Lauren A. Harrison

Called To Write

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Writing Conferences

Writing Update June 2024

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Never say God isn’t able. Over this past while, God has shown his mercy, grace and providing hand to me. To start with, I was given a scholarship to attend the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference this past May in North Carolina. Then God provided the transportation. It was an amazing trip. I was able to sit under many skilled teachers, learning more about the craft of writing. As well, I submitted a portion of my current manuscript, None So Blind, in for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference Foundation Awards for unpublished work. My first three chapters took first place in the Historical/Biblical fiction category. My writing mentor and editor, Edwina Perkins, worked alongside of me, as did other writing friends to strengthen my manuscript. I am both humbled and grateful for their help in achieving this.
This writing journey has been a long road, with moments where I considered laying it down. However, I pushed through, and will continue to forge ahead to the goal of publication.
So, stay the course, Writing friend. Never say God cannot move in your life. He is the reviver of dreams, and the worker of miracles. God didn’t promise a life that would be easy, rather that He’d walk you through your storms.

My Journey

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It has been a long journey. The path to becoming a published author has been filled with it’s hills and valleys, potholes and smooth sailing.  I have attended the Blueridge Christian Writer’s Conference out of North Carolina twice. It was an awesome experience.  I pitched my book, even though it wasn’t ready to push forward with, I wanted the experience and was very glad I did. I received some positive feedback and was asked to contact them again once the manuscript was complete. 

The skills I have learned over the past two years have been invaluable.  The first conference I focused on the craft of writing. For example, the age-old lesson of “Show don’t Tell”, “Give the reader credit”, “If you’re stuck, add conflict”, just to name a few important things I have learned. The second conference I mainly focused on the self-editing classes, and it was very much a learning curve for me. However, I faced it head on and have done my best to put everything into practice. 

In February of this year, I entered the first three chapters of my manuscript to a contest put on by The Word Guild.  I submitted my work to the “In the beginning (unpublished work award) catagory.  Then I waited.

The Word Guild announced their “Short List” this past week (from which the winners will be chosen).  I was completely surprised to find my name on it! This was very much a confirmation that I am on the right track. I still have much to learn, and a long way to go. But God is faithful. He won’t lead me down a deserted road deep in the wilderness and abandon me. God is a good God and will accomplish what he has set forth to accomplish in my life.

So now I wait again. The winners will be announced at The Awards Gala, during the Write Canada Conference, being held in Hamilton on June 14-15th.  So, guess where I am headed?  I have posted the Word Guild Short List logo and link below.

If you are anything like me, there are days when your hope dwindles like embers of a dying fire.  Days when you just don’t believe your dreams will come to fruition. Please don’t stay in that place. If God is in it, he will make a way for you. He promises that, and God cannot lie.

TWA Finalists Listing

Writers Conference

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I am attending my first writers conference next weekend! It will be both exciting and very busy. I feel God saying that now is the time to push forward with the dream he has put into my heart, no matter how difficult the path.  So here I go! I look forward to learning new things, talking with other writers, agents, as well as publishers and to see what God has in store for my future as an author.  I will keep updating my experiences and let you know what I learn!

Update on my first conference