron Gansky

Nothing kills a book quite like tired prose. You know what I’m talking about—the books that reheat every cliché imaginable and serve it to you lukewarm without so much as a sprinkling of originality. But then, there are so many successful books that seem to be virtual copies of older novels. Take, if you will, The Lord of the Rings. How many fantasy novels have patterned themselves after this epic? Also consider the Eragon novels, wildly successful in the YA Fantasy market. Critics of the series call it Star Wars with a dragon. And they’re right.

On that note, countless examples of books like this can be provided. Think of some of the most popular novels (especially in the YA market). Most can be broken down to some crude description of a marrying of two archetypes. Twilight—Romeo and Juliet with fangs.

I don’t say this to criticize the premise of these novels. In fact, I like the ideas. Where the books fall apart is in the prose. The problem is, while they’ve taken a proven formula and applied a slight twist for originality’s sake, the prose itself is lined with uninspired description. As a general rule of thumb, archetypes are successful for a reason (especially when rammed together, or twisted enough to provide an original flair, as we’ve seen in the previous examples). Cliché descriptions are prose killers. Here’s the difference:

An archetype is an original pattern in storytelling, character building, etc. This includes story ideas like “The Hero from the Provinces” and “The Devil Figure” or “The Evil Character with the Ultimately Good Heart.” Star Wars relied heavily on many of these character and story archetypes. Some time ago, the History Channel did a great documentary on it called Star Wars—The Legacy Revealed. It’s on YouTube, and highly worth watching. For a more complete list of character and story archetypes, click here. 

A cliché is an easy phrase or expression that has lost power because of overuse, in writing, most often used in description. Think “raining cats and dogs” or “two birds with one stone.” While these are pretty easy to avoid, I find the worst offenders of cliché are those who write melodramatically (next week, I’ll blog about this in greater detail). The clichés I find unforgivable are the ones that generally describe sorrow. “She cried a river of tears.” In fact, anything comparing tears to any body of water are better avoided. Here’s a great site with some of the most common clichés. It’s pretty safe to say that these should be avoided “like the plague.” 

One place clichés work, however, is in your first draft. But they only work as a place holder. If you find yourself composing something dreadfully cliché, maybe like “white as snow,” mark it down. On your second pass through your manuscript, make sure you take the time to find a more apt description.

For fun, take a couple of the archetypes from the above site, and ram them together. Or, take a couple examples of popular entertainment (movies, books, video games, etc.) and smash it up with a classic (Shakespeare, maybe). For extra fun, change up the setting. This is also a great way to pitch your book ideas to publishers. My current novel, a YA Fantasy novel, I’ve called Narnia meets Tron.

I’d love to hear what you all could come up with. Leave me a comment with your ideas. Here, I’ll start you off:

Julius Caesar with ray guns. Peter Pan in South Central LA. Hamlet under the sea. Robinson Crusoe with ESP.

Have fun!

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

The Wrong Road to the Right Place

I’ve said it before: I’m a professional used-to-be. I’ve held many jobs, almost none of which matched my training and education. Why bring up this personal revelation? Because of something I heard in Bible study last Sunday.

My wife and I attended one of the Sunday school style Bible studies offered at the church we’ve been attending. It was our first time in that class. One of our fellow students raised this question: “Is it possible to take the wrong road to the right place?”

It doesn’t take much to slam my mind’s accelerator to the floor. That did it. There is a spiritual application to the question and those were the first thoughts that ricocheted in my skull, but my mind also ran to writing. The statement describes my path to publication.

It’s odd to think that the guy who directs two writers conferences and has taught at scores of others never went to a writers conference. (Well, I attended one workshop at the Santa Barbara conference that had to do with writing articles. Naturally I started writing books.)

On my way to becoming a full time writer (from the Latin for “vow of poverty”) I . . .

• Worked at a McDonalds doing my part to increase obesity in America (including my own),
• Served as a “campus cop” at the university I attended,
• Work for Bank of America fixing errors made in customer billing,
• Was a firefighter for a couple of years,
• Spent 10 years in architecture creating working drawings for room additions, homes, subdivisions, and commercial buildings,
• Worked at a radio station,
• Served as senior pastor in three Baptist churches (some have suggested that I kept three churches from having a pastor).

I have two earned degrees: a Bachelors and a Masters in biblical studies. My Master’s thesis was, “A Quantitative Analysis of Southern Baptist Growth Trends in San Diego.” I’ll give you a moment to wake up. (My major professor told me the work kept him up late. I suggested it was probably indigestion.) I’ve been thinking of republishing the thesis and selling it as a sleep aid.

None of this seems like good training for a writing career. Or was it? My life experience did not lead to an MFA in creative writing but it did give me a real view of the world. McDonalds taught me to show up for work whether I wanted to or not. It also taught me that I needed to be intellectually challenged to be happy.

Being a campus cop taught me endurance. I often worked the graveyard shift only to change clothes and go to upper division science classes and struggle to stay awake.

The BankAmericard division I worked for was in the center of San Francisco. It was there I learned about the diversity of culture. I also learned that banking wasn’t for me.

Firefighting meant spending a lot of time with rough-and-tumble men. I learned how such men speak, joke, and deal with a dangerous job. This experience has helped me write about courage and show the depth such men possess.

Architecture open the doors of creativity. I still love everything about the art and science of architecture. At the heart of building design is the ability to start with a blank piece of paper and create something that only your mind can see. Sound familiar?

My work at the radio station was primarily sales (which I hated) and some ad writing (which I loved). I learned how to compress a great deal of information into 30 seconds. That taught me there’s power in the economy of words.

Writing an academic thesis convinced me I could write a book-length work.

Being a pastor for 22 years gave me depth. I buried young and old alike; I saw the courage faith brings to the terminally ill; I saw the power of spiritual application to human life; I found heroes in every pew.

Is it possible to take the wrong road to the right place in the world of writing? For me, the answer is yes, and I believe the same of you. Life experience makes writers. Craft can be learned; life has to be lived. All you’ve been through and are going through is training to be a writer.

Alton Gansky

#     #     #

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

Anatomy of an Article (with Rusty Wright)

Yesterday, I sat down with author and speaker Rusty Wright. Rusty will be with us at the 2012 BRMCWC. Rusty sends out articles and op-ed pieces to a mailing list (visit www.rustywright.com). These articles are free to anyone wishing to publish or post them as long as proper credit is given.

I've enjoyed and been intellectually challenged by his work. Recently, I received one of his op-ed pieces and thought it might be beneficial to learn the technique used and the unseen work behind creating such a piece. Rusty was kind enough to share his approach and technique.

We tried something new with this screencast, using Google Docs, Quick Time screen recording, and Skype Call Record to pull it all together. We had some clarity problems with the audio, but it seems to have worked out. You may want to click on the expand icon at the bottom right of the video scree.

Bio: Rusty Wright is an award-winning author, lecturer and syndicated columnist who has spoken on six continents. His audiences have included academic, business and government leaders and university students. He has appeared on television talk shows in cities around the world, and also trains professionals in effective communication.

Here is the article Evangelicals' Image Problem. As always, your comment are greatly appreciated.

Al Gansky, Director.

# # #

Evangelicals’ Image Problem

By Rusty Wright

God should have sued Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson for defamation, says New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof. 

Shortly after the 9/11 attacks, the two Christian leaders ventured that America’s secularists, liberals, feminists, homosexuals, and abortion rights supporters had angered God, and thus deserved some of the blame.

Kristof writes, “In these polarized times, few words conjure as much distaste in liberal circles as ‘evangelical Christian.’”  He notes that “the entire evangelical movement often has been pilloried among progressives as reactionary, myopic, anti-intellectual and, if anything, immoral.”

Billy Graham, call your press agent.

Christians Behaving Badly

Jesus, of course, taught people to “love your neighbor as yourself,” “love your enemies,” and “treat people the same way you want them to treat you.”  Sometimes, though, his followers can be downright weird.

During my university days, a friend brought an African-American student to a North Carolina church I attended.  The next Sunday, the pastor announced that “last week’s racial incident” (a black person attending) had prompted church leaders to reaffirm their longstanding racial segregation policy.  Thereafter, any blacks attending would be handed a note explaining the policy and asking they not return.  I was outraged and left the church.

Postscript: Thirty years later, I learned that the white church had folded and an African-American church later used the facility.  Maybe God has a sense of humor.

Shining Lights

However, genuine followers of Jesus can be shining lights.  British parliamentarian William Wilberforce led a twenty-year legislative battle that, in 1807, outlawed the slave trade.  Slave-trader-turned-pastor and “Amazing Grace” hymn writer John Newton mentored Wilberforce.

Contemporary examples of the faithful serving society abound.  Sam Adams, Portland, Oregon’s openly gay mayor, developed evangelical church partnerships involving over 26,000 volunteers tackling homelessness, sex trafficking and more.  Adams calls it “the largest, most successful… sustained… volunteer effort… the Portland region has ever seen.”  

Times of London writer and former British parliamentarian Matthew Parris, a confirmed atheist, wrote, “I’ve become convinced of the enormous contribution that Christian evangelism makes in Africa: … secular NGOs, government projects … international aid efforts … education and training alone will not do. In Africa Christianity changes people’s hearts. It brings a spiritual transformation. The rebirth is real. The change is good.”

World Relief, a Christian organization, provides worldwide disaster relief plus self-help efforts like well-digging and agricultural training.  World Vision, the Salvation Army, and most major Christian denominations provide significant help for the poor.

The New York Times’ Kristof lauds evangelicals’ philanthropy and service:  “Go to the front lines, at home or abroad, in the battles against hunger, malaria, prison rape, obstetric fistula, human trafficking or genocide, and some of the bravest people you meet are evangelical Christians (or conservative Catholics, similar in many ways) who truly live their faith.”

“I’m not particularly religious myself,” he continues, “but I stand in awe of those I’ve seen risking their lives in this way — and it sickens me to see that faith mocked at New York cocktail parties.”

Bad Rap and Bridge Building

So, why such a bad rap for evangelicals?  No doubt that some Christians behave badly.  But maybe some bridge building is in order, by all sides. 

Veteran leftist journalist/author Mark Pinsky, who is Jewish, says his attitude toward evangelicals changed after getting to know some as neighbors and friends:  “I encountered evangelicals simply as people, rather than as subjects or sources of quotes for my stories.”  He found they were neither monolithic nor, as The Washington Post once claimed, “poor, uneducated and easy to command,” but surprisingly diverse.

Get to know your intellectual and philosophical adversaries.  Take a conservative to coffee or a liberal to lunch.  You might find it eye-opening.

Rusty Wright is an author and lecturer who has spoken on six continents.  He holds Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Master of Theology degrees from Duke and Oxford universities, respectively. www.RustyWright.com 

#     #     #

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

A FEW DAYS AGO, I finished another book and sent it off to the publisher, something I’ve done over 40 times. Having been over the long trail of writing so many times you might think I’ve grown accustomed to the process.

I haven’t.

Like children, every book is different, each with its own personality, twists, and turns. This is true for every form of writing I do. Those who produce creative works--paintings, sculpture, poetry, books, journalism, short stories--whatever, on a regular basis know that creativity is fickle. If creativity were a pitcher in a baseball game it would throw spitballs.

I write fast these days, and some aspects of the work come more easily. After penning more than 3 million words, stuff better come more easily. My instincts have improved, my self-editing is better (but far from perfect), and my story sense is more mature.

So why isn’t the work easy?

Because creative works seldom is. Oh, sure there are those times when something comes to us on a silver platter. Many are the stories of songs written in half-an-hour, or a recording session that comes out perfect first take (Roy Orbison’s Pretty Woman for example). Many more are the tales of wrestling with a project like Jacob wrestled with the angel.

I’ve noticed that in my writing I go through a full spectrum of emotions, usually associated with time and page numbers.

Page 1: Whoo-hoo, what a life. I love this project. It will be the best work I’ve done.

Page 5: I’m a hack. Whatever made me think I could write?

Page 10: Eh, ain’t so bad.

Page 25: Why are the first 50 pages so hard?

Page 50: Why are the first 75 pages so hard?

Page 100: I’m cookin’ with gas now, baby. Look a me, I’m a steamroller!

Page 110: I’ll never finish this book.

Page 150: Stupid character. Turns out to be a woman instead of a man. Does he, I mean she, know how much rewriting I have to do? 

Page 200: Ooo, nice turn of phrase.

Page 203: Who wrote this junk?

Page 300: I now believe there is an end in sight.

Page 307: The end just disappeared.

Page 350: Epilogue, my favorite chapter.

Page 360: THE END, sweetest words in the English language.

 

Day 1 after finish: Must check formatting and character names.

Day 2 after finish: Must fill in blanks left to remind me to do some research. Stoopid research.

Day 3 after finish: Whoo-hoo, just sent the manuscript off to the editor. What a relief. What a joy. I did it again! Yeah, baby!

Day 3 plus 30 minutes: They’re going to hate it. Now they know I’m a fraud.

Day 3 plus 40 minutes: Did I remove that horrible scene I meant to delete? Nuts?

Day 3 plus 45 minutes: I’m going to Starbucks.

 

Three days later . . .

Page 1: Whoo-hoo, what a life. I love this project. It will be the best work I’ve done . . .

Yep, that’ s my roller coaster world. My guess is, it may be similar to your world too.

And it’s worth it.

So what’s a writer to do? Write anyway. It’s our calling, our fulfillment, our joy, except on page 5, 25, 113 . . .

Alton Gansky

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

Conferee Success

I recently received this note from Cynthia Lovely, one of our conferees. We love to hear how our faculty and conferees are doing in the publishing world. Published an article? Signed a book contract? Started a new speaking ministry? Began a blog? Let us know by sending the info to alton@altongansky.com.

Hi Al,

    Recently had a feature article published in the July/August issue of Tea Time magazine. Following the advice of Michele Medlock Adams to say "yes" to any decent writing op. I pitched the idea to the editor, followed up with an interview with the owners of a local tearoom and am very pleased with the resulting article. Win-win situation: the tearoom received wonderful free PR and I received a nice check and a great clip. Attached photo of myself with the owners of the tearoom.  : ) 

    I have learned so much from attending Blue Ridge conferences...invaluable information, advice, networking and new treasured friendships.

Cynthia Lovely

Philippians 4:8

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

1-800-797-4222

 

Scholarships for SWCWS

PSST. INTERESTED IN A SCHOLARSHIP?

I've been on deadline these past few weeks as you can tell by how few postings I've made to this blog. I hope to have my book finished by the middle of next week. Still, I wanted to pass on this bit of news:

I have enough money in the SWCWS scholarship fund to pay the conference fees for three people. I hope to be able to provide more scholarships in the future, but at the moment, we're good to go for three writes who want a hands-on experience in a small studio/conference environment. If you're not familiar with Southwest Christian Writers Studio, then take a few moments to click on the links to the right of this post and beneath the logo.

Each scholarship is $315 value. Recipients will need to provide their own transportation, pay for the meal package (if they stay at the Glorieta site) of $118.00. Those staying on campus must pay for their rooms at $69 per night.

Interested? If so, then send an e-mail to me at alton@altongansky.com and tell me the following:

1. Your name?

2. What area of writing you want to be your focus?

3. Will you be staying on site?

4. Have you attended other writing conferences?

5. Will you be able to attend if you don't receive one of the scholarships?

Remember, I only have three slots available at the moment.

MAYBE . . .

Maybe you're in a position, to help others attend SWCWS. Our goal is help new writers make a difference in the world through the written word. BRMCWC and SWCWS have seen numerous conferees obtain contracts and publish meaningful books.

If you would like to help us meet this goal by contributing to the scholarship fund, you may do so by:

1. Clicking on the donate button on this page and making a contribution through PayPal, or,

2. Send a check made out to Gansky Communications Scholarship Fund, 4721 W. Princeton Ave, Fresno, CA 93722.

All monies given in this way will be used to help budding writers attend the conference.

All the best,

Alton "I'm on deadline" Gansky

Director

Register for Southwest Christian Writers Studio by calling

 1-800-797-4222