“We don’t write alone.”
Denise George offered uplifting words to this year’s Southern Christian Writers Conference after being presented with the 2022 Joanne Sloan National Award for the Encouragement of Writers. George is the author of 31 traditionally published books, and more than 1,500 magazine/newspaper articles. For many years, she taught writing-to-publish classes, and has traveled widely, speaking to universities, seminaries, churches, etc.
“God calls you to this, and if He calls you, He will equip you,” she said.
George offered five points for the writers gathered Friday night for the awards dinner:
- Encourage each other
- Trust God
- Pray
- Accept encouragement from others
- Protect your heart and your writing time from discouragement
George also reminded those gathered that the calling they have is not something to take lightly.
Writers should take care of themselves emotionally, mentally and spiritually, because “writing is serious business.”
“People read our words and those words can changes people’s lives,” George said.
“You have a story”
This year’s conference, held at Valley View Baptist Church, Leeds, on June 3–4, also featured numerous workshops varying in topic from social media and podcasting to self-publishing and writing in different genres.
Two keynote speakers were featured as well: Sean Dietrich and Hallee Bridgeman.
Dietrich, Friday night’s speaker, told his story of going from being a grade-school dropout to published author.
In Saturday’s keynote address, Hallee Bridgeman spoke on the importance of the stories artists tell.
“Whether it’s music or arts or design or sports or writing, there are moments that capture the culture’s — and sometimes the world’s — imagination,” Bridgeman said. “These mediums inspire like nothing else can. They inspire humanity to believe that there’s something greater than the fallen and broken world in which we live.”
The conference concluded with the recognition of the winners of the 2022 SCWC Writing Awards.
And the winners are …
In the newspaper article category, first place went to Tracy Riggs for “Father forgive them,” published in The Alabama Baptist; second place went to Jan White for “God takes our broken pieces, creates beauty,” published in the Andalusia Star-News; and third place went to Bill King for “Something ugly can become something beautiful,” published in the Opelika Auburn News.
In the magazine article category, first place went to Laura Lee Leathers for “A Common Thread makes Treasured Friends,” published in Mississippi Christian Living; second place went to Shelly McClanahan for “Who Calls You Friend?,” published in Just Between Us; and third place went to Vicki Creel for “The Empty Tomb and Resurrection Power: A Holy Land Experience,” in the Anniston Gadsden Christian Family.
In the poetry category, first place went to Leisl Lemire for “Love is Being Rhyme,” published on the SCWC blog; second place went to April McCay for “Closer to God,” published in The Cullman Tribune; and third place went to Susan Hester for “Untitled,” published in The Write Inspiration.
In the short story category, first place went to Ann Nunnally for “Annie’s Gift,” published in “Gritty Southern Christmas Anthology;” second place went to Becky “Coffee and Cookies with God;” and third place went to Sharon Atwoood for “Labyrinth of Mental Illness,” published in “Triumph from Tragedy;” and honorable mention went to Karen Allen for “Blessings in Disguise,” published in “Gritty Southern Christmas Anthology.”
In the blog post category, first place went to Sandi Herron for “September—a Day to Remember;” second place went to Beverly Smith for “Playing My Daddy’s Guitar Makes Me Smile;” third place went to Kristy Ensor for “Simply Abide;” and honorable mentions went to Terri Miller for “Substance and Evidence;” and Shannon Leech for “Worth the Wait.”
In the letter to the editor category, first place went to Shirley Crowder for a letter in The Baptist Paper; second place went to Grace Morgan for a letter in the Jackson County Times; and third place went to Tracy Riggs for a letter in The Alabama Baptist.
‘Edification and encouragement’
Cheryl Wray, director of the SCWC, took the reins of the conference four years ago from her parents David and Joanne Sloan, who founded it in 1991.
“Thank you for being here,” Wray said at the closing session. “You all have edified and encouraged me this weekend.”
To view a photo gallery from the conference, go to tabonline.org/2022-SCWC.
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