AUGUST 2012
FAITHWRITERS NEWSLETTER

HiFriend

FaithWriters.com news and information for the write-brained
Christian!

“Reading fiction not only develops our imagination and
creativity, it gives us the skills to be alone. It gives us the
ability to feel empathy for people we've never met, living lives
we couldn't possibly experience for ourselves, because the book
puts us inside the character's skin.” – Ann Patchett,
award-winning author

So true, isn’t it? Fiction takes us places we may never go and
allows us to experience things we might never have the
opportunity to experience. It plops us into another world and
offers us a chance to see life through another set of eyes and
possibly consider another perspective. It is sometimes even a way
strengthen our Christian walk. Jesus often used stories to get
his point across because he knows how much we relate to them.
Whether or not you prefer to read or write fiction, you have to
admit the impact it can have on society and on our individual
lives.

Be sure to read the Out of the Mouths of FaithWriters section at
the end of this newsletter to see some of the fiction novels our
members consider the most memorable they’ve read so far this
year.

PAGE TURNER CONTEST

There are only three more months to enter the 2012 Page Turner
contest. That may seem like a long time, but the date will sneak
up on us before we know it. The Page Turner offers one of the
best prize packages of any writing contest out there. Check it
out:

• A fabulous cash prize of $800
• Free editing of your winning manuscript (up to 300 pages)
• Free publicity and marketing of your book on all
        FaithWriters' sites for twelve months following publication
• A special Page Turner Champion award plaque
• Consideration for publication of winning manuscript by new
        Christian publisher, Breath of Fresh Air Press (publisher
        of the new line of FaithWriters' books, available mid-2012)
• Free conference registration for either the 2013 US
        FaithWriters' Conference or 2013 FaithWriters' Down Under
        Conference (see terms and conditions).

See what I mean? Awesome! If you are a Platinum 500 member, you
have absolutely nothing to lose by entering, and possibly all of
the above to gain!

The deadline to enter is October 31st, and the winner will be
announced on December 31st.

For complete rules and guidelines, visit the official Page Turner
contest page: http://www.faithwriters.com/page-turner.php

To upgrade your account to the Platinum level, and see all of the
wonderful benefits you receive (including eligibility for the
Page Turner), click here:
http://www.faithwriters.com/myaccount/donations-from-members.php

WIN PAID WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

As you may know, we are now running ongoing article/blog writing
contests that offer paid writing assignments as prizes to our
upgraded members. Silver members can greatly benefit, too, in
that they are judged separately and could win a one year paid
Gold membership. The first two contests have been completed, and
the first and second place winners are being utilized for a paid
writing assignment by the sponsoring ministry. Congratulations
again to those winners!

We encourage you to get involved. Our next contest is entitled
“Dying for Water.” In it, you will be asked to write a
gripping 500 word article about the world water problem. We are
looking for a post that is eye catching, powerful and edgy. Write
it from the eyes of one dying, or the child who lost his parents
to deadly water, or however God leads you. Look at the winners of
the Pocket Testament League and FaithWriters contests to get an
idea of how creative you can be.
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=92&sid=41bb07e36ec56ce61017d7da6e9f5c0e
You will include links to a sponsoring ministry that is making a
huge difference in the world around us.

Here is some background: The fairly new Christian ministry we are
promoting has an unprecedented method for drilling wells at a
super low cost. One well is only $900, and for $5,000 a village
gets trained and equipped to drill 50 wells. This is so much
lower than the normal cost of $5,000 per well! The world needs to
know about this and we are asking you to help. We will be posting
the ministry name and more information on the message boards and
by private message, in the middle of August. Your job is to make
more people aware of this ministry and to lead people to their
site. The more donations they get, the more lives that can be
saved and led to Christ. You can make a big difference by
donating your writing talent in this contest.

You get to showcase your writing, gain exposure, promote
Christ by meeting man’s natural and spiritual needs, and build
treasure in heaven. Plus, first place is awarded two paid writing
assignments worth $150, and second place gets one job worth $75.
Both have an opportunity to earn more work from the sponsoring
ministry. With this contest, we are also negotiating with another
partner ministry to post the winner on their 100 Christian blogs.
 This means even more exposure for the writer and more links for
this life saving ministry. Third place receives $25. If the
winner is a Silver member, he or she will receive a FREE one year
Gold membership ($65 value).

The “Dying for Water” contest officially starts on September
1st, but you can get a head start now, by researching just how
big the clean water problem is worldwide, how many children die
daily, and other alarming facts. Then start creating your article
for blog posting. Again, the name of the ministry and their website
will be released to our members mid-August.
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=92&t=35645&p=505945#p505945

CONNECT WITH US

The FaithWriters forums provide a great way to connect with other
Christian writers. While writing is always a topic of choice on
the boards, you’ll find conversations about many subjects. You
can hang around the Water Cooler and chat about this and that,
grab your pom poms and head into The Cheering Section, get the
latest Writing Challenge information, request prayer in the
Prayer forum, discuss scripture in the Theology Discussion forum,
ask for feedback in the Article Reviews and Critiques forum,
learn about Freelancing Opportunities and Contests. You can even
get answers to the most frequently asked questions about
FaithWriters in the FAQ forum.

If you haven’t yet signed up for the message boards (it’s
totally free for all members), what are you waiting for? First
click here to register:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/ucp.php?mode=register&sid=a9589fc03d8c4c7111b755084da8e4e3
and then be sure to introduce yourself in the Newbie Nook:
http://www.faithwriters.com/Boards/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=3

Also connect with us on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/FaithWriters

…and Twitter: https://twitter.com/faithwriters

…and on our very own blog, updated three times per week:
http://faithwriters.com/blog/

 

OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF FAITHWRITERS

Last month, members were invited to respond to the following
question:

WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE FICTION BOOK YOU’VE READ SO FAR THIS
YEAR?

Check out these answers, then go out and pick up a copy for
yourself and see if you agree.

“Definitely not a new one but Redeeming Love by Francine
Rivers! Wow, now that's love!” – Leola Ogle

“The Shack.” – Paulette Ann Rogers

“The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow by Joyce Magnin. Funny. Poignant.
Amazing characters. Deep. Won't be my last Joyce Magnin book.”
– Joanne Sher

“Nick of Time by Tim Downs (AKA the bug man).” – Barb
Miller

“Broken Wings by Carla Stewart. Stunning. Beautiful.” –
Jennifer Fromke

“Other than Madily in Love (the manuscript of a soon-to-be
released novel by Lynda Lee Schab), it would be Thunder and Rain
by Charles Martin.” – Diane Loew

“When a book keeps me up till 4 in the morning, it's memorable.
The latest one to do that is Tristan's Gap by Nancy Rue. I would
also nominate Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, even though it's
YA.” – Roberta Brosius

“The most memorable book I read this year was, "Redemption" by
Karen Kingsbury with Gary Smalley.  This was the first book of
the Redemption Series, (5 books total)--all were excellent.”
– Susan Allen

“My most memorable fiction book has been Journey to the Centre
of the Earth by Jules Verne,
the best and foremost science fiction writer.” – Ian Dennison

NEXT MONTH’S QUESTION:

Here’s a question to celebrate the September “back to
school” season.

WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE SUBJECT IN SCHOOL AND WHY?

Send your 1-2 sentence response to
FaithWriters.contact@yahoo.com. Check back next month to see if
your answer was selected to appear.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CHOOSING FAITHWRITERS.COM, THE HOME FOR
CHRISTIAN WRITERS. KEEP WRITING FOR THE KINGDOM!