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Friday – April 18 8:30 – 9:30 Registration 9:30 – 9:45 Welcome & Praise Songs 9:45 – 10:00 Announcements & Book Giveaways 10:00 – 11:00 How to Grow Your Own Tale: The Secrets of Creativity, Idea Wrangling, and Story Crafting – Steven James Learn how to generate fresh ideas, weave innovative thinking into your projects (whether fiction or nonfiction), and improve the shape and craft of the stories you write. We’ll explore and demystify the creative process while discovering simple steps for intensifying the impact of your writing. Whether you’re new to writing or a seasoned pro, you’ll learn practical, easy-to-master techniques that will save you time while taking your writing to the next level. An in-depth handout will be provided. 11:00 – 11:15 Break 11:15 – 12:15 If This Is What Being a Writer Is, I'd Rather Have Chocolate! – Michelle Medlock Adams If you're feeling discouraged and confused, wondering if God can ever use your writing skills for Him, join Michelle Medlock Adams for this session. The life of a writer isn't always an easy one, but it is definitely worth it! If you need to be reminded that God uses imperfect people (even writers with lots of rejection slips and no best-selling books), join her for this inspirational session. This session is guaranteed to put the pep back in your step! (And, she will have chocolate for all who attend!) 12:15 – 1:30 Lunch 1:30 – 2:30 Bad Writing Advice You Already Believe And What To Do About It – Steven James Author Steven James landed his first nine book contracts in two years once he stopped listening to the experts and began breaking the rules. In book after book, conference after conference, "experts" repeat the same advice that doesn’t work in the real world: Don’t Quit your Day Job, Join a Writer’s Group, Read More, Expect Rejection… On and on. This workshop will debunk 8 of these "words of wisdom" and show the benefits of doing the opposite. You’ll learn why you should quit your day job, avoid certain writer’s groups, stop reading so much, and expect only acceptance letters. Come prepared for a wake-up call into the real world of writing!
2:45 – 3:45 Finding Your Freelance Niche in the Marketplace – Michelle Medlock Adams Michelle has three words for you—Specialize, specialize, specialize! Are you an expert at something? Are you passionate about a particular hobby or interest? Then, you're on your way to carving out a freelance niche in today's competitive marketplace. Come to this session and get on the path to publication and compensation! 3:45 – 4:00 Break 4:00 – 5:15 Making a Living as a Writer: How We Do It – Michelle Medlock Adams, Steven James & John Riddle Listen to three writers with completely different backgrounds, and learn how they make a living as a writer. (Not for the squeamish!) Take notes, and be ready to ask a question or two before the session ends. 5:15 – 6:30 Pizza Party 6:30 – 6:45 Praise Music 6:45 – 7:00 Comedy with Steven James 7:00 – 7:15 Book Giveaways & Contest Winners
Saturday – April 19 8:15 – 9:00 Continental Breakfast 9:00 – 9:15 Welcome and Praise Songs 9:15 – 9:30 Announcements & Book Giveaways 9:30 – 10:30 Write Priorities – Candy Abbott How do you fit writing into your day when everything else is clamoring for your time and energy? This interactive session on cutting edge time management techniques will help you manage multiple writing projects around a multi-tasking lifestyle. No matter how busy you are, you will learn how to use your gift of creative communication and still “have a life.” 10:30 – 10:45 Break 10:45 – 11:45 Marketing for Writers: You Can Do It – Diane Cook Marketing is the key to a successful freelance writing life! Most writers do not take time to learn how to market themselves, but once you learn the basics, you will soon discover your name on more bylines…and more checks! Noon – 1:15 Lunch 1:15 – 2:15 Writers & Websites: 10 Ways to Increase Traffic and Sales – Larry Wilder Discover why writers really do need a Website, and how to use it to promote yourself to editors, publishers and the public. Learn the tricks that will keep visitors coming back to your site! 1:15 – 2:15 Work for Hire Book Contracts: How to Find Them & How to Write Them – Bonnie Ceban Do you know that dozens of publishing companies have ideas for books…and they are looking for fresh faces to write them? Learn how to find “work for hire” book contracts, and before you know it you’ll see your name on the cover of a book! Discover how to contact editors, review the contract and reap the benefits of these growing opportunities in the publishing world. 2:15 – 2:30 Break 2:30 – 3:30 Fear, Doubt and Procrastination: Overcoming the Obstacles That Every Writer Will Face – John Riddle You want to be a successful writer, but you have fears and doubts, and wonder if you “have the right stuff.” (You do!) And just when you get up enough confidence to tackle a project, the “procrastination” monster makes an appearance. Learn how to overcome those obstacles and find success as a writer. God has blessed you with the gift of creative communication…don’t let anything get in your way! 3:30 – 3:45 Break 3:45 – 4:15 The Parable of the Good Idea – Steven James How do you measure success in the writing world? Some of the greatest guidance for writing can come from the most unlikely locations. This keynote address will inspire you to turn the corner in your writing and become the writer God is calling you to be. |
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