NGU Skyliner

Hannah Reynolds

Staff Writer

“If we write down our words, someone will benefit,” said Vonda Skelton, author and keynote speaker for Write2Ignite. North Greenville University hosted this Christian writing conference on Feb. 26 and 27. Writers, illustrators, publishers and editors from all over attended. Among the more than 70 attendees were several NGU students and faculty members, including Deborah DeCiantis and Cheryl Collier, both members of the English department.

David Yarley, senior interdisciplinary studies, and many other students attended the Write2Ignite conference both Friday and Saturday.

The conference consisted of several general sessions, a panel discussion and various workshops all aimed at encouraging and informing writers. There was also a teen track for aspiring young authors. The workshops ranged from those instructing writers on how to create memorable characters to those detailing the process of submitting manuscripts to publishers.

The conference focused on all age groups within children’s writing, from picture books to teen novels. Among presenters were Nancy Lohr, acquisitions editor of JourneyForth Publishing, and Cindy Kenney, an award-winning author. Presenters from all areas of expertise were there, including those knowledgeable about writing, editing, publishing and even illustrating children’s books.

In addition to informing and connecting those in the writing industry, this conference focused on the obligation writers have as Christians. The purpose behind Write2Ignite, as put forth in its mission statement, is to write messages and create works that will ignite a fire for God in the hearts and minds of the next generation.

Write2Ignite reminds Christian writers that whether they are writing a Christian novel or secular curriculum, they should make the inclusion of biblical principles a priority. As several presenters emphasized, good writing is not stating what children should believe, but including subtle biblical truths that let them come to their own decisions.

Jean Hall and many others spoke to both faculty and students during the conference about numerous issues concerning authors and illustrators.

The presenters in the conference assisted writers of various levels of experience with setting goals for themselves. Presenters and the Write2Ignite team also encouraged writers to put down on paper what they feel God has given them to write. The main focus, Write2Ignite asserts, should not be on writing a bestseller. Rather, Christian writers should be concerned about following God’s will and allowing Him to use their words to touch lives.

The conference’s theme verse was Psalm 78:7-8: “That the generation to come might know them, the children who would be born, that they may arise and declare them to their children, that they may set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep His commandments.”

Write2Ignite provided many aspiring, struggling authors, as well as those who have been successful, with helpful information and biblical encouragement.

“I thought that this conference was very helpful because it gave a lot of information from professional writers about the writing process itself and getting published. It was helpful and practical,” said Megan Morrow, sophomore studio art, about her Write2Ignite experience.

Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 6

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