By
Jeff Reynolds
Was
2012 a good year or a bad year? It depends what you're talking about,
but if you're talking about the Indiana ACFW Chapter, I'd go with the
good year part.
Being
at the threshold of a new year, I have interviewed our chapter
officers about what God has been doing through their lives and ways
to make 2013 a better year for the chapter than this past year had
been.
I
took the liberty of color coding the officers, so it may be easier to
see who's speaking. So without further ado, I'll start my interview
with Rick Barry, Darren Kehrer, Dawn Crandall, and Sue Bixler.
Jeff
Reynolds: Rick and Darren, thank you very much for your continued
service (or for being gluttons for punishment, whichever you prefer).
How are you two looking to build on what you've previously
accomplished? Or is it more like a Toastmaster friend said in taking
a second term for the office, to be able to do it right the second
time (or in Rick's case the fourth time) around?
Rick
Barry (President): How
are we looking to build? First, let me say that, with the aid of our
state chapter's board, I'm pleased with what we've built these past
few years. Our chapter's newsletter is looking more attractive and
with more content than when I took a turn producing it a few years
back. Also, in 2012 we did an experiment and bumped up our number of
author luncheons from three to four. Guest speakers were nationally
known professionals in Christian publishing: Authors Travis Thrasher,
Colleen Coble, Janet Dean, Bob Hostetler, and editor/author Holly
Miller. Each of them made a good contribution to our Hoosier writers.
Concerning
getting it right the second (or my fourth) time around, leadership is
a learning experience in itself. After each event, I solicit
suggestions for how to make the next one even better, and those who
attend have offered excellent input. They might call me the chapter
president, but good ideas from fellow writers help tremendously in my
role.
Darren Kehrer
(Vice-President): Jeff, thank
you for allowing us to be interviewed. Well, I think our overall goal
in the 2012 has been to organize, expand, and to grow our chapter
membership and what we offer. We developed our website beyond what we
thought it could do as well. Planning has been a large part of our
mission as well. Our newsletter has grown by leaps and bounds in
regards to design and content. That said, our focus for 2013 will be
to expand on what we accomplished the prior year. I'm changing
software (Apple Pages) in hopes of expanding what our newsletter has become.
JR:
Dawn and Sue, I'm sure the Indiana Chapter appreciates you accepting
the challenge of being officers. What inspired you to take the
plunge, and what would you say to encourage those thinking of doing
the same next year?
Dawn
Crandall (Secretary): First of all, I heard about the need and
knew in my heart that I was willing to fill it. I knew I would have
the time in the coming year to dedicate to something like this and
wanted a chance to make our Indiana Chapter everything it's able to
be in the future. Being a member of the "Great Lakes Chapter"
in Michigan as well as here, I have the opportunity to see firsthand
what is happening within chapters around us. This also helps me get
to know other writers. I've only been writing for about three years
and feel very new to all this. I think being an officer for an ACFW
chapter is a great idea for anyone who thinks they have the time and
abilities to commit to it.
Sue
Bixler (Treasurer): What inspired me to take the plunge? Someone
telling me I was needed and then praying about it. Always pray and
get a sense if this is what God wants you to do.
JR:
How has God used your membership in the ACFW (nationally, the
chapter, or both) in
your life, and through you into the
life of others?
RB:
Great
question. For one thing, the ACFW national conferences have greatly
increased my awareness of trends in the publishing biz, plus specific
do's and don'ts. Being associated with such a community of authors
provides not only answers to questions, but a network to tap for
advice, endorsements, etc. I recently aided a fellow writer with her
chapters that take place in Moscow (that novel is now published).
Certainly, it doesn't hurt my query letters when I can add
"President, ACFW-Indiana" beneath my signature, and it
gives extra credibility in my byline for articles. ACFW has lifted me
to a higher level of skill in writing, and I in turn want to do the
same for newly emerging writers. It would have been tough for me to
accomplish these things working solo at home, with no author
connections.
DK: Seeing
the Chapter from "the Board" side has really opened my eyes
on what it takes to make such a thing work. For me the biggest
outcome has been the networking with other Christian writers and the
friendships that have resulted. My biggest involvement has been with the local chapter (as it was my first year on the board). Nationally, still pursing my function there.
DC:
I became a member of ACFW in July of 2011 because my husband was
intent on sending me to the national ACFW conference in Saint Louis
that autumn. When I was about finished with "my first try at
writing a novel" (after about a year of focusing upon it), he
said he wanted me to find out what it would take to get it published.
Ha ha – I know. The poor man had no clue how difficult an industry
it is! But I wasn't about to say "no thanks" to going to
conference! So I went knowing absolutely no one. However, I ended up
receiving a mind-blowing paid-critique of my first 30 pages by a
well-known published historical romance author and had meetings with
two very reputable agents, both of which who offered me
representation within a week of receiving my proposal. Essentially,
I'd met and formed friendships with only about four other aspiring
writers before getting an agent... and still didn't even have a
critique partner. I have since found a critique partner through ACFW
(and found that writing a book with one is SO MUCH easier than
without!). But really, I still feel very disconnected. I don't think
I've been around long enough so far that I've really been able to
help anyone in reference to their writing or their career. I still
feel like I'm more in need of such things than in a position to offer
my own advice or knowledge to anyone else. But I do look forward to
helping and encouraging other writers through our chapter meetings
and gatherings in whatever way I can.
SB:
How has God used my membership in the ACFW in the life of others?
*smiles* Up until now, I've no idea. But hopefully as a member of the
Indiana chapter board I'll be able to serve Him in a way that will be
pleasing to Him and the chapter. On a personal note God has used the
ACFW and my chance to work at the 2010 conference as a volunteer to
meet other writers. God used the conference as a means for me to meet
some of my Scribes Critique partners. It was extra special to put
faces to names and get real live hugs at the conference. I think
working with the Indiana chapter and getting to know the Indiana
members will be the best.
JR:
Scripture says that without vision people perish. What is your vision
for the Indiana Chapter for 2013? Or, if you prefer, what would you
like to see happen in the coming year?
RB:
I'd
like to continue last year's success in bringing in top-notch pros to
speak to our writers to provide education, inspiration and
motivation. I invite suggestions from our group on what they would
like to see us try next. I also want to see more first-time novelists
get contracts among our own ranks. (Incidentally, this happened again
just recently. One of our ACFW-Indiana authors signed a first
publishing contract with a major publisher in December. I won't steal
that announcement here, but I'm so glad to see a dream come true!)
DK: 1.)
Our membership to grow
2.)
More members willing to blog on Hoosier Ink
3.)
The possibility of doing a mini-conference (sponsored by the Indiana Chapter)
4.)
To see more of our members get published.
5.)
To get those interested in possibly holding an office asking
questions now.
DC:
I would like to see many more meetings, perhaps even a small day-long
conference-type gathering in Indianapolis with our own published
authors as speakers sharing from their good and bad experiences in
the publishing industry. Perhaps we could offer a small number of
agent and editor appointments at this gathering.
SB:
I'd like to see our meeting attendance grow and also to see MORE
meetings, especially a meeting in the southern part of the state.
JR:
Thanks to each of you for your time, and I'm looking forward to
seeing how God works in our chapter through the four of you.
AND
DIRECTED TO THE REST OF YOU: I hope you didn't miss Darren's last
item on the final question. I had the privilege of serving as
secretary last year. Hopefully, this will encourage some of you to
consider office. It would be great to see more people wanting to
serve than there are offices next year. You can click on the board
tab of this page (between membership and contact) to find out the
responsibilities. And if you have any questions, I'm sure any of the
officers would be glad to answer questions.
May
the Lord Jesus Christ bless you this coming year.
Jeff
Reynolds
