Month: May 2017

OK shock of my life. My expectations going into the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writer’s Conference were low. It was at the last minute that I decided to attend the conference. It was at the last minute that I decided to enter some of the writer’s competition.
I ended up having some great meetings. I am hoping to be writing articles and devotionals for a number of places. (I will keep you informed). Wednesday night was the awards ceremonies for the various contests. As the evening progressed, I noticed that almost all of the winners were dressed like they were attending the Academy Awards. I thought to myself, “Everyone has been pre-contacted about their win so they may dress appropriately.” One of the last categories was Children’s Picture Book. I submitted my book Twas the Night Before Jesus, which I wrote and planned. My good friend, April Bensch, did the illustrations.
The host called out the honorable mention. Then third place; When she got to second place, she said, “Twas the Night…” My mind flew into a million different directions in that millisecond. I knew those were the first few words in the title of my book. But my mind said, “there must be another book with a similar name.” Then she finished, “….Night Before Jesus, written by Dr. James Tippins.”
My heart flew into a palpatetic state as I stood and headed toward the stage.
So, here it is four days later, me, an “award winning author.” (Hey, second place is still award winning to me) I would like to thank the judges, my family, April Bensch, and all those who had a part of this incredible project. “You like me, you really like me.”

I love to write. My passion for writing began when I was the Minister of Worship and Drama at First Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach. We had a number of creative arts teams that specialized in dramas, sketches, puppets and interpretive movement. I found that most of the scripts that I read did not truly meet our special circumstances. Thus we began to write our own drama resources and scrips. In fact, I did this on a larger scale with our musicals and Grand Strand Passion Play.

When I left FBCMB I went through a time of writing. I worked for my mom and typed and edited her 450 page genealogy book which she had been researching for 35 years. I also began writing on my own. I will be sharing more about the books that I have written and the projects that I am excited to continue.

Now, I am on the verge of heading out to my first writer’s conference at Ridgecrest Conference Center. I have found that finding a publisher is near impossible. Yet, it seems almost as impossible to find a literary agent who is willing to represent a writer. I was told by one agent that the only way they would look at my material was if I had a following of at least 20,000 people. It seems that you can’t get published today by the merits of your work. Instead if you are known, you can get published. Even a pro athlete that drops out of high school, uses a ghost writer on their exercise routine will get their book published, not because it is any good, but because that athlete is well-known.

Yes, it is quite frustrating, but I am praying that God will open the right doors this coming week. Otherwise all the work that I’ve put into writing will be for an audience of one. Which is fine, but I sure would like to be published or at least find someone who will look at my material.