Candee Fick's Blog, page 29

The Difference A Year Makes

A year ago I struggled to know if my writing dream was worth pursuing or not. I’ll be the first to admit I wanted to quit, especially when I received another rejection letter on the anniversary of my grandmother’s death. The same grandmother who inspired my love of fiction with regular gifts of new books and the visual example of overloaded bookshelves. The same woman who was so proud that I was a writer.

A year ago I told God I’d give it just one more year. One year of doing everything I coul...

The Hero’s Journey is Also Mine

Just over three weeks ago, I sat in an amazing workshop at the ACFW Conference and took pages of notes as Christopher Vogler outlined the essential stages of a hero’s journey to a room full of storytellers. As I’ve mulled over the stages since (especially while brainstorming the essential scenes for my next book), I’m reminded that these same stages are part of my personal story. And yours.

The overview: Hero lives in an ordinary world doing ordinary things and then receives a call to adventur...

Finding Like-Minded Friendships

Last month, I had two unique experiences where I was surrounded by people walking in my shoes. The first was a regional CdLS gathering for families sharing the common experience of raising a child/adult with Cornelia de Lange Syndrome. The second was less than a week later at the national American Christian Fiction Writers Conference where hundreds of writers, editors, agents, and other publishing people gathered to learn, network, and celebrate accomplishments.

In both places, I walked in kno...

The Professional Two-Step

Would you attempt to run a race or dance on only one leg? Not likely. But I’ve been guilty of trying to pursue my goals in an equally unbalanced approach.

At the ACFW Conference just over a week ago, I heard one speaker describe the two “legs” of writing for publication and it was one of those “Aha!” moments where all the niggling thoughts flirting around the edges of my brain gelled into a clear strategy for moving forward. What are those two legs? Production and Promotion.

On the one side, I...

An Arch and a Cross

One huge, enormous, can’t-miss-it thing I noticed in St. Louis was the Arch. In fact, since it was right by the hotel where the ACFW Conference was held, it was hard not to think about the Arch and what it stands for.

There was a time in our national history when the Mississippi River was as far west as civilization extended. Then brave pioneers on horseback and later in long trains of covered wagons left behind their old lives, crossed the mighty Mississippi River, and ventured into the unkno...

Expectations in the Balance

The super-short countdown has begun. Or as my daughter says, two more sleeps until I get on a plane to St. Louis to join 700 other writers, agents, editors, and publishing professional-types at the American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference. I’ve been thinking about, praying, and preparing for this conference for so long that my expectations are running high.

Expectation is an eager anticipation or looking forward to a probable occurrence. While we tend to focus on the giddy emotions like...

Settling My Account Books

I know it’s not even close to tax season … and no, I’m not closing the doors on a business or wrapping up my personal affairs after a dire diagnosis. But, I am getting ready for the ACFW Conference next week and my brain turned toward financial things like how much cash I should bring along formy carbonated no-calorie caffeine addiction. Not to mention filing away the receipts for things I can use as a tax deduction with my business.

Then therewill bethe inevitable moment when my husband asks...

Living Under the Waterfall

When it comes to scenery that inspires and refreshes me, nothing quite matches a waterfall. Crystal clear water cascading freely over a rocky edge and plumenting to a pool below with a misty fountain of sparkling drops and a thundering crescendo heard far away. Add pictuesque trees, greenery, and flowers and the idyllic scene soothes the soul with a perfect combination of beauty and power.

I’ve been thinking about waterfalls lately, partially because of a pre-back-to-school hike into Rocky Mou...

What’s Your Story?

I love stories, especially the true ones. Stories of people who faced adversity and conquered. Who did something unique or attempted it for the first time. Who discovered or invented something that changed history. Who faithfully cared for a loved one with problems of their own. Who lived in another place or time yet experienced the same emotions common to humanity.

These stories are filled with faith, hope, and love (the same three elements I consider key to everything I write, including fict...

Refocusing on Fiction

In just four and a half weeks, I’ll be on a plane to St. Louis to attend the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference. In addition to rubbing shoulders with other writers, meeting editors and agents, and learning from some of the best teachers in the industry, two of my novel manuscripts are Finalists in the Genesis contest for unpublished (in fiction) authors and the winners will be announced at the Gala on Saturday night.

With that level of opportunity looming on the horizon, it’...