Wreader Fun

I was scheduled to post on the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) Conference blog on July 2nd but somehow, I ended up there today. This makes for some out-of-sequence reading because I wrote the first paragraph as if it was going to be posted on July 2nd. *sigh* Here's the complete text with photos - although I look a smidgeon different today due to a 30 lb weight loss :). Yay. Ah, September – one of my favourite times of the year. Huh? Yes, I know it’s only July 2nd because we celebrated Canada Day yesterday and it’s just 2 days before the U.S. Fourth of July festivities. But, still… September is the premiere social event of the season. To this Canadian gal, anyway. I’ve only been an ACFW member since 2007 and was thrilled to discover my first conference would be in Minneapolis – a simple 2 day drive from our prairie farm in southeast Saskatchewan. And, I was familiar with the area having lived several hours north of the twin cities for years, albeit across the border. Man...

Since my last post, the conference just got better and better. The agent I went to see in the Friday night agent chat is interested in my historical novel, Emma's Outlaw . This is the same story the editor at lunch in my last post is interested in, so I'm very glad I'm taking time to do a recon in Wyoming to lend authenticity to Emma's journey. However, that's tomorrow since I'm still in Colorado. I didn't have time to blog yesterday on Sat but the conference is over now. I'm sitting in the hotel lobby and want to download these photos before I hit the road in case I don't have internet service tonight. Friday night after the Harp and Bowl worship session, I joined the Seekers for their nightly get together. Starting at the back row, left to right: Julie Lessman, Cheryl Wyatt, Audra Harders, Janet Dean, Mary Connealy, Camy Tang, Tina M. Russo and Pam Hillman. Front row: (L to R) Cara Slaughter, Debby Giusti, Ruth Logan Herne, Sandra Leesmith and Mis...

This was a bad day-good day for me in Denver. I've been suffering from lack of sleep but actually slept for 4 hrs in a stretch last night. That was good news. More good news was the Steeple Hill breakfast. I brought Gwen, my critique partner and roomie and we shared an enjoyable buffet with Margaret Daley, Missy Tippins, Cheryl Wyatt, Ginny Aiken, Laurie Kingery, Danica Favorite and Camy Tang. Unfortunately my camera batteries were dead and I didn't get photos. Eeep! After breakfast, I had a 'God' moment. It started when I realized I didn't feel like attending the morning session I'd signed up for because I would have to leave part way to make my agent appointment. Margaret Daley said she didn't mind if I went in and out of hers since everyone else was going to be going for appts as well. I needed to run off some papers in the business centre and by the time I finished, the morning sessions had started. I decided I should do some praying before my appt so I ...

I started working the reg'n desk at 7 am and stayed there most of the day. So many people to greet. It was fantastic putting 3D images to facebook photos. The highlight of my day was when I finally met Gwen, my critique partner of 2 yrs. :D We sat for our first large session (540 of us) for supper. Debbie Macomber then gave the keynote address. She's a terrific speaker and yes, I cried when she choked up. Her speech was on her writing journey. It was great! So inspiring. 9 pm saw me at the Steeple Hill chat. Then, I scurried down here to the lobby to post this. Breakfast tomorrow is with the Steeple Hill authors and on-line friends who go on the www.eharlequin.com Steeple Hill boards. My agent appt is tomorrow morning at 11:30. Yikes! Since we must be seated by 7:30 for breakfast, I'm heading up to bed now. More updates when I get the chance.

I made it to Denver to attend the ACFW conference. I'm blogging over at Prairie Chicks Write Romance today and I just uploaded a whole bunch of pictures of my adventure so far. But in case you don't make it over there, here are a couple more: Here's a land formation that's possibly broken apart: There were only a couple hills like this one which looked like it had some kind of formation on top and then it toppled. It may be a small hill, but those are huge, beautifully shaped pieces. Here's a draw similar to the kind my heroine and her captors will spend the night in so no one can spot their fire: And that's it for now. Go to http://prairiechickswriteromance.blogspot.com if you want to see some more.

It's Monday morning and I'm a-headin' for Denver very shortly. At this point, I'm not sure of my itinerary because I'm doing recon for my books enroute but one thing I can tell ya ... I'm headin' south! Perfecting timing, too because the plumber just walked in. He's going to get that leak fixed that caused all the trouble in the living room. (See earlier blogs if you dare, ha!) Okay, this is my last act before I close up my Mini and pack it up. I'll be reporting live from Stateside tonight...

STANDING FIRM...MOVING FORWARD " Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord ."
1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV) DENVER, COLORADO
SEPTEMBER 17 - 20, 2009 Bestselling authors, publishing industry representatives, and newcomers to Christian fiction writing will gather in Denver at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s annual conference September 17-20 to compare notes, learn from each other, and encourage one another in the pursuit of publishing goals. This year’s conference theme , Standing Firm…Moving Forward, will especially inspire the full range of talent and dreams in the ever-changing publishing world today. This amazing conference will feature representatives from major publishing houses like B & H, Guideposts, Zondervan, Harvest House, Barbour, Steeple Hill, Summerside Press, Bethany House, Waterbrook Multnomah, Marcher Lord Press, Tyndale House, and...