GREGORY WOLFE in Christianity Today, March 2008
The Master's Artist is a group blog for writers united by the blood of Christ and a love for language. We come from different backgrounds, have different theological outlooks, and are interested in a wide variety of genres and artforms. The opinions expressed belong to their authors alone -- and you're welcome to share yours.
I taught a workshop called “From Paper to Podium and Back” at the Captivating Women Quarterly. What fun I had talking to so many vibrant women! I encouraged them to focus on a specific audience. Why write? What makes the message unique? Why would anyone be interested? Why should anyone care? All the questions I’ve been asking myself for the past few years.
Afterwards, many came up to tell me about their ministries.
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists are up to:
Mary Demuth: I’ll be teaching at the Hearts at Home convention in Normal, IL. I’ll also be exploring college options with my daughter later in the month. I’m thankful to be a mentor at the Head Start Mentoring clinic at Mount Hermon, and I’ll be mentoring fiction at the regular conference. Hope to see many of you there. I’ll be writing my next novel in the in between times.
Donna J. Shepherd: I'll be busy with the Greater Harvest Workshops this Saturday and praying that the weather here in Ohio cooperates. Something new is an audio version of one of my children's books, No More Gunk. I had fun recording and will record the audio for the rest of the books soon. The Oodles of Fun blog for Poodle and Doodle has been a delight to start and update. People love the puppies! In March, I plan to revamp my Devotionals by Donna site. It's time for a complete overhaul and get back to my love for writing devos.
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists are up to:
Deborah Gyapong: I'm still writing for Catholic newspapers in Canada and recently filed a long piece on how the church in Canada is handling priestly sexual abuse since the first scandals came to light in the late 1980s. There's a link here: http://www.catholicregister.org/content/view/3826/
I'm also blogging with The Anglo-Catholic, (www.theanglocatholic.com) a group blog to reach those Anglicans who want to accept the Pope's offer for them to become part of the Catholic Church while retaining their Anglican patrimony.
Melanie Clark Pullen: I've got a day's work on a local soap here in Dublin which should pay a couple of bills. I'm starting to write for Vox magazine now and then, a new Irish magazine for the evangelical Christian market, which is miniscule but there all the same. I've also been invited to write on theatrical topics for the award winning Dublin Community Blog. I'm hoping that more might come out of the research I did last year into theatre writing in the Irish language. I'm also helping to facilitate the growth and development of the artist's collective I'm a part of called Abri Creative. I've applied for a week's residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre with some international theatre practitioners as part of a mentoring scheme in March. I hope to be able to make some breakthroughs on my one woman theatre piece 'Girl on a Blue Bicycle'. So along with still trying to complete my Methodist local preacher's training and share the care of a toddler, life's pretty full!
Mary Demuth: I’ll be the naked one starting February 1st when my memoir, Thin Places (Zondervan) releases. I’ll be speaking at a women’s conference at the beginning of the month, appearing on several radio stations, hosting 8th grade boys for a discipleship weekend, and doing a book launch at an independent bookstore in Dallas on February 18th. I’ve just launched a new blog called A Daily Recipe (http://adailyrecipe.blogspot.com) with a recipe per day + a conversation starter. I recently signed a new contract for a novel and am shopping a YA novel right now. And in the back of my mind, I’m noodling on another memoir.
Dee Stewart: My story "Short Ride to Sanctuary" will be featured in Sistahfaith (Simon & Schuster, Feb. 2009). I also was just offered a 3 book deal with Kensington for my Evangeline Crawford bounty hunter series (spring 2011).
Donna J. Shepherd: My children's book, Poodle and Doodle, has been released. I've gotten so many wonderful emails about the book. This month I'll be teaching at the Greater Harvest Workshops on February 27. If you're in the Cincinnati-Dayton area, check out our blog at http://www.greaterharvestworkshops.com.
It snowed this evening. An entirely unexpected snow, at least for me. I have a DVR now, so I rarely watch live television. This means I miss important announcements - like the fact that a storm is headed for my town.
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists are up to. Everyone must be busy writing because I only have two to report and one is me.
Mary DeMuth: In January I’ll be speaking to a ladies luncheon and a book group. I’ll attend the USA Lausanne meeting toward the end of the month (in Dallas) in anticipation of the World Congress in South Africa next October. I’ll also be gearing up for the release of Thin Places. I’m excited that we had over 60 influencers for this book, and I’m hopeful the book will change many, many lives.
Donna Shepherd: I have three books coming out in 2010 with three different illustrators. Joining Facebook and getting involved with a fan page this year have been great steps. I've met many, many wonderful people and re-connected with old friends as well. In the coming year, I will have books, CD's, DVD's, etc. to give away in the Facebook Fan Page drawings - that is, assuming Facebook allows me to continue with them. If the drawings are a problem, I'l simply direct everyone to a blog where we'll soldier on. Right now, my biggest challenge is finishing up a course in Soteriology that's due by the end of January. Oh, why, oh why do I procrastinate?
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists are up to.
Mary DeMuth: I’ll be attending the Rockwall Christian Writers group (www.rcwg.blogspot.com), and I’ll be speaking to several hundred librarians about the importance of faith-based fiction. I will deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la. And, Lord willing, I’ll finish up a book about conversation starters so I can start January fresh with a new project.I will bake cookies, try to exercise away their influence, have a friend brunch, and pray for snow. I will hug my kids, tell my hubby he’s handsome, and take pictures. I’ll make mulled cider and wear fuzzy socks in front of the fire.
Madison Richards: Madison Richards will be spending the rest of this year moving across country - again! This time her travels will take her and her family back to the state of their birth - New York. With any luck, this move will be a little more permanent than the last one! Good family, good schools, and no scorpions - what's not to like??
Donna J. Shepherd: The publisher has promised - Poodle and Doodle will be out in December. Kit Grady has finished up the illustrations for Bradybug, and my favorite Topsy Tale of all, Sully's Topsy Tale, should be out early 2010. I've been updating the blog for the Greater Harvest Workshops. We're trying a new schedule, adding more speakers, and all at a reduced cost. As Madison says - what's not to like? I'm also booking speakers for 2010 for MAC Writers. The attendance has been wonderful. Since my heart is to plant seeds of inspiration, I'm praising God for His blessing both endeavors.
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists are up to.
Jeanne Damoff: The first half of November is a Speak-a-Thon for me. I fly to Seattle on the 1st, speak on "Language as Soundtrack" to the Northwest Christian Writers Association in Enumclaw on the 2nd, and then begin a series of Parting the Waters speaking events: Beit Tikvah's Girl's Night Out in Renton on the 4th, a brunch at Sonlight Church in Lynden on the 7th followed by a signing at a bookstore that afternoon, chapel service at Lynden Christian High School on the morning of the 10th, and keynote speaker for the Cascade Christian Services Staff & Donor Appreciation Gala that evening. On my days off I'll be hanging out with Grace, Curtis, Luke, and various friends.
I fly back to Texas on the 11th and speak four times at the Crossroads Baptist Women's Retreat the 13th-14th. (Marge is standing in for one of the retreat sessions to give me a little break.) I'll also lead worship at the retreat. I'm looking forward to ALL of this so much! Love speaking. Love connecting with people. Love, love, love it.
In non-speaking-related news, I recently moved my blog from LiveJournal to WordPress, and I'm trying to be more consistent with updates. Please stop by and say hello! And you can always find me here at The Master's Artist on alternate Thursdays or at http://www.JeanneDamoff.com
Mary DeMuth: In November I’ll be finishing up an editing project for a publisher. Then I’ll fly to Nebraska to meet with two amazing novelists for a three-day retreat (much needed). Then I’m off to a discipleship retreat for high school kids with my daughter. Hopefully, Lord willing, I’ll be selling my next two projects, and will have finished up reading for the audio book of Thin Places.
I’ll also be completing my first ever video press release for the same book. I’ll also be speaking to a book club about A Slow Burn, which, by God’s grace, is in its second printing.
Donna J. Shepherd: On Saturday, November 14th, I'll be speaking first thing in the morning at the Mad Anthony Quarterly Writers' Workshops in Hamilton, Ohio. Shelley Galloway, who writes Christian romance for Harper Collins will also be there. Looks like a fun day. Here's more info: http://www.madanthonycbf.org/
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists have been doing, we do a monthly Wednesday Wrapup.
Mary DeMuth, http://www.marydemuth.com. In October, A Slow Burn releases via Zondervan. We’ll have a media tour, lots of influencers, and a writing and photo element. Should be fun. On October 20th, we’ll have a launch party at Legacy Books, one of the nation’s largest independent booksellers: http://www.legacybooksonline.com/. Instead of a traditional booksigning, I’ll teach folks about how to get published. I’ll spend a few days in WA DC with my daughter (our first trip there . . . For her AP history class). Then on glorious October 12th, I’ll see U2 in concert! While not writing related, this is one of my dreams.
Donna Shepherd: I'm preparing for the Greater Harvest Workshops on October 17. If you're in the Cincinnati-Dayton area, we'd love to see you there!
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists have been doing, we do a monthly Wednesday Wrapup.
Melanie Clark Pullen: Simon and I, along with our 18 month old daughter, will be participating in the Greenbelt Arts Festival in England. I'm part of a network of artists and creatives called Dreamers of the Day who walk in the way of Jesus and who long use their creativity to express something of the Spirit in the world. We're hosting a worship service using a template of an ancient Irish poem called an Aisling (or 'Dream') and also providing some spontaneous worshipe through out the weekend. We'd appreciate prayer for safe travel and that camping with our toddler would not be too insane!!!
Mary DeMuth: In September, I will be celebrating finishing a write for hire book, then I’m off to teach at the North Texas Christian Writers Conference in Keller, TX, September 11 and 12. I’ll be teaching about websites, fiction proposals, and point of view. Then I’ll head to ACFW the 16th—20th where I’ll be critiquing manuscripts and learning the craft.
I’ll be starting my next novel, and will hopefully fall into an autumn rhythm. And, I’ll be anticipating the release of A Slow Burn, Daisy Chain’s sequel, October 1st. God’s been teaching me to say no, to slow down, to rest. In light of that, I’ve hired my amazing critique partners (viewbies Leslie Wilson and D’Ann Mateer, also a moderator). They’ll help me mentor writers at The Writing Spa. (http://www.thewritingspa.com).
Deborah Gyapong: On August 25, a book club invited me to discuss The Defilers.
And did I mention I met the Pope in Rome in early July? I had about 30 seconds with him, but nevertheless it was really cool. I was in the Vatican to cover the Prime Minister of Canada's audience with Pope Benedict XVI.After greeting members of the prime minister's family and entourage, the pope greeted each member of the media present as well.
On the plane on the way back, the prime minister gave me an exclusive interview on the audience.
All very exciting. Otherwise, I'm entering my sixth year writing primarily for Roman Catholic newspapers.
Dee Stewart: I spoke August 25th at the Phillips Arena for a Christian business mixer on blogging and how mine became syndicated.
Donna Shepherd: Kevin Scott Collier finished up Sully's Topsy Tale, the third in the trilogy following Chizzy and Dotty. I think he's outdone himself on this one - of course! Mary and I are preparing for another day for writers with the Greater Harvest Workshops. If you're in the Cincinnati-Dayton area in Ohio, we'd love to see you.
For those of you interested in what the Master's Artists have been doing, we do a monthly Wednesday Wrapup.
Jeanne Damoff: Our family spent the first half of July on the road traveling to Colorado, Nebraska, and Ohio to attend two reunions, two weddings, and five birthday celebrations. After our return, I jumped right into preparation for speaking engagements. I've also been busy processing wedding and vacation photos and trying to snag time to write while learning all the ropes on my new MacBook Pro. (I like it!) I hope everyone else is staying cool and having a great summer. www.jeannedamoff.com
Mary DeMuth: In August I will be teaching at She Speaks in North Carolina, then writing a memoir for a friend.
Melanie Clark Pullen: I've just been down in the West of Ireland interviewing theatre makers working through the Irish language for my research project. It's been encouraging and inspiring. I'm doing my own bit of theatre making playing Nora in an Irish language version of 'Shadow of the Glen' by J M Synge for the West Belfast Arts Festival in a couple of weeks. I'm facilitating and co-ordinating the Dreamers of the Day contribution to worship at the Greenbelt festival in England at the end of August (www.dreamtoday.org). And I'm snatching moments here and there, in between playing ring-a-rosie with my daughter, to work on Girl on a blue bicycle in the hope of getting a new draft complete by October.
Deborah Gyapong, who has been on a hiatus from the Master's Artist, flew to Rome on the Canadian Prime Minister's plane July 7 and covered his audience with Pope Benedict XVI. After the private audience with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the Pope greeted members of his family and the Canadian delegation. Last but not least, he greeted each member of the media present individually.
This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was also great to be in Rome again.
Donna J. Shepherd: I taught a workshop called "Blogging Basics" to a record number of writers at our last MAC Writers meeting. I had such a great time. In the last update, I mentioned a new children's book. Jack Foster has created the sweetest illustrations for Poodle and Doodle. This book will be available in print, as an eBook, and as an app for the iPhone. Dotty's Topsy Tale is now available as an eBook on Fictionwise. I received advance notice of a great review from Stories for Children Magazine that will run in the September issue. I'm itching to get back to some devotionals as it seems my attention has been taken up with the children's writing lately, but I'm not complaining - it's so much fun. I'm blessed to have the diversity.
Michael Snyder: Relief Journal has invited me up to Chicago for a short story reading on August 22. Times and locations to be announced. For more up to date information, go here: http://www.reliefjournal.com/content/view/381/1/. Would love to see some familiar faces there.
And what have YOU been up to, dear friends? - Donna
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