Countdown to ACFW 2012

Cynthia Herron Writing Conferences 6 Comments

As the season begins to change and the warmth of summer melds into Fall, there’s a buzz of excitement in the air. For the 700+ creatives who are attending the American Christian Fiction Writers conference in Dallas next week, the buzz is more like a happy roar. The ACFW conference is one of THE largest annual writing conferences in the world. Authors, …

A Few of My Favorite Things

Cynthia Herron Favorite Things 7 Comments

I think as writers, it’s only natural that we project a certain amount of ourselves into the stories we create.  Some may refer to “it” as voice, style, or even vision. We breathe life into our characters by way of our own experiences and revelations. Since we’re all unique, it’s important that we stay true to ourselves, and write what we know, …

Why Writers Do What We Do

Cynthia Herron Writing 13 Comments

If you write, no doubt you’ve been asked, “Why do you do it?” Is it for the neck cramps, back aches, carpal tunnel, or crossed eyes? Our 10+ hour days at the computer? How about the bonbons on a silver tray via our assistants? Perhaps, we write for the fame, fortune, and accolades. Hmmm…So many reasons. So difficult to decide. …

Learning to Let Go

Cynthia Herron Encouragement 10 Comments

As we mature, we realize life is all about seasons.  Some are longer or shorter than others. Some are filled with unparalleled joy while others are marked by heartache and despair. There’s no magic pill, wand, or fairy dust to enhance the best or lessen the worst. Seasons are inevitable. They’ll arrive when we least expect them. About ten years ago, our …

August Blog Winner Announced; You Can Win, Too!

Cynthia Herron Uncategorized 6 Comments

I hope everyone had a great Labor Day and didn’t work too hard!  Welcome back! Congratulations to the winner of my August blog giveaway, Steven A.! Steven has won some wonderful goodies, plus another surprise thrown in for good measure. Please contact me privately, Steven, with your mailing info and I will get your prize in the mail. Remember, you, too, …

The Stuff Dreams Are Made Of

Cynthia Herron Encouragement 8 Comments

Do you ever wonder what causes us to keep going? To persevere? To march forward toward the light despite the dark shadows? Is it ambition? Courage? The prompting of the Holy Spirit? I believe we all possess “the stuff dreams are made of.” It’s not so much what we believe about ourselves as it is about God’s truth for our lives. …

The 25 Tidbit Challenge: Part 2

Cynthia Herron A Bit About Me 8 Comments

In Monday’s post I told you I’d accepted author Beth Vogt’s  fun challenge. In Beth’s recent blog post, Taking the Challenges: The Letter ‘T’ and Twenty-Five Things About Me, she revealed twenty-five (enlightening!) things about herself and challenged her blog commenters to do the same. I like challenges like this because (1) It’s a creative blog post idea and (2) challenges like …

The 25 Tidbit Challenge

Cynthia Herron A Bit About Me 12 Comments

On Friday, superfab author Beth Vogt (Wish You Were Here–Howard Books, May 2012) issued this little, ol’ challenge: “I invite you to join the fun and share something about yourself (starting with the letter ‘T’ or not) in a comment below — and then post your own Twenty-five Things About Me blog post!” I left a comment on Beth’s wonderful blog (forgetting …

10 Reasons I’m Attending the ACFW Conference

Cynthia Herron Writing Conferences 8 Comments

Last year’s American Christian Fiction Writer’s conference was held in downtown St. Louis and it was amazing! I talked about it here and here if you’d like to check out my impressions of the 2011 conference. This September, the ACFW conference heads to Dallas. I understand, like last year, we’re expecting 700+ members, and I’m beyond excited to connect with my writing friends …

Don’t Burn Your Bridges

Cynthia Herron Christianity 6 Comments

While growing up, one of the phrases I seemed to remember the most was “Don’t burn your bridges.” Uttered in stern admonition with an almost Sunday morning reverence, those words seemed to roll off people’s tongues easier than any other piece of advice. I discovered the general meaning associated with those words early in life, and I took them to heart, …