by Crystal Caudill | May 1, 2018 | Book and Writing Events, Writer's Life
I know, it’s a year away, but registration is OPEN for the amazing Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat taking place in Washington, D.C. April 5-6, 2019.
If you are able, I highly recommend attending this event. The information below comes from the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat Page. Please visit them for more information and register soon!
What is CFRR?
“Christian Fiction Readers Retreat is a one day event gathering of Christian Fiction readers and authors. The event’s theme is “Honoring God through Christian Fiction” and will feature speaker sessions, author panels, breakout sessions, prayer & worship and author signings.
An unprecedented event in the Christian Fiction genre, the Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) offers an opportunity for readers to meet and chat with authors. The event will include food, games, giveaways and free books. Following a successful 2016 debut in Nashville, and a second one on August 12th in Cincinnati, Ohio, the next CFRR will take place in the Spring of 2019 in the VA/DC/MD area.”
– CFRR Website
What Authors will be OFFICIALLY there?
| Amber Lynn Perry |
Gabrielle Meyer |
Megan Whitson Lee |
| Becca Whitham |
Janet Ferguson |
Melissa Tagg |
| Bethany Turner |
Jayme H Mansfield |
Mesu Andrews |
| Carole Towriss |
Jean C. Gordon |
Mikal Dawn |
| Carrie Turansky |
Kimberley Woodhouse |
Misty M Beller |
| Cathy Gohlke |
Kristi Ann Hunter |
Roseanna M. White |
| Connilyn Cossette |
Kristin Noel Fischer |
Ruth Logan Herne |
| Dawn Crandall |
Lindsay Harrel |
Sandra Ardoin |
| Deborah Giusti |
Lindsey Brackett |
Stephenia H. McGee |
| Elaine Stock |
Lisa Cox Carter |
Susan May Warren |
| Erica Vetsch |
Lisa Jordan |
Toni Shiloh |
| Eva Marie Everson |
Mary Connealy |
Tracey J Lyons |
Last year, I discovered that authors are just as excited to go as a reader to a reader event. And why not? We’re avid readers, too.
What do you do there?
When I went in 2017, I was so impressed with how the event went. It was like a spiritual retreat mixed with a reader’s dream. We had awesome times of worship, a devotional, speakers who glorified God, and we prayed together, authors prayed with me. It was an amazing spiritual refueling.
In addition to the spiritual side of things, we played games, won prizes, asked questions, fan-girled (I swear I wasn’t the only one), and came home with these awesome bags filled with books, reader swag, and awesome goodies. It was an amazing time.
(First Photo by EA Creative Photography)
What does Registration include?
The Registration Fee for the Main Event (April 6, 2019, 8:30 AM – 7:00 PM) includes: :
- Entry to the 2019 Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) Main Event on April 6, 2019, which includes (3) speaker sessions, at least (2) author panels, breakout sessions and the opportunity meet and chat with authors, and fellow readers.
- Author signing at the end of the day to chat with authors and fellow readers
- A goody bag full of swag from authors, publishers, sponsors and CFRR
- Light breakfast
- Lunch
- Afternoon snack
- All day non-alcoholic beverage service
- Tons of chances to win giveaways donated by authors and sponsors throughout the day
- One entry into the Grand Prize of the event
The Registration Fee for the Meet & Greet Event (April 5, 2019, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM) includes:
- Entry to the 2019 Christian Fiction Readers Retreat (CFRR) Meet & Greet Event on April 5, 2019. It will start at 6:00 PM and run through 8:00 PM or later.
- Please note, the reserved space for the Meet & Greet have limited capacity, and therefore ticket sales will be closed once capacity is met. It will not accommodate all guests for the main event.
- Non-alcoholic beverages and light snacks will be served by the hotel. Guests are welcome to purchase additional food (only) from the hotel restaurant and bring it to the Meet & Greet.
- A relaxed schedule will be posted closer to date.
So what are you waiting for? This is an event you DO NOT want to miss if at all possible. Visit the Christian Fiction Reader’s Retreat Website and register, ASAP. Last year the spots filled up before the Registration Deadline.
Important Dates:
- Readers’ Registration Begins – April 30, 2018 at 11:00 AM EST
- Readers’ Registration Deadline – September 20, 2018 or until capacity reached (whichever comes first)
- Hotel Room block Deadline – March 15, 2019 or until block capacity reached (whichever comes first)
- 2019 Christian Fiction Readers’ Retreat – April 5 – April 6, 2019
Join the Discussion: Who is going? If you can’t go, what questions would you want to be answered by a participating author? I’ll try to remember to ask them and share it when I do my CFRR Review post next May.
by Crystal Caudill | Feb 20, 2018 | Book Reviews
Join the Discussion: Check out the Community Question below and comment.
The Lacemaker by Laura Frantz
In high school, I was obsessed with the American Revolution. I lived, breathed, and dreamed every detail I could find about the American Revolution. Stories that (thankfully) will never see the light of day were written.
As terrible as those amateur stories were, I am happy to report that The Lacemaker is no amateur story. Laura Frantz crafted a wonderful story that draws you so completely into the complexities of those first days that it is a shock to your system when someone *ahem – children I’m referring to you* interrupt your reading for something as trivial as being fed.
Who can eat when the balance of a nation is hanging on a lacemaker’s thread?
Genre: Historical Romance, American Revolution
Plot Overview: Lady Elisabeth “Liberty” Lawson is days away from her arranged marriage taking place when she is abandoned by her fiancé and family. As daughter of a prominent British leader, she is suspected to be a spy and struggles to survive in her hometown of Independence Men. No one is willing to come to her aid, save the Welsh Independence man, Noble Rynallt. An enemy to the crown, he has his own struggles to contend with, but the former-lady-turned-lacemaker cannot be ignored. As tensions grow, Liberty must make a choice – join the Independence Men or turn her back on her father and country? Whatever the choice, the cost could be her life.
What I loved: I will say my absolute favorite part of any story that takes place during the American Revolution or Civil War is the complexities of how families were affected. The relationship between Elisabeth “Liberty” and her family is so complex that I just relish every detail. Her father so wonderfully reflected the Independence Men’s view of England while her mother was the independent spirit that refused to be broken. The broken family was such a wonderful symbol of Britain’s relationship with it’s colonies. I don’t know if she meant that symbolism or not, but I absolutely loved it.
Favorite Character: It is such a hard toss up between Liberty and Noble. Liberty is such an amazing young woman who really grows from the submissive daughter to a woman who learns to fend for herself without compromising her morals. She is brave, kind-hearted, and the woman I hope I would be under such circumstances.
Noble is the swoon worthy hero every romance needs. He is a man who watches out for the needs of others, has a strong sense of obligation and duty to bring this nation to independence, and Welsh heritage makes you want to cuddle up next to him in real life. I won’t give away the details, but he is a great leader and a man who will do anything for those he loves. Such a brave man.
Who would like this: Anyone who love historically accurate stories with love, romance, danger, and self-sacrifice (no one dies). Those who especially love the American Revolution and the complex relationships between the British and those seeking independence.
Rating and Why: I give this story 5 stars. I loved the complexities of the story, the romance that was exciting but clean, and all the historical characters. It was masterfully created and a pure joy to read.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this story on #netgalley through the publisher for review purposes. The opinions above are completely my own and not influenced in any way.
Join the Discussion: What is your favorite aspect of reading books set in the American Revolution? Do you like the battles? Espionage? Relationships? Love between opposite sides? Romance against all odds?
If you read the book: Which character did you identify with most?
Purchase Links:
Christianbook.comBarnes and NobleWalmart.comAmazon.com
by Crystal Caudill | Apr 11, 2016 | Writing Craft
Last week we took an In-depth Look at Character Goals. This week we will examine the why of external and internal goals. At the end of the post you will find application questions to guide you on your way.
What is Motivation?
Goal and motivation co-exist. You cannot have one without the other. In fact, when defining our goal, motivation is taken into consideration. Motivation is the reason why they take action. It is what drives them.
The character wants his goal because of the motivation. It is the why.
Make It Compelling. Make It Urgent.
Motivation is important. It is a major element which helps us to empathize or connect with the character. My motto with motivation is “Make it worse.” This adds to the urgency of the goal.
The great thing about the fiction world is you can do what ever you want as long as the reader understands the why.
Your character has a loan they cannot repay? Make it worse. A bank will repossess your house and the items you own, but what a merciless loan shark would do can be far worse. Imagine how the plot would be different for each of those scenarios. Which story line will be more compelling to read?
Taking Motivation a Step Further
Motivation shouldn’t only drive your overarching goal, it should drive your character’s every decision and action.
- Why did honest Joe steal from the bank? Because his family was being held captive and would be killed if he didn’t.
- Why did the rich heiress choose the even richer rogue instead of the man she loved? Because her family was in financial ruin and her little sister would not be able to receive treatment without his infuse of money.
Give a reason which will make your characters willing to risk anything and everything to achieve their goal. Give them no other choice. A weak motivation leads to a weak story.
One Last Tip
Character motivation needs to match your actual character. Make it possible. Your story can be wildly crazy and believable as long as you have the right motivation.
Would a Union woman cut off her hair, pretend to be a mute boy in a Confederate prisoner camp, and secretly help Confederate men to escape? (If you are a history buff at all, you can imagine the risks that woman is taking. Doing so is completely against her best interest.)
If you give her the right motivation, it could be a completely believable story.
Application Questions:
- What is your character’s goal?
- What is their motivation?
- How can you make it worse?
- Is your motivation believable for the character? Would they really make that choice?
- Do your characters have a purpose that moves them toward their goal for the scene you have created?
Share some of your answers in the comments below. I would love to hear your thoughts. Are there any other guiding questions you would add?
May God bless your journey to follow “The Write Call”,
