Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 512
July 25, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 25, 1941: RAF bombs shipyard facilities in Kiel, Germany.
July 24, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 24, 1941: Nazis massacre Jewish population of Grodz, Lithuania.
July 23, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 23, 1941: Vichy France allows Japan to occupy southern Indochina.
July 22, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 22, 1941: Vichy France requires Jews to register their businesses, excluding them from commerce. Germans halt just south of Leningrad to rest and gain supplies; Soviets reinforce line.
July 21, 2011
Throwing Stones
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Log on to the Internet and you see it. Turn on the TV and you hear it. Hang around human beings and you can't miss it. Sin. Every day we're assaulted by tawdry images, vile behavior, and egotistical attitudes. People flaunt their sin without shame.
How should the Christian react?
Appalled, we often speak out, condemning the sin—and the sinner. You've seen this on the news shows, read it on Facebook, and heard it from your friends. Maybe from your own mouth.
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus showed us a better approach—no condemnation, but no excuses.
No Condemnation
Jesus response to the woman's accusers is one of the Bible's most quoted—and most misquoted—verses. "'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her'" (John 8:7). These words sliced through the accusers' self-righteousness and stopped them cold. We are all sinners. As recipients of God's unwarranted compassion and forgiveness, we should offer compassion and forgiveness to our fellow sinners. Please note Jesus' refusal to condemn came before His call to repentance. Likewise, our mercy must not hinge on the other person's repentance.
No Excuses
This story is often used out of context to silence Christians from speaking out against sin. But Jesus did not excuse the woman's adultery. He told her, "'Go now and leave your life of sin'" (John 8:11). If we are truly compassionate, we will show the way out of sin's pain and point people to salvation and forgiveness in Christ.
Jesus, as always, calls us to imitate the fullness of His character—holiness and grace, boldness and mercy, speaking the truth in love.
Which side do you tend to flop on? Condemning sin or excusing it?[image error]
How should the Christian react?
Appalled, we often speak out, condemning the sin—and the sinner. You've seen this on the news shows, read it on Facebook, and heard it from your friends. Maybe from your own mouth.
In the story of the woman caught in adultery, Jesus showed us a better approach—no condemnation, but no excuses.
No Condemnation
Jesus response to the woman's accusers is one of the Bible's most quoted—and most misquoted—verses. "'If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her'" (John 8:7). These words sliced through the accusers' self-righteousness and stopped them cold. We are all sinners. As recipients of God's unwarranted compassion and forgiveness, we should offer compassion and forgiveness to our fellow sinners. Please note Jesus' refusal to condemn came before His call to repentance. Likewise, our mercy must not hinge on the other person's repentance.
No Excuses
This story is often used out of context to silence Christians from speaking out against sin. But Jesus did not excuse the woman's adultery. He told her, "'Go now and leave your life of sin'" (John 8:11). If we are truly compassionate, we will show the way out of sin's pain and point people to salvation and forgiveness in Christ.
Jesus, as always, calls us to imitate the fullness of His character—holiness and grace, boldness and mercy, speaking the truth in love.
Which side do you tend to flop on? Condemning sin or excusing it?[image error]
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 21, 1941: Luftwaffe begins assault on Moscow at night. Majdanek concentration camp opens near Lublin, Poland.
July 20, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 20, 1941: Stalin declares himself Soviet Defense Commissar.
July 19, 2011
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 19, 1941: Churchill and BBC begin "V for Victory" campaign with Beethoven's Fifth (V) Symphony as theme music, call on Europeans to join resistance.
July 18, 2011
The Right...and the Left Way to Prepare for Writers' Conferences
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Are you a left-brained, list-making, analyzing, outline-oriented writer? Are you a right-brained, creative, spontaneous, seat-of-the-pants writer? Some combination? If you're attending a writers' conference, engage both halves of your brain and plan the right way—and the left way.
The American Christian Fiction Writers Conference is scheduled for September 22-25, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri, and registration is open. ACFW Conference Link. ACFW runs an excellent conference for Christian fiction writers with top-notch faculty and dozens of editors and agents in attendance. If you're serious about growing in your craft, getting published, or building your career, a writers' conference is a must.
Having attended nine major conferences (including ACFW), I've found it's best to let the left brain reign before the conference and the right brain fly free during the conference.
The Left Way
Before the conference, analyze, plan, and make lists. Proper preparation allows you to get the most out of the conference and be relaxed.
• Which Continuing Education tracks and workshops to take? ACFW offers five CE tracks and thirty workshops. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, as well as where you are in your manuscript and your career. Pick workshops to target your weaknesses or solidify your strengths, and try to balance between craft and publicity.
• Which editors, agents, and published authors do you want to meet? At ACFW you can schedule one or two appointments with editors, agents, or mentors, which must be chosen at the time of registration. Also make a list of professionals you'd like to meet—at workshops, meals, etc. This list can keep you focused during the flurry of a conference.
• Prepare your pitch. The most common question you will be asked at conference is, "What do you write?" Be prepared to answer with a sparkling one to two sentence description. Also be prepared to answer follow-up questions with more detail. But not too much detail. Really.
• Prepare your One-Sheet. A one-sheet is "you and your project" on a single piece of paper. A catchy tagline, a short paragraph describing your novel or series, a short bio, and your contact info. Include your photo, and use graphics, fonts, and colors that coordinate with the feel of your story while still looking professional. Don't overload the page or use micro-fonts. White space is your friend.
The Right Way
At the conference, work your plan but let your right brain frolic. Serendipity tends to produce the best conference moments.
• Let your creativity play. You will learn so much and be surrounded by hundreds of creative people. Soak it in. Brainstorm characters, plotlines, and more. Turn off your internal editor and resist the urge to burn your manuscript.
• Veer off your list. Your list of professionals to meet is a guide, not Scripture. Try to meet others, even those who aren't looking for your genre. The publishing industry is fluid, and the editor from House A may be with House B next year—or have become an agent. That casual conversation you had over dinner might lead somewhere unexpected. And don't forget, these people know the industry. Ask questions, absorb, and simply enjoy them as people.
• Meet new friends. While targeting professionals, don't overlook the person next to you in a workshop or at a meal. I've met some of my dearest friends this way. We struggled along the pre-published road with each other and now we're exploring the world of publication together.
• Watch for God appointments. My best conference moments have come when I set aside my plan. Pray with those who've been rejected too many times, who need a boost before an appointment, or who struggle with personal or family issues. Skip a workshop to connect with a friend. Introduce people with similar interests. Listen for God's voice about your writing and life. When you look for God at work, you'll find Him.
I hope to see you in St. Louis in September! Please veer off your list to say hi!
In what ways have you been blessed by planning or by serendipity? How can you best prepare while staying open to spontaneity?
The American Christian Fiction Writers Conference is scheduled for September 22-25, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri, and registration is open. ACFW Conference Link. ACFW runs an excellent conference for Christian fiction writers with top-notch faculty and dozens of editors and agents in attendance. If you're serious about growing in your craft, getting published, or building your career, a writers' conference is a must.
Having attended nine major conferences (including ACFW), I've found it's best to let the left brain reign before the conference and the right brain fly free during the conference.
The Left Way
Before the conference, analyze, plan, and make lists. Proper preparation allows you to get the most out of the conference and be relaxed.
• Which Continuing Education tracks and workshops to take? ACFW offers five CE tracks and thirty workshops. Analyze your strengths and weaknesses as a writer, as well as where you are in your manuscript and your career. Pick workshops to target your weaknesses or solidify your strengths, and try to balance between craft and publicity.
• Which editors, agents, and published authors do you want to meet? At ACFW you can schedule one or two appointments with editors, agents, or mentors, which must be chosen at the time of registration. Also make a list of professionals you'd like to meet—at workshops, meals, etc. This list can keep you focused during the flurry of a conference.
• Prepare your pitch. The most common question you will be asked at conference is, "What do you write?" Be prepared to answer with a sparkling one to two sentence description. Also be prepared to answer follow-up questions with more detail. But not too much detail. Really.
• Prepare your One-Sheet. A one-sheet is "you and your project" on a single piece of paper. A catchy tagline, a short paragraph describing your novel or series, a short bio, and your contact info. Include your photo, and use graphics, fonts, and colors that coordinate with the feel of your story while still looking professional. Don't overload the page or use micro-fonts. White space is your friend.
The Right Way
At the conference, work your plan but let your right brain frolic. Serendipity tends to produce the best conference moments.
• Let your creativity play. You will learn so much and be surrounded by hundreds of creative people. Soak it in. Brainstorm characters, plotlines, and more. Turn off your internal editor and resist the urge to burn your manuscript.
• Veer off your list. Your list of professionals to meet is a guide, not Scripture. Try to meet others, even those who aren't looking for your genre. The publishing industry is fluid, and the editor from House A may be with House B next year—or have become an agent. That casual conversation you had over dinner might lead somewhere unexpected. And don't forget, these people know the industry. Ask questions, absorb, and simply enjoy them as people.
• Meet new friends. While targeting professionals, don't overlook the person next to you in a workshop or at a meal. I've met some of my dearest friends this way. We struggled along the pre-published road with each other and now we're exploring the world of publication together.
• Watch for God appointments. My best conference moments have come when I set aside my plan. Pray with those who've been rejected too many times, who need a boost before an appointment, or who struggle with personal or family issues. Skip a workshop to connect with a friend. Introduce people with similar interests. Listen for God's voice about your writing and life. When you look for God at work, you'll find Him.
I hope to see you in St. Louis in September! Please veer off your list to say hi!
In what ways have you been blessed by planning or by serendipity? How can you best prepare while staying open to spontaneity?
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—July 18, 1941: US Army Air Force opens bases in Iceland to patrol convoy routes in North Atlantic.
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