MARCH 2012

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


“And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.” – Ecclesiastes 3:13

According to Solomon, the fruits of our labor are gifts from God. But, more than that, enjoying what we do is just as much a gift, isn’t it? We writers are a blessed bunch because we typically love what we do. Okay, maybe we don’t love every minute of it, or every part of it, and sometimes it takes a lot of discipline and hard work. But if there’s one common thing among writers – and many creative persons – it’s that we’re passionate about our work. I don’t know about you, but I think God thoroughly enjoys seeing us enjoy what we do. It is one of His gifts to us.

What about you? Do you love what you do? Be sure to read the Out of the Mouths of FaithWriters section at the end of this newsletter to see what part of the writing process FaithWriters members enjoy most.


A BIG HUG GOODBYE

After founding and running FaithWriters.com for over ten years, entrepreneur and owner Scott Lindsay made the prayerful decision to go in a different direction and sell the site. It is with a touch of sadness and heartfelt gratitude that we say goodbye to Scott and wish him well in every new venture he sets out to accomplish. We can’t thank him enough for his hard work, dedication, and genuine Christian spirit he brought to FaithWriters. Scott has left an exceptional impression on the site and in our hearts. He will be missed.


A BIG WELCOME HUG

On a happier note, I am thrilled to introduce our new FaithWriters owners, Michael and Bea Edwards! Mike and Bea are dedicated to bringing as many people to Christ as possible. Mike’s passion is sharing the gospel with the lost, and he is the author of a book on evangelism, which will be available for free on the site soon. It explores the evidence and truth of God and the Bible. Bea is an online student at Moody Bible Institute. Mike and Bea love what Scott Lindsay have done with FaithWriters and have big ideas planned for the FaithWriters site over the next year, with even more opportunities and benefits for members. They will also be adding a much stronger emphasis on Jesus and the Word. They see FaithWriters as a worldwide platform for members and staff to work together in proclaiming the name of Jesus to the 190 plus countries that make up the FaithWriters community. Mike and Bea are busy familiarizing themselves with running a site of this magnitude and they are enthusiastic about bringing FaithWriters to a new level. And we are excited to see what God will do through them! Please join me in welcoming Mike and Bea, and congratulating them on their new ownership.

Watch for an interview with Mike and Bea, coming soon on the FaithWriters blog!


PAGE TURNER CONTEST NOW OPEN

Do you have a non-fiction manuscript collecting dust in the drawer? Maybe you’ve had a great idea for a devotional, memoir, or other Christian Living book rolling around in your head for a while now. Perhaps you’ve even started a book, only to abandon it half-way through. If so, here is an awesome opportunity for you!

The 2012 Page Turner Contest is now open for entries. This year the focus is on non-fiction. All you need to do is submit the first chapter, along with a synopsis of the entire book. We’re looking for an overall page turning quality that makes us have to read on! Impress us. Make us laugh. Cry. Think.

The winner will receive a huge prize package, including free editing, publicity, advertising, a beautiful award plaque, free conference registration, and a whopping $800 cash!

Entries will close on October 31st, which seems like a long ways away, but we all know how quickly time flies around here! Start polishing your entry today! In the meantime, get complete details on the official contest page: http://www.faithwriters.com/page-turner.php?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter

The Page Turner is open to Platinum 500 members only. If you’re a Platinum member, you have absolutely nothing to lose and a ton to gain by entering. If you are registered as a Silver or Gold member, upgrade to the Platinum level at any time before the deadline to be eligible. Visit this page for more information on upgrading your account: http://www.faithwriters.com/finish-signup.php?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter


KINDLE FREEBIES AND OTHER NEWS

Do you have a Facebook account? If so, be sure to LIKE our page so you can be kept informed of FaithWriters news and information. We also post lots of other great stuff, like links to Kindle freebies! http://www.facebook.com/FaithWriters?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter

Also follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter#!/faithwriters

Our blog is another wonderful way to connect with us. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing! http://faithwriters.com/blog/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter



OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF FAITHWRITERS

Last month, members were asked the following question:
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THE WRITING PROCESS?

Lots of answers poured in. Here are just a few.

“The moment when "my story" is suddenly not mine anymore - when it takes on a life of its own. When "my characters" turn around and teach me something I was not expecting to learn.” – Sarah Kidd

“Call me wacky and I won’t dispute it but my favorite part of the writing process is the rewrite. The hard work’s done and it’s time to refine and embellish. Love it!” - Lisa Fowler

“My favorite part of the writing process is seeing my work in print or e-print with comments from other writers.” Dorothy Moffitt

“My favorite part of the writing process is publication. Money for writing is nice, but for me the greatest motivation is seeing my work in print and the positive effect that it has on others.” – Dan White

“My favorite part of the writing process is watching God put an idea into my heart and then, together, exploring it, putting it on paper, and watching what God does with it.” - Marilyn Meiners

“Finishing- what a sense of accomplishment!” – Leslie McCready

Next month’s question:

HOW WILL YOU BE CELEBRATING EASTER THIS YEAR?

Send your brief (and creative) response to FaithWriters.contact@yahoo.com. Please keep your answers to 1-2 sentences. Check back next month to see if your answer was selected to appear.

HELP US SPREAD THE GOSPEL AROUND THE WORLD - by Michael Edwards

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. mark 16:

You will soon see many improvements including a full section devoted to spreading the gospel to the 190 plus countries that visit FaithWriters. We also added a Google translate button to the site that allows visitors from around the world to READ YOUR ARTICLES in their own language. You can find the button at the top right of the main page and on the articles page. We added the Jesus widget from Jesus.net on the articles page that gives a video gospel presentation. We hope all of you will share in our excitement and help us spread the gospel around the world. Please check out 2 of our new Christian advertisers. These ads are given free to promote the Gospel.

http://www.impactapologetics.com/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter Dr. Frank Turek presents the evidence for our faith and why it is the most reasonable belief anyone can hold. I know Frank and highly recommend his book – I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. Franks speaks to college age students all across the country teaching them how to defend their faith. He also has another site at http://www.crossexamined.org/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter

http://www.tracts.com/Sharetractspage2.html?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter A free simple gospel tract available in 90 plus languages. The founder Larry Kent has had thousands of these downloaded and shared around the world. Recently there were 100,000 copies made and distributed in Bangladesh. If you need a tract in your home language or another, make sure to take a look.

COMING SOON - FaithWriters will again be offering book reviews, author and book promotions and much more through a partner site. There will be a 25% Discount for Platinum members, 15% for Gold and 5% for Silver, off Christian Book Marketings already great prices. You can check them out before we are formally linked up with them at http://www.christian-book-marketing.com/.?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=faithwritersnews&utm_content=FaithWriters%20March%202012%20Newsletter Take a look at their services and remember you will get the above discount based on your membership. If you need their services right away. Tell Smitty that Michael Edwards at FaithWriters sent you and you want your discount. We will get it worked out.


THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING FAITHWRITERS.COM, THE HOME FOR CHRISTIAN WRITERS! MAKE THIS A MARVELOUS MARCH!