ACFW Conference 2013

This past September 13-16th, I attended the annual American Christian Fiction Writer's Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. This was a huge leap of faith on my part and very much out of my comfort zone.

My first conference experience in 2011, I attended with a writer friend and had the comfort of a partner to eat meals with, sit in classes with, and generally hang out with.

This time, however, I went completely solo. But deep down I knew I'd be okay, because everyone I met treated me with kindness and acceptance. I tried to do the same, if I saw someone standing alone, knowing how intimidating that could be. The result was a wonderful spirit of camaraderie, encouragement and prayer.

The Beyond the Borders Group (from outside the USA)

The best part of the whole experience was reconnecting with friends I'd met at the last conference. Networking with people who understood my obsession with the written word! 

Now I can't wait for next year!!

Where did the last year go?

I knew I hadn't updated my blog in a while, but I had no idea it had been over a year!!

I think maybe I felt like my posts were going out into the netherworlds of cyberspace. Was anyone really reading this?

No  matter. As a writer and a hopeful one-day published author, blogging is required as part of the job description. So I will attempt to be more faithful at keeping this blog more current!

To get me in the mood, I've added a photo of my favorite flowers! Hydrangeas!

Tune in for my thoughts on the American Christian Fiction Writers conference!

Thanks for tuning in!

Sue :)

Another wonderful read: No Greater Glory.

Debut author, Cindy Nord, has written a beautiful love story set in the Civil War called "No Greater Glory". Colonel Reece Cutteridge commandeers the plantation belonging to widow, Emaline McDaniels, as a command post.

Against Emaline's will, her home soon becomes an infirmary for wounded soldiers. Despite being on opposite sides of the war, Reece and Emaline cannot deny their attraction and growing love. Despite Emaline's resentment at the intrusion in her life, she finds compassion for the wounded and dying men, and ends up helping the doctor tend to the sick.

Anyone who loved "Gone With the Wind" will love this book. Emaline is a spunky, courageous woman who softens the hard colonel. The ups and downs of their love story makes this book hard to put down!

Can't wait for Cindy's next book!

The Colonel's Lady

Finally got a copy of  Laura Frantz's "The Colonel's Lady" and I was not disappointed. Every one of Laura's books gets better than the last!!

Let me just say that Colonel Cass McKinn was an absolutely wonderful hero. So courageous and honorable. He definitely evoked a few sighs from me! And Roxie Rowan was a delightful heroine.

Laura manages to evoke the most romantic of stories with such subtlety. The softest of glances and touches, along with one or two kisses that leave the reader breathless with longing for these two to finally get their chance at happiness. And the lovely child, Abby, added such a sweet touch.

Thank you, Laura, for another story that lingers in your heart long after the last page is turned!

A Writer's Thrill!

Whew! Just got back from vacation last night. Will post about the beach later, but today I wanted to relive the thrill I got on Saturday.

Coming back from New Jersey, we opted for a different route and hubby wanted to go to Washington. So we went that way and after an extremely HOT walk to the White House, we decided not to spend much more time in DC.

Nora's Bookstore

Looking at the map, I was excited to note that we would be passing by Boonsboro, Maryland and asked hubby to make a slight detour. For those of you who aren't fans of Nora Roberts, this name probably wouldn't mean much. But for me, a huge fan, this was better than seeing the White House! Nora and her husband own a bookstore there called Turn the Page Bookstore. They also bought and restored an historic inn, now called Inn BoonsBoro which is the setting for her latest trilogy. And her son has recently opened a restaurant just across the street. 

Hubby standing in front of the Inn.

After much rolling countryside, past many cute rural areas, we finally came upon the quaint town of Boonsboro. I knew Nora would be in Anaheim at the RWA conference and that the store would be closed by the time we got there, but that didn't matter. Just to see these places in person and capture some photos was all I wanted.

Inn BoonsBoro

This thrill capped off my lovely week's holiday. Maybe someday I'll go back to experience a book signing in the quaint Turn the Page bookstore! In the meantime, I'll enjoy my pictures and await the release of the third book in the trilogy. This time I'll REALLY be able to imagine it!

VACATION TIME!

It's official. I am on holidays!!  Soon the family and I will be off on a road trip - Destination Wildwood, NJ.! 

This will be nostalgic for me. As a kid, we used to go every summer with our grandparents. Haven't been back for MANY years and I'm dying to see what's it like now. A little sand, sun, and the ocean! Can't wait!

See you on the flip side!!

Mememe - Tagged in Julie's Blog

Okay, I'm not real up on this, but my critique partner Julie Jarnagin tagged me in her blog and now I have to follow the instructions.

Here are the Rules:

1. Go to page 77 of your current manuscript.

2. Go to line 7.

3. Copy the next 7 lines (sentences or paragraphs) and post them as they're written. No cheating!

4. Tag 7 other writers to pass this meme on to.

 

  So here is page 77, line 7 of my current work in progress, tentatively titled "Irish Meadows".

 

He turned to Aurora and bent over her offered hand. “Thank you for the dances, Miss Hastings. You are a most accomplished dancer.”

Her cheeks reddened. “As are you, Mr. Whelan. You must come and visit us at Belvedere now that mother and I are here for the summer. Papa comes home on weekends, but during the week we are quite lonely.” She nudged her mother slightly.

“Oh, yes. Of course. Come for lunch one day. We’ll call with a date.”

Tension banded his shoulders, but his smile did not falter. “That would be … dreadful … lovely, I’m sure.”

Hope you enjoyed this tiny glimpse into Gilbert Whelan's life!!

Cheers,

Sue