Posted on September 27, 2011 - by Shannon Vannatter
Singing Praises of ACFW
I sing ACFW praises every chance I get. What an awesome organization. What an awesome conference. Put together by an awesome God. This year, I met Lynn Coleman, founder of ACFW. We chatted about how she wanted to start a Christian writing group to support and uplift one another, with no competition or jealousy. Like most things, ACFW started small as American Christian Romance Writers.
I discovered it by google in 2004. By 2005 when I attended the conference in Nashville, the name had changed to American Christian Fiction Writers. Though I’d been to numerous local conferences, writers’ group meetings, and workshops, ACFW made me realize I only knew the basics about writing.
ACFW goes deep in helping writers improve their craft. So deep, it boggles. I always get brain freeze and have to sort through what I learned when I get home. And yes, even though I’m published and an old hand at working with editors, I still learn from ACFW.
I had so many appointments, interviews, and meetings, I only got to go to four workshops this year. But I still learned. I’m not sure what yet, haven’t had time to sort it out. Oh, I did learn that the voice that tells me I’ll never get another book published when I don’t have a current contract or deadline, that’s the enemy and he tells all writers that. Now I know to ignore him and press on.
ACFW is also about having friends along for what can be a very solitary journey. I took the solo route until 2008. Though I’d been to the conference for 3 years, I stood on the fringes and wished I had someone to hug and cry over like all those other writers. In 2008, I met Linda from my local zone and rode with her to Minneapolis. I met my critique partners face to face, met their friends and Linda’s friends. We all went out to dinner together and had so much fun. The next year when I met them, I hugged and cried over them.
Lorna is my designated shoulder for phone calls or in person. Lorna and I have traversed our getting published journey together. When my husband is at work—I call Lorna and blubber over disappointments or triumphs in writing. When my husband isn’t at ACFW—he hasn’t been able to come since 2007—I blubber on Lorna over disappointments and triumphs. Lorna is getting soggy.
Linda is my designated roomie. We often dance in our room over triumphs. Dawn is my designated can’t find her writing friend. I once called her husband at home in Iowa trying to find her in the hotel so I could get the pie I left in her room. This time, I called a friend at home also named Dawn in my quest for Dawn’s room and went to the wrong room looking for Dawn.
Brenda, my other critter, is much better in person than in bobble-head form. We’ll look forward to seeing her in Dallas. Maybe we can wish her there. Kim and her sweet southern accent were missed this year, but Regina brought her husband. I wonder how many times did I say, “I love to hear him talk.” I also got to connect with Shari again. The only problem is there’s never enough time to spend with my writer friends.
ACFW is the highlight of my year. The knowledge to gain, the friends to hug, the contacts to be made. The kind of place where I can walk up to the keynote speaker–who is always way above the realm I live in–and thank them for what they said to inspire or encourage me. Knowing that all those writers sleep-walking through the conference totally get me. They hear voices too—not only their characters’, but God’s.
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White Pearls by Shannon Taylor Vannatter
Shell doesn't have a good reputation...But no matter what everyone in Rose Bud, Arkansas, thinks of her, she's back in town with a job to do. She'll stick it out and make the best of things. But why does Ryler have to be the landscaper on this project? She was just getting her heart under control. Ryler has his own reasons for being in Rose Bud, and they don't include Shell. Spying on his birth family was going to be hard enough. He doesn't have time to worry about a woman who dumped him...even if his heart says otherwise. McKenzie’s Branson Brainteaser by Shari Barr
McKenzie and Sydney meet in Branson, Missouri, where McKenzie has been recruited to help at the Dixie Stampede. While the girls take in the sights and sounds of Silver Dollar City, they become involved in a search to find a teen girl’s long lost uncle–who is rumored to have settled near the Branson area. With no clue other than a whittled necklace with an “SS” on the back, how will they ever reunite Shara with her uncle? The Camp Club girls are on the case, and they’re not about to give up until they close the gap and reconnect Shara’s family.
The Prodigal Daughter by Linda Fulkerson
Ruled by despair, remorse, and anger, the author’s life had become a classic rendition of the cliché “What’s a nice girl like you doing in a place like this?” Desperate. Overwhelmed. Isolated. Trapped. She hit bottom.
On the elevator of life, those descending will all exit on different levels–some much lower than others. You don’t have to go all the way to the bottom. Stop now and push the “up” button. This book will show you how!
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September 27, 2011
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Dawn Ford said:
Shannon,
But you did find me and you brought your cousins, who by the way, are hilarious. That was so much fun to have you guys over to chat with when I was all alone-deserted by my roomies. LOL!
I did miss Kim. Our pajama party with Regina and Lorna last year was so much fun. It was so sweet to meet Todd, Regina’s husband. What a cute couple they make!
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September 27, 2011
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Kav said:
Sniffle. Achooooo! Still snuffling along so I’m glad I didn’t go to ACFW this year, but I love reading about it through y’all. I hope everyone posts an update with lots of lovely details.
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September 27, 2011
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Lorna said:
Shannon, you can blubber on me any time, and I especially like it when it’s because of good news and not for bad.:)
I think ACFW reminds us all that we need others on the journey of life. Our friends make life so much sweeter–whether we are writers or plumbers.
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September 27, 2011
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Regina Merrick said:
OK. I want to still be in St. Louis with you guys! I’m feeling the need to blubber just a tad. Or sleep. Maybe a nap would help?
I missed Kim, too. Loved having hubby along, but missed the time we spent together, just us “girls!”
Oh, and now Todd’s concerned that he REALLY sounds like a hick.
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September 27, 2011
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Linda Fulkerson said:
Shannon is a perfect roomie & traveling buddy! We’ve had so much fun going to & from conferences, and it’s pretty cool to get asked to room with an award-winning author.
Speaking of awards . . . We’d better get with it, Inkspers! Having to beg to sit with the A/V crew at the banquet (thanks to Todd!) was pretty humbling. We ALL need to be up for some major award next year so we’ll have a plethora of placarded places to sit where we can hug & cry over each other!
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September 27, 2011
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marianne said:
You guys almost make me wish I was a writer, also, instead of just a writer!
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September 27, 2011
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Shannon Taylor Vannatter said:
Dawn,
And then we abandoned you. I should have thought to invite you to our room until your roomies got back.
Kav,
I hope you feel better soon. I hate being sick.
Lorna,
Are you saying you feel like a plumber when I blubber on you and get you all wet?
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September 27, 2011
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Shannon Taylor Vannatter said:
Regina,
I went back to bed yesterday after hubby took our son to school, but today stayed up. My head just feels hollow. That’s how I get when I’m really tired. Tell Todd he’s perfect–supportive, sweet, and great accent.
Linda,
I might not be award winning if not for you. I remember 2008 when I wasn’t going to the conference, but you offered me a ride and I sold White Roses there.
Marianne,
I may be wrong. But you are a writer. You could meet up with us next year in Dallas for ACFW.
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September 27, 2011
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Brenda Anderson said:
Joining ACFW has been sweet, hasn’t it? It really has been the best way to meet other writers & make the most fabulous friends.
I wish we all lived closer to each other. I move we all meet for a week of fellowship in Branson, MO. That’s roughly in the middle of where we all live (except Kav, unfortunately).
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September 27, 2011
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Dawn Ford said:
I’m working on the Branson idea. Kav, if there was any way to get you there, I would do it.
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September 29, 2011
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Shannon Taylor Vannatter said:
Work hard on the Branson idea, Dawn. That would be way too much fun. Oh the stories we can brainstorm with no conference distractions.