Hi folks – I am posting today to remind you of the upcoming deadline for the Time2Write retreat. I am going to be one of the hosts for this event, and will be helping with the cooking and cleaning… so y’all can relax and write… draw… take photos… hike… pray… knit.. whatever you need to […]
Do YOU need some alone time to write? Would you like to get away to a rustic lodge with just you, your computer, and a handful of fellow writers for some focused writing time? How about a chance to have your meals prepared for you, your dishes washed by someone else and no chores to …
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 8/20/2012
I have news. Good news for readers who live anywhere around or near Western North Carolina. On Saturday, September 8, 2012, I and other Write2Ignite! Team members will be leading our second A Day Apart event in Spindale, NC. And it's only $45 for the full day of write, review, critique, brainstorm, rewrite and lunch, too! Details are here. I hope some of you will plan to join us.
It. Is. Coming. Closer… and closer… and closer… ARE YOU READY? WHEN? March 16-17. WHERE? North Greenville University, near Greenville, SC WHAT? FIND OUT HERE!!! Filed under: writing for children Tagged: christians who write for children, Jesus, kidlit, mysteries, novels, picture books, Write2Ignite, writing conference, writing for children
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 12/14/2011
It's finally here! Registration for Write2Ignite! 2012 is up and running at http://www.write2ignite.com/. Praise-A-Lujah! I hope to see you March 16-17, 2012 at North Greenville University.
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 7/4/2011
Maintaining this blog has been a fun challenge for me in several ways: It has forced me to think about the things I am learning as a writer It has disciplined me to write concisely (most of the time) It has helped me to connect with other writers It has disciplined me to write even when I don't "feel like it" It has given me opportunities to encourage other people using their talents to glorify
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 6/21/2011
Write2Ignite! has become a huge part of my life. I'm a business owner (I said I would NEVER do that!). I'm an entrepreneur! (Whatever that is.) And I'm responding to God's call on my life to be a writer, a teacher, a leader and an encourager. I can't think of a better way to "be" all of those things than Write2Ignite! With that in mind I'm happy to announce a new one-day Write2Ignite!event
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 3/1/2011
In recent months several of my writing friends have signed on with agents. They are in approximately the same stage of writing and "publishability" as I. We've critiqued each other's mss. We laughed together, prayed together, written together and cried together. I'm happy for them because signing with a reputable agent is a giant step toward book contracts I've been told. Especially because many
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 2/12/2011
I've been a little slack in posting this week. We're coming down to the wire with our 2011 Write2Ignite! Conference and I'm as busy as a squirrel before the first snow fall. I won't post next week either, but February 22, 2011, I'll be back with pictures and praises about the Conference. Meanwhile, I leave you with these Encouraging Words: Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer
So Wednesdays are usually my “Waking up Grumpy” post. But not today. NO sir! Today I have a few announcements I hope will brighten or enhance your life in some fantabulous way. 1. My Picture Book Love Contest is still … Continue reading 
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 1/10/2011
Hop on over to Carol Baldwin's Blog and take a peek. She interviewed me about Write2Ignite! Carol is leading the Teen Track at our next Write2Ignite! Conference. February 18-19, 2011, at North Greenville University in Tigerville, SC. Enjoy some photos from last year's event. Our line-up of presenters for adults include the following terrific folks: Cindy Sproles Editor with Christian
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 10/8/2010
We’ve changed our Write2Ignite! Chatz from Sundays to Monday evenings. Please join us MONDAY night, October 11, 2010 from 9:00 to 10:00 PM EST at http://www.chatzy.com/889430628146. Thanks, Visit us at http://www.write2ignite.com/.
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 5/17/2010
What am I learning about writing this week? My mother is 85 years old. She's a spry little thing, too. One of her long-held beliefs is that you can't quit learning. You've got to keep your mind active and learning or you'll lose it, according to Mom. So I keep challenging myself to learn new things and to gain new skills. Last Sunday I learned something while participating in the Write2Ignite!
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 3/22/2010
My intent was to give you my enthusiastic report about Write2Ignite! 2010 two weeks ago. But LIFE got in the way. And we all know that life takes presidence over writing, tweeting, blogging, etc.--with or without our permission. I'm trying to get back into my normal groove and my head back in the game of writing for publication. So, here goes my mini-report. All photos, BTW, are courtesy of
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 3/1/2010
WOW! Amazing. Stupendous. Incredible. Blessed beyond our expectations. That pretty much sums up the Write2Ignite! weekend at North Greenville University. We are grateful to every person who graced us with their participation in our Conference for Christian Writers of Children's Literature. The presenters were wonderful. The University was gracious. The Team members outdid themselves. The
Friend-ge Benefits
I couldn’t believe it! As I sat at the lunch table at the first Write2Ignite! Conference, I overheard a conversation going on right beside me. The bubbly, beautiful woman to my left was discussing the events of the last year. Two of her daughters had gotten married within months of each other. So had mine. Her husband had a kidney transplant. Mine had a stroke. I couldn’t help but join in. Although she was from Iowa and I from North Carolina, we had walked such similar paths. And the likenesses didn’t stop there. Her husband is a pastor. Mine was in the pastorate for 17 years. She and her husband started a Christian school. My hubby and I did too. God brought us together at that appointed time to begin a friendship, a sisterhood, that continues to this day. No, we don’t get to see each other often…other than through our blog photos, but we are one in spirit, sharing a bond that disregards the miles between us. We pray for each other, email, post blog comments, and encourage one another.
The “icing on the cake” was that we also shared the love of literature for children! We both had been given a dream…called by God to write books for children. Now, she has several books bearing her name, and I’m still a “newbie.” My first book just came out in November. And my dear friend, Dixie, was cheering me all along the way!
Dixie Phillips will be attending Write2Ignite! You are in for such a blessing if you get the opportunity to meet her. She is such a light for Jesus! I know that I can’t wait to get a big hug!
Interestingly, Vonda Skelton was the very first person that I met at the very first writers’ conference I attended! She is also bubbly and beautiful, a dear friend and encourager…and accomplished writer! She will surely bless our socks off with her keynotes at Write2Ignite! this year!!!
Write2Ignite! is power-packed with an amazing faculty! You will be challenged. You will learn and grow as a writer. You will make contacts with editors and leaders in publishing. But that’s not all. The friend-ge benefits are amazing!
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Christian conference, christian workshops, friends, making connections, Write2Ignite, writing friends
2 Comments on February 10, 2010, last added: 2/10/2010
I had only taken a few steps into my writing journey when I decided it was time to submit my fabulous, wonderful, “you’re-gonna-love-it-and-offer-me-a-bazillion-dollars” picture book.
Really, it was great.
It had three interesting main characters (count ‘em, three). It was chock full of lovely adverbs. And it was wrapped around a love story (rated G, of course!). Did I mention this lovely picture book was 4,000 words long?
Yep. 4,000 words.
So, this wonderful book and I were on our way. We were on our way to the bookshelves at Books-a-million. We were on our way to stardom. We were on our way to the top of the charts!
And I figured the best way to the top was to start there.
I called a major publishing house and asked for the head editor.
Yep. The head editor.
Funny thing, one of the secretaries (or maybe it was an intern?) put me right through. She seemed perfectly fine with the whole thing.
The editor, on the other hand, not so much. Our conversation was short…but not sweet. He demanded to know how I got through to his office. Taken aback, I told him. I hope to this day that secretary (or intern)* didn’t get fired.
I crossed the line. I broke the chain of command. I obliterated rules that I didn’t know existed.
Making sure I knew the rules, however, wasn’t the secretary’s job.
It wasn’t the editor’s job.
It wasn’t anyone’s job…but mine.
If writing is my job – and I do consider it as such – then I need to KNOW my job. I need to know the ins and outs, chain of command and where the lines are. I need to know the rules.
And how do I find out this information?
Join a writer’s organization. There are tons out there. I am now a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators).
Join (or start!) a critique or writer’s group. (I’m a member of two groups. I learn new stuff every day!)
Buy or borrow the Children’s Writer’s and Illustrator’s market and Sally Stuart’s Christian Writer’s Market Guide. Soak up all the great info on the pages. (Really…get thee to a bookstore!)
Go to Writing Conferences. (There are conferences held all over the world. Shameless plug: click here for a great one!)
Explore online resources. Verlakay’s message board is a great place to start. You can find info on all things writing there!
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. (But don’t be a slacker. Do your homework, too!)
Be assured, I’ve made other mistakes since THE CALL. Thankfully, I’ve walked away with no burned bridges…just a few singed manuscript pages!
5 Comments on January 13, 2010, last added: 1/15/2010
By: Jean Matthew Hall,
on 1/5/2010
Please hop on over to our Write2Ignite! Blog - Fire It Up! to read my post for this week. And, yes, it also has something to do with goals.
It’s that time of year again and many of us are setting new goals, making new resolutions, and turning over new leaves. [Hmmm…can I think of anymore clichés to use here?] And that’s a good thing, right? But are those “goals” I’m setting truly goals, or am I just wishing and hoping?
Goals are measureable. For us writers that means goals involve something measureable like time, money, dates, repetitions or word counts. Saying that I will write more than I did last year is measureable only if I actually kept track last year, and keep track this year, on a calendar, journal, or spreadsheet. Simply using the generic “more” goal isn’t really a goal at all.
Goals are specific. Establishing specifics by which I can measure my progress toward my goals actually increases my desire to meet those goals, and the probability that I’ll succeed. Being specific with my goals also makes it easier for me to measure my progress and be inspired to keep reaching for those goals. Those same specifics will also hold me acutely accountable to my biggest critic—myself.
Goals are attainable. That doesn’t mean that they are easy—oh, no. I need to set goals that I can conceivably reach with some extra effort. Determining that I’ll see six of my magazine articles in print this year might be attainable, or it might not. To accomplish that I’ll need to set other goals such as the number of articles I’ll write, and the number of submissions I’ll send off. But many factors that are out of my control influence publication. So I need to think long and hard, and pray for wisdom to set goals that are primarily affected by my efforts, not factors beyond my control.
Goals are challenging. It might make me feel great for a while if I set goals so low that I easily reach them. But that feeling won’t last long. Real satisfaction and subsequent motivation come from stretching to reach goals, and succeeding! Goals that require me to work a little harder than I want, and to do just a tad more than I think I can, will keep me on the track to success—to accomplishing my goals.
Goals are applicable. Setting goals for word counts, the number of submissions or acceptances, hours spent at the computer, writing courses or conferences (like Write2Ignite!) attended are all countable, measureable goals. But how about other aspects of being a writer such as improving my skills? How can I apply goal-setting to word-wrangling? To creating convincing proposals or queries? To finding my voice? How can I measure progress in my skills?
To do that I need to rely on other people’s responses to the words I pen—people I respect like critique partners, editors, agents, and other writers. And to get their reactions I have to make myself vulnerable by sharing my manuscripts and asking for their input.
What about goals for changes in my attitudes, character, or habits? How can I me
“Every good and perfect gift is from above….” James 1:17 (NIV)
Re-gifting has a negative connotation…usually. Today I want you to consider it in a different light. If you are reading this blog, you must be feeling God’s urging for you to share in some fashion through the written word. Has He called you? Has He gifted you?? Friend, if God has given you the gift of teaching, encouraging, or sharing His love through the writing of personal experiences, devotions, or stories (fiction or non), that was not made to keep to yourself. Re-gift it!!
In Romans 12:6-8, we are challenged to recognize our gifting and to act upon it. Paul tells us that “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage….” In 1 Peter 4:10, we read, “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms…with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised….” Is God calling you to serve Him…and others… through your gift of writing?
Many times when God calls, the “called” initially respond with “not me…I’m not a writer/speaker/teacher….I can’t.” Oh, but our God can!!! Just yield to His power! God will “equip you with everything good for doing His will” (Hebrews13:21), and you won’t be just basically equipped…but “thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:17)
A part of that equipping comes from making a commitment and taking advantage of opportunities that God brings our way to hone our skills and learn from those who have walked the writers’ road before us. Write2Ignite offers an amazing avenue to “fan into flame the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6) through speakers, workshops, and the fellowship of other Christians seeking to do His will.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers [and sisters], in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies [including your mind, your heart, and your hands], as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship.” (Romans 12:1) Don’t you just love that??? Our writing, an act of worship! “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory…throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Ready, set, re-gift!!!!!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: fire it up, God, regifting, sharing our gifts with others, using our gifts, Write2Ignite, writing for children
I attend a Writers conference every year. This particular year I was 
attending a conference for only one reason. After all, I quit writing that year. I no longer claimed to be a writer. But yet, I longed to be there. So, I had a heart to heart talk with God before the conference explaining to Him that I would attend on one condition – That He speak to me (in my good ear) and tell me whether I was to write or not.
I gathered a couple of old manuscripts to submit for critiques and I was on my way. Mid-conference I rocked back and forth in a rocking chair on the porch of my hotel over-looking a swamp, complaining to God that I hadn’t heard anything yet. I had no further inkling as to what His will was for me. While I continued whining to God, I heard a scratching noise. I kept griping and ignoring the scratching noise until I could ignore it no further. I stopped my bellyaching long enough to find the culprit. It was a squirrel. While I’ve seen my share of squirrels in my life, this particular squirrel captured my attention.
I noticed he was working on a nut. He was scratching and nibbling his way through the shell to get to the juicy nut. I noticed when a person walked by, 
the squirrel scurried to a branch further up the tree then continued working on his nut. He was consistent. He was persistent. He was determined and focused. I realized he wasn’t going to let anybody take the nut away from him and that he would undoubtedly obtain that juicy prize - unless he threw down his nut and quit.
At that point, I got it. That is exactly what I had done. I had thrown down my nut and quit. I realized God had placed the gift of writing in my hands and I needed to be consistent, persistent, determined and focused. I would miss out on all God had in store for me if I quit. I vowed right then to stay persistent in my writing and never throw down my God-given nut again.
That week, I won the award for the best children’s submission. Later, I received contracts and writing opportunities that I never would have dreamt possible.
While God does not speak through squirrels all the time, I believe He is present at Christian Writer’s Conferences and longs to make Himself heard. He speaks in ways that will reach us and in ways that we’ll understand. So, come to the conference with an open heart, expecting to Hear from Him and anxious to see what prized nuts he has in store for you!
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: God, inspiration, stepping out in faith, Write2Ignite, write2ignite conference, writing for children
0 Comments on November 20, 2009 as of 1/1/1900
write2ignite:
Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in two writing conferences. I was a presenter for the SCBWI-Carolinas conference and part of the planning team for Write2Ignite! It was a good experience, as “shy me” had to talk with authors, agents, and editors I normally wouldn’t have spoken to.
One such opportunity turned out to be more than I expected. At the Write2Ignite! Conference, it was my job to pick up two presenters from two different hotels and take them to the church for a nice supper before the Friday evening meeting. The whole trip should have taken me about 15 – 20 minutes, and I envisioned pleasant small talk among the three of us during the drive.
I arrived on time to pick up Jonathan Friesen, our guest speaker for the teens who will be speaking again this year. We then headed for the second hotel to pick up Sandra Epps, a presenter for the adult workshops.
I was unfamiliar with the city, though. I watched for Sandra’s hotel off to the right, spotted it, and then started searching for an entrance. But I couldn’t find one! Before I knew it, we were merging onto a different highway going towards another city with no way to turn around.
I began making calls to let folks know that we didn’t have Sandra. I also had to tell them that we were lost! Here I was, driving our full-size family van down the interstate with a conference presenter with no idea where I was going. I finally spotted an exit with a street name that looked familiar, so I took it. We eventually found a shopping center that gave us a point of reference, and with some help over the phone made our way back to the church. It was about an hour after I had first left.
Well, despite my embarrassment, I did have a really good conversation with Jonathan. (We had the time, after all!) We talked about our families, our daughters, and their love of horses. I also found out that he very patient and easy-going. Best of all, I got to know him more as a person, rather than an untouchable presenter who wouldn’t have time for a conference attendee like me.
As the conference went on, I found all of the presenters to be just like Jonathan. All real people willing to talk, to share, and to bless others. I know our presenters this year will be the same, and I can’t wait to meet them. And since I’m familiar with the town, I won’t get anyone lost.
Posted in Uncategorized Tagged: Christian conference, conference etiquette, conference presenters, Write2Ignite, writing for children
0 Comments on November 11, 2009 as of 1/1/1900
Looks like a worthwhile event. Sorry, it's too far ways for me to attend. I'll be praying.
Thank you for the prayers! We need all we can get.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Jean