Young Writers Program

Then make plans to join us for the Young Writers Program on Saturday, April 19 at the Word of Life Christian Center on Old Baltimore Pike in Newark, Delaware.

There are 4 exciting workshops and a closing keynote address that will challenge and motivate you to become a stronger writer. Steven James, an award winning author and one of the nation’s most innovative storytellers, will present “What Your English Teacher Never Taught You: The Real Secrets to Great Writing.” He will show you how to improve your writing, and have fun at the same time.

Michelle Medlock Adams, an award winning journalist, author and lover of chocolate will present a two part workshop: “Why Wait till You’re Old to be Published?” In part one you will learn how other teens are getting published, and learn about the many writing opportunities available to young writers. In part two you will learn the 10 steps to get you start on the path to publication. (And, rumor has it that Michelle will be bringing lots of chocolate with her!)

John Riddle, author of over 40 books and Founder of I Love To Write Day, will present “Fear, Doubt and Procrastination: Overcoming the Obstacles that Every Writer Will Face.” You will learn how to overcome those obstacles and find success as a writer.

And Steven James will present the closing keynote address, “The Parable of the Good Idea,” and promises to inspire you to turn the corner in your writing and become the writer God is calling you to be!

Saturday – April 19

9:00 – 9:30 Registration

9:30 – 10:30 What Your English Teacher Never Taught You: The Real Secrets to Great Writing – Steven James

All too often the real secrets to writing get lost in the shuffle of grades, grammar, and reading hundred-year old books. In this workshop you'll discover simple ways to improve your writing, add more impact to the stuff you write, and wrangle new ideas. A handout that you can turn into a paper airplane if you get bored will be provided. This workshop is 100% natural and low in saturated fats and cholesterol.

10:30 – 10:45 Break

10:45 – 11:45 Why Wait ‘til You’re Old to be Published? – Michelle M. Adams

Part One: You Can Do It!

So, you’ve always loved to write, right? Then this two-part workshop is for you. As a creative teen, the publishing world is wide open to you right now, so why wait ‘til you’re old to get published? In the first part of this workshop, we’ll briefly look at what other kids and teens are publishing, as well as explore the many publishing opportunities wide open to teens today. Bring samples of your own writing that you’d like to see published and we’ll look for appropriate markets for those carefully-crafted articles/stories.

Noon – 1:15 Lunch

1:15 – 2:15 Why Wait ‘til You’re Old to be Published? – Michelle M. Adams

Part Two: Ten Steps to Get You Started on the Path to Publication

Ready to learn some tricks of the trade that are sure to put you on the path to publication? Then join Michelle for this high-energy workshop. Michelle will also teach participants how to write a killer query letter; how to find markets for their non-fiction and fiction pieces; how to carve out a freelance niche; how to develop a plan to keep writing and publishing on a consistent basis; and how to enjoy the crazy journey. Oh, and Michelle promises to bring chocolate. Whoo hoo!

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.

Michelle Medlock Adams
is the author of 23 published children’s books. Her picture book, Conversations On the Ark earned her the “Barnes & Noble Texas Author of the Month” honor in May 2003. During 2006-2007, Michelle’s books What Is Halloween?; What Is Christmas?; Why I Trust You, God; Why I Praise You, God; Why I Thank You, God; Divine Stories of the Yahweh Sisterhood, Secrets of Beauty and Secrets of Happiness were released. In 2008, her children’s/tween titles, I Will Not Be Afraid; What Is Thanksgiving?; Counting Cows; Mama’s Belly; Sports Shorts: 10-Minute Devotions for Guys; and Sports Shorts: 10-Minute Devotions for Girls will debut. She is also the ghostwriter for five Simon & Schuster children’s books due out in 2008-2009.

Michelle taught “Writing For Children” during the fall semester at Taylor University in Fort Wayne, IN., in 2006.

Michelle is also an award-winning journalist, earning top honors from the Associated Press, the Society of Professional Journalists, the Sunday and Features Editors, and the Hoosier State Press Association. Since graduating with a journalism degree from Indiana University in 1991, Michelle has worked as a newspaper reporter for a daily newspaper in Southern Indiana, acted as a stringer for the Associated Press, written full time for a worldwide ministry’s website and magazine with 550,000 circulation, authored 39 books for publishers such as Simon & Schuster and Zonderkidz, and crafted hundreds of freelance articles for newspapers, websites and magazines including The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Today’s Christian Woman, CBN.com and Writer’s Digest. Michelle’s Christian Living book, Living the Love Chapter earned her the title of “Writer of the Year” in 2001 at the Write-to-Publish Conference in Wheaton, Illinois.

Michelle, who is also an inspirational speaker, has been a featured guest on several TV and radio programs.

Michelle is married to her high school sweetheart, Jeff, and they have two teenage daughters, Abby and Allyson, and three miniature long-haired dachshunds, Maddie, Miller and Mollie Mae. The Adams family resides in Bedford, Indiana where Michelle cheers on the Indiana Hoosiers all year long! www.michellemedlockadams.com

Steven James
From an early age, Steven's vivid imagination and questioning spirit have led him to explore the boundaries of faith and spirituality, as well as the deep paradoxes of good and evil. This comes through clearly in his evocative, highly-acclaimed nonfiction and fast-paced novels of fantasy and suspense.

As an acclaimed author and one of the nation's most innovative storytellers, Steven shares his unique blend of drama, comedy and inspirational speaking at conferences, churches, schools and special events around the country. When Steven completed his Master of Arts in Storytelling in 1997, there were fewer than 100 people in the world with that degree. Since then, he has been in demand throughout the country as a conference presenter, family entertainer and performance storyteller, appearing more than 1,500 times throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Since 2000, James has penned more than 20 books and recorded 4 CDs of children's stories. His books and recordings have won numerous awards, including a nomination for an ECPA Gold Medallion Book Award. Before he began writing and speaking full-time, he had diverse experiences working as a wilderness guide, museum educator, camp director and youth pastor.

Always exploring beyond the horizon, Steven has recently delved into writing fiction and suspense. His book Quest for Celestia (Tyndale 2006, is an epic fantasy adventure that reimagines and breathes fresh life into John Bunyan’s spiritual classic, The Pilgrim’s Progress.

Steven is a member of the International Thriller Writers. His first novel of psychological suspense, The Pawn, was published a few months ago, and the sequel, The Rook, will be published later this year. www.stevenjames.net

John Riddle
He is a freelance writer and author of 42 books. He has also worked as a ghostwriter on numerous projects, and is a marketing wizard when it comes to getting publicity. As the Founder of I Love To Write Day, he has successfully signed up over 20,000 schools all across the country that hold special writing events and activities every November 15, the “official” I Love To Write Day. He speaks at Christian and secular writer’s conferences all across the country. His first e-book, How I Made $66,270 in 9 Months Writing for Websites, has helped thousands of writers learn how to make “lots of money” using their gift of creative communication. www.ilovetowriteday.org