Like-minded Friends
I recently returned from four wonderful days in paradise (Coeur d’Alene, ID) with nine Christian dynamo writers for a “plot, pray and play” retreat. Brandilyn and Mark Collins host the gathering each year. Brandilyn came up with the idea of brain-storming sessions some years ago. I’m a late comer, invited last year after I mentioned to my friend, Robin Lee Hatcher, how much I missed being able to brain-storm with other writers. I was honored, thankful and excited when Brandilyn extended the invitation to join the group.
We start each morning with a devotional, presented by one of the members. Then we sing hymns. (Brandilyn Collins, Tammy Alexander and Karen Ball should make a CD!). The rest of the day is spent in brain-storming sessions. Each of us has an hour and fifteen minutes to present our WIP (“work in progress”). Everyone jumps in with ideas. (Love the “list of 20”.) The creative energy is amazing.
I miss them already. Of course, we’re already on-line, keeping in touch – encouraging and holding one another accountable to do the work we discussed.
We all need friends, people we trust who share our faith, who encourage us to dream, people who laugh and cry with us – and also hold us to account.
I thank God for the family and friends I have.
- francine's blog
- Login or register to post comments
Monthly Archive
- March 2010 (8)
- April 2010 (9)
- May 2010 (5)
- June 2010 (5)
- July 2010 (4)
- August 2010 (3)
- September 2010 (4)
- October 2010 (4)
- November 2010 (3)
- December 2010 (4)
- January 2011 (4)
- February 2011 (2)
- March 2011 (3)
- April 2011 (2)
- May 2011 (3)
- June 2011 (4)
- July 2011 (4)
- August 2011 (5)
- September 2011 (4)
- October 2011 (8)
- November 2011 (3)
- December 2011 (4)
- January 2012 (3)
- February 2012 (1)
Francine Rivers on Facebook
7 Comments to "Like-minded Friends"
is there another book on the way?!!! :) like after 'her daughters dream'??? :) :) :)
Funny that I read this today! I wanted to write you regarding a really good book idea and after reading about your trip I laughed and said "Thanks Lord for bringing me here!
I have had a book on my heart for quite awhile and wanted to share it with a professional.Your style of writing is excellent and I am a voracious reader of many genres.
I truly would love to dialogue with you and see if you would be interested.
I have been working with Orphans & Widows for abour 16 years and will be moving to the Phillipines next year to live.
This book would provide many kids with a better future and can be expande to other countries as well for the purposes I could share with you.
Taking true life stories of Orphans & Widows along with current and past events in their countries and weaving them into a fictionalized adventure story with the childen as the heros.
One of them starts out as " She was born deaf, mute, and blind and she was to left in the woods to die".
This is the mother of our poster child at the Morning Star Children's Charity at Kathmandu, Nepal.
Please let me know!
God bless you,
Dan
bigbootdan@msn.com
Its wonderful to have friends to keep us accountable. Keep up the good work!
I also live in Idaho, just north of CDA. I have been a huge fan of yours for years. My all time favorite is "Redeeming Love". I was just recommending it to a friend in our church coffee shop/book store this evening.
I am a foster mom to teenage girls and over the past 12 years this has been top of my "required reading" for them. :)
I am enxious to get my hands on the newest book and settle in a comfy spot to take it in. I know that there is a treasure awaiting me..
God bless you and keep up the awesome work.
ps. When are you coming back to CDA - fior a book signing maybe?
I totally agree about having these kinds of wonderful types of friends in our lives. I also would like to take the opportunity to tell you how much I love your writing. Truly, it has inspired me. I love seeing how you take a story and beautifully portray God's love for us through it. Thank you!
Hallel Smith
I am a Christian, and a writer in Australia and I often find I feel quite alone in the process of what I do. Your days away in plot, pray and play sound wonderful and have given me some ideas for maybe gathering some of my like minded friends together for a time of similar dedication.
Thanks.
Not to take away the importance of your WIP meetings, but Coeur d'Alene IS absolutely divine!