What are your 2015 Storytelling, Writing, and Publishing goals?

It's almost New Year's Eve.  On that evening all of us are super heroes believing we can do almost anything.

"I will write 1,200 sets of Encyclopedias this year in French."

At some point dreams meet realism which isn't all bad, but don't let your dreams dissolve into crumbs like an old stale cookie on the floor

                                               "I once longed to eat you."


Here's to coaching you into fulfilling your writing and publishing dreams.  I will be teaching several writing conferences in 2015 year online and in person, so please send me an email if interested in knowing more details.  cherylmoeller at comcast.net

I also have excellent experienced editors to refer you to that can coach or edit personally for you.  cherylmoeller at comcast.net


Storytelling in a Digital Age Conference:  Storytelling, Writing, Blogging/Social Media, Speaking, and Publishing with Cheryl Moeller

Mckenzie House B and B, Possible Venue for a Future Writing Retreat!

We first noticed Mckenzie House above the other bed and breakfast establishments in Amish County because our youngest daughter is named Mackenzie, so it was worth clicking on the website.

What we found when we visited where the air is sweeter and the birds are whistling a clearer sound was spectacular.




Please look around on Mckenzie House Bed and Breakfast website Click here
Featured recently in Midwest Living Click here
Updated information for latest happenings on facebook for Mckenzie House Click here

Can you believe we had never been to the Shipshewana and Middleburg area of Amish Country in Indiana?
We discovered a real delight that we want to return to soon.

Equally delightful as the venue were the InnKeepers, Bruce and Sherry...

The Bed and Breakfast and rooms are named after their grown daughters.  Bruce and Sherry are just like family, as hosts and as cooks. Excellent breakfast with all of the fixings done like a festive holiday brunch.  We could not have been more well pleased in every way.

We are thinking of doing a marriage retreat and/or another event like a writing conference at this venue fall 2014. What do you think?  Would you like to attend?  Write to us at cheryl@forkeepsministries.com or leave us a comment

Cheryl's Writing, Storytelling, and Publishing in a Digital Age Conference (three day)

Cheryl's Writing, Storytelling, and Publishing in a Digital Age Conference (three day)
For all Ages 12 to 80 

Writing, Storytelling, Blogging, Publishing, and Speaking... 
(One day is some of the material covered in the one day conference, also. Some students attend both.)

Venue:
Bethany Baptist Church, 6700 W. Gunnison Street, Harwood Heights, IL, 60706, five miles east of O'hare.

Time: Three days, Monday-Wednesday, July 21-23, 10:000 am- 4:00 pm.

Cost: Includes notes. Lunch is on your own. Please bring a brown bag lunch, drinks, water, and fruit snack.

Cheryl Moeller, B.S., M.A.R., authored or co-authored ten books. For Cheryl's books Click here. A literary agent from 1992-2002, she's now an author and conference speaker.

Registration: E-mail Cheryl at cherylmoeller@comcast.net or call 847 770 2717 for questions and to R.S.V.P. $50 for suggested gift donation. $75 total for two family members. $100 Family Max.
Donation is not tax deductible because you are getting a service rendered. Checks can be made payable to "For Keeps Ministries", cash or bank cards, if you choose. (We have a way to swipe your bank card through our iphone.)

Cheryl Moeller's One Day Writing Conference for Students

Student? Join us, Wednesday, July 16

Cheryl Moeller's One Day Writing Conference for Students
For Junior High, Senior High and College Students 
Parents and Adults are Welcome in back as a student, also 

Three Sessions to teach you the secrets of writing:
How to pick your topic.
Easy fool-proof ways to edit your paper.
Use what you know and your own personal stories to write your paper.

Where: Arlington Heights Memorial Library, 500 N. Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60004-5910 in upstairs large room.

When: Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Time: 10:00 Am to 4:00 Pm

Cost: Includes notes. Lunch is on your own. Please bring a brown bag lunch, drinks, water, and fruit snack. I have paid an extra fee so we can have food and drink in the room.

E-mail Cheryl at cherylmoeller@comcast.net for details.

Cheryl Moeller, B.S., M.A.R., authored or co-authored ten books. For Cheryl's books Click here. A literary agent from 1992-2002, she's now an author and conference speaker.

Registration: E-mail Cheryl at cherylmoeller@comcast.net for questions and to R.S.V.P. $25 for suggested gift donation. $35 total for two family members. $45 Family Max.
Donation is not tax deductible because you are getting a service rendered. Checks can be made payable to "For Keeps Ministries", cash or bank cards, if you choose. (We have a way to swipe your bank card through our iphone.)

Five Things Writers Can Learn from Fly Fishermen

by Greg Lhamon • 2 Comments

There is an pecking order among fishermen. It’s an iron-clad hierarchy. Inviolable.

At the very bottom of the pyramid is the guy who uses a bobber. What is sporting or even interesting about sticking a worm on a hook, tossing it into the water, and then sitting there waiting for the bobber to move? How inelegant. There are only three people who should use bobbers:  six year olds, 87 year olds, and Huck Finn. But most guys who fish bobbers just sit in the boat and drink beer.

Next on the list are the guys who use lures. It’s a rather large step up the ladder because it at least it requires a bit of skill in the presentation and retrieve. Many fine and respectable men fish with lures.  Click here

Writing Contest!

Significant Living Magazine Presents 
2nd Annual Writing Contest

Submit your story about everyday people who are making a difference for Jesus.

Keep it between 800 and 1200 words.  
1st prize - $300 and we publish your article.2nd prize - $200 and we publish your article.3rd prize - $100 and we publish your article.
Submissions must be received by June 30. 2014.

More details on page 8

Last year's winners 2013 winners!

Check out page 8 for more details Click here

Tychicus Website Design

Tychicus can help you create an amazing website to make a great first impression! Get started on your new website by emailing info@tychicus.co Click here

My cousin Katie Hawkins will help you with your tech needs.

Chip MacGregor's Writing One Day Conference in Dallas, TX. He's the Best!

Chip MacGregor Contents: Calling all writers in the Dallas area… Calling all writers in the Dallas area… Feb 07, 2014 07:04 pm | Chip MacGregor A new writing conference is fast approaching — and you’re invited. On Saturday, February 15, I will be speaking at the Dallas Writers’ University. It’s a one-day event, with a rather intensive agenda: I’ll speak on “developing a book proposal that sells,” and the focus will be on giving practical, hands-on help to writers who want to create a proposal that will get noticed. I’ll also be speaking on “creating your long-term publishing strategy,” with an emphasis on traditional publishing, niche publishing, self-publishing, and alternative strategies for writers to make a living. Michelle Borquez, bestselling author and entrepreneur, will explore “building a platform around your concept.” There will be a Q&A time, and everybody there will have a face to face meeting with me sometime during the day. Finally, Michelle and I will be talking about the secret to success in contemporary publishing. You can read all about it here: www.eventbrite.com/e/dallas-writers-university-tickets-9845287520 I’m really looking forward to this opportunity. I’ve largely taken time away from conferences the past couple years, but I love talking to authors about proposals and strategy. And you’re invited. Again, every participant gets face time with me, where we’ll be reviewing proposals and talking about next steps in a one-on-one setting. That means our space is limited to just 30 people. Here’s the thing . . . there are a hundred conferences you can go to in order to get some basic information on writing. But if you really want to join a small group and find out how to create a book that will sell, make some money, and gain entry into the world of publishing by talking to some experienced people in the industry, I hope you’ll consider joining us. I don’t do many conferences anymore (and rarely do a writing conference), so I’m excited to be asked to be part of this one. The event is going to be in the Dallas area, at a church in White Settlement. The cost is $250 and includes lunch – but if you mention this blog when you sign up, you can attend for $199. Again, you can find out all you need to know by clicking here. If you live anywhere in the area, I would love to have you come and introduce yourself to me. Feel free to ask me questions — happy to be doing this! -chip The post Calling all writers in the Dallas area… appeared first on Chip MacGregor. Read More Recent Posts Here’s the Deal Thursdays with Amanda: Divergent vs Miss Peregrine – Book Trailer Edition How to Enter a Writing Contest the Right Way The Joys of Technology The LAST last word on WinePress?

Cheryl's Conference: Storytelling, Writing, Blogging, Speaking, and Publishing

 

NEW WEBINAR OPTION: For those out of state, I can bring in nine people to my Writing Conference through Google+ Hangout Group. I have openings for a couple people if interested... cheryl@forkeepsministries.com Please email me about theGoogle+ Hangout group during the conference, which will be like you attending as a webinar. All you need is a gmail address. Click here

Monday-Thursday, February 3-6, 2014, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Venue:
Ritzy's Cafe and Backerei
2765 Algonquin Road
Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

A global look at writing, publishing,  storytelling, blogging, and speaking.

Cheryl will give you a plan you can use to get started and help you come up with a topic.

No Admission Charged.  Admission: Donation love offering to For Keeps Ministries
You can donate to our nonprofit minsitry online Click here

Have you always wanted to write and publish?
A realistic plan to keep your speaking, writing, publishing dream alive?
A way to be accountable to someone or yourself?
Want to network with others like yourself?

“Cheryl, your insight and knowledge on the subject is really going to help us all moving forward. Can’t thank you enough!!” - Chris Pagliero

R.S.V.P. in the form below.  For more information about Google plus group or questions:  cheryl@forkeepsministries.com
If you are from out of state and unable to attend, please email me about the google+ hangout group during the conference, which will be like you attending as a webinar.  

Required reading ahead of time. Kindle book – Bestseller: 100 Nearly Free Ways to Market Your Book $2.99 cents on Kindle
Bestseller:  100 Nearly Free Ways to Market Your Book will be a free Kindle book January 31-February 4, 2014  Click here starting January 31

Click here to register online

NEW POSTING Cheryl's Conference: Writing, Publishing, Blogging, Speaking, and Storytelling

Join us Monday-Thursday, February 3-6, 2014, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Ritzy's Cafe and Backerei, 2765 Algonquin Rd. Rolling Meadows, IL 60008.

Platform is so important.  I will give you a personalized plan to start your platform expanding.   
To register and ask for more info:  Click here 

It's all about your Idea and Your Platform.  

Watch Michael Hyatt nail it about platform with his new book, Platform

Great Lesser Known Books by Well Known Authors

While Caddie Woodlawn is the top book she is remembered for, Baby Island and Winter Cottage were my favorites by Carolyn Ryrie Brink.  It's possible to find these books through the intraloan system through your library or ask your library to order.  We have gotten a lot of books to borrow by asking the library to order it.  Check out used books stores, also, for these gems.

Winter Cottage is $27.00 hardcover used right now on Amazon because no one wants to give up their copy!  On another Amazon post, it's $98 for a used paperback copy.

Our family has loved this book since 1990.  Our sons and daughters alike were
like magnets to the pages and we still call our pancakes the names they named
their pancakes in Winter Cottage. Perfect to read right now during a blizzard.

An Amazon review of Winter Cottage which also tells part of the plot:  
"It is the heartwarming story of a widowered papa and his two young
daughters, Minty and Eggs, and their happy little doggie, Buster.
It takes place in a time when there were no jobs to be had, and
money and supplies were so short that every penny and every item
had to stretch as far as it could go. But, in this little family,
love abounded, and integrity, and, mmm, papa's wonderfully-friendly
and comforting pancakes and brown-sugar syrup. The story, along with 
the wonderful drawings by Fermin Rocker, will probably make you want 
to be there, in that comforting and wholesome life, in a simpler time, 
where one is so grateful just to have the simple things, including the love 
and comfort of those you love and who love you, and a secure roof over your head."


Baby Island by Carolyn Ryrie Brink is such a real great aloud book also.  It's a must to read
to boys and girls.  On Amazon you can purchase a used copy for .01 cent.  Wow.

We love this book too and read it about 20 times aloud.  It was easy to impart the love of
babies in our children anyway, but Baby Island was an additional reason why.

The basic plot:
When a ferocious storm hits their ship, young Mary and Jean become stranded on a deserted island. They're not the only survivors; with them are four babies. Immediately the sisters set out to make the island a home for themselves and the little ones. A classic tale of courage and dedication from a Newbery Medalist author.  Order now