Conferences and Photography: Upcoming Dates and Locations

If you've spent much time on this blog you've probably heard me talk about my business as a photographer (check out my website for funzies: www.eacreativephotography.com). I think one of the *best* things is the fact that I get to combine my love for photography and writing when I attend writing conferences! I get to photograph all the activities and I get to hang out with writers when I take headshots. It's just so much fun!

I'm expanding from the ACFW Conference (September 17-20th) to include a local conference, the ACFW Virginia Writers Conference (July 25th) and the Speculative Fiction conference, Realm Makers (August 7-8th) this year. I'm so excited about this! {If you're attending any of these and are interested in a session, contact me!}

You may be wondering...do I really need a professional headshot? Well, no need to wonder any longer. I've written on this in the past but soon I'll be posting a 3 part series titled: Headshots and Marketing Photos. I'll be exploring author photos, marketing photos, prices, and some tips and tricks for great photos.

So, if you're out there wondering...do I need a new headshot? The answer is likely YES, but check back here and hopefully I'll be able to convince you of the necessity before you think I'm just saying that because I'm a photographer ;) Writers honor, I am not.

In the mean time, check out these posts for some reading about headshots: 


What are you saying with your headshot? (Part 1) 
A look at why you need a headshot and why it's a good investment to get a new one! 

What are you saying with your headshot? (Part 2) 
Some practical advice when getting your headshots taken.

What are you saying with your headshot? (Part 3)
Some hard and fast facts about headshots, copyrights and releases.

New Photos & A Winner

**New Photos**

Many of you know that I am a photographer in addition to be a writer. Today, I had some fun and took new headshots so I could update my business cards for the ACFW Conference. I'll be posting more blogs about prep-ing for the conference in the coming weeks, but I wanted to share the update!

 

Also, I'm excited to announce a winner of last week's {Writer Wednesday} GIVEAWAY! Congratulations....

Robin

You've won Susan Lyttek's book Killer Field Trip! We'll get that out to you soon :) 

For the rest of you - don't forget the End-of-Summer GIVEAWAY going on right now. You can enter via the post here or you can visit my Facebook author page here and there via the giveaway tab. 

Giveaway Reminder and A Question

Don't forget, my Thinking Thoughts readers - you have until 9pm TODAY to comment on Laura Hilton's recent {Writer Wednesday} interview for a chance to win her latest release, Awakened Love! She has asked that you leave your favorite fall snack in the comments. Just reading them makes me hungry ;)

You can find the post here. 

 ***

In other news, I've had a blast going through all of the photos I took at the ACFW Conference! One thing I've noticed is that Frank Peretti loves to make funny faces!!! Ah, the things you learn about your favorite authors at a writers conference.

Boots and leaves!

Also, the onset of fall is finally upon Southern California! Ok, so it's not that cold and it's not that fall-like, but hey, this girl will take what she can get. On my run this morning I saw the sunrise threading its fingers through the leaves of a nearby oak and thought...yes, it really is becoming fall. I've learned to adjust my expectations having lived in So. Cal. for 6 years now. Unfortunately, it will more than likely be over 90 degrees today, but I can rest assured that a change in season isn't too far off.

What is your favorite part about fall?? 

I'll share mine in a post later this week!

Conference & Exciting News

I have been given some exciting news! 

You may remember a post I did a few months ago when I said I was going to the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Conference? Well...I have been asked to be the conference photographer! I am so humbled by this and am really looking forward to capturing this event as well as shooting headshots of various different writers, authors and agents!

I've already scheduled many appointments and am gearing up for a full weekend! If you're attending the conference and are interested in scheduling a mini-session with me, you can email me here.

In other news, I am frantically working on my next book! The character sketches are coming together nicely and I'm making it a priority to schedule some major writing time this weekend!

What are you up to? If you're attending the conference, are you finished preparing or still have work to do? I'd love to hear from you in the comments below! 

Rainy Days and Inspiration

I've been enjoying the rain as of late. It doesn't rain much down here in Southern California. I don't know about you, but I actually become inspired when it's raining and the sky is all grey. What about you? 

What are you inspired by?

I mentioned it a few posts ago, but I'm still curious.

Are you inspired by photos? Do these flowers and seascape cause a stirring in your soul?

Or maybe you're inspired by quotes from great authors...

To produce a mighty book, you must choose a mighty theme.
- Herman Melville

Don’t try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It’s the one and only thing you have to offer.
- Barbara Kingsolver

Great is the art of beginning, but greater is the art of ending.
- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Or maybe you are inspired by music or silence? Either can produce intense emotions powerful enough to draw out a writer in almost anyone.

Whatever it is, I'd love to hear about it! Comment below and maybe though this discussion we can mutually inspire one another!

A little vacation...

You may or may not know this, but aside from my day job working at a church I also run a small photography business! This last weekend I was out of town shooting a wedding in beautiful Northern California.

I had such a wonderful time up there catching up with my family and then photographing the wedding at the amazing location up in the mountains just past Etna, California.

After that, I came back to Southern California and my parents drove down to spend some time with me.  Due to that, I skipped {Writer Wednesday} this week and am using this little post as an update for this week instead.

Just yesterday I launched a stylized shoot of photos I took and thought I'd share a few here for your viewing enjoyment.  Photos like these inspire me to write - especially if the end goal is a wedding. To view the full post of this session click [here].  

Do photos or beautiful scenery inspire you to write?

Mary Annslee Urban {Writer Wednesday}

I had the distinct blessing of being the event photographer for the SCV Pregnancy Center (our local pregnancy center) fundraising banquet last night!  It was so wonderful to hear the keynote speaker Melissa Ohden and to be moved, encouraged, and inspired by her story.  Talk about amazing!  Check out a brief post I did on my photography blog [here] and be on the look out for more photos from the event soon! 

I'm also so excited to be back in the swing of things for {Writer Wednesday}! We have a wonderful interview with Mary Annslee Urban today and I can't wait for you to get to know her better :)

Here's a little bit about Mary ...

Tapestry of Trust

Mary Annslee Urban is an author of Inspirational Romance. Her goal is to write stories that stir the heart about love, honor and God's grace! Her debut book, Tapestry of Trust, White Rose Publishing, was released June 2012. Her second book with White Rose Publishing, She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance, will be released Fall of 2012.

A registered nurse by profession, Mary works part-time in the behavioral health field. She also has been a freelance writer for newspapers in her area and has had articles published in magazines as well as online publications. She has served as co-president of Carolina's Christian Writers and is a member of ACFW. A North Carolina resident, Mary and her husband have five children and 3 grandchildren. When she isn't writing, she enjoys Bible Studies, cooking, traveling, long walks and anything chocolate!

How to connect with Mary...
Blog: maryurban.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mary.a.urban.9

Amazon: Author Page

Google+: https://plus.google.com/112306007651825730409/posts

Author Interview | Mary Annslee Urban

You & Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? 
...I grew up watching old-time romance movies, which I believe started my passion for sweet romance, true love and happy endings. A daydreamer at heart, I began my writing journey when the youngest of my five children started school. For several years I worked as a freelance writer for local newspapers and contributed articles to magazines and online publications.
...Raised in the foothills of Arizona, I survived temperature shock when I moved to Western Pennsylvania, before setting in North Carolina with my husband and children. Aside from writing, I work part-time as a Registered Nurse in the Behavioral Health field. I’m a member of ACFW, and currently serve as vice-president of Carolina Christian Writers. I have three published novels.  They are Tapestry of Trust, released June 2012, and She Came to See the Snow~A Colorado Christmas Romance, November 2012 and In Love’s Defense, due out this September 2013.
…When I’m not writing, I enjoy cooking, traveling to faraway places, playing with grandbabies and eating all things chocolate.

What has kept you writing?
…I had such a passion to write I couldn’t stop myself. I just loved learning and improving the craft.

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?
…Whichever book I’m working on is my favorite at the time. I get so involved in watching the characters come to life and can’t wait to see how the story evolves.

What was the hardest thing about publishing?
...Waiting! For replies from agents, publishers, editors. The easiest? Getting the call or email that the book has sold!

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it?
...I write Inspirational Romance. Right now I am working on an historical and just finished a romantic suspense.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...The struggles my characters over come to get to the romance. With Christ at the helm.

Writing
Where do you find inspiration for your story/characters?  Are they based on real life or pure imagination or both? 
…My stories are from my imagination, although threads of my life experiences are tangled within the characters and story.

When you write, what is your overall intention with your stories?
…Definitely to encourage people and hopefully bring them closer to God.

What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing?
...Don’t give up. Follow your passion and the path the Lord has set before you.

You
Have you ever attended a writer’s conference? If so, which one(s) and what were most helpful about it?
…I recently attended the ACFW conference in Dallas. I gleaned so much from the various workshops. There’s always so much to learn.

What’s your favorite green food?  (In honor of St. Patrick’s Day of course!)
…Spinach. Fresh, or cooked. I love it!

If you could travel to any location and stay there for one month (probably spending most of the time writing) where would you go?
...Northern Italy. We were there once, in the mountains around Verona. It was so beautiful and serene. And my grandfather’s family was from that area, which made it even more special.

____________________________________

Thank you for that wonderful interview Mary!  I would have to agree with your choice for a month-long getaway to Italy.  I've been there once for a week and cannot wait until I get the chance to go back! I also loved how you said the hardest thing about publishing was the waiting.  I think that goes for most good things in life - eh?  Well, I really appreciate you sharing with us!

By far my favorite question for this month is the last one regarding traveling.  You'll have the chance to hear three more authors thoughts on this, but until the next {Writer Wednesday} what is your answer to that question? I'd love to hear your answers below!

If you could travel to any location and stay there for one month where would you go? 

Featured on A Pew Perspective

Hello, dear friends!  I just wanted to let you know that my previous interview was rescheduled to today on Anne Baxter Campbell's blog A Pew Perspective.  Please hop on over to her lovely blog and hear about "The NaNo Experience" and what the Lord taught me through the month of November. 

Make sure to come by tomorrow for my author interview with Sheri Wilson Johnson!

P.S.  Notice anything different about my blog?  It's a small change but I added a new photo of my dear friend Shelby holding some of my books.  I'm a sucker for any kind of books (though I love them old and worn most of the time) and I wanted a picture that was a little more... author-ly for the blog ;)  What do you think?