Denver – The tenth annual Christy Awards presentation was held Saturday evening, July 11, 2009, at the Denver Marriott City Center, in advance of the International Christian Retail Show. The dessert reception featured a keynote address by best-selling author and speaker Richard Foster, who presented a talk entitles "The Spiritual Formation of the Writer." Christy Advisory Board member Susan Brower of Zondervan emceed the event. To involve Christian fans not able to attend the event in person, a liveblog of the event was provided online, and an archive of the event can be accessed at http://www.ChristyAwards.com.

The Christy Awards honor the best in Christian fiction in nine categories. The Christy Awards Advisory Board is pleased to announce the winners of the 2009 Christy Awards.

Contemporary Romance
Beyond the Night
by Marlo Schalesky
WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing

Contemporary Series
You Had Me at Good-bye
by Tracey Bateman
FaithWords

Contemporary Standalone
Dogwood
by Chris Fabry
Tyndale House Publishers

First Novel
Blue Hole Back Home
by Joy Jordan-Lake
David C. Cook

Historical
Until We Reach Home
by Lynn Austin
Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Historical Romance
From a Distance
by Tamara Alexander
Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Suspense
The Rook
by Steven James
Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Visionary
Vanish
by Tom Pawlik
Tyndale House Publishers

Young Adult
I Have Seen Him in the Watchfires
by Cathy Gohlke
Moody Publishers

Randy Ingermanson is the author of six novels, which include the Christy award-winning “City of God” and “Oxygen” series. After receiving a doctorate in theoretical physics from the University of California Berkeley, Randy began to write character-oriented thrillers about "life at the intersection of Faith Avenue and Science Boulevard." He is particularly interested in the history of early Christianity and has published three time-travel novels set in first-century Jerusalem. Randy has also published several academic articles on the “Jesus Family Tomb,” which have generated widespread interest among Biblical scholars. He currently serves as author and publisher of Advanced Fiction Writing, the world's largest electronic magazine on how to write fiction. Randy and his wife have three daughters and reside in southern Washington. For more information, please visit his website.

Creating: Choosing Your Creative Style

There's an old saying in fiction writing: "Get it written, then get it right."

Fact is there's a huge difference between the creative phase (getting it written) and the editing phase (getting it right). If you try to edit yourself while you're being creative, you're going to give yourself a nasty case of writer's block.

So the old saying is great advice. Unfortunately, it's not enough.

How, exactly, are you supposed to "get it written?"

Should you just slam out that first draft without any planning, or should you plan it carefully and then slam it out?

If you want to start a war at a writing conference, ask this question and then put on your flameproof cloak.

Different writers will make wildly different claims on how best to write that dreaded first draft.
I've been thinking about this for many years, first as a clueless wannabe novelist, later as a published author, and most recently as a writing teacher. My well-known "Snowflake method" is one answer to the question of how you write a first draft. But it's not the only answer, and it's not the only right answer.

The more I've thought about it, the more I've come to see that different people are wired differently. Different people use different "creative styles" to produce their first drafts.

And that's OK.

I don't think anyone knows all the different possible "creative styles" that writers use. There's a spectrum, depending on how much planning a writer puts in up front. Normally, the more planning before the first draft, the less editing after it.

At one end of the spectrum is the "Seat Of The Pants" writer, commonly called the "SOTP" writer or sometimes the "pantser."

SOTP writers typically just start writing, often with no clear idea where they're going, who their characters are, or what's going to happen. The act of writing makes the story unfold. It's like driving through fog with the headlights showing only a few feet ahead. This is exciting to SOTPs, often excruciatingly scary.

But it works. Stephen King writes this way, as do many other famous novelists. If you write the SOTP way, you're in good company.

On the other end of the spectrum is the outliner, who writes a meticulous, detailed synopsis of the story before writing the first draft. Outliners don't have a cool acronym, nor do they have the sexy, stubble-chinned image of the SOTP. Outliners are sometimes regarded as emotionless accountants who want to keep chewing their gum long after all the sugar is chewed out of it.

But outlining also works. Robert Ludlum was a well-known outliner, with some of his novels requiring 150 pages of synopsis. Many excellent novelists find it impossible to work without a very long synopsis. If you're an outliner, you've got some great compatriots.

These aren't the only options, of course. Another approach is a modification of the SOTP creative style. I call this the "Edit As You Go" creative style, because the writer first writes a page or two, or even a whole scene, seat-of-the-pants. Then, instead of continuing on with the story, the writer edits the page or scene several times. I've heard of writers who edit it 20 or 30 times before moving on. By the time the page or the scene is done, it's in final form, ready for the editor.

"Editing As You Go" works. Dean Koontz writes this way. If you edit as you go, you're among stars. Just be sure that you aren't mixing the creative phase with the editing phase. Write first; then edit.

I'm known around the world as "the Snowflake Guy" because of a fourth creative style, which I call the Snowflake method. (Google it if you want all the details.) In the Snowflake method, you do quite a bit of planning up front, both with your characters and with your plot, but the longest synopsis you ever produce is only four pages. You leave the details of the story unexplored, so your first draft will have some surprises for you.

The Snowflake method works. Every novel I've written has used some elements of the Snowflake. I hear from writers all the time who find that the Snowflake works for them.

I'm currently writing a book titled WRITING FICTION FOR DUMMIES, in which I cover these creative styles in more detail. Early in the planning process for the book, my editor asked me to make it a little clearer which style is "the right one."

I'm afraid I shocked my editor a bit. I told her there isn't any such thing as "the one right way to write your first draft." The best way for one writer will be the worst way for another writer.
I've met writers who thanked me effusively for the Snowflake method, which gave them hope after years of struggle. I've met other writers who told me that the Snowflake almost wrecked their story.

The same is true of ANY of the common creative styles. For some writers, SOTP is salvation. For others, it's damnation. Ditto for editing-as-you-go and for outlining.

The important thing is to find the best way for you. Your best creative style may be one of those I've named, or it may be some mix of them. That's for you to find out.

When you find the right way for you, stick with it. There really is one best way for you. Just don't assume that it's also the one best way for everyone else.

Visit Randy's Advanced Fiction Writing Blog for new tips.

Are you unsure if you should join ACFW? Are you a writer who joined but is unsure this is where you belong?

We sometimes hear questions like these. You might find your own concern among them.

I'm not published yet. Do I belong in ACFW?

MOST of our members are unpublished, but are working TOWARD publication. You're welcomed with open arms. Here you will find training in fiction writing and information about the Christian fiction industry that will help you reach the Lord's goals for your writing. Note that His goals may or may not include publication, but we will work with you, encourage you, and pray for you while you find out.

I write non-fiction exclusively. Do I belong in ACFW?

Although some of our members write both fiction and non-fiction, almost everything ACFW does is geared toward the novelist and the Christian fiction market. Good writing principles carry over into both "camps," and using fiction techniques brings new life to non-fiction. But unless you write fiction, you may find it more beneficial to join one of the organizations that addresses non-fiction writing, publishing, and markets. Whatever you decide, you'll want to note that discussion on the loop needs to stay focused on fiction writing topics.

I just want to promote my book here. Do I belong in ACFW?

Our primary objectives are training writers, educating them in Christian fiction, and serving as an advocate for the Christian fiction industry. Promotion of our authors is not a key function but a great byproduct of the relationships made within ACFW. The connections you make here--as well as the opportunities for enlisting book reviewers and getting your book considered for New Releases and our Author lists on the website--will help get the word out to other authors and the readers who frequent our website. But your strongest promotional endeavors will come from other sources than ACFW. However, education ABOUT promotion and marketing is one of our strong suits. Sharing information about promotional opportunities happens all the time within ACFW.

I'm self-published. Do I belong in ACFW?

ACFW's mission and vision are to prepare novelists for success in traditional publishing, helping our members strive for excellence in the craft and develop skills that will help their books attract the attention of CBA publishers. Other groups may focus more on self-publication goals. From the beginning, ACFW has sought to prepare authors and their books for acceptance by CBA publishers. We aren't tailored to guide writers to well-respected self-publishers or to help promote self-published books. Self-publishing has a different dynamic, especially in the world of fiction. But there are still ways in which you may benefit greatly from ACFW membership. As you take advantage of the wealth of knowledge and information in our craft-training classes, our website archives, and our main loop, you will grow in your craft and become even more skilled at the kind of writing the Lord has designed for you, no matter what type of publication outreach He has in mind specifically for you.

I'm multi-published and have a strong marketing team, a great agent, and more contracts than I can manage. Do I belong in ACFW?

Do you need to know that other writers understand your challenges? Do you appreciate the encouragement of those who are blessed by what you write? If you are multi-published, you no doubt have learned the secret--that a writer can never stop learning. Just as a prolific author always is digging into (or back into) a craft classic, he or she can benefit from fresh ways of looking at subjects like POV, deepening emotion, writer's block, character motivations... Or you may find your greatest joy in ACFW membership is the opportunity to help other writers over the hurdles you conquered long ago, or in some aspect of mentoring through your knowledgeable answers to the main loop. You'll find both camaraderie with other multi-published authors and plenty of opportunity to assist the yet-to-be-published in their writing journey.

ACFW is always looking to expand and enhance what we offer to both the newcomer and the veteran novelist. We understand that we can't meet every need, nor can we fully focus on every aspect of fiction that deserves attention. But we're working very hard to show that if you're serious about writing great novels, this is where you belong!

The Shape of Mercy
By Susan Meissner
Women's fiction
Published by WaterBrook
ISBN 978-1-4000-7456-3

Back Cover:
Leaving a life of privilege to strike out on her own, Lauren Durough breaks with her family's expectations and takes a part-time job from eighty-three-year-old librarian Abigail Boyles. The mysterious employer asks Lauren to transcribe the journal entries of her ancestor Mercy Hayworth, a victim of the Salem witch trials.

Immediately, Lauren finds herself drawn to this girl who lived and died four centuries ago. As the fervor around the witch accusations increases, Mercy becomes trapped, unable it fight the overwhelming influence of snap judgments and superstitions. Lauren realizes that the secrets of Mercy's story extend beyond the pages of her diary, living on in the mysterious, embittered Abigail.

The strength of her affinity with Mercy forces Lauren to take a startling new look at her own life, including her relationships to Abigail, her college roommate, and a young man named Raul. But on the way to truth, will Lauren find herself playing the helpless defendant or the misguided judge? Can she break free from her own perceptions and see who she really is?

Review:
Susan Meissner at her best—The Shape of Mercy is a unique and captivating story where past and present intersect. Masterfully drawn, the compelling characters will live on in your heart long after you close the book.

Though I knew Mercy's sad end going in, I was as drawn into her life as Lauren, wondering what Mercy had done to be accused of witchcraft. Her only crime was being a little different and having a rival in love with the same young man. In an age where superstition grew to hysteria, all it took was an accusation to seal Mercy's fate.

Meissner is brilliant at pacing, and Lauren's story unfolded bit by bit, making it difficult to put down. It's hard to say which character was my favorite, and the surprising ending crowned a memorable read. I give The Shape of Mercy my highest recommendation. It's a five-star read.

Eva Marie Everson (far right) talked Gina and me into helping her pull a surprise on Yvonne Lehman, who is the conference director. We didn't know it would involve learning the Cha-cha Slide in abotu two minutes. I did not perform gracegully. It turned funky, but we sure had a blast.

Her I am with my new agent, Janet Benrey of Benrey Literary, and her husband Ron. I'm delighted to have signed with Janet!

Deborah Raney and Brandilyn Collins have this friendly competition going on who can scare whom the most. I was enlisted when Brandilyn found out I would be at Ridgecrest when Deb was. And so, Mr. Hissie (a rubber snake seen by Deb's hand) hitched a ride with me.

I hid him on Deb's chair in the room where we held appointments. Only Deb's sppointment had arrived, and Deb pulled her chair out keeping eye contact with the woman instead of looking down as I had planned.

Deb sat on poor Mr, Hissie. I had my camera poised, ready to capture the moment she began to scream. I think she's on to you, Brandilyn. She chatted for a moment or two before she realized her chair wasn't smooth. Ah well, we'll try again in September.

By Wednesday night, we were all giddy. The elbow belongs to our good friend Cindy Sproles, who took second place in the contest for unpublished novels.

Cindy, in her excitment on Thursday (or perhaps it was the result of giddiness), tried to catch a wayward Gaitherite barehanded. It didn't work. But she's on the mend.

Here's Gina with DiAnn Mills and Yvonne Lehman.

Ann Tatlock connected with a cousin she hadn't met before. What fun for both!




I'm a lexophile - a lover of words and their sometimes dual meanings.
1. A bicycle can't stand alone; it is two tired.
2. A will is a dead giveaway
3. Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
4. A backward poet writes inverse.
5. In a democracy it's your vote that counts; in feudalism, it's your Count that votes.
6. A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
7. If you don't pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
8. With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
9. Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I'll show you A-flat miner.
10. When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
11. The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
12. A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, resulted in linoleum Blown apart.
13. You are stuck with your debt if you can't budge it.
14. Local Area Network in Australia : The LAN down under.
15. He broke into song because he couldn't find the key.
16. A calendar's days are numbered.
17. A lot of money is tainted: 'Taint yours, and 'taint mine.
18. A boiled egg is hard to beat.
19. He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
20. A plateau is a high form of flattery.
21. A short fortuneteller who escaped from prison: a small medium at large.
22. Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
23. When you've seen one shopping center you've seen a mall.
24. If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.
25. When she saw her first strands of gray hair, she thought she'd dye.

Another of my critique partners debuts!!!