Making the most of every opportunity

Mount Hermon Conference Centre

 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” Ephesians 5:15-16

Paul gives this directive in a different context to the one I’m going to use it in, but the point is valid—it’s wise to make the most of every opportunity.

I recently attended the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference and initially I was going to go straight to the conference and come straight home. However, my family persuaded me that if I was going that far I should make the most of the opportunity and spend a few days being a tourist. So I flew to San Francisco before heading to Mount Hermon. This meant I had the opportunity of attending Menlo Park Presbyterian Church on the Sunday, which is where John Ortberg (multi-published author) is the senior pastor. I also visited Stanford University.

At the conference, I endeavoured to make the most of the opportunity by meeting agents and editors, with the goal of leaving them with a good impression of myself—that I was teachable, flexible and diligent. This opened up opportunities for me to send them my work.

Mount Hermon Conference Centre

Being a member of Omega Writers also provides lots of opportunities. One of them, which is currently greatly underutilised, is the opportunity members have of putting their photo, bio and links to social media on Omega’s website. The more sites that have links to your website, blog or facebook page, the more Google will point people to your sites.

Then there is the opportunity of attending the Omega Writers Conference. It’s on 27-29th October at Edmund Rice Conference Centre in Sydney with two international speakers, Margie Lawson and Alex Marestaing, as well as a host of home grown talent. There will also be publisher and editor stalls with appointments available.

Registrations open on 15th June at omegawriters.org. Cost will be between $300 and $395 dependant on accommodation choices etc. An airport shuttle is available.

If you believe that God wants you to write, make the most of every opportunity.

*****

Susan Barnes likes to write devotional thoughts on Bible passages, book reviews and inspirational articles. She loves to challenge people's thinking and regularly blogs at abooklook.blogspot.com.au. She is also a school chaplain and pastor's wife.

10 Great Reasons to Come to the Christian Writers Conference

From Guest Contributor Susan Barnes

Today I'd like to welcome Susan Barnes to Australasian Christian Writers. Susan is one of the team working hard to prepare for the 2015 Australian Christian Writers' Conference, to be held on the outskirts of Melbourne from October 23rd to 25th. I'm looking forward to it!

10 Great Reasons to Come to the Christian Writers Conference

1. Keynote Speaker: 

Hear from Simon Kennedy, new President of Omega Writers Inc. and be encouraged by what's happening in Australasian Christian writing

2. Develop your Craft: 

Learn skills for writing fiction, non-fiction, film scripts, articles, for every age group

3. Workshops: 

Build a conference that's right for you, take a break if you need to, choose sessions based on your needs from Writing Skills, Marketing, Publishing, Creative, Inspirational, Spiritual, even Ergonomics

4. Networking: 

Make new friends, build significant connections, find a writing partner or form a writing group in your area

5. Editorial/Publisher/Consultant Appointments: 

Your opportunity to have one on one time with a specialist and discover the next step for your manuscript

6. Promotion: 

Book Spots available for recently published authors and the opportunity for your book to be on our bookstall

7. Chat with Professionals: 

During meals and afternoon/morning teas get to know published authors, editors and publishers

8. Timing Options: 

Your choice of coming for a day or for the whole weekend

9. Disconnect from busyness: 

Situated amongst the stunning hills and gorges of Myrniong, Lake Dewar Lodge, Bacchus Marsh is the ideal location for a getaway

10. Reconnect with your writing: 

Be inspired, refreshed and rejuvenated


Thanks ACW for the opportunity to write about the Christian Writers Conference. Hope to see you there.

Looking forward to it! If you'd like to find out more or book your spot, visit http://www.christianwritersconference.org.au/

About Susan Barnes

Susan Barnes is one of the conference coordinators. She likes to write inspirational articles, book reviews, and reflections on Bible passages and regularly blogs at abooklook.blogspot.com.au.

You can also find her at www.susanbarneswriter.com. Her website containing inspirational articles, book reviews and devotional thoughts on Bible passages.

Christian Writers Conference

by Susan Barnes

*Quote from Shauna's blog is used with permission

I have read many blog posts and articles about the value of writers' conferences. In general the reasons for attending are: networking and up-skilling. Conferences are great places to meet other writers, swap ideas and encourage one another in what can be a lonely occupation. There is also the opportunity to attend workshops, learn new skills and become a more effective writer. If it is a Christian conference then there is the added bonus of receiving spiritual input and prayer. 

I have attended two writers' conferences in the last couple of years and found them so valuable that I was keen for there to be one this year. Consequently I have found myself on the organizing committee for the Christian Writers Conference being held in Bacchus Marsh (near Melbourne, Victoria) from 24-26 October. The committee is excited about the variety and quality of the expressions of interest we have received so far from presenters interested in running workshops. There will be workshops covering fiction, non-fiction, editing, publishing, reaching secular audiences, motivation, spiritual hindrances, to name just a few. So mark the date in your calendar and anticipate a valuable time. 

Expressions of interest forms are still available for those who would like to be considered as a presenter but you need to be quick as the closing date for submissions is 12th March 2014. Please email: conference4christianwriters (at) gmail (dot) com 

 A draft timetable and other details about the venue etc. are on our website: http://www.christianwritersconference.dx.am 
Bookmark the site as more details will be added in the following weeks. 

Thanks ACW for the opportunity to write about the Christian Writers Conference. Hope to see you there.

Susan Barnes likes to write inspirational articles, book reviews, and reflections on Bible passages and regularly blogs at abooklook.blogspot.com.au. She is also a librarian.