Join us for the 2020 Asheville Christian Writers Conference

February 21, 22, and 23, 2020

PLEASE NOTE, for this year only ...
Our venue has moved to the Ridgecrest Conference Center, only 9 miles from The Cove.

In December The Cove experienced a fire in their training center. They are in the midst of a massive clean up. (Please pray for The Cove team; their hearts hurt over this.) We were fortunate that Ridgecrest found space for our conference. Aside from a location change, everything remains as scheduled! If you wish housing at Ridgecrest, please contact Cindy via email at [email protected] She will check with Ridgecrest to see if housing is available. (Ridgecrest is as beautiful as The Cove.)

The Asheville Christian Writers Conference is not a level of writing – it’s a battle cry. God calls us to step up and answer with the best work possible using the talents He has given. We are called together to focus our hearts on the task Christ assigned us . . . to strengthen our ties with one another and hone our craft of writing so we might effectively spread the Word of God through fiction and non-fiction books, screenplays, scripts, articles, and blogs.

ACWC is not a level of writing – it’s a battle cry.

Join us for 2 1/2 days of intense work for as little as $292 (off-campus rate).

Benefits
of Attending

One-on-One
Mentoring

Financial
Scholarships

Recent Posts

February 16 Final Newsletter & Roster

2/16/2020 9:29:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

Your Roster is attached.

So we are just 4 days out. It's crazy here. But it's a good crazy. So here are your final instructions. Last week I sent you a map of Ridgecrest. Please enlarge that map so you can see where to go to get to Mountain Laurel. It's easy. Drive in the front grate (regardless of what security tells you, smile and say thank you, then do what I TELL YOU. Security doesn't know we have the room keys so they will instruct you to go to Pritchell. DON'T DO THAT. Drive through the gate, straight ahead. Follow the road around and up the hill to the top. Mt. Laurel is on your left. It's big you can't miss it. You may park in that lower lot, drive on around to the front where there is limited parking, or mosey on around to the other side of the hotel side parking lot. Remember, park your car. Leave your suitcases in the car! You'll get those after the early bird classes.

It is important you follow these instructions. We can't have tons of luggage sitting in the lobby of the hotel. So please, leave your bags in the car. Take your pen and paper and go to the Conference level (C) on the elevator. Go into the auditorium and enjoy Edie Melson and Edie Jones as they do your early bird classes. After early bird classes are over, line up at the registration table and we'll get you into your rooms as quickly as you can say Jack Sprat. P.S. Be patient. Be kind. And we will get your keys, badges, and meal tickets to you quickly.

Here is the link to your roster:
OOPS...unless you are a conferee...you don’t get this. Sorry!

If you look at this newsletter on the website the link to the roster will be gone. We do not want the world to know about your bio and photo. So you have the link here. Once you click on it, save it to your desktop or print it. But keep a copy, this will be the only one. We don't want the link hanging onto the website for spammers to grab. I will also send this to you in an email.

How should you dress? We don't require professional dress. It's generally cold this time of year. So we tell you to wear nice jeans and sweaters. We want you warm. We do however, ask that your dress be modest. Leave the holey jeans at home and present yourself in a nice casual manner.

Social time - There is always social time in the evenings. We encourage this to be around the fireplace on level 1 or on the conference level in the lobby area. Please do not gather in groups in your rooms. Remember we are not the only group on campus and once you retire to your room, there are others who may be sleeping. Socialize in the lobby areas. It's comfortable and laughter doesn't bother those who want to sleep.

Do not place yourself in a position that is compromising with members of the opposite sex. Follow the Billy Graham rule. Groups of three. Never just a man and a woman unless you are married.

We run a tight schedule - Please be on time. It's easy to lose track of time in the cafeteria. But we ask that you be mindful of the schedule. Eat and move back to the auditorium as quickly as possible. Johnny will begin worship promptly.

Remember - we believe in giving back to others so we support Bob and Robin Hostetler as they work to earn money for the Cystic Fibrosis foundation. We have a box in the bookstore, loving called the Bob Box, where you can donate to help Bob's grandchildren who fight the battle daily of Cystic Fibrosis. Because of the money they help raise, their grands have received ground breaking medications that drastically improve their quality of life. At the end of the conference, Christian Devotions MATCHES what you give. Last year we gave $1500 for Bob and Robin's race to fight Cystic Fibrosis. Then that was doubled by his son's work. What a gift. So come prepared to donate even a dollar. God instructs us to care for those in need and I believe that is those who fight battles daily just like this.

MP3's and Pre-Conference Deposit can be purchased and made in the bookstore with Wendy Leech. Also, we have faculty books for sale and our faculty is great to discount the books. Please mill around through the bookstore and purchase some awesome books.

Don't worry about signing up for classes or appointments. We will give you all that information Friday night at general assembly.

If I have made special payment arrangements with you, please be sure to settle up at the bookstore. Just give your check or charge pmt to Bennie or Kevin and tell them you are setting up with me. I trust you will each one make good on your commitment.

I think that is all. Come ready to work. We're gonna fill you up and send you out. I know you will enjoy our time together.

A Prayer for You

Oh Lord, hear our prayers. I offer up our praise for this opportunity to serve You. I pray, Oh God, that You will inspire our faculty, speak through them, guide their paths and their words. Give them the necessary tools to serve You most effectively. Father, I pray for each conferee. We have asked for You to send those You would have attend and You have answered that prayer. I ask for your hand to be over them. For their hearts to be softened to direction and for their passion to rise. I pray, Lord, that they will be the hands and feet of You to the world through the words they pen. Give them good words. Do not let frustration bear down on them and if it does, strengthen them in Your name, that they would wear Your mighty armor. Use them Lord. Use us. May we work in harmony to bring glory and majesty to Your Name. Bring them safely to Ridgecrest and then return them equally as safe, filled to overflowing with the power of Your name and Your calling.

You are mighty Oh God. We bow before You as the Master, Savior, Father, Provider, and Abba to us all. It is through You all things are possible and nothing, dear Lord, nothing...is impossible. May we mount as wings on eagles. May we walk not grow weary. May we be faithful to wait upon You oh God.

We offer this conference fully to You. May it be a glory and an honor to You and only You, for You are worthy of all praise, glory, and honor.

In the name of Christ Jesus.
Amen and Amen

Blessings to you all.
Cindy Sproles
Director, Asheville Christian Writers Conference

CURRENT UPDATES - ARRIVAL

2/14/2020 9:22:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

CURRENT UPDATES - ARRIVAL

Prepare for Arrival at Ridgecrest

We are lodging in Mountain Laurel West. Check in will be on the conference level of this building. DO NOT GO TO PRITCHARD. Come straight to Mountain Laurel West at the top of the hill. There is parking on both ends of the hotel and in front.

The 2020 Roster will be available in early February. We will send you a link to this page when it is available. Unless we have made an error on your email address, there will be no changes made once this is published.

CHECK IN:

*Early bird classes will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will be held in the Jim Henry Auditorium on the conference level of Mountain Laurel.

*Leave your suitcase in the car. Check is 4:00 p.m. Just bring yourself, a pen and paper, and come to the early bird classes.

*Check in will be at the door of Jim Henry. We will have a table set up with three or four ladies who will give you your room key & number, have you sign a liability release, give you your conference book, and provide you with your meal ticket. Please do not ask to check in early. Short of a couple of necessary arrangements, rooms will not be ready until 4 p.m. If Ridgecrest is done turning the rooms from the conference in front of us, they will give us the okay to hand out your room keys earlier. Otherwise, check in is 4 p.m.

*Dress is casual – Jeans and sweaters are fine. Dress modestly and warm. You never know how the weather will be, but I have yet to sit in a conference room that wasn’t like ice. Do keep in mind you are at a Christian facility and though you are not required to be dressy dressy, we do ask that you are presentable. Keep the holey jeans at home. Don’t be slouchy. Shoes are required.

*Let’s be neat – In this world of “easy”, it’s very EASY to leave your trash behind. I encourage you to be kind. We are at Ridgecrest under the name of Christian Devotions. Take time to clean up after yourself. Ridgecrest is wonderful. You’ll enjoy your stay there. Vending machines are located on each floor. If you want something additional to drink, bring some coins for the machines. Put your trash in the trash can.

*Print before you arrive – Please print anything you will need prior to arriving at Ridgecrest. We do NOT have printing services. If you think you may need something printed – print it at home and bring it with you. In fact, bring two of everything. Be professional and prepared. Print your roster, any writing work you will be using for appointments.

*FOR EARLY BIRD CLASSES – Go to downstairs in Mountain Laurel to the Jim Henry auditorium.

*Welcome to the Asheville Christian Writers Conference! You’ll be greeted by the lovely and loving, Dee Dee Parker and Beth Fortune, Andrea Merrell, Kevin Spencer, Bennie and Eddie Jones, Wendy Leech, and Cindy Sproles.
AND A HUGE SIGN THAT SAYS THE ASHEVILLE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE! You sorta can’t miss us.

*Dee Dee and Beth, along with Andrea, will greet you on the lower level of Mt. Laurel. If you walk down the steps you will look to your right and see them. If you come off the elevators you should be facing them. If not, well, work your way through the auditorium and YOU’LL SEE THEM.

These ladies will check you into the conference and into the HOTEL. If you arrive early, they will give you your badge and meal ticket, along with your conference manual. HOWEVER, room keys are NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL AFTER 4 p.m. So please don’t ask for your room key before that time. If it is available when you pick up your conference material the girls will give it to you. If they don’t offer, please don’t ask. They won’t have them. You will have to return at 4 and get your key. Ridgecrest is flipping the rooms from a conference that just checked out. Be patient. Leave your bags in the car. There will be plenty of time to get your room. THE EXCEPTION is faculty. We are working with Ridgecrest to get your rooms made available first. Again, the girls will let you know if your room is ready.

Our staff is very warm and friendly. They are there to welcome you in, talk with you, pray with you, and make your stay at the conference glitch free. Martin Wiles will provide our recording services this weekend, while Wendy Leech will be helping you make a deposit for 2021, and help you purchase MP3s. Bennie Jones and Kevin Spencer will head up the bookstore. They’ll help you with those purchases. Eddie Jones and I will be there to welcome you into the ministry of Christian Devotions and our faculty will be wandering around. They will be spread out through our tables at mealtimes, so join them and enjoy a meal. They are eager to meet you and chat. Johnny Brush will lead our worship and well…there’s nothing more to say about that other than your heart will be warmed.

*Early Bird classes begin at 1:00 – But our teachers understand folks are arriving at various times. So quietly go in and become a part of the class. CLICK HERE FOR OUR SCHEDULE – and note: your schedule is also printed in the ACWC Manual.

*Please be sure to sign a liability release form. We will have these at check-in when you arrive for early bird classes. Below is the release so you can read it in advance. We must have this signed per our event insurance policy. If you do not agree, you cannot attend the conference. It’s an insurance thing!

Liability Release Form (SAMPLE)

Liability Release Form

To: Christian Devotion Ministries

From: [Participant’s Name] _____________________________   Date: February 21, 2020

Dates of Event(s): February 21-23, 2020

Event Name: Asheville Christian Writers Conference

In exchange for receiving permission to participate in the event organized by Christian Devotion Ministries, I, for myself and my family, heirs, executors, and representatives, agree to the following:

*I assume the risk of any harm or injury that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s). *I accept full responsibility for myself, my actions, and my possessions while participating in the Event(s).

*I release Christian Devotion Ministries, Ridgecrest Conference Center, their members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers from any and all liability, costs, damages, or other claims that may occur as a result of, or in connection with, my participation in the Event(s). *I give my consent for Christian Devotion Ministries, its members, officers, employees, agents, staff, faculty, and volunteers to assist me in the event of an emergency, including seeking emergency medical treatment on my behalf and I agree to accept financial responsibility for the costs related to any medical treatment.

*I agree to conduct myself and behave in Christian manner, treating all individuals with respect, consideration, and charity, at all times during my participation in the Event(s). I agree to refrain from any behavior that is threatening, violent, aggressive, or sexually or morally improper.

*I agree to report to Christian Devotion Ministries any behavior by others that I witness that does not meet this standard.

*I understand that if I engage in inappropriate behavior or fail to report inappropriate behavior that I witness, I may be asked to end my participation in the Event, and if asked, I agree to abide by the decision.

By signing below, I represent that I understand and agree to the foregoing statements:

Participant’s Signature                                                    Date

*After things wind down in the evening, many of our conferees meet in the lobby of the hotel and chat. In fact, we encourage you to spend time with one another. We also ask that small groups meet in the lobby of the hotel rather than in one person’s room. This is a safety issue as well as a noise issue. We love for you to enjoy your writing peers. We simply ask you keep the noise down for those who choose to rest. Off campus folks are welcome to stay around and visit before you head back to your hotel.

*APPOINTMENT SIGN UP – Please, please, do not forget you are human and turn into a trampling stampede. There will be plenty of space for you to make an appointment with the faculty member you wish to speak with. If you miss one, share a meal table and chat there. Terri Kelly will explain the process to you after Friday Supper. WHICH TELLS YOU – Signups are after our main session Friday night.

QUESTION CENTER – If you have questions ask Dee Dee and Beth. OR you’ll find Wendy Leech, right outside Jim Henry Auditorium or down the hall in the Bookstore. Our rooms will be marked with signs so you know exactly where to go. All three will have a radio to contact me if they cannot answer your questions. Please do not bog down our bookstore staff with questions. They have their hands full just consigning books and setting up the bookstore so you can glean and shop Friday night, Saturday, and early Sunday morning. Actually, if you’re patient, we’ll answer all your questions on Friday night. I promise.

WHERE ARE CLASSES HELD? – All classes are on the lower level (conference level of Mountain Laurel. We will give you directions on Friday night after supper. Don’t panic. You CAN’T GET LOST IN ONE HALLWAY.

REPEAT – PRINT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE – We do not have the ability for you to print documents at the Cove. We are not paying for that service. Please print all you need to print PRIOR to your arrival at the Cove. WE CANNOT PRINT DOCUMENTS FOR YOU.

PROPER ETIQUETTE FOR APPOINTMENTS – We practice the hummingbird hover. 15 minutes passes quickly, and we want everyone to get their time fairly. If you arrive to your appointment and it is TIME for your appointment, just nicely walk up behind the person seated with the faculty member so you can make eye contact with the faculty member. This gives them the cue it’s time for your appointment. All the faculty tries their best to stay on time with their phones, but occasionally we get one on of those people who refuses to stop talking. Your hummingbird hover allows the faculty member an “out”. And if you’re the one in the seat, be polite and end your appointment time. Chat with the faculty member during a meal or in line at the dining hall, or in the lobby.

GIVE US GRACE – We have no control on the speed of the internet at Ridgecrest. Rest assured we have tested our computers and our charge card machines. But we cannot control the bandwidth. Sometimes it grinds down to a snail’s pace. Give us grace. We’re doing the best we can. If you want to jot your card number, expiration, code on the back and zip code down on a sheet of paper and give it to the staff along with your purchase, they will return that paper to you in your bag with your purchase. Otherwise, know we are working hard to move as quickly as possible.

WORSHIP IS NOT RECORDED – We cannot record Johnny’s worship songs. This is not us, it’s a copyright issue. We are small and can’t afford to pay the copyright costs to record music. If you love Johnny’s music, leave him a small gift of your appreciation with the Bookstore. Tell them it’s for Johnny and they’ll place it in an envelope just for him. Our sweet LaTan was unable to attend this year due to health issues with herself and caring for her aging momma. Johnny stepped up to help us on a whim. We are grateful. If you’d like to show a little added love, then leave him a little something with the bookstore and we’ll get that to him.

All you really have to do – is enjoy! Choose the trac you want to follow and stick to it. Purchase the mp3s and get ALL THE CLASSES. Your manual will have every handout. Between the two, you have all you need once you get home to continue your learning.

Assignment 8 & 9 - Titles & Sentences - Nancy Lohr

2/13/2020 7:29:00 PM BY Cindy Sproles

By Nancy Lohr

Assignment 8 – Titles

The title of your book (or shorter work) is likely your reader’s introduction to your content, so you need to think about what those few words say. It is not unusual for a writer to try to describe the book in the title or to write a very short synopsis. Some readers will find that enough to open the cover and see whether the first few paragraphs are engaging. But some readers will have learned enough from the synopsis to move on to another book, another author. For those readers you need a hook, an enticing hint of what is to come.

In broad strokes, a title that describes is better suited to nonfiction, and a title that intrigues is better suited to fiction. All titles, however, should invite the reader in.

Assignment:

Analyze a book from your book shelves at home, your local library, or an online booksellers site. Is the title a description or a hook? Do you know what the book will be about or is the content veiled, but interesting? Does the title make the book sound interesting? If so, why? If not, why not?
Some titles are words taken directly from the text of the book. Look for the title to show up in what you are reading, and when it does stop and consider what those words say in the context of the sentence and then what they say about the whole book.
Take your work in progress and intentionally write a title that describes and another title that intrigues. Which title seems most appealing to the target reader?

Assignment 9 – The Mighty Sentence
Sentences should combine craft, comprehension, and appreciation. Work to write sentences that will draw readers in and make them want more.

Assignment: When you are tempted to say of something you are reading, “Hey, listen to this,” take the time to record that sentence where you can return to it for pleasure or for analysis. This can be in a handwritten journal or notebook, but it can be a computer file too.

Examples

—It was in the books while it was still in the sky. (from John Updike essay about a Ted Williams’ home run)

—The goodness of the mother is written in the gaiety of the child. (Victor Hugo, Les Misérables)

— “Victorious and dead,” some muttered, “is a poor sort of victory.” (M. L. Steadman, The Light Between Oceans)

—Craftsmanship isn't like water in an earthen pot, to be taken out by the dipperful until it's empty. No, the more drawn out the more remains. (Lloyd Alexander, Taran Wanderer)

What in those sentences draws you in? Why? If you are not drawn in, why not?
Find a strong sentence in what you are currently reading and ask the same questions.
Find a strong sentence in your work in progress and ask the same questions.

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