If you haven’t seen the movie yet, WHY not? It’s a powerful, pro family movie that’s rocked Hollywood coming in No. 4 this weekend in sales! Thanks to all who participated in making this a successful event. Here’s the newsletter I received with more exciting information!

One Amazing Weekend at the Movies!
You did it!

You made FIREPROOF the No. 4 overall movie in America this past weekend! In fact, if you look at per-screen average (and Hollywood does), you made FIREPROOF the second-leading per-screen film this weekend.

You puzzled Hollywood pundits and prognosticators. You boggled movie-based bloggers. You showed the movie industry that there not only is interest in good, wholesome films, but there is also an audience for them.

You made an impact. And in case you’re wondering, people noticed. This is what USA Today said:

“The surprise of the weekend, though, was the Christian-themed Fireproof. Made for $500,000 and released on 839 screens, the Kirk Cameron drama did $6.5 million and took fourth place.

“Most analysts did not expect the film to crack the top 10, yet it enjoyed the second-largest debut this year for a film opening on fewer than 1,000 screens; the biggest was Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert Tour, which debuted to $31 million on 683 screens.”

After winning the championship game in Facing the Giants, Coach Grant Taylor asks the members of his football team, “What is impossible with God?” To a player, they all answered: “Nothing.”

Thank you for your overwhelming support FIREPROOF on opening weekend!

SAMUEL GOLDYWN FILMS’ FIREPROOF ABLAZE: INDIE FILM FAR SURPASSES INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS TO OPEN AT #4 IN THE COUNTRY WITH $6.8 MILLION

 HIGHEST OPENING WEEKEND OF 2008 FOR ANY FILM RELEASED ON FEWER THAN 1,000 SCREENS*

NEW YORK CITY Sept. 29, 2008:  Samuel Goldwyn Films’ FIREPROOF, starring Kirk Cameron, far surpassed industry expectations to place #4 at the box office for the weekend. Produced by Sherwood Pictures in Albany GA, FIREPROOF is the company’s third film following FACING THE GIANTS – also released by Goldwyn, which went on to gross more than $10 million.

With an all-volunteer, 1,200-person cast and crew, FIREPROOF opened on 839 screens, grossing $6,804,764 with a per-screen average of $8,111.  It was the highest opening weekend box office* of the year for films released on 1,000 screens or fewer.

Directed by Sherwood’s Alex Kendrick and co-written with his brother, producer Stephen Kendrick, FIREPROOF stars Cameron and newcomer Erin Bethea in a story about a firefighter who must learn how to rescue his own marriage.

On both FACING THE GIANTS and FIREPROOF, Goldwyn, Provident Films, and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s Affirm Films unit united to devise and execute a marketing strategy blending traditional theatrical marketing and an aggressive grassroots and faith-based outreach. Provident held screenings across the country, providing resources and materials for pastors and churches to spread the word about the film.  Through its vast network and databases, Provident created opportunities for leaders to bring the film to their respective areas and generate excitement in their communities.

Communities across the U.S. are using the film as a tool to support local firefighters, police, and other first responders’ groups with divorce rates up to 90 percent. As first responders and their spouses spend a night at the movies, volunteer babysitting brigades on are the job, freeing up couples to go.  Parents buy tickets for their married children. Churches buy for members and use the movie to kick off marriage courses.

High advance sales accounted for 40 percent of all Fandango.com sales as of Friday morning.  In the week before its opening, FIREPROOF pre-sold more than $1 million in tickets – far above the predicted blockbusters.

Meyer Gottlieb, president of Samuel Goldwyn Films, said: “Congratulations to Alex and Stephen Kendrick for showing once again that they know how to make a movie both entertaining and substantive.  FIREPROOF will make you laugh, cry, and reflect. I’m confident audiences will continue to support it.”

“The success of FIREPROOF is an example of the combination of great writing and storytelling, proper setup and marketing execution, all directed at an underserved audience hungry for filmed entertainment that meets their needs in many ways,” said Terry A. Hemmings, president & CEO, Provident Music Group.

“Opening weekend turnout is a testament to grassroots marketing,” said Provident Executive Vice President Ben Howard.  “We spent nine months getting this movie and its message to the right people . . . now it’s charging away on its own momentum.”

Michael Catt, senior pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church and executive producer, said: “We believe good stories can have a good effect.  This film was made by a small army of people who poured into something bigger than themselves – into not just a movie, but a movement to restore and uplift marriages across the country.”

Bob Rubin, executive vice president, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which oversees the Affirm Films label, one of the film’s acquisition partners, said:  “The faith market is a vast and underserved community with a growing appetite for filmed content that is both inspirational and entertaining.  We are delighted to be part of the team that brought FIREPROOF to audiences nationwide.”

A book entitled The Love Dare (www.bhpublishinggroup.com/lovedare) was only a plot device in the film until audiences repeatedly requested copies for themselves.  The book also debuted in stores this weekend, having pre-sold 600,000 copies.  Written by the Kendrick brothers, The Love Dare finished the weekend at #12 on Amazon.com and currently is in its seventh printing.

In coming weeks, Goldwyn plans to expand film’s release to more than 1,000 screens.

SHERWOOD PICTURES
This is the third movie by Sherwood Pictures, its second theatrical release. FLYWHEEL, produced in 2004, has sold 200,000 DVDs.  FACING THE GIANTS in 2006, earned $10.1 million at the box office and has sold more than 1.6 million DVDs (in 58 countries and 14 languages).

PROVIDENT FILMS
Provident Films is a division of Provident Music Group, designed to produce and distribute faith-based films. Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s Provident Music Group is one of the world’s leading Christian music companies. Provident Music Group operates under the umbrella for Sony BMG Nashville.

SAMUEL GOLDWYN FILMS
Samuel Goldwyn Films is a major, independently owned and operated motion-picture company that develops produces and distributes innovative feature films and documentaries.  The company is dedicated to working with world renowned and emerging writers and filmmakers and, committed to filmed entertainment that offers original voices in uniquely told stories.  This steadfastness is best exemplified by the Oscar-nominated THE SQUID AND THE WHALE, SUPER SIZE ME, AMAZING GRACE and Julie Delpy’s hit comedy 2 DAYS IN PARIS. Goldwyn’s 2008 slate also includes PRICELESS, a romantic comedy starring Audrey Tautou, Oscar-winner Claude Lelouch’s ROMAN DE GARE, FUGITIVE PIECES based on the international bestseller by Anne Michaels, TRUMBO, the acclaimed documentary about Oscar-winner Dalton Trumbo and the critically hailed ELEGY, starring Oscar nominee Penélope Cruz and Oscar winner Ben Kingsley.

###

* except Hannah Montana in 3D

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Nancy Moser is the author of three inspirational humor books and eighteen novels, including Solemnly Swear, Time Lottery, a Christy Award winner, and her latest historical, Washington’s Lady.

Nancy and her husband Mark live in the Midwest. She’s earned a degree in architecture, traveled extensively in Europe, and has performed in numerous theaters,
symphonies, and choirs. She gives Said So Sister Seminars around the country, helping women identify their gifts as they celebrate their sisterhood. She is a fan of anything antique—humans included.

Find out more at Nancy Moser.com and Sister Circles.com

ABOUT THE BOOK

Five people looking for a reason to keep living are about to find it in the last place they expect… In my usual “big cast” style comes a story of what happens when one man puts his faith on the line and holds up a John 3:16 sign at a sporting event. Roman Paulson’s life revolves around his son, Billy, a University of Nebraska football hero with a promising life ahead of him. But when Billy’s coach encroaches on Roman’s relationship with his son, Roman fears he’ll lose Billy forever. Roman isn’t the only one whose world turns upside down. He’s one of five unsuspecting people whose lives intersect on a bright fall day.

If you would like to read the first chapter of John 3:16, go HERE

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I left off yesterday telling about my experience with some suspicious behavior of a last minute ACFW attendee. Here’s the last installment on what’s becoming a book in itself!

Saturday morning after breakfast I went to the lobby to meet with my agent. We’d been trying to find a time in his jammed schedule to meet and his last free time was at 8:30 am, during the main session. So I finished breakfast and in typical fashion (without kids in toe) I showed up ten minutes early. So I sat and relaxed and waited…wondering if I might run into my stalker. And wouldn’t you know, but who passes by, does a double take and sits down the couch next to my chair? You got it, leather dude, who I later found out was named David.

He opened the conversation asking if I was teaching any more classes. I had to think twice because I really didn’t think of myself as a teacher, but then remembered I taught the late night chat just last night. I mentioned I was waiting to talk to my agent, and he said to just kick him out when my agent showed up. So we chatted and he didn’t seem threatening, in fact, I got to hear a condensed version of his testimony and how Jesus visited him at an early age, then he fell away and almost 20 years ago, he rededicated his life to Jesus and now God gave him this testimony to write. He felt led to go to ACFW because the the initals of his book title spelled ACFW and he felt it was a sign from God. He also knew he needed to tell someone his story and he thought that someone might be me. So I listened with genuine interest and didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. His genuine love for God and belief that he had a best seller on his hands was childlike and it reminded me why I was writing and pursuing fiction. To touch lives for Jesus. But talking to him also reminded me that we don’t have to be published to touch lives. I’m sure God used me to encourage this out of his element writer to press on…

Towards the end of our conversation my agent (whom I had briefly mentioned I had a stalker) shows up, eyes the guy talking with me like he was ready to tear into him if need be and then looks at me. I gave him an it’s-okay-really look and David jumps up and introduces himself to my agent, then goes on his way. That was the last interaction I had with him, and maybe that was all it was meant to be. Maybe I encouraged a best selling author, or maybe I encouraged an enthusiastic writer. No matter what, I didn’t ignore this out-of-place guy, instead I watched with caution and opened up my heart to what God wanted to do through me.

Later that day, I got to encourage a discouraged pastor with my personal testimony about how I was pursuing publication to no avail and watching my critique partners win awards and get publishing contracts. Me…a SAHM of four encouraging a pastor? But God can and will use anyone who’s willing!

That’s one of the best things about ACFW and writer’s conferences. Sure, the editor requests are amazing and really help validate you as a writer, but nothing beats walking up to a first time attendee, standing all alone in the corner, fretting over their next appointment and offering a smile and genuine interest in them and their writing.

I hope I never forget how it felt to be knew and alone and so unsure of myself. I hope I never get to big in my own eyes that I forget the reason I write!

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Recently I’ve gotten several emails asking me to help promote certain causes.

This is taken straight from the websites:

International Medical Corps

Saving the Lives of Malnourished Children
This project made it to the Top 25.

(It seems if you vote for the project it could get the money it needs. But when I tried to vote, it also seems I need to be an American Express Member. You can also join in order to cast your vote)

Giving starving children food is not enough – the food needs to contain the vitamins, micronutrients, and calories a developing child needs to survive. New ready-to-use food (RUF) provides this. It is individually packaged, is stable in hot climates, does not need to be mixed with water (no risk of contamination), and even tastes good. Children recover in about one month and RUF is cost-effective. With this treatment there is simply no reason for children to die of starvation any more.

A reputable health organization estimates there are 178 million children that are malnourished across the globe, and at any given moment, 20 million who are suffering from the most severe form of malnutrition. Each year, this contributes to between 3.5 and 5 million deaths of children under 5. It is estimated that only 3% of children suffering from malnutrition receive the lifesaving treatment they need.

We’ve all seen so many photographs of malnourished children that it has become a problem that we assume can never be solved. But with RUF, there is no reason for children to die. One organization treated more than 122,000 children in 2007 in 22 countries with nutrient-rich therapeutic and supplementary food. The cure rate for children receiving RUF is more than 90%. Tens of thousands of children could receive life saving RUF in places such as DRC, Ethiopia, Sudan, Niger, and around the world.

A friend in Haiti recently reminded me that children there and many other countries are either dying of malnutrition or given away by their parents because food and medical care is so scare. As a parent in the US, this is heartbreaking. However, the achievable solution to this children’s crisis inspired me to submit this project.

Help this project make it into the Top 5.

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Friday night I met up with a bunch of fellow writers agented by Chip MacGregor. So what do you call us anyway? Gina Holmes, Danica Favorite and Jenny Jones were among the ones I knew fairly well and after an hour’s wait at Fridays we ended up at the same table. We had a fun time, with moments of lag time and staring off into space, but that’s when I turned to the right and ease-dropped on the conversation at Chip’s table! It was a fun, relaxed dinner, though I had to bail early for my late night chat I was teaching and I didn’t get to see Randy Ingermanson and Meredith Efken deliver a “birthday” desert to Chip. No, it wasn’t his birthday.

But the late night chat went well. A little over half a dozen people showed off and we were off on a roll when Cara, who had the mic, started a coughing fit and threw the microphone at me. Well, she didn’t exactly throw it, but I looked at it with the expression…”what do you want me to do with this?” After all, she was in the middle of a sentence and I was thinking about my part and what I would say AFTER she spoke, so I hemmed and hawed and finally she took the mic from me and made a joke about it, and all I kept thinking was GREAT, this thing is being recorded. The rest of the talk went well, in fact, and five minutes until the end, things looked like it was smooth sailing (Yeah, I know this post is filled with cliches, but it’s late, give me a break!) That’s when I saw HIM! You got it, leather dude aka my stalker. I saw him walk by the room, do a double take at me, then slip in and grab a pen and pad on the table, sit in the back row and start taking notes.

I’m thinking, that was strange, but then again, I’m the first person who met him at the conference and I did say hi to him early. It’s only natural to gravitate to those you’re familiar with, right?

I thought so too, until I was hanging in the lounge with my new friend Danica, and Camy Tang and then Steve Laube sits in the chair to the left of me and Camy leaves and over Steve’s shoulder I see leather guy sitting alone, writing. Of course, I made light of it and joked to Danica that I had a stalker, but my heart really went out to this guy because I remembered how it was to be on the outside looking in and feeling self conscious and not knowing where you fit in and here I was, finally on the inside looking out and all I could think about was the lone guy (then another one across the way) and I really wanted to reach out, but they were guys and well, that wouldn’t be such a smart idea. The second lone guy, who seemed more to fit in, was joined by fellow ACFWers, so he was taken care of, but the first one, leather, stalker dude, still sat alone…WWJD?

I couldn’t stop thinking about him and wanting to find some guy to talk to him, (we let Steve off the hook because agents are always accosted by writers…) but then some more people showed up at our table (no guys) and Danica went to find someone to say hello leather guy. By then the lone dude was gone, though I had a feeling we might run into each other another time…

And we did, the next morning. But you guessed it, I’ll save that story for tomorrow.

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So I left off telling you about my trip back and forth from the business center and front desk to try and print my pages for my editor appointment the next day when I say a guy wearing a leather jacket who reminded me of my brother in law. I really didn’t think much of it until he parked himself outside of the business center.

 There were two others in the locked business center with me and I was on the phone with tech support trying to figure out the printer when he knocks on the door. As I gabbing away I slowly make my way to the door and open it. He sticks his head in but then doesn’t say a word and leaves. Okay, all is well. Except my pages still haven’t printed. I end up at the front desk one more time and when I get back the leather jacket guy is inside. Oookay! He approaches me very kindly with an “I see you’re busy and I don’t want to disturb you, but do you know where I can pay for the conference?” Then he rattles off the name of the person he talked to, whom I knew very well, and said he signed up last minute. So I give him the low down of how he needs to go upstairs in the morning yada, yada, yada and he thanked me and left. Later I put together that the shirt I was wearing with the name ACFW probably attracted his attention.

Eventually I had to go back up to my room to get my power cord and plug my computer back in and copy my files to another guys usb drive and download my pages on the business center computer, but eventually they printed. I got to bed by 1 am, but I at least had my chapters printed out and I was prepared. Of course, on my way up I kept looking over my shoulder! Just in case.

Friday morning breakfast and the opening session was filled with more friends and fun. I attended John Olson’s class and made sure I sat at Sue Browers table since she was the only editor I knew actually had my proposal. I sat next to Rhonda Gibson and we had a fun time at the table. After lunch I was walking to class and I saw the leather jacket guy. He really looked out of place so I gave him a smile and a “hello.” Then I went down to my Susan May Warren’s class or was it Terry Blackstock’s? I forget. But all I know is that the class had already begun and leather dude walks in and sits in the seat in front of me. Luckily I had just met Glenn, one of the three cops at the conference and he was sitting within a stones throw! So I felt pretty secure, and besides, the dude probably wasn’t following me! Right?

I left for my meeting with Karen Ball, the editor who wanted to see VOICE! I felt so relieved I had those pages in my bag because when I entered her room and after I asked her for a razor blade (inside joke, had to be there) I then said, “Do you want to see my one sheet?” She said, “No, I want to see your writing!” BINGO! I whipped it out and sat back for what seemed like ten minutes while she read, but really only was three or four. I tried not to stare and I probably would have bit my fingernails if they weren’t acrylic. A couple of times I glanced over, and I saw her smile. Twice! I thought, “that’s got to be a good sign and thank God I stayed up until 1 am trying to print off my pages!” Then she asked to see my one sheet and she asked me to send it to her. She started to give me her email, so I mentioned I had an agent and six minutes after I sat down we were done. She said I could go or we could chat, so we chatted for five minutes about ACFW Tennessee and Writer…Interrupted and who knows what else, and then I gave her five minutes of peace. I was so relieved I listened to that still small voice and packed my computer, though I only turned it on twice at the conference!

Later that night I met up with the leather dude again, and really started thinking he was my stalker, though didn’t feel threatened. Instead my heart went out to him… But I’ll save that story for…later!

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ACFW has been over for almost a week, and it seems but a dream. Something I kind of remember experiencing, and every bit of it was good, but it went by so fast it was hard to absorb and savor each moment. So I’ll try and hit the high lights!

ACFW Minnesota was a complete 180 from my first time in Nashville. This time around the people and relationships were more important than the classes and sessions! In fact, I only attended one full day of sessions, and missed all of Saturday due to meetings, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

On Wednesday, September 17th, the flight to Minnesota went well. I was fortunate enough to find a dierct flight, though the trek to baggage claim in Minnesota took me up and down escalators and when I got to the shuttle area to catch the hotel shuttle, I couldn’t find my print out of the hotel name. I vagule remembered the name of the hotel, but wanted to make sure so I went back inside and got caught off guard by an airport doorman when he told me where the hotel shuttle list was and commented to me that I was “going to the hotel for a movie.” I gave him a puzzling look, and then he repeated himself (my paraphrase) “you must be going to star in a movie because you’re so pretty.” Despite the fact he was old (I later described him as 50, though looking back on it, he was more like 70, guess I forgot I was almost 40 and 50’s not that far away. Geeze, I still feel like I’m 20!) But heck, any kind of compliment from even a really old guy makes me walk a little taller, so I savored the compliment, even from a 70 year old airport doorman worker!

I met up with Tiff and Stewart Stockton (who are expecting) and met Jennifer, another ACFWer. We chatted and caught up on the year during our drive to the hotel. I was blessed to get an early check in at about 11am and then went up to unpack and rest. Laster I met up with my roomie, Therese Stenzel, my WI buddy, Christa Allen and a new friend Jenny B. Jones (we share the same agent.) We wanted to head over to the mall for lunch but we missed the last afternoon shuttle to the Mall of America. Luckily we asked around before we settled for a $13 burger in the hotel. TGI Fridays was right out the back door. So we went and ate and later my roomie and me rested until later when more of the ACFW conferees would be arriving. It was a very relaxing day and later that night we went to the Mall of America with a group of 12 and ate at the Rain Forest Café. I split a $18.99 Pastalaya dish with my new friend Rhonda Gibson (who later seemed to be stalking me, every where I turned she was there.) Good thing we split a meal ‘cause that gave me room for the Chocolate brownie volcano with vanilla ice cream! YUM!

I can’t really remember what I did after the MOA, which had a rollercoaster ride I was really wanting to ride INSIDE, but I’m sure I said hello to more of the friends that were coming in that evening. The conference wasn’t supposed to start until Thursday, and I don’t think I went to bed too late that night since I was getting up to workout in the morning!

Thursday I woke to a strange succession of noise. I didn’t actually figure out until the next day that it was the symphony of the morning flushes. Even if I wanted to sleep in, I couldn’t. So I ate some trail mix, grabbed Claudia Mair Burney’s latest, Wounded, and headed for the gym. There were only two other brave/crazy souls in there, but I managed 30 minutes on the elliptical and another 30 on the treadmill. I’m telling ya, wounded kept me going and I had to force myself to work on my pitch instead of find out what happened to Gina and Anthony! But I’ll be blogging about that book another time.

After working out and showering, I went to registration, got all my goodies and chatted with some old and new friends. I honestly can’t remember if I had lunch or not, but later met up with Georgiana, Erica and Kaye for the first session at ACFW. I found a comfy seat in the audience, when noticed that the facutly were getting lined up next to the stage. Honetly, the little red badge on my name tag that said “faculty” didn’t clue me in that I needed to be up there so I aske Cara Putman if I needed, her profound reply was “Are you faculty?” Well, since I was teaching a late night session with her, I guess I was.

So I squeezed my way up to the front feeling totally out of place next to the likes of Terri Blackstock, Karen Ball, and Terry Burns. But I smiled and pretended like I belonged and when I sauntered across the stage with my little Miss America wave, and heard my name and something about Writer…Interrupted, I actually felt important. Good thing I didn’t decide to really dress down for the occassion.

Dinner was yummy by the indoor poolside and we got to meet up with fellow WIN members. We had about ten from our local chapter attend the conference. Several of them first timers.

Then back to meet the editors where I’m glad I listened because the editor I was meeting with first the next afternoon said the thing she looks for in the writing is VOICE. A big red flag went off in my head. Um, my printer was giving me fits before I left and I didn’t manage to get my chapters printed off, and I KNOW I have voice, but all I had with me was my proposal, one sheet and chapters from another WIP. Good thing I brouht my laptop and the business center was open all night for lug heads like me! So after Georgiana and I attended Michelle Sutton’s chocolate party, she headed to bed and I headed to the buisness center. It was pretty straight forward. I plugged in my laptop (minus AC adapter so I was racing against the battery) sent it to the printer. The guy at the front desk told me to write down a code, so I did and I assumed it would print at the front desk, since he said he needed the code. So I went to the front desk, but the code didn’t work. By that time another guy had tried the same method of printing I did, and I was able to help him navigate it faster than I did. But neither of our stuff would print.

So after another trip down the hall to the front desk (mind you, it’a about midnight at this time and I so wanted to hang with friends instead of printing my pages) and a call to tech support, I finally got a clue I had to type a code into the little key pad next to the computer. Did that, still no pages. It was then I went back to the counter and waited while an interesting looking guy in a leather jacket (who reminded me of my brother in law) was checking in. I was wearing my Mock HarleyACFW shirt and was a little nervous when he stared at me longer than I thought necessary and even more nervous when he followed me down to the copy center and waited outside the door…

But I’ll save that story for later!

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I can’t remember if I posted about this already or not, but it’s worth reposting. In July I attending ICRS and had the privilege of attending a dinner with Kirk Cameron and the cast of Fireproof. I had Kenneth, my videographer with me, and we decided we’d lay low and hang in the back. So I headed toward the back tables, but when I turned around Kenneth wasn’t behind me. The 19 year old kid was talking to Kirk Cameron! I didn’t even think he knew who Kirk Cameron was. But there Kenneth was, smoozing with the big guy. I eased toward the two and tried not to look out of place and uncomfortable, and watched as Kirk took his seat and Kenneth slid next to him. Of course, I grabbed the seat next to Kenneth and watched them deep in conversation.

There were about six people at the table so I focused my attention to my left and met a radio broadcaster. I eventually managed to say a couple of words to Kirk about who I was and Writer…Interrupted, but mostly the conversation at the table centered around Fireproof and trying not to give away the story to those of us who hadn’t yet seen the movie.

As I listened to everyone talk about the movie and the church members that wrote, produced and starred in it, I was awe struck. Not by the guy at the head of the table, but by God who took a church and movie (Facing the Giants) and did great things with it sending it all across the world. I was in awe of the process, the generosity of the actors and producers who gave FREELY of their time, yes, even Kirk Cameron and the fact that the directors didn’t really want Kirk at first. They wanted someone right for the part and put him through a tough audition, realizing he was the man for the part.

I was in awe of the humility of Kirk, who seemed and was just another actor in the movie, and the others who were really servants doing a job for the Kingdom of God. And after seeing the movie I was in awe of the message. Actually I was blown away by the message and the fact that the gospel wasn’t sugar coated or watered down and that marriage was so revered in an age when it’s so disposable.

So while it’ll take a miracle for this movie to win an academy award, it message is needed, it’s acting is solid, it’s suspense is quite good, and it’s truth is eternal. Even if you NEVER see a first run movie, I’m asking you to go out and support this movie with weekend. It will be money well spent and it will help take this message to more cities across America.

And who knows, you just might take part in saving a marriage or two.

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Posting at Faith Lifts! Check it out!

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1. You wake well rested and miss the symphony of toilet flushes!

2. You still feel that post ACFW conference stooper, and wonder if it was all but a dream because the memories and euphoria are fading.

3. You realize YOU have to cook breakfast.

4.  The noise you hear from downstairs is NOT the excitement from seeing James Scott Bell, but from your kids fighting over the breakfast cereal.

5.   You realize that the most exciting thing on your to do list is NOT deciding which workshop to go to, but to finish unpacking your suitcase.

6.  You actually offer your kids desert when they come home from school because you’re body’s become accustomed to the sugar rush.

7.  You’re an introvert but find yourself wanting to go down to the lounge and stay up late with a group of friends.

8.  You acutually miss your ACFW stalker, but realize the closest you’ll get to being stalked is when your 14 years old gives you the “look.”

9.  You’re ready for bed and realize it’s before midnight and you feel as if you should be doing something else bedsides going to bed…like preparing for an appointment in the morning.

10. Instead of falling asleep right away, you lay in bed, trying to recaputre the ACFW expereince like when you wake from a really good dream and try to go back to sleep but realize even if you do the moment has passed!

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I remember my first ACFW conference in Nashville, Tennesse. Therese Stenzel, Margaret Daley and I drove nine hours, talking pitches and plotting all the way. Therese and I were anxious, Margaret was our encourager.

The conference filled me socially and spiritually. I met online friends and new friends. Lasting friendships with people like me, who got me and never questioned what I was doing writing.

The only thing I really remember about the editor appointments is standing outside the doors being really nervous. But when I sat down in front of an editor and shared my story, I felt at ease and confident. The editors requested my proposals and I was flying high.

I remember my agent appoint critique with Steve Laube like it was yesterday. Standing in the hall waiting for him to come from another appointment. Worrying about him shredding my proposal/writing to pieces. Wondering if I had the right room when he didn’t show on time and feeling the nervous heat of the moment. But his smile eased my anxiety and his words soothed my anxiousness. He said I was a good writer, that I had the highest scores out of all his critiques, but he couldn’t quite buy into my story idea. I secretly hoped to be offered representation by my brilliant prose, but I walked away with so much more. Feeling uplifted and validated as a writer.

By January my priorities in life were messed up, and I didn’t know how to get them back on track. My desire to be published peaked to the neglect of my family. I knew things weren’t right, but couldn’t seem to reign myself in. A month or two later God told me to lay my Isaac on the altar. I did, and physically grieved for the loss of a possible dream, my Isaac. I plugged away, soul searching, interviewing writing moms all the while wondering “why me?”

The next year in Dallas brought me to a place of yearning. For my career and for God, to be a part of the comradery. Though officially not writing, I longed to be around my writing friends. People who understood me. I witnessed other writers having from a far. I witnessed my crit partner get a contract right at the conference and I had to deal with all sorts of emotions…jealousy and the “why not me” factor. Though I knew partly “why not me…” I wasn’t ready and didn’t have a manuscript. I pitched some ideas, got some interested and built stronger relationships. I also met my future agent.

I was thrilled to get the green light to write before ACFW Dallas 2007 and when I pitched to two agents, they were interested. That sent me on an emotional and writing rollercoaster, frantically trying to get my submission in before next conference. If you’re new here and want to read what happened visit my writing blog. 

All that brings me to today. Already the memories and emotions are starting to fade, but I don’t want to forget the feeling and friendships at ACFW Minnesota. Though it was a complete 180 from my first time in Nashville, it was just as awe inspiring and confirming that I’m where God wants me to be. But I’ll get to that later in the week!

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From the Newsletter

Upcoming Programs
You will be hearing and seeing a lot about FIREPROOF in these final days before the film opens. Here is a quick list of some wonderful FIREPROOF media opportunities in the coming days:

Find out about other media interviews at the FIREPROOF Blog.

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So much to tell, but because I stayed up way late almost every night of the conference, it’ll have to wait! So while you wait, make plans to see the Fireproof movie next weekend and help support marriages and more films like this!

From the Newsletter:

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Michelle Sutton is known as the Edgy Inspirational Writer and her debut novel lives up to her title. It starts off with a bang, delving into the world of temptation and peer pressure, even in the church.

IT’S NOT ABOUT ME is a story about young love, teen temptations and struggls towards self discovery. Annie Myers lives the dream. She’s beautiful, in love with her boyfriend of four years, and headed to the college. But even Annie has problems. Her boyfriend Tony, the pastor’s son, is pressuring her for sex, and when tragedy strikes her, Annie is forced to take a good look at herself and her relationship with Tony and with God.

When Tony’s brother, Dan, offers comfort, it is then she starts to see her picture perfect life was never really in focus. Torn between two brothers and a faith she thought was real, Annie must make some hard decisions and it’s obvious someone is going to get hurt.

Michelle Sutton’s debut novel has teenage angst written all over it! At times I felt like I was watching an episode of 90210 (okay, I’m dating myself,) but sadly the issues she confronts in her novel are all to prevalent among today’s teens, even in the church. Because of the mature subject matter I would not recommend this for young teens. In fact,  there’s a warning label on the back of this book that says it has mature content and is recommended for mature teens.

While edgy at times, it’s shows the struggles teen girls face in a real way. Though I wasn’t totally able to connect to the characters, I can see teen girls identifying with Annie. The faith message is prevalent throughout and at times preachy, though having been in Christian circles for a while it is appropriate for these characters. One subplot that really caught my attention is extended to the second book in this series. I’m glad Michelle follows up this story in book two.

Big pluses is that this book has a nice follow up and study guide to help teens dig deeper and learn some truths for themselves. I think many teenage girls will see themselves in Annie.

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It’s amazing the difference a year can make in a writing career. Last year at this time I was counting down the days to conference, fretting over one sheets and pitches and which agents I’d be talking to.

This year I haven’t had much time to think about the conference, though I’ve helped plan the workshops, assisted in organizing the authors that will be at the massive book signing at the Mall of America in Minneapolis, and planned a late night chat with Cara Putman on Writing Buddies.

We’ve been too busy with packing and fixing up our home to sell  for me to fret over my own stuff. Luckily I have an agent who has already sent my proposal to eight editors, so for the most part, I’m just going to be talking up my manuscript and enjoying the fellowship and educational opportunities!

What a difference a year makes! Last year I was stressed and slightly worried, this year I know God has everything in the palm of his hand, from my writing career to my house sale and every mundane thing in between.

What a difference the peace of God makes!

If you’re going to ACFW Minneapolis this week, please leave a comment and don’t hesitate to stop me and say hello!

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During ICRS, I had the privilege of attending the Fireproof screening and dinner with Kirk Cameron, Erin Bethea and many of the people who worked on the movie. It’s so hard to put the experience into words. The evening was filled with awe of what God could do with a church with a desire to show his love on the big screen. Thanks to my videographer who snagged a seat right next to Kirk Cameron, I got to meet the man and see how much his heart is for this movie and spreading the love of God, especially in the context of marriage. He was as down to earth and personable as I imagined.

In an age where divorce is the norm and often easy way out, Fireproof is a blast of fresh air! I plan on being in the theatres opening weekend and I hope you’ll join me so we can send a message to Hollywood. Below is the interviews I did right after the screening. I hope you catch a glimpse of the magic I experienced!

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We decided to become Compassion International sponsors about ten years ago. My husband and I had both been on missions to Africa and fell in love with the people we visited. It just felt natural to get a child from there. But we left the details up to God.

He sent us Samuel from Rawanda! It’s hard to believe that Samuel is 21 years old and has graduated from the program. It’s been amazing watching his grow from a skinny little kid with scrawny eyes, to a big healthy and robust man. Samuel went through hard times over the years, loosing his parents, but his letters were always up beat and always ended with a scripture. I wrote and sent photos and stickers and little paper trinkets. Over the years we prayed for him, but looking back now I wish we could have done more. I wish we would have prayed for him more the last couple of years. I wish my letters weren’t always so rushed and seemingly insignificant and the same. I wish my children would have written him more.

But no matter what, I know our family made a difference in Samuel’s life. I felt the joy in his voice when he told us about the chickens and pigs our money helped buy him at Christmas time. And when my children cried for the latest toy, all I had to do was remind them of Samuel.

I’m not sure if we will still be able to keep in touch with Samuel. Even though he graduated from the program, I’ve written a letter, hoping it reaches him. Hoping he knows we still think about him and pray for him.

I wasn’t sure if we wanted to sponsor another Compassion Child. I didn’t want to make the same mistakes I felt I made with Samuel. Though I’m sure he never felt the way I did. Yet when Compassion sent another child, and my husband turned in our sponsorship, and I got a picture of Theo from Rawanda, eight years old, the same age as Timmy, I got excited all over again. Here I was getting a second chance at giving someone else a second chance at life and health and getting to know Jesus.

I probably won’t do everything right, like I would like to, but that doesn’t matter. Even the littlest effort means so much to these children. All it takes is a little to make a lasting impression and mark on someone’s life for Jesus!

If you’ve ever thought about sponsoring a child, now is the time! The need is great and we have so much to give. You have so much to give. I challenge you to visit this link and not be moved! If you’re a sponsor of a needy child, I’d love to hear your story. If not, keep reading and learn how you can make a difference!

THE NEED:
Compassion International is growing, moving into new countries (children will soon be sponsored in Togo) and expanding the reach of its ministry to children in many others. Every child Compassion ministers to needs a sponsor and at the moment there are thousands who do not have one. Many of these have been waiting for a sponsor for over six months. These children need words of encouragement and Compassion needs the cost of their care sponsored so that the ministry can continue to expand.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Compassion International ministers to over a million children in 25 of the world’s poorest countries through its Child Development Sponsorship Program - what you may know already as simply “child sponsorship.” With the support of sponsors, Compassion is reaching through the hands of local churches to release children from their spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty.

Compassion International invented child sponsorship and it has proven to be a successful child development strategy. This ministry hinges upon the relationship between one sponsor and one child. That relationship goes both ways. Sponsors correspond with their sponsored children and support Compassion’s ministry to children for $32 (USD) every month. Sponsors also receive letters from their sponsored children, watching them grow toward physical and spiritual maturity. Sponsorship is a relationship that transforms both sponsors and children.
-Special link to children who have been waiting the longest for sponsorship:
http://www.compassion.com/sponsor_a_child/default.htm?referer=9713

-More information about Compassion International’s Child Development Sponsorship Program:
http://www.compassion.com/about/programs/learningforlife.htm

-Send your readers here if they’d like to blog for Compassion like you do, and for banners and widgets:
http://compassionbloggers.com/get-involved

Compassion’s blog for an inside look at our ministry and our people around the world:
http://blog.compassion.com/

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Tell us a little about your family and your call to write.

I am married to Neal for 17 years and have three kids. I started writing with children’s books because I read so many to my kids, but soon learned the importance of writing your passion and that is British history.

How did you get your first “writing break?”

Vickie McDonough invited me to be in a novella. The first one was rejected but the second one sold.
What do you write and why this genre?

I love to be creative and I love history so this is a way to connect with both. It’s also a way to connect to the Lord as we do this writing thing together—I like to say writing is God and I’s ball room dancing class.Do you have any recent contracts and up coming releases?

Nope, my first book, A Bride By Christmas came out Sept 1, and I’m waiting to hear from Barbour on a full manuscript they requested.

You have a novella in A Bride By Christmas. Tell me about your story.

My story is an English Bride Goes West. Englishwoman, Katherine Wiltshire and her father came to the American West looking for a new start, but when he dies, his final request is that she find a husband who loved the Lord, and try to wed by Christmas. Desperate to escape a criminal past, Sherriff Charlie Landing move prove himself to his new town and acquire a wife. When the two find themselves engaged, can they trust God with their future.
Do you want to do more novellas?

Yes I will do more novellas. As a matter of fact, I’ve already been approached about doing another.

What do you hope to accomplish through your novels?

I’m learning how to write with the Holy Spirit. I want to write His words not mine. I would love to give readers a feeling of the presence of God as they read. I felt that in Francine River’s Redeeming Love and Karen Hancock’s, Arena.

And now for the tough questions…

How do you balance being a mom, wife, and writer?

By banging my head on the desk??? I try to remember that my books won’t be at my funeral but my family will, so I try and keep the first calling God gave me—being a wife and a mom first and writing comes second even if I have to give up on ideas for other books.

Do you think it’s possible to give yourself fully to raising children, writing, and keeping in shape? If not, which one for you has to take a back seat?

Uh-hem that would be girth, but now because of a back issue I have to exercise so as I am trying to learn this idea of writing by the Spirit, I realize I am going to need Him to manage my time also.

When do you find the time to write, and do you ever feel like you’re neglecting your children when you write?

I write when they are at school. When they get home, I do housework as I’m helping them do homework. I also assign them each two housecleaning chores a day which helps me a lot. I do feel like I’m neglecting them when they are on their fourth hour of TV.

How do you handle interruptions in your writing life?

I try to develop a strategy of getting things done as quickly as possible. I clean while I’m talking to a friend on the phone. I make return calls when I’m driving to take kids places. I clean a lot on the weekends because I know I can’t get any writing done then, so that leaves my week days more free.

How do you get back into the flow of writing after you’ve been interrupted?

Sometimes I clean my desk, or look up research stuff, especially if I know I’m going to be interrupted again

What do you do to encourage yourself during those stormy days every writing mom has? I take a break from writing and reconnect with my muse by watching British movies, or reading a British book—that usually stirs up my longing to write and unfortunately gives me more story ideas than I have time for

How do you position yourself to HEAR God’s voice when all the noises of life are swirling around you? I spend time in the Word everyday (weekends are harder) I listen to praise music, I pray in the Spirit. If I feel a distance from Him I repent of sin.

If you do feel your priorities slipping, what do you do to get back on track?
Usually the conviction of the Holy Spirit—that gentle nagging that reminds me my priorities are out of whack. I repent, again.

Has there ever been a time God told you to set aside your writing to focus on other areas of your life? If so, how did you handle that? I haven’t experienced that.

Did you ever feel like you’ve “missed” God in regards to writing, that maybe you should be doing something else? I have wondered about that a lot—so I just keep laying writing down before the Lord—I want to make sure it isn’t becoming an idol in my life. It can’t be how I identify myself. I am first and foremost a child of God and writing is just one way I serve Him.

What advice would you give to writing moms who are have their hearts set on publication?

Sit down and write the story that’s in your heart.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

 A year or so ago, I gave the Holy Spirit an image so I could relate to Him better. Instead of a white haze, I put him in the body of Robin Hood. So when I write, I picture Robin Hood sitting on my desk and I talk to Him. I ask Him for help with a scene, I ask that He write His words through Me. I know that sounds weird but it helped me connect with the Holy Spirit in a deep way—and I think He’s kind of cute!

Thank you so much for sharing your writing life with us!

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While checking my Google Alerts I can across a blog that caught my interest. I clicked over, read about Kathy’s faith, and her five children whom she homeschools. Seemed like I was on the right track to finding a new online friend.

Then I found out she and her family were vacationing in my hometown the following week. Talk about a Godincidence!

We exchanged numbers and met up the other day for two hours of frozen coffees and book talk! Now I challenge anyone to tell me that wasn’t a divine appointment!

Now my online friend is my real life friend.  At least for a day!

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