Big Changes (NEWS)

Wow, there have been lots of changes in my life lately. Just wanted to do a quick post to update everyone (friends of mine) who read my blog. Here's the big news in my life lately.

For those of you who don't know, I've spent the last nine months writing (wait for it...) fiction. Yes, fiction. It's been a roller coaster. Finaled in the Genesis Contest (the National Christian Fiction Writing contest), which has given me inroads to a lot of publishing houses. Should have news on that very soon.
** I've finaled in three more writing contests. Two with the Genesis Finalist ms, and one with my Scottish historical! They're all RWA chapter contests, but the people reading the entries are still editors and agents, just like the Genesis. (Being a chapter contest means that I probably had less competition than in the Genesis, but the final ms's all still go to big-time agents and editors, regardless.)

** I've finished two more books. Should be editing them this month, in addition to finishing the re-write on my Genesis ms and completing that ms for RWA Nationals, where I have a meeting with a Love Inspired editor and a New York agent.

** I've started teaching writing classes through RWA chapters. Should be more information coming on that soon. (In case you want to sign up for one, haha!) :-) Teaching World-building, food writing, grammar... lots of things.

** I'm in a new band. Five friends and I have started a band called "Not That Serious". I have a feeling our name will change after not too long... although we're really not that serious. :-) We did our first gig on June 26th. Will likely be doing another one at L&B sometime in the fall. And will be doing another gig at Christus in the Fall as well. I'll keep you all posted. Probably through my blog and Facebook.

** I've started teaching summer performing arts camps with two very good friends of mine. It's a program that was started in Santa Barbara, and we're borrowing curriculum and aligning ourselves with them. It's basically a plant of that camp. Here's our website. We're doing Glee/Disney next week, and Cassidy Cook will be joining me for the Movement/Production rotation. Should be VERY exciting!

** I've taken a new job. I'm the new Director of Music at Springhill Presbyterian Church. Here's our website. There's three of us that are new staff who are not on the Staff Page yet, but look for us to be on there very soon. :-) A new community director, a director of music ministries, and a site/youth/young adult director. Stephen (the new site/youth/ya director) is a friend of Tim & Nicole. It's a small world after all.

Other than that, I'm writing most days. When I'm not at camp. I'm going to RWA Nationals in July. Going to ACFW Nationals in September. Going to Baltimore to see Kristy & Robert's new baby in September. Still doing Strengths coaching on a very limited basis. Reading and reviewing books, still. Doing lots of different things. Got some good feedback and encouragement at my Seminary reunion. Love those peeps.

Looking forward to the end of summer. :-) But very much looking forward to ORLANDO in July!! Mickey Mouse land, here I come!