Tuesday Tidbit: Writers can mentor those they never meet

Sometimes you wonder whether writing your memoir will be worth all the hard work. Will anybody read it? Will it make a difference in anyone’s life?

But take heart. Your stories can impact others in ways you might never imagine.

Take, for example, what David Ramos recently said:

“Over the years I have had the opportunity to read hundreds of books by dozens of brilliant, God-loving, life-seasoned authors. Of these, a few have left impressions deeper than most.

“I wholeheartedly believe you can be ‘mentored’ by men and women you have never met. If you take the time to read their words and think deeply about why they wrote them, you cannot help but be shaped by them.

“These men have met me at the mountaintops and valley-lows in my life. They took my mind’s hand and led me to new places. Both places I didn’t know existed and ones I deeply feared….”

Hand in hand with God, 

write your stories.

Others need to know them. 

God can use your efforts 

and finished memoir 

to bless, encourage, mentor, 

and inspire your readers—

sometimes beyond your wildest imagination.

Tuesday Tidbit: When was the last time you attended a writers’ conference?

Some people say writers should attend a conference at least once a year. 

Are you overdue?

Writers’ conferences offer a wealth of information and inspiration, things such as:

• Networking with other writers, people who share your goals and dreams. You might even make a new friend or meet someone who will become a valuable critique partner.
• Learning from professionals—writers, editors, publishers, marketers, and agents. Whether you’re a beginning writer or an accomplished author, professionals’ expertise will educate and help you move toward publishing a high-quality memoir.
• Making appointments with pros. Most conferences offer participants opportunities to get critiques and to meet with editors and agents.
• Schmoozing with pros. Around lunch tables and at social times, you can rub elbows with those professionals—and that can lead to some delightful results.
• Inspiration to improve your skills and work hard on your manuscript. At writers’ conferences you’ll find a lot of enthusiastic people, and their passion will rub off on you. 

Be selective about which conferences you attend. Scrutinize brochures for offerings and faculty and choose a conference that best suits your purposes and needs.

I encourage you to look into Colorado Christian Writers Conference coming up May 17-20, 2017. Many consider it one of the best in America.