2022 Fall Conference
“Our Gentle Shepherd”
God, our gentle Shepherd, has a plan for each of us in His time; He asks only that we put our trust in Him and follow where He leads.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5–6 NIV)
Oregon Christian Writers Conference
Saturday, October 15, 2022 ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rolling Hills Community Church, 3550 SW Borland Rd, Tualatin, OR 97062
Online registration is closed.
Register at the door and bring your own lunch.
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Keynote Speaker:
Kate Breslin
Kate Breslin is a bookseller turned author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and travel articles. Her debut novel, For Such a Time, received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for First-Time Author, was shortlisted for the Christy and RITA awards, and won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award for a debut novel. Kate’s fifth novel, As Dawn Breaks, released November 2021. Kate will keynote and teach two workshops at the upcoming 2022 Oregon Christian Writers Fall Conference, October 15.
Keynote #1 “God’s Way or the Highway” – Kate Breslin
Award-winning author Kate Breslin shares her years of pursuing a book contract in the general romance market while God began nudging her along a different path. How resisting His will finally brought her to the crossroads; and her decision to write for the Lord, through inspirational fiction, suddenly “opened the door” to a new and miraculous path toward success.
Keynote #2 “Writing Dreams, Writing Reality – Kate Breslin
We all dream of becoming a best-selling published author, but what’s really involved in achieving and maintaining that writing success? Award-winning author Kate Breslin reveals how her 20-year effort, through prayer, performance, and perseverance finally paid off in winning that first book contract with her dream publisher, and five books later keeps her writing strong.
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Schedule
8:30–9:00 Registration, Continental Breakfast, Bookstore
Instrumental Prelude
9:00–9:05 Welcome and Introductions: Vice-President Tracie Heskett
9:05–9:15 Call to Worship: Kristen Johnson
9:15–9:30 Devotional: Marylin Furumasu
9:30–10:20 General Session I: Kate Breslin, “God’s Way or the Highway”
10:25–10:45 Morning Break: Refreshments and time to visit the bookstore
10:45–11:35 General Session II: Kate Breslin, “Writing Dreams, Writing Reality”
11:35–12:25 OCW Business Meeting: Recognition of first-time attendees and new and renewing members; introduction of workshop teachers
12:25–1:35 Lunch: Brown bag lunch. Beverages provided.
1:40–2:40 Workshops: Session 1 (Choose one) All workshops suitable for all levels of experience.
A. Kate Breslin—Creating Memorable Characters.
B. Marty Trammell— Shadows in the Foreground: The Art in Foreshadowing and Emotive Distance—for nonfiction and fiction writers
C. Jennifer Anne F. Messing—Seven Steps to Design and Publish Your Print/E-Book on Amazon
D. Kelly Wilbanks—Five Newsletter Ideas You Can Use Immediately
2:40–3:00 Break: Bookstore is open.
3:00–4:00 Workshops: Session 2 (Choose one) All workshops suitable for all levels of experience.
E. Kate Breslin—Writing Romance in Christian Fiction.
F. Jan Pierce—How I Learned to Write and Publish Fifty+ Articles a Year
G. Lindsay Franklin—Weaving Worlds: Crafting Story Universes
H. Karen Barnett and Danika Cooley—Social Media Conversation
4:00–4:30 Dessert, Autograph Party, and Photo Session—all authors available to sign their books
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Workshops 1
A. Creating Memorable Characters – Kate Breslin
Join award-winning author Kate Breslin for a hands-on workshop on how to develop complex, engaging characters in your work of fiction that will invest your readers in the journey and keep them turning the pages. Kate will share her toolbox of experience: building great story conflict, honing point of view, creating good dialog, and establishing strong motivation to breathe new life into your story cast. Recommended for beginner/intermediate level writers.
Kate Breslin is a bookseller turned author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and travel articles. Her debut novel, For Such a Time, received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for First-Time Author, was shortlisted for the Christy and RITA awards, and won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award for a debut novel. Kate’s fifth novel, As Dawn Breaks, released November 2021. Kate will keynote and teach two workshops at the upcoming 2022 Oregon Christian Writers Fall Conference, October 15.
B. Shadows in the Foreground: The Art in Foreshadowing and Emotive Distance (nonfiction and fiction) – Marty Trammell
In this workshop, Marty will help participants explore why and how writers can effectively use foreshadowing and emotive distance to strengthen their prose whether they write fiction or nonfiction.
Marty Trammell has taught at Corban University since 1982. His published works (many as coauthor) include Love Lock: Creating Lasting Connections with the One You Love (2019), Communication Matters (2015), Speaking Matters (2012), Spiritual Fitness: A Guide to Biblical Maturity (2010), and Redeeming Relationships (2007). He also has written articles, essays, and Bible study notes for Research on Christian Higher Education, McGraw-Hill, Tyndale, Zondervan, Guideposts, Chicken Soup, and others. He writes semi-monthly for Moody’s StartMarriageRight.com.
Dr. Trammell serves as the Family and Worship Pastor at Valley Baptist Church and the co-director of Redeeming Relationships Ministries. He is a member of the International Communication Association, Association for Curriculum and Development, and Council of Christian Colleges and Universities.
C. Seven Steps to Design and Publish Your Print/E-Book on Amazon – Jennifer Anne F. Messing
Does the thought of indie publishing your book overwhelm you? Award-winning author Jennifer Anne F. Messing will give a brief overview of traditional and indie publishing. She’ll offer a step-by-step process to prepare, format, design, and create your book for publication. She’ll explain how to upload and publish your print/e-book on Amazon, as well as offer tips for marketing your book.
Jennifer Anne F. Messing is a Cascade Writing Contest Award winner and five-time finalist, a traditionally and indie-published author of four books, a poet, speaker, graphic designer, and worship leader. A past president of the Oregon Christian Writers, she has had more than 250 short stories, articles, and poems published in 60 magazines and books. Originally from the Philippines, Jennifer Anne has been married to Michael Messing for 31 years. They are the parents of three grown children and reside in Oregon. Connect with her on Facebook, Twitter (@JennyAnnMessing), and on her website: www.JenniferAnneMessing.com.
D. Five Newsletter Ideas You Can Use Immediately – Kelly Wilbanks
Newsletters are one of the best tools in your writing toolkit. A robust and polished newsletter serves your audience and benefits you (and potentially your publishers) as one of the best ways to sell books, classes, e-courses, and digital products. In this class, you’ll learn about five different types of newsletters you can implement to keep your content fresh and your readers engaged.
Kelly Wilbanks lives in Yakima, Washington, with her husband and three vivacious daughters. She has a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications and Bible and Theology from Multnomah University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Washington State University in English with a professional writing certificate. Kelly is a “Rockstar” on Kathi Lipp’s leadership team and manages the newsletter branch of her business. Kelly’s business, “Newsletters that Nurture,” provides coaching, organizational tools, and done-for-you services. She loves authentic connection and watching it develop between authors and their audiences.
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Workshops 2
E. Writing Romance in Christian Fiction – Kate Breslin
Whether you write Christian contemporary, historical, speculative, or YA fiction, you can craft a romance-themed novel by learning and honing the basic skills. In this workshop, award-winning author Kate Breslin shares “how-to” tips for creating sweet, faith-filled romance between a hero and heroine, using basic writing craft elements—conflict, viewpoint, dialog, and motivation—to reveal the ways in which God brings two hearts together as one. Recommended: all level writers.
Kate Breslin is a bookseller turned author of award-winning fiction, poetry, and travel articles. Her debut novel, For Such a Time, received Christian Retailing’s 2015 Best Award for First-Time Author, was shortlisted for the Christy and RITA awards, and won American Christian Fiction Writers 2015 Carol Award for a debut novel. Kate’s fifth novel, As Dawn Breaks, released November 2021. Kate will keynote and teach two workshops at the upcoming 2022 Oregon Christian Writers Fall Conference, October 15.
F. How I Learned to Write and Publish Fifty+ Articles a Year – Jan Pierce
In this workshop Jan will share her writing journey, from her first shaky steps to her successes in writing online content and articles for regional parenting magazines. She will review three OCW workshops that informed and encouraged her to write and submit the “short stuff,” and the underlying principles that make writing worth all those hours in front of a computer screen.
Jan Pierce, M.Ed. is a retired teacher and the author of Homegrown Readers, Homegrown Family Fun, and newly released The Exploits of Edna and Gertie. Jan loves the Pacific Northwest, hiking, gardening, playing tennis, and walking on the beach. She is very partial to her husband of 55 years, her two children, and four grandsons.
G. Weaving Worlds: Crafting Story Universes – Lindsay Franklin
Fantasy novelist Lindsay Franklin unravels the secrets of crafting spectacular story worlds. We’ll examine the nuts and bolts of world-building and explore how to create unique, three-dimensional universes from the ground up—and, more importantly, why it matters. We can’t promise we won’t fall down the rabbit hole or stay on this side of the wardrobe.
Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler, a semi-retired freelance editor, and a former homeschooling mom of three nearly grown children. She would wear pajama pants all the time if it were socially acceptable. Lindsay is a recent transplant to the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her scruffy-looking nerf-herder husband, their precious geeklings, and three demanding thunder pillows (a.k.a. cats).
H. Social Media Conversation – Karen Barnett and Danika Cooley
Does the constantly changing world of social media drive you to tears? Here’s the good news: editors and agents are no longer looking primarily at numbers of followers. Instead, they are focusing attention on authors who display consistent, meaningful engagement with their readers. We’ll talk about the top social media platforms for writers, and you will learn tricks and techniques to get your posts seen by more people.
Karen Barnett is the award-winning author of seven novels, including Ever Faithful, Where the Fire Falls, and The Road to Paradise that are known collectively as The Vintage National Parks Novels. Before becoming a writer, she worked as a ranger naturalist and outdoor educator at Mount Rainier National Park and Oregon’s Silver Falls State Park. When not writing, Karen enjoys photography, hiking, public speaking, and decorating crazy birthday cakes. She and her husband Steve live in Albany, Oregon, and have just become empty-nesters.
Danika Cooley (www.thinkingkidsblog.org) is an award-winning children’s author and Bible curriculum developer. She is the author of 18 full curriculum books, six traditionally published books, four books scheduled for publication in 2023, with another three books contracted. Weekly, she encourages tens of thousands of parents to intentionally raise biblically literate children. Danika received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Washington and homeschooled their four children, sending the last one off to college this fall. Follow her on Pinterest at danikacooley.
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Prices
$60 for members younger than 62
$45 for members 62 and older
$45 for students
$90 for nonmembers
Registration at the door – an additional $10
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Online registration is closed.
Register at the door and bring your own lunch.
