Bartlett Christian Writers is sponsoring an annual workshop with Trisha Petty on July 14, 2012.

"From Star Trek to Jesus in Warp Drive"

New Hope Christian Church
3300 Kirby Whitten Rd.
Bartlett, TN 38134

9:00 - 4:00 (One Day Only)

Writing 101: 
Do I Really Need An Outline?!!
Marketing on the Social Media - Tribe Building
Self Publishing - Is It Really The Way to Go? 
Writing for the Generations

FREE of Charge ( A donation of $5.00 or more is much appreciated)

Must pre-register to qualify for door prizes. Call 901-218-2412 or email Londa at bartlettchristianwriters@gmail.com

Trisha Petty Th.D. co-authored 13 novels with Linda Crockett, among these were Siren, To Touch a Dream, and Tangerine, published by Tor Press and Harlequin Romances (Simon & Schuster). For 35 years, Trisha was also a much sought after production assistant, then personal assistant to actors, directors, and producers. Working with some of Hollywood's most creative people, Trisha contributed story boards and character development to projects such as "Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn," "North and South," and "Paint Your Wagon."

This is a rare opportunity to see Trisha Petty in action. She offers a glimpse into the publishing industry that will broaden your understanding. Trisha's passion for writing leads her to offer FREE workshops on occasion, and Bartlett Christian Writers along with other area Memphis writers are among the happy recipients of her generosity. So come to the table and partake of the knowledge and wisdom God has bestowed upon her. 

Workbooks and books  written by Trisha Petty will be available to purchase during the workshop. 

Erin Farrar of Allied Faith and Family asked me to post a review of the newest Madea movie, which I am excited to offer. Tyler Perry has done it again in the latest of the Madea movies, "Madea's Witness Protection." The beloved wise-cracking African-American grandma is again making her presence known on the big screen. Played by the ever prolific and talented Tyler Perry himself, Madea opens her home to a family on the run from the Mob. Comic genius Eugene Levy plays the CFO of a New York investment house who is framed and accused of defrauding churches and charities. The boisterous "real-life" household of Madea forces his family and hers to learn some invaluable lessons. George Needleman, a high level CFO in New York City, is accused of spearheading a Ponzi scheme involving the mob. This forces his family into the witness protection program. Madea's house down south with her brother, Joe and nephew Brian is a place that absolutely no one will think to look for them.

While not necessarily intended to be Christian films, most Madea movies usually feature a distinctive Judeo-Christian worldview. "Madea's Witness Protection" takes a positive approach to the very touchy issues of race relations and shows how the average person can overcome racial bigotry by cultivating compassion and understanding. The character of Madea in Tyler Perry movies embodies a number of other themes, including: a funny ironical teaching experience for living "The Golden Rule" within the family, letting go of excessive materials, and offering comical, yet still effective, alternatives for dealing with anger. Madea helps to answer the question-Does God "punish us" for our sins? Well, maybe not exactly, but then Madea's not God nor does she claim to be. Other reinforcing moral qualities teach to welcome strangers, respect elders, and honor parents, again done in that fun-loving, clever  way that only Madea can deliver. Although Madea's character may reflect some irony with her Christian charity, she does show a more contentious side to conviction by not being too self serving at times. 

Perry has said in various interviews that he pulled from the various personalities in his own family to create his alter ego, Madea. However, he confesses that his childhood was difficult. "I was quiet and always felt out of place my entire life. We grew up poor, but somehow I always knew that I could have a better life. No one around me believed that. I ended up keeping all my dreams to myself because whenever I'd share them with people they'd end up tearing them apart." Yet even with all the emotional despair he suffered as a child, Tyler Perry is still able to create humorous characters like Madea who has developed into a beloved character with a fan base all her own.

"Madea's Witness Protection" is due for release on June, 29 with a PG rating.  As an American comedy-drama film directed, written, and produced by Tyler Perry, this will be the fourteenth film in Perry's film franchise, and the seventh in the Madea franchise."Madea's Witness Protection" is the fourth Tyler Perry film not adapted from a play alongside The Family That Preys, Daddy's Little Girls, and Good Deeds.

I am pleased to present to you the Film Companion for Tyler Perry’s MADEA’S WITNESS PROTECTION! Here is the link that can be shared with others on facebook, twitter or as a pdf attachment to an email: http://bit.ly/MywFEz

The Southern Christian Writers Conference was a great success this year. There were many new authors on hand to network with and get to know. One of my favorite sessions was one led by Lurlene McDaniel, "A novel way to construct your novel." Unfortunately, the keynote speaker, Gilbert Morris, came down ill and was unable to attend. Austin Boyd was happy to step in as a last minute replacement and did a fine job.  There was one publisher represented. Andrea Mullins with New Hope Publishing spoke frankly about the expectations of a publisher and exactly what it will take to get taken seriously as a debut writers. 

Another remarkable young woman, who is only about 16 or 17 years old, started her own magazine.  "Real Girl" targets teen girls to encourage them to seek out the inner beauty of God in their hearts. This is the first Christian teen girl magazine that I know that concentrates on that specific area. 
 
It was good to finally meet fellow Southern Writers Magazine, Editor-at-Large, Vicki Moss, who offered good advice in her presentation on how to write for kids Magazines. There were other writers from the Memphis area I did know, but we did meet each other and exchanged contact information. I was able to attend this conference with two other ladies from my writers group. All in all, we each came away with a bag or in some cases a plastic tub full of goodies, enough books to read for at least 6 months, and tons of ideas exploding in our heads. 

Photos provided by: Vicki Moss 

With the Internet age upon us, writers now have more free and low cost ways than ever to market and promote their published books. Some obvious tactics include the use of Twitter and Facebook as well as starting your own Blog. Book widgets, badges, and other tools also make it easier than ever for a writer to promote themsleves online absolutely FREE.

Ways to Market Your Writing: Sites and Tools

• Bookbuzzr: Free widget that allows writers to upload preview of book and then be installed on any site, Blog, etc.
  
  
• Twitterlit: Free Twitter service that takes the first line of your book and distributes it to thousands of other Twitter users.
  
  
• Bookhitch: Promote your book, and website for free. 
  
  
• The Writer's Life: A one stop directory of promotion links including links for author interviews, book review sites, websites to promote or announce your book and an event listing website. 
  
  
• Bookmouth: Blog with lots of advice and resources on how to promote your novel or writing work. 
  
  
• Book Marketing Update: Book marketing and book promotion advice from John Kremer. 
  
  
• How to market your book online: Good advice from someone who is running a successful POD business. Other interesting articles.. 
  
  
• How to Market Your Self-Published Book: Some basic tips on what to do to market your book. 
  
  
• Ways to Market Your e-Book: Advice from an E-book author. 
  
  
• Getting a Buzz On: Article from the Book Standard on how publishers are turning online to market their books.
  
  
• The Italian American Press: Promoting Self-Published Italian American Books, Sci-Fi Classics, First Editions, Rare and Old Books, Self-Help Paperbacks, Used Writing and Teaching Texts, Free E-Books, and Collectible Sheet Music. 
  
  
• Book Promotion: Good series of articles on promoting your book from Writers Write. 

•  Market-Your-Book.com Watch the video and learn how you can use a proven, effective system to promote your blog and book(s). 
  

Promote your book by entering writing competitions: 

• Creative Writing Contests: information about creative writing contests, literary magazines theme issues, writing residencies, etc.
  

• Creative Writing Contests: information about creative writing contests, literary magazines theme issues, writing residencies, etc.



• Writing Contest Database Good list of writing contests.



• Author Network Writing Contests List of about 20 contests.



• Google Directory: Writing Contests: List of approx. 50 contests.



• Google Directory: Short Story Contests List of about 30 short story contests. 
  
  
• Writers of thje Future Quarterly contest and pays hefty fees to winners and provides publication in sci-fi anthology. 
  
  
• Save Our Short Story List of short story competition. 

To sell books, it is imperative that one learn online marketing skills. Now this is one of those things that most people haven't a clue of how it works. In fact, they are intimidated and fearful of even trying. But in today's social networking world, online marketing is an absolute must. It's no longer enough to twitter, facebook, or google to your friends. You must do what the professionals do and grow a list of unrelated subscribers, not just a few close friends and family. Publishers expect authors to have these skills built in to their marketing plans. You must be able to show them you can sell your book and not fall back on the idea that your book can sell itself. That's simply not going to happen unless you take the steps needed in order to learn how to do online marketing. 

Yes, for some of you, this is a huge learning curb, but it isn't impossible. In all my Internet wanderings, I have come across most of the work at home 'get rich quick' schemes. I thought I had to learn SEO, which can be very daunting. So I purchased an online service, but found it to be too technical and I quickly let it go. However, I learned just enough to be dangerous. I kept looking and finally I found a FREE online program that is super simple and easy to do. I'm going to share this with you here, but first I want to tell you that I've already learned a great deal that will help me market my book, Date, Pray, Wait. I haven't even completed the whole course yet, which is set up in 10 easy lessons. In fact, I was already familiar with some of the techniques and was able to breeze through some of them. Of course, I made myself slow down so I wouldn't miss anything. 

What's great about this system is: (1) it's FREE, (2) it really works, and (3) you can make money doing it without investing any of your own. I have to tell you I'm really looking forward to that, and I will definitely be keeping you all posted on my progress. Today I learned about how to send out press releases nationwide. Now tell me, do you think that will help you market your book? You bet it will!  I can't wait to learn more about this new awesome system that will give you FREE online training in The 90 Day Online Income Challenge. Even if I don't make a dime, I will still benefit from the knowledge this system has to offer. You can take it in short snippets, 30 minutes a day or more. It's not hard. 

My sponsor is JIm, a 70 year old man who lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  I can call him anytime I need anything.  Now if he can learn this, anybody can.  And the really nice thing about this, Jim is being so honest with me. He said he just started in this system himself, but once he took the first steps, he started to make money within the first week.  Okay, I'm just starting this myself and I've only done one thing, so my results are yet to be seen. Anyway, if you're interested, visit the site at: http://www.100commiss.com and in the meantime, I'll keep you all posted. Wish me luck.

Success rarely happens over night. Most of us pursue our dreams while working a regular 9 to 5 and anxiously awaiting the day we can make the job we really want our career. Not a day goes by that I don't think about what life would be like as a full-time author. I've had fantasies about taking a leap of faith, quitting my job and pursing my passion full- time. Then, I realize that my mortgage is due the same time next month and reality sets in. I'm allergic to excessive poverty, homelessness, and hunger. I don't make enough as author to support myself...YET. Now don't misunderstand me, I actually enjoy my job, but I know I would enjoy spending my days writing and motivating others as I travel the globe promoting my books more. During this season in my life, I'm doing what some might call paying my dues. I'm working hard to lay a foundation for the future I want to have.

I liken this to building a house. Every house must have a foundation that will support the pieces of the house itself, the activities that will go on inside it and the people who will live in it. Without a solid foundation, the entire house will crumble and all the work that went into it will instantly become a waste of time. So, if you're working hard pursuing your passion but you haven't advanced to the level you would like, be encouraged. There are millions of people in the world just like you and with your continued hard work, a well-developed plan and faith, your dreams will come true. It's easy to get frustrated, begin to complain that things aren't moving fast enough and give up. But always remember this one thing, you are guaranteed to miss 100% of the shots you never take. Paying your dues can sometimes get emotionally, mentally and physically expensive but that's where strength, prayer and good old fashion determination come in handy. When you make it to where you want to be the cost will be well worth it. The key to successfully paying your dues without going broke is to:

(1) Set realistic goals. This will help maintain your sanity and your self-esteem. You will only frustrate and burn yourself out by trying to obtain the unobtainable. 

(2) Never lose sight of your goals. Work each day with a successful ending in mind.

(3) Make sure the activities you are doing are helping you to progress towards your goal. Going the distance in the wrong direction just takes you further away from the finish line.

(4) Never let the desire to succeed die. Some people call it staying hungry! Treat each goal reaching task as your prey and devour it as if you haven't eaten in days. Keep going even on the days you don't feel like it.   

The great poet Langston Hughes once asked the question, "What happens to a dream deferred?"

Well, Mr. Hughes, I don't know and I don't have any intention of finding out. I'm going to make my dreams come true.

On a side note--- If I say something to encourage or bless your spirit please share my musings of life with others. I can't get to where I'm trying to go if no one knows about me. Spread the word! Thank you to all my readers and supporters.

Be Blessed & Be Inspired!  

This blog was contributed by Jae Henderson, author of Somday and Somday Too!  Jae is also the Author and Founder of I'm A Good Woman. 

Fox Home Entertainment has released "LOVE’S EVERLASTING COURAGE" on DVD and recently approached me about showing a preview to my Christian writers group. Several of us stayed to watch the preview this past Saturday and loved it.  The movie is based upon a novel written by bestselling author, Janette Oke. The story carries strong themes of selfless devotion in marriage, the indomitable nature of a father’s love, and water as a symbol of life and grace. LOVE’S EVERLASTING COURAGE is an inspiring film for the whole family to enjoy.  I can see this movie being shown on the Hallmark channel soon. 

Here are a couple of reviews:

A very moving and inspiring story of perseverance and hope. Reminded me a lot of those "Little House on the Prairie" days with wholesome values, strong character, and morality all rolled into one great and well-made movie. The acting was superb, the wisdom shared from father to son unforgettable, and the message easily received. Well done!  - Londa Hayden

This movie was very well made and well put together. Each character portrayed their parts well and the actors gave a quality performance - very believable. The central message was clear and powerful. There was plenty of depth, drama, and a light touch of humor. The setting was beautiful and appropriate. The camera work was well done, too. I give it a two-thumbs up.
                                       -Terry Hatfield

For an excellent family movie night, be sure and pick up a copy of LOVE'S EVERLASTING COURAGE.   Available now on DVD at Walmart and on Amazon.com for $15.96.

Storycub.org is the newest concept in marketing picture books to kids and parents by introducing the book with new technology.  StoryCub is the e-learning digital media source that is dedicated to promoting quality picture books to parents and children around the world.  The mission is to get kids excited about reading by providing entertaining, multi-format video content that encourages the purchase of books and inspires learning.

This is the latest craze in promoting books to kids and parents. The website now has over one million visitors from all over the world.  Dave Swerdlick is the founder and managing partner.  This is an all in the family effort, which includes his children on the podcasts episodes. They love introducing new technology such as book apps for their listening audience.If you are a children's book author with a published book, then consider contact storycub for information about having your book reviewed and featured on the website and a podcast. This will help expand your platform and listening audience by leaps and bounds.