January Newsletter

January Newsletter
Thursday, January 4, 2024 by Cindy Sproles

January Newsletter and Updates

Time has slipped up on us. We are just 8 weeks away from take off. It's hard to believe the time has zipped past us. So, things kick into high gear now. We'll begin sending weekly newsletters. I know, you get enough email, but this is what makes us a little different than other conferences. Because we are basically a weekend conference, time does not permit us to offer as much training as we'd like. So, we begin seven weeks prior to the conference, sending you a weekly note, and on that note, you'll have a link to additional training. These are just short blog posts on our ACWC site that offer you some additional learning. The things we send are not things you have to return to us, but they are tidbits you can learn from and hopefully apply immediately to your work in progress. This week, I'm introducing you to your bio. So check out the link and learn a little bit more about the importance of a bio and how and what is needed in one.

Our ON-CAMPUS housing is sold out.
Though we still have around 20 slots for off-campus housing, we have begun a waiting list for folks who are off-campus but would like an on-campus room. If you would like to be on that list, let me know by emailing me at [email protected]. I will add your name to the list and if something on-campus opens, I will let you know. Here's the thing...if I email you with an opening, I can't wait for a week for you to make up your mind. I need to know when I send you the note. You will be responsible for the difference between an on-campus single (which is approximately 268.00), and we will bill that to you upon your acceptance of the room. We never know what or if anything will open, so be ready to respond if I send you a note.

CLASSES AND SCHEDULE
Currently, our schedule is still the same. If this changes, we will let you know. I have contacted the Cove to verify our schedule and am waiting for a response.

MENTORING AND CRITIQUES (click for page)
Our mentoring and critique slots are filling quickly and time is ticking down for this opportunity to close. Mentoring is a 1-hour individual slot where, for a small price, you can get 1 full hour of private mentoring. This is so important if you are working on a manuscript and need a little direction. I can't tell you how much this time means if you are working seriously on a manuscript. Private help, even for an hour, can make all the difference in your work. So I encourage you to consider mentoring. I also encourage you to take advantage of a paid critique. Though much shorter, immediate input on your work can really make a difference. Contact Terri at [email protected] and she will connect you with your mentor or critiquer. For those regular 15-minute appointments, relax. We'll not sign up for those until Friday night at the conference. Terri will go over that Friday night.

CONTESTS (click for contest page)
Our Sparrow Award contest is closed. I'm thrilled to say that quite a few of you entered. That is WONDERFUL. It's not about winning or losing, it's about stepping out and trusting enough in your work to let it be looked at by professionals. Though our contest is a conference contest, it means a lot for you to learn the process of stepping out. Congratulations on all those who entered. I'm so proud.

If you love devotions, enter our Kingdom contest is still open. All those entries go on to be published on ChristianDevotions.us.

CONFERENCE UPDATE PAGE
This page is now live on the website. PLEASE NOTE: The information here will change. For instance, we do not have the name of the Inn we will be staying in. We are hoping for Shepherd's Inn directly beside the Training Center, but it depends on group sizes so we must wait to get our assignment. The conference page will be updated as soon as I have the information. Keep checking that page as well as the newsletter page.
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Finally, for your encouragement:

Roughing It

If you follow me on FaceBook, you know that I have chickens. Honestly, I could start their own FB page because folks have fallen in love with the "girls" and rough-neck rooster, Lucky. Lucky and I have our moments. He is, after all, a rooster, and if you know anything about roosters...well...their reputation is not great. The birds are "fowl" (pun attempt) at best. Lucky is no different.

Lucky and I have our moments. Sometimes, we do "hug therapy" just to have the opportunity to handle him and pet his beautiful red comb, but the thing is - Lucky doesn't like it. His job is to protect his three girls and his territory, and he does it well. Last night, we had one of those "moments." I went into the coop to put a new latch on the hutch door. I looked up just in time to see two feet coming at me. I raised my foot and caught Lucky in the chest, sending him sailing backward into the fencing. The twit got up and started at me again. I dropped my electric screwdriver, took on the pose of a WWW wrestler, and sent him tumbling again. He stood, shook his feathers, and pranced off into the chicken run. But I didn't stop there. I ran after him, daring him to come at me again.

From time to time, Lucky needs a little tough love. He needs to face the alpha. At times, writers need to face the alpha as well. To say we get sucked into a secluded world of our own is an understatement. Sometimes, living inside that world, we forget that the rules still apply, and they aren't always OUR rules. Inside our seclusive place, lots of things brew - fear, insecurity, impatience, and even selfishness. In our all-inclusive world, we forget that ours is not always the be-all-end-all. That's when we meet up with the Alpha - that one person who turns on their heels, takes the WWW wrestler stance, and shoves back. It can get pretty rough.

There are times when our writing needs the touch of the alpha. We may not like it, and it may even make us a little mad, but in order to move forward, we need that kick in the duff. Good ole' Lucky gets that boot from time to time, but once he's over his pouting, he's trailing behind me, chattering. He's waiting for the food he knows he needs. More so, despite my reprimand to him, he knows I am faithful to care for him and even give him hugs. Just because I correct him doesn't mean I don't love him.

It's the same for us. Our Father in heaven sees when our roughing it is growing to an unhealthy level, so He intervenes - not to be mean to us, but because He loves us.

Lately, I've had a few moments when continued questions become like Lucky sneaking up on me. Things in our home and lives have reached an "upheaval" level, and I've had to turn, show my muscles, and move a few feathers, but in this moving, there is nothing but love. God's hand of correction and direction seems hard at times, but it's nothing but pure love. It's what He must do to bring you to a point in your life where submission is the only NEXT step. Lay your worry to the side and trust you will be cared for.

When your feathers get ruffled, take a deep breath. Remember, every need you have is seen, and every cry is heard. God sees them all and acts appropriately - even if it means we get a little roughed up. Stay the course. Learn. Listen. Work. Your efforts will be rewarded.

Learn, study, and keep up the work. Your writing will succeed.
Cindy Sproles
Director