CANDY ABBOTT, Director of DCWF
Author: Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of Burnt Swamp is book one of Candy's mystery/adventure/ fantasy series, the Burnt Swamp Trilogy. Readers from 8 to 80 will discover the Holy Spirit between the pages. This is also true for her non-fiction book, Fruitbearer: What Can I Do For You, Lord? Both are available for purchase from her website or from any bookstore. Click on Writing Snippets above to read Candy's short story, "Ivy's Cookies."
Publisher: Fruitbearer Publishing, L.L.C.
"A Friendly Starting Place for Budding Authors," Fruitbearer Publishing, L.L.C., owned by Candy and Drew Abbott, has been helping Christian writers publish independently since 1998.
Speaker: Candy's speaking ministry is the third part of her calling; click here if you are an event planner seeking a speaker: WomenSpeakers.com. http://classervices.com/candyabbott.htm
This is the link to find out more about Candy’s speaking ministry through CLASS Services.
LORI DINGMAN
Lori, pictured here with her husband Jeff, has been writing poetry, prose, and narratives for more than 25 years. Her most recent project is a children's book, What's All the Buzz at Johnson Farm? for 5-10 year olds. Visit Lori's blog, "Faithful to Jesus," to read samples of what the Lord has led her to write (also click "Writing Snippits" above).
BETSEY FARLOW
I'd love to hear your thoughts about The Delmarva Peninsula -- its past, its present, its climate, its folklore, its wildlife (human and otherwise), its problems, its charms. Visit Betsey's blog, "Delmarva Diary."
JUDI FOLMSBEE
Judi lives in Ellendale, DE with her husband Rick. She is an elementary special education teacher and has taught Sunday school over the years. She has self-published three children’s books and was one of the contributors for Candy Abbott’s Interactive Journal, a student workbook for Gavin Goodfellow: The Lure of the Burnt Swamp. Judi also writes inspirational articles that have been published in church bulletins and newspapers. She can be reached via email. Click on "Writing Snippets" above for a sample of her writing.
BETTY LEWIS KASPERSKI
Betty hails from northern New Jersey and moved to Georgetown, DE in 2004. Trained in college as a high school history teacher she enjoyed that profession for a number of years. The excitement of the real estate field captured her interest, and she managed apartment complexes, owned her own real estate franchise office and managed a large office for a national concern. She maintains a broker’s license in NJ and Delaware. She continues to list and sell residential and commercial real estate. Her essays often reflect her personal experiences or her observations of others. Active in the church her whole life, her powerful faith comes through in her writing. Her God-given writing talent has become her pulpit to others. (Click "Writing Snippets" above for a sample of her work.)
EVA MADDOX
A writer of grace. I have enjoyed writing skits, plays, programs, stories and poems for a variety of school and church functions for many years. In 1979, I became a single mom of four precious children and finding time to pen the words in my heart that begged to be written was difficult. After retiring and moving to southern Delaware in 2000, I was able to pursue the craft of writing with excitement and commitment. It is my hope that whatever I write will bring honor and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. Visit Eva's blog, "Inspiring words that encourage, edify, and entertain." (Click "Writing Snippets" above to read her award-winning poem from the 2008 Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference.).
STEVE ROBISON
Steve is a twenty year resident of southern Delaware. An avid photographer and inspired poet, he is moved to share his view of the world through his art. He is nearing completion of a book of poems and writings on salvation, spiritual living, and growth. His website, www.livingthepoem.com contains many of his poems and other writings.
KAREN H. WHITING
As an author, speaker, and media personality, Karen H. Whiting encourages families to connect, serve, and treasure one another. Her experience as a mom of five, contributing writer for Focus on the Family's parenting magazines (Focus on Your Child), and speaking on relations in the home and time management provide upbeat advice to help today's families grow closer and stronger.
Karen's blog helps families and to help with time management. Visit her main website at www.karenhwhiting.com.
Other Helpful Links
WE BOOK COMMUNITY - 911 Writers Block
This is the coolest site for novelists! If you're having difficulty with writers block, check this out!
FORMER MEMBERS OF DCWF ESTABLISH NEW GROUP!
Vine and Vessels Christian Writers Fellowship
Joyce Sessoms and Betty Ricks-Jarmon co-founded Vine and Vessels Christian Writers Fellowship, “Where Pen Connects to Purpose” . . .
To provide a nurturing, supportive environment which lends itself to personal growth and written-expression; where members are esteemed, empowered and encouraged to polish and perfect their craft for the up-building of the Kingdom of God.
Mission: Raising cultural awareness and appreciation of the arts through advocacy, education, mentoring, and community partnerships; while enhancing the rich, proud traditions of African American culture.
Vision: To serve as a public forum to promote various venues of sharing all of the "good news" using print, electronic, and digital media.
"And God is able to cause all grace to abound toward you, that ye having all sufficiency, may abound unto every work.” II Corinthians 9:8
Meetings: The fourth Saturday of each month at the Seaford Public Library, 402 North Porter Street, Seaford, DE 19973 from 9:30 am – 11:00 am.
RANTS & RAMBLINGS
On Life as a Literary Agent . . .
This active, insightful blog by Rachelle Gardner, literary agent, is a goldmine for writers. Scroll down the topical list on the right for one of the best discussions I have seen on the subject of self-publishing.
MaryAnn Diorio, Ph.D. offers a free writer's e-zine
that is filled with great information and resources to help you become the writer God created you to be. She says, "We are living in what Scripture calls "perilous times" (2 Timothy 3:1). As the days grow darker, making it increasingly difficult to proclaim the Good News, we must work while it is yet day (John 9:4)."
AMERICAN CHRISTIAN WRITERS
Susan Titus Osborn helps to locate, educate, and motivate writers and speakers through American Christian Writers. Visit her site for a huge selection of books and seminar tapes, conferences in 24 cities, correspondence classes, writers’ chapters, manuscript critiquing service, and periodicals such as The Christian Communicator and Advanced Christian Writers.
DELAWARE CHRISTIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE
“At the first Delaware conference in 2006, I felt as comfortable as a kid in a big family. The humor throughout the three days set us free and kept us from stewing in our insecurities. The key note lit that “I can do it” spark. The seminars contained no fluff—except for that much-needed laughter—just practical helps for this exciting adventure in writing. From Al Gansky’s dynamic opening address, through all the sessions, to the last good-bye, the conference was powerful and transformational.” —Connie Lewes, Maryland
I LOVE TO WRITE DAY
November 15 (annual event)
The world’s biggest party for writers
The official site of “I Love to Write Day” (November 15). Sign up! It’s FREE and a great opportunity for writers to generate the public’s enthusiasm for the written word. Check out suggested activities and come up with creative ideas of your own. I Love To Write Day is a grassroots effort to have people of all ages practice their writing skills. Created by Delaware author John Riddle, I Love To Write Day is an opportunity for people of all ages to write something: a poem, an essay, a letter to the editor, a short story, start a novel, finish a novel…the possibilities are endless! On the first I Love To Write Day, 11,328 schools all across the country held special writing events and activities. Last year, we signed up 15,123 schools. This year our goal is to have an I Love To Write Day program in over 20,000 schools. Please help us spread the word: tell schools, libraries and bookstores in your community about I Love To Write Day.
GRAMMAR HELP
Free e-mail newsletter that helps you improve your writing and grammar skills!
JIM WATKINS
Jim Watkins, who bills himself as “author, speaker, and threat to society,” presents over 300 articles, columns, mp3 songs, reviews, “top ten” lists, and more. Check it out. But beware, he doesn’t hold anything back.
MARLENE BAGNULL
PHILADELPHIA/COLORADO CONFERENCES and more
Don’t miss the dynamic connections afforded by this site. Marlene Bagnull, director of the Colorado and Philadelphia Christian Writers Conferences, includes a wealth of information for Christian writer’s conferences, seminars, critiques, and more.
RANDY INGERMANSON
This marketing dynamo is known as “the Snowflake Guy” for his novel-writing method, Randy was both class nerd and class clown. He’s now an award winning novelist, a physicist, and a fiction teacher. From fiction 101 to advanced fiction writing, Randy’s insight is something you won’t want to miss. Sign up for his free newsletter.
ANGIE HUNT’S BLOG, “A LIFE IN PAGES”
In no particular order, Angela Hunt is a novelist, teacher, mother, wife, mastiff owner, reader, musician, student, aspiring theologian, and bubble gum connoisseur. The things that enter her life sooner or later find their way into her books, hence “A Life in Pages.”
SALLY STUART’S CHRISTIAN WRITERS’ MARKET GUIDE
At last! A sampling of the wealth of information contained in Sally’s Christian writers’ market guide is available on-line! Conference listings, book and magazine publishers, a bookstore for writers, contract and manuscript evaluation services, and don’t miss her links! Of course, you’ll probably want to order your own copy of the most recent edition of her market guide for your own personal use.
Her new blog is www.stuartmarket.blogspot.com. The marketplace changes constantly, so having access to Sally's updates via the blog is a boon to serious writers!
“WRITE RIGHT” WITH TERRY WHALIN
For over twenty years, Terry Whalin has published his work for more than 50 print magazines and published more than 60 books from traditional publishers. This site is Terry’s way to help people who want to “write right.” If you keep sending out manuscripts without a basic knowledge, then you will likely be doomed to failure. Through this site, Terry offers proven tools and methods to help you succeed. Every single link and page will focus on helping launch your career.
For people who want to learn about marketing their royalty-published books, this site is produced by CAN (Christian Author’s Network)
For those who want to read opening chapters of new book releases
Speakers
(Christian Leaders, Authors & Speaker Services)
Writing and speaking go hand-in-hand. If you need training, consider registering for a 3-day CLASS intensive training. They find raw talent, train it, develop it, educate it and nurture it, and when it is ready, launch it through their speakers’ service and publishing assistance. Churches and other Christian groups from all over the country call CLASS looking for speakers for their various events. Publishers are looking to CLASS for their future authors.
CHRISTIAN WOMEN SPEAKERS
If you are a woman speaker, an event coordinator seeking speakers, or a speaker seeking training, visit Women Speakers.
TOASTMASTERS, INTERNATIONAL
If you’re looking for an organization to help you become more comfortable in the arena of public speaking, this is an economical option. There may just be a chapter near you!
Inspirational "YouTube" Links
BLACK LIGHT DRAMATIC PRESENTATION
"WHO AM I" by Casting Crowns - UPC Conference Church 2006 De Bron; performed by the Oslo UPC Youth Group.
The story goes something like this: In 1969, two friends, John Rendall and Ace Berg, purchased a lion. At the time, Christian the lion was a 35-pound cub. He had been born in a zoo. The friends raised Christian in their London home while going to school and working. All three hung out in a friend's furniture shop on the weekends. Within a year, Christian had grown to 185 lbs. Rendall and Berg realized they couldn't keep him much longer. But they didn't know what to do with him. A chance encounter changed that. Two actors from the film Born Free walked into the furniture store. The actors recommended a conservationist, George Adamson, living in Kenya. Christian was soon in Africa. There he was rehabilitated and released into the wild. In 1974, Rendall and Berg decided to visit Christian one last time. He was now a wild animal. Adamson told them it was doubtful that Christian could be found. No one had seen him in nine months.The two flew to Kenya, anyway. On the day they landed, Christian appeared outside Adamson's camp. Somehow, he knew. He waited outside the camp until Rendall and Berg arrived. This video was taken during their reunion with Christian. And his family decided to shared it with the world through youtube.
Just for Fun
Spell Chequer
Eye halve a spelling chequer,
It came with my pea sea,
It plainly marques four my revue
Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.
Eye strike a key and type a word
And weight four it two say
Weather eye am wrong oar write
It shows me strait a weigh.
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee fore two long
And eye can put the error rite
Its rarely ever wrong.
Eye have run this poem threw it
I'm shore your pleased two no
Its letter perfect in it's weigh,
My chequer tolled me sew.