OCW Winter 2015 Newsletter

Oregon Christian Writers
winter 2015 Newsletter
Understanding God’s Grace for Your Life
Marilyn Rhoads
OCW Program
Coordinator
Would you like to know more
about how to accept God’s peace
and reflect it in what you write? Bill
Giovannetti’s keynote addresses at the
February 28 conference in Salem may
be just what you need to hear.
His ministry and writing goal is
“to help people find and follow God.”
Bill strives to inform the mind in ways
that connect at a heart level, delivering
God’s Word with depth and practicality. His aim is to encourage people—
not tear them down. He wants people
free from legalism, shame, and guilt. It
excites him to see God’s people plunge
themselves into His hope, joy, and
grace.
Bill is the senior pastor of the
Neighborhood Church of Redding,
California, and teaches at both A.W.
Tozer Theological Seminary and
Simpson University. He is the son of
The Skillful Pen
President’s Corner
Maxine Marsolini
OCW President
president@
oregonchristianwriters.org
Where does creativity start? For me,
a middle-class Italian hillbilly family
and grew up in Chicago. (He still
loves Chicago pizza and sports teams.)
His early love of reading, combined with a deep-seated hunger for
the Bible and theology, moved him
toward a study of legalism and selfworth. Both aspects form the foundation of his ministry, whether it is in
his writing, preaching, or teaching.
Serving in full-time ministry since
the age of 20, Bill has been a children’s
and youth pastor, and he planted a
church in Chicago. He obtained a
doctorate in church leadership and
growth. His wife, Margi, and he have
two children, two annoying but sweet
dogs, and four death-defying fish.
His first book, Secrets to a Happy
Life, delves into how God invites us to
do something bigger than ourselves—
a quest no one else can achieve—
where we can be a hero to someone,
even if it’s only God and His angels.
Four Letter Words is about the
struggles each of us faces as we grapple
“with faith, reality, sexuality, life, and
death.”
How to Keep Your Inner Mess from
Trashing Your Outer World explores the
challenge of creating peace from your
inner chaos. God designed us for an
intimate connection with Himself.
Bill’s most recent release, Grace
Intervention: Understanding God’s
Beautiful Gift of Grace, is written on
the premise that your life in Christ
me to be more conscious of the responsibility that comes with the gift of writing.
What might inspire you and me to be
a more skillful writer in the year ahead?
It wasn’t long before an acrostic came to
mind that lends strength to the writer’s
pursuit of excellence.
Stir the reader’s heart.
Keep pursuing the craft of writing.
creativity begins with one small ah-ha
thought that hounds me until I pay atten- Include trustworthy critique partners.
tion to its unseen presence. Why should I Let rejection become helpful feedback.
care if I write down what’s rolling through Look to advance the intent of your writmy mind? Simply because others might be ing.
Follow investigative paths in order to valiencouraged to try again, to love again, to
date facts.
get up when they’ve been knocked down,
Unbridle the power of positive change for
or to find hope where sadness has taken
your readers.
up residence.
Leave the fragrance of Christ behind.
With that thought in front of me, I
began to look for skills that would cause
Please see SKILLFUL on Page 7
Winter 2015 • Faith Is the Victor y
Please see GRACE on Page 7
Winter 2015 Conference
February 28
Chemeketa Community College
Salem
Inside at a Glance
• Winter Conference Workshops
• OCW Business
• Summer Conference
• Cascade Writing Contest
• Prayer Team
• Fall Conference Review
• Winter Conference Schedule • Winter Registration
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
OCW’s statement of faith on Page 3
encapsulates the historic Apostles’
Creed in updated language. Our aim is
to glorify God and help writers grow
in their craft. We ask our members and
presenters to adhere to our statement of
faith; however, OCW does not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by
our members or presenters in print or
the spoken word.
Winter Workshop Blessings
Conference Workshops
Marilyn Rhoads
OCW Program Coordinator
program@
oregonchristianwriters.org
A. Bill Giovannetti will teach “The
Thing in the Bushes.” It’s there
staring at you. Just out of sight. You
catch it in your peripheral vision, but
its beady eyes disappear when you
look head-on. This scary beast makes
you blank out, freak out, and stare at
the screen while gorging on bonbons,
organizing your pens, and pulling
your hair out over what to write next.
This workshop will acquaint you
with the “beast,” and you’ll see the
beautiful, grace-filled secret of rising
above its pull. Bring your laptop.
Tread where few have gone before.
B. Lynn Hare will present “Managing
Success with Periodicals.” How do
you get your articles into the hands of
your readers and keep track of your
submissions? Learn how to map out
a process for generating and tracking
your devotionals, articles, activities,
and stories that appear in numerous
publications. Track reprint rights and
earn more income from your writing.
Explore Lynn’s original system for
writing clear, targeted pieces so you
can submit, resubmit, and reach
readers with your Christ-centered
message.
Lynn has been a member of OCW
for four years and has published more
than 45 devotionals. She is a freelance
writer and certified teacher from
Portland who has been married to
her husband for 32 years. She is the
mother of two sons and a daughter,
and enjoys writing poems and songs,
doing amateur photography, and
hiking. She has published in The
Upper Room, The Secret Place, LIVE,
Pathways to God, Vista, Word Aglow,
Evangel, Now What?, Purpose, and The
Christian Journal.
2
C. “Self-Publishing—Pros and
Cons” will be taught by John Avery.
Explore the various aspects that
comprise the world of self-publishing
and save yourself headaches and
time on your journey. Find out
which questions to ask early in the
self-publishing process. Learn some
important truths from an author
who has thoroughly explored several
publishing models. Be able to make
an informed decision
about your own work
by weighing the pros
and cons.
John is a trained
teacher with more
than 30 years of
experience as a Bibleteaching pastor, small-group leader,
and missionary. He has lived in
England, Africa, and the Caribbean,
ministering with Youth with a Mission
and local churches. He and his wife,
Janet, now make their home in Keizer.
John likes to hike, snowshoe, and
cross-country ski. His self-published
book, The Name Quest—Explore
the Names of God to Grow in Faith
and Get to Know Him Better, was
published in October. John also
writes a Bible devotional at www.
BibleMaturity.com.
D. Colette Tennant will present
“Poetry as Prayer.” Writing
prayer poems is a challenge for the
21st-century Christian writer. We will
read contemporary prayer poetry in
class then practice writing our own.
In her article on poetry and prayer,
Katherine Towler writes, “Despite
being a lifelong Episcopalian, when I
am most in need of spiritual solace I
am more likely to
reach for poetry
than the Bible or
Book of Common
Prayer. In its
revelatory nature,
the greatest poetry
can give voice
to deeply held
Winter 2015
Driving Directions to
Winter Conference
From Southbound I-5: Exit 258 (Portland Road) – Turn left at end of exit ramp
and proceed to a right at the signal onto
Ward Drive, then turn right at the signal
onto Lancaster Drive. The school will be
on your left in less than one-half mile.
Enter the campus at the fully signaled
intersection.
From Northbound I-5: Exit 256 (Market
Street) – Turn right at end of exit ramp
and proceed to a left turn onto Lancaster
Drive. The school will be on your right in
about 1.8 miles. Enter the campus at the
fully signaled intersection.
Turn into the campus. Take the first right
on South Campus Loop. Then take the
first left on Fire Protection Way. Turn left
on East Campus Loop. We will meet in
Building 6, which will be on your left.
Park in either the Purple or Brown lot.
Check www.chemeketa.edu to orient
yourself to the Salem campus.
feelings and beliefs we may not know
we possess until the poem names them
for us.” Come see what God inspires
you to write, to pray, to dream.
Colette is an English professor at
Corban University, where she teaches
poetry writing, creative writing, and
various literature courses. Her second
book of poetry, Eden and After, will
be published in June 2015. Her first
poetry book, Commotion of Wings,
was published in 2010. Colette has a
doctorate in English from Ohio State
University. She is widely published in
journals and anthologies, including
Southern Poetry Review, Dos Passos
Review, and Natural Bridge.
E. “Firing Cupid’s Arrow” by
Bill Giovannetti. Even if it isn’t
romance, you need to touch your
readers’ hearts. Unless you’re writing a
textbook or a lecture for a government
panel, you can’t write informational
nonfiction. You have to peek beneath
your facts. How does your topic affect
your reader’s core being? Brew some
Please see WORKSHOPS on Page 6
Change Is in the Air
Minding OCW’s Business
Sue Miholer
OCW Leadership Team
Maxine Marsolini
Marilyn Rhoads
Wendy Gorski
Susan Maas
Sue Miholer
Lindy Jacobs
Megan E. Parks
Angella Foret Diehl
Julie Zander
Gail Sattler
Sally Stuart
Kathy Davis
Marion Duckworth
Eva Gibson
Petey Prater
Lindy Swanson
President
Program Coordinator
Treasurer
Secretary
Business Manager
Summer Conference
Director
Newsletter Production
& Managing Editor
Webmaster
Photographer
Critique Group
Coordinator
Marketing Expert
Media Assistant
Prayer Team
Prayer Team
Prayer Team
Prayer Team
Founded in 1963, we are an organization of writers, both amateur and professional,
who are Christians. Our members write for
both ministry and markets and subscribe to the
following statement of faith, which is OCW’s
historic position expressed in the Apostles’
Creed:
We believe the Bible to be the infallible,
authoritative Word of God. We believe that all
Scripture, as originally penned, was inspired by
God the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16).
We believe in an infinite, perfect, triune God
who exists eternally in three persons: God the
Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit
(Deuteronomy 6:4; Matthew 3:16–17; 28:19).
We believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God who
was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a
virgin. He lived a sinless life, did miracles, and
suffered a vicarious and atoning death. We believe in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension
to the right hand of the Father, and in His future
personal return in power and glory to judge the
living and the dead.
We believe that Jesus’ atoning death, burial,
and bodily resurrection is the only way to God
and eternal life and salvation (John 14:6; 1:12).
© All articles are printed with the permission of
the respective authors. Contact the editor or the
individual author for reprint information.
If you want additional newsletters to distribute
in your community, please contact Sue Miholer
at [email protected]. Let her
know how many copies you want and where you
want them sent.
OCW Business Manager
contact@
oregonchristianwriters.org
I
t appears that 2015 will be a year of
changes for OCW. And it’s starting
off with a flurry of activity. The board
worked our way through the bylaws last
year, adding some legal language at the
suggestion of our attorney. We came to
the conclusion that the bylaws need to
be very minimalistic. They are a legal
document whose changes must be voted
on by the membership. Because many
of the specifics regarding who does what
tend to morph over time with changes
in technology and personnel, we put the
operating details into a separate, and
more flexible, procedural manual that
reflects how we conduct the business of
OCW.
The bylaws and procedural changes
are a run-up to our applying to the
IRS for a change in our tax status to a
501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, which
will enable us to receive and receipt
tax-deductible gifts and also help us
qualify for grants. We have engaged the
services of an attorney who is walking
us through this process for much less
than the going rate since he has a heart
for nonprofit corporations. It will take
several months to hear back from the
IRS on this matter, so we want to get
the application process completed
before the February conference.
Our annual tax forms are due
January 15 for our October–September
fiscal year. Since we are already a notfor-profit corporation, a 501(c)(6),
we pay no taxes but do need to file an
annual Form 990. We have had a tax
preparer do this for us in the past who
prepared this year’s form as well. Wendy
Gorski, the newly elected OCW treasurer, hopes to handle this and other tax
paperwork in the future.
A big change this year will be
the location of our fall conference on
October 17. Multnomah University
notified us in late October that they
will no longer host outside groups during the school year.
Our fall conference will, instead, be
held at Warner Pacific College, located
at the intersection of SE Division and
SE 68th Avenue—about 2.5 miles southwest of Multnomah. We are confident
the Warner Pacific campus will work
well for us. Our fall conferences met
there many years ago, but we outgrew
their facilities. The considerable expansion since then will accommodate us
well.
It’s exciting to see all these changes
in motion. We believe that God will
continue to do great things through
OCW. 
Books by Bill Giovannetti
Secrets to a Happy Life:
Finding Satisfaction in Any Situation
Four Letter Words: Conversations on
Faith’s Beauty and Logic
How to Keep Your Inner Mess
from Trashing Your Outer World
Grace Intervention: Understanding God’s
Beautiful Gift of Grace
Faith Is the Victor y
3
Plan Now to Attend the Summer Conference, August 10–13
“Being Salt and Light” (Matthew 5:13–16)
Summer Conference
Lindy Jacobs
OCW Summer Conference Director
summerconf@
oregonchristianwriters.org
T
he OCW summer conference is becoming known as one of the country’s best
Christian writing conferences, with top
editors, agents, and award-winning authors
dedicated to helping you reach your writing
goals. We are planning 11 morning coaching classes plus 20 afternoon workshops
covering fiction, nonfiction, devotionals,
magazine articles, writing Bible studies,
writing for children, poetry, and marketing.
New this year will be coaching classes in
screenwriting (Nancy Ellen Dodd), historical fiction (Jane Kirkpatrick), “How to Be
an Insanely Great Indie Author” (Randy
Ingermanson), a beginning fiction mentoring class taught by agent/editor Karen Ball,
a professional track focusing on “Making
a Living in Today’s Market” with Agent
Chip MacGregor, and a premium ($50
extra charge) intermediate fiction class “Get
Published; Stay Published” with pre-conference reviews and small-group mentoring
with team coaches Susan May Warren, Jeff
Gerke, and James L. Rubart.
Conference Keynoters
Ed Underwood is the senior pastor of the historic
Church of the Open Door in Southern California (since
1996). He is the author of When God Breaks Your Heart,
Reborn to Be Wild, and The Trail. Ed didn’t grow up in a
Christian home, and this marked him with a deep appreciation of the Lord’s power to transform lives, families,
and cultures. Ed will be our evening keynoter (Monday–
Wednesday) and will speak about writing as worship,
using the Book of Romans as his text. He will also
teach an afternoon workshop about platform.
Jane Kirkpatrick, our Thursday morning keynoter,
is the New York Times best-selling author of 27
books. She will speak about believing as God would
have us believe in order to weave both salt and light
into our writing tapestries. She will also teach a
coaching class that explores ways to create authentic
characters at home in their landscape, time period,
relationships, spirituality, and work lives, as well as
some of the strategies she uses to write her books.
Please see CONFERENCE on Page 5
We are pleased to announce the following
outstanding faculty will be joining us:
Agents
Book Editors
Sherrie Ashcraft, Ashberry Lane Publishers
Kim Bangs, Bethany and Chosen Publishers
Vicki Crumpton, Revell, a Division of Baker Books
Nick Harrison, Harvest House
Terri Kalfas, Grace Publishing
Christina Tarabochia, Ashberry Lane Publishers
Magazine and Newspaper Editors
John Fortmeyer, Christian News Northwest
Susan King, The Upper Room
Sherri Langton, Bible Advocate
Chad McComas, The Christian Journal
Paul Smith, LIVE
Ben Wolf, Splickety Magazine
4
Sally Apokedak (children’s) of Les Stobbe Literary
Karen Ball of the Steve Laube Agency
Greg Johnson of WordServe Literary Group
Mary Keeley of Books and Such Literary
Wendy Lawson of Book and Such Literary
Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary
Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency
Authors
Nancy Ellen Dodd
Jeff Gerke
Randy Ingermanson
Jane Kirkpatrick
Winter 2015
James L. Rubart
David Sanford
Ed Underwood
Susan May Warren
The 2015 Cascade Writing
Contest Opens Valentine’s Day;
Entry Deadline March 31
By Julie McDonald Zander
Co-chair of the Cascade
Awards program
Brush off those books and articles
you published in 2014 and finish
tweaking those yet-to-be-published
pieces so you can enter them in the
2015 Cascade Writing Contest beginning Valentine’s Day.
The contest, which is in its third
year, is your chance to obtain recognition for your writing and gain
valuable feedback while competing
for awards in nearly a dozen writing
categories. Our preliminary and finals
judges spend countless hours reviewing entries to help writers improve
their skills.
Each category will have a winner in both the published and
unpublished divisions. Finalists will
have their entries reviewed by five
people—three preliminary judges and
two finals judges.
Among the finals judges who
have graciously agreed to help with
the 2015 contest are
editors Daisy Hutton
(HarperCollins),
Kim Bangs (Bethany/
Chosen), Nick Harrison (Harvest
House), Susan King (The Upper
Room), Sherri Langton (Bible
Advocate), Ben Wolf (Splickety
Magazine), and agents Sally
Apokedak (Les Stobbe Literary), Bill
Jensen (William K Jensen Agency),
and Alice Crider (WordServe
Agency).
The awards will be presented at
the OCW summer conference the
evening of Wednesday, August 12.
Susan May Warren and Jeff Gerke
will return as hosts.
For information about the categories, judging criteria, entry fees, and
rules, check the website at
oregonchristianwriters.org 
This year our categories include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contemporary Fiction Books
Historical Fiction Books
Speculative Fiction Books
Nonfiction Books
Memoir Books
Young Adult/Middle Grade Books
Children’s Chapter Books and
Picture Books
Articles, Columns, Blog Posts
Devotionals
Poetry
Short Story/Flash Fiction
Conference . . . From Page 4
Our popular manuscript
reviews, one-on-one appointments
with editors and agents, mentoring appointments, and daily
worship provide opportunities to
learn and fellowship in a professional yet relaxed atmosphere.
Other highlights are a “Book
Promotions” Nite Owl presentation with Susan May Warren and
Nicole Miller and a Small Groups
Critique Nite Owl.
We are delighted to be returning to Portland’s Red Lion on the
River Hotel, where our Writing
Center boasts a sweeping view of
the beautiful Columbia River.
The Cascade Writing Contest
opens February 14 with a March
31 end date (see above). On
Wednesday, August 12, Jeff Gerke
and Susan May Warren will again
host the Cascade awards.
Tuition will be $500 for
members and $535 for non-members. (Rates go up after July 1.)
Tuition includes all five conference meals (three dinners and two
lunches) and all scheduled conference activities from Monday afternoon through Thursday morning.
Lodging is separate.
Keep watching our website,
www.oregonchristianwriters.org,
where we’ll be posting the latest news about coaching classes,
faculty, manuscript submission
guidelines, mentor appointments,
conference registration and hotel
lodging. 
Faith Is the Victor y
“I have attended many conferences over
the span of my career and this one tops
them all in MANY WAYS! God is good.”
Connie Edwards
“It was an outstanding time. One
of the most refreshing times I’ve ever
had at a writers’ conference before,
big or small.” Dan Walsh
5
Workshops … From Page 2
coffee, curl up in a chair, and figure
it out. It’s the difference between a
dull recitation of facts and a thrilling
transformation of life. This workshop
will show you how to cook up a hearthealthy recipe to satisfy your readers’
deepest needs.
F. “How to Present a Dynamic
Workshop” will be taught by Tracie
Heskett. Keynote speakers inspire,
but conference workshops provide
valuable insight into the nuts and
bolts of the writing craft. Learn how
to engage your audience and help
them remember and apply your
great content. This workshop will
cover interactive ways to present
information and how to get people
thinking about what they are learning.
Tracie develops, writes, and edits
teacher-resource books and curricula
for educational publishers. She has
also written two Bible studies and
is currently researching and writing
historical fiction. Her poetry has been
published in Purpose and a Guideposts
anthology. Tracie has taught in public
and private schools and has presented
workshops at writing and education
conferences and faculty in-service
sessions. She holds a master’s degree
in curriculum and instruction and
lives in the Pacific Northwest with her
husband, Bob and twin sons.
Broken Pieces
Prayer Team
Eva Gibson
OCW Prayer Team
[email protected]
Last summer God brought me a
blessing as I told a group of preschoolers the story of Jesus feeding the hungry crowd of men, women, and children who had followed Him. Right
away I noticed five-year-old Danny
as he sat cross-legged on the rug. As I
told of hungry men, women, and children on the mountain and how Jesus
multiplied the five barley loaves and
the two fish to meet their needs, he
6
G. “Creating Your Spiritual Legacy”
will be taught by Julie Zander.
Ethical wills, a 3,000-year-old
Jewish tradition, enable the older
generation to share values, blessings,
and life lessons with children and
grandchildren. As recorded in the
Old Testament, Jewish patriarchs
often bestowed verbal blessings on
their children, particularly from their
deathbeds. But you don’t have to
wait until then to share your spiritual
values with loved ones. Attend this
workshop and leave with your ethical
will in hand. Provide your family with
the gift of a legacy.
Julie, a personal
historian from
Toledo, Washington,
worked as a
newspaper reporter
and editor for two
decades before
launching her
publishing business, Chapters of Life,
in 1999. Since then, she has produced
more than 50 books. In May 2007,
she began writing a weekly column
for The Chronicle in Centralia,
Washington. She and her husband,
Larry, who grows Christmas trees,
have two children, Paul and Nora.
She is a Cascade Writing Contest
co-coordinator and the new OCW
photographer, and previously served as
OCW newsletter editor.
leaned forward, his eyes sparkling.
Then I read John 6:12: “When
they all had enough, He said to His
disciples, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left
over), so that nothing may be lost and
wasted” (amp). I set my Bible down
and asked, “What did you learn from
this story?”
Danny jumped to his feet, pumping his arms and waving both hands.
“Jesus is just like me!” he shouted.
“He loves the leftovers, and He doesn’t
want anything—ever—to be wasted.”
I like that. Jesus loves the leftovers, and I as a writer understand
about leftover bits and pieces of writWinter 2015
H. Nicole Miller will present
“Facebook Intensive for Authors.”
Facebook is one of
the largest social
media platforms
and an effective
way to build your
readership and
reach a targeted
advertising audience. Start at the basic
level and explore how Facebook works
and how to stretch your dollar with
Facebook advertising. Learn about
tools to save you time and money.
Nicole is the Community Champion
at Buffer, a simple yet powerful
social media scheduling application.
She writes historical fiction and
blogs about her urban homesteading
adventures at nicolemillerbooks.com.
She is OCW’s past media coordinator
and a graphic designer who is also a
board member of Ashberry Lane. She
has been an online media manager for
a local university and has maintained
a marketing and consulting business.
She lives in the Portland area, is
married, and has one horse, four
ducks, 15 chickens, and two dogs. 
Winter 2015 Conference
February 28
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if
it’s really you, tell me to come to you,
walking on the water.”
Matthew 14:28 (nlt)
ing failing to find a place of publication. Some of mine are big pieces too:
an entire scene in a novel, a carefully
crafted article for a magazine, an
unpublished novel worn out in its
search for a home. These now rest in
a box beneath my bed. But what a
comfort. What He has blessed He has
power to use so that nothing be lost
or wasted. Every broken piece is worth
gathering up for use not only for our
own learning but often for others as
time refines.
These broken pieces may even
become our sacrifices poured out to
Him to glorify Him who knew no sin,
our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. 
Fall Conference Review
Keeping Up with OCW
Susan Maas
OCW Secretary
secty@
oregonchristianwriters.org
Rachel Hauck, author of more
than a dozen award-winning books,
encouraged writers at the OCW Fall
Conference to keep trying, even when
writing is difficult. We are significant
to God, and we should strive to “live
a life of significance,” Rachel said. She
used the example of Michael Jordan,
who said, “I’ve failed over and over
again. That is why I succeed.” We
should not be afraid to fail, but should
keep trying and “leave the outcome
to God.” We can be voices leading the
way—an echo of God, not of the culture around us.
In her
second
talk, Rachel
cited a
commencement speech
by Admiral
William H.
McRaven,
giving 10
lessons
learned from
Basic SEAL Training. “If you want
to change the world, keep singing
when you’re up to your neck in
mud,” McRaven said, adding, “One
person can change the world by
giving people hope.” Rachel applied
this wisdom to writing. When we are
under attack is not the time God is
calling us to quit. We may burn out
if it is all about us, but with the Spirit
we have all we need.
In the business meeting, President
Maxine Marsolini thanked outgoing
Treasurer Frank Yates, Photographer
Sam Hall, and Social Media
Coordinator Nicole Miller for their
work with OCW. Wendy Gorski
was introduced and elected as the
new treasurer. Business Manager Sue
Miholer discussed progress toward the
goal of registering OCW as a
501(c)(3) corporation, which will
enable OCW to apply for grants and
receive charitable contributions.
About 20 first-time attendees
were welcomed and 10 publishing accomplishments read. Summer
Conference Director Lindy Jacobs
announced plans for the 2015 conference, which will include keynoters
Ed Underwood and Jane Kirkpatrick.
Program Coordinator Marilyn Rhoads
Grace … From Page 1
starts with grace, ends in God’s grace, and rests at every
possible juncture on grace. It explores legalism and how
our God is there for us in our time of need.
Bill is an author, preacher, teacher, and practitioner
of God’s grace. Come to the winter conference to hear
more about grace and the impact it can have on your life,
including your writing. To learn more about Bill and his
ministry, go to billgiovannetti.com/. 
held a drawing for donated books,
announced upcoming one-day conferences, and presented the day’s workshop leaders.
Eight afternoon workshops gave
those present opportunity to focus
on areas of interest, and an autograph party afterwards provided time
to meet authors and eat ice cream.
Attendees left inspired to change the
world for God. 
Congratulations to OCW
President, Maxine Marsolini
Skillful … From Page 1
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my
verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer” (Psalm 45:1 niv).
It’s easy to recognize and believe that God’s purpose
for our pens is to pour forth excellence. My personal goal
is to spread whatever creativity God has placed in me into
words that change lives for the better. My prayer is that
each of you sees God’s favor resting upon your writing in
new and exciting ways in 2015. 
Faith Is the Victor y
On January 10, Maxine became the bride
of Jerry Van Winkle.
From everyone at
OCW, we wish
Maxine and Jerry a
heartfelt congratulations and many blessings on their new life
togther.
7
“Faith Is the Victory”
Oregon Christian Writers Winter One-Day Conference
Saturday, February 28, 2015 ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Chemeketa Community College, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305
Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
Matthew 14:28 (nlt)
8:30–9:00
Registration, Continental Breakfast, Bookstore
Piano Prelude: Bob Williams
9:00–9:40
9:40–10:30
Welcome and Introductions: President Maxine Marsolini
Devotions: Maxine Marsolini
General Session I: Bill Giovannetti, “You Can Walk on Water”
10:30–10:50 Morning Break: Refreshments and time to visit the bookstore
10:50–11:40 General Session II: Bill Giovannetti, “Faith Is the Victory”
11:40–12:30
12:35–1:35
OCW Business Meeting: Recognition of new members, writing accomplishments, and
introduction of workshop teachers
1:45–2:45
Workshops: Session 1 (Choose one)
A. “The Thing in the Bushes” ~ Bill Giovannetti (nonfiction)
B. “Managing Success with Periodicals” ~ Lynn Hare (articles, etc.)
C. “Self-Publishing—Pros and Cons” ~ John Avery (self-publishing)
D. “Poetry as Prayer” ~ Colette Tennant (poetry)
2:45–3:00
Break: Bookstore will be open.
3:00–4:00
Workshops: Session 2 (Choose one)
E. “Firing Cupid’s Arrows” ~ Bill Giovannetti (nonfiction)
F. “How to Present a Dynamic Workshop” ~ Tracie Heskett (all genres)
G. “Creating Your Spiritual Legacy” ~ Julie Zander (memoir)
H. “Facebook Intensive for Authors” ~ Nicole Miller (social media)
4:00–4:30
Dessert, Autograph Party, and Photo Session with keynoter and workshop teachers.
All authors will be available to sign their books.
Lunch: Boxed lunch (made-to-order sandwich, chips, water, cookie, and fruit) for $12 (must be reserved by February 21)
All workshops are suitable for all writers—beginner to advanced.
• Follow live tweets at @OregonWriters and use #OCWoneday to share.
• See OCW at facebook.com/OregonChristianWriters.
• The Prayer Room will be open all day.
• Please fill out an evaluation form to enter a drawing for free tuition to a future one-day conference.
8
Winter 2015
OCW Winter 2015 One-Day Conference Registration Form
Saturday, February 28, 2015 ~ 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fill out this form for mailing to:
Oregon Christian Writers * 1075 Willow Lake Road North * Keizer, OR 97303
or register online at www.oregonchristianwriters.org
Name____________________________________________________________________________________
(Print your name as you want it to appear on your name tag. Fill out the rest of your contact information if you are new or if your information has changed.)
Address______________________________ City_________________ State_________ Zip code__________
Phone____________________ Email address____________________________________________________
I have enclosed my membership fee. (Please check the appropriate box in the Membership Dues section below.) I have
read and ascribe to the OCW Statement of Faith (in masthead on Page 3). _________ please initial
q
q
I will be bringing my books to sell at the OCW bookstore. (This privilege is reserved for speakers and OCW members.)
q
Please consider me for a scholarship, which I will need in order to attend. My explanation is enclosed.
q
I have enclosed a donation of $_____for the OCW Scholarship Fund. (Any money donated to this fund is not
tax-deductible.)
Registration
Membership Dues
(Paying one of these amounts will make you a member for
12 months.)
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
q
Single$60.00
Senior (62 and older)
$35.00
Student$35.00
Couple$75.00
Quick Grammar Tips
ADJECTIVES
• Adjectives modify nouns and pronouns.
Use sparingly, and choose words that add needed
information.
• Proper adjectives are capitalized, just like proper
nouns
Example: American tourist = proper adjective + noun.
• Compound adjectives are usually hyphenated to show that the
words work together as one modifier.
Example: over-the-top statement (over-the-top is the adjective)
• An -ly word is never part of a compound adjective because -ly
words are adverbs, which can modify an adjective.
Example: overly friendly coworker = adverb + adjective + noun
Lunch (reserve by February 21)
Conference fee (members)
Conference fee (nonmembers)
Full-time student conference fee
Late fee (after February 21)
$12.00
$25.00
$50.00
$25.00
$5.00
I plan to attend the following workshops: Session 1: Session 2:
q A
q E
q B
q F
q C
q G
q D
q H
Workshops with fewer than three preregistered may be
cancelled.
Total amount enclosed: $ _________________
Faith Is the Victor y
9
nonprofit
us postage paid
permit #751
Salem, OR
Oregon Christian Writers
1075 Willow Lake Road North
Keizer, OR 97303
Winter 2015
Newsletter
www.oregonchristianwriters.org
Join us:
“Faith Is the Victory”
Winter One-Day Conference
Saturday, February 28, 2015
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
with
Bill Giovannetti
Chemeketa Community College
4000 Lancaster Dr. NE,
Salem, OR 97305
(Driving directions inside—see Page 2)
OCW Conference Schedule
May 16, 2015
Spring One-Day Conference
Northwest Christian University
Eugene
Keynoter: Bob Welch
August 10–13, 2015
Summer Coaching Conference
Red Lion on the River Hotel
Jantzen Beach, Portland
Keynoters: Ed Underwood and Jane Kirkpatrick
October 17, 2015
Fall One-Day Conference
Warner Pacific College
Portland
Keynoter: Cynthia Ruchti