Plot, Play, & Pray 2022
I returned yesterday from our annual Plot, Play, & Pray retreat in beautiful northern Idaho. We were smaller than normal. There are eleven of us in this wonderful fellowship, but five of them were missing due to a number of issues. They were missed so very much.
Still, despite our reduced size, we managed to brainstorm seven books (two of them via Zoom with absent sisters).
And the Lord was ever faithful, drawing us to His word and into sweet times of prayer and praise.
I led the morning devotional one day, and I hadn’t felt like what I was preparing was especially inspiring. Nothing these women of God wouldn’t already know. But apparently it pleased the Lord.
I began with three songs from the playlist I call “Quiet Time Worship.” Turns out that the second song was what one of the gals sang to herself as she’d gone to sleep but couldn’t remember in the morning. She’d prayed and asked the Lord to remind her what it was. Guess what the second of the three songs was? The very song she’d asked the Lord to reveal to her.
Then another gal said that one of the verses I’d used was exactly what God had spoken to her about that morning.
Isn’t God good? To let me know I hadn’t blown it.
On another note, I decided (for several reasons) to drive to the retreat this year rather than to fly. It is a bit over 7 hours of actual drive time, plus the time it takes to stop, stretch, use the restroom, get gas, eat a snack. For a “woman on a mission” (as I am when on a driving trip), it came out to about 7.5 hours from door to door.
My car is older and I can’t talk to it to request various items, so for both the trip north and the return trip home, I made sure I had a book on my iPhone (playing through my car speakers) that was longer than 8 hours listening time. I didn’t want to run out of a story while going 65 mph on a mountainous highway. Both of the audiobooks I chose turned out to be great novels that kept me fully engrossed the entire time I was driving, making those 7 hours behind the wheel seem shorter than they actually were.
I sent out my August newsletter to subscribers this morning, and I shared the cover for the novel I am working on now (the sequel to Even Forever). I received it from the designer just before I left on this trip, and my subscribers were the first to see it.
Of course, I cannot wait to get started writing my new historical series. We brainstormed the novella and the first novel. The inspiration for these stories stem from a novel I wrote many years ago, Fit To Be Tied. The series will kick off with a novella set in England and be followed by three novels set in America out in the West. More to follow on those books.
Boo is glad to have me home. Pinky doesn’t care all that much. LOL!
I’ve caught up on just about everything that was left undone while I was away. Now it is time to get my nose back into my book.
May this last full month of summer be a blessing to you — and maybe not as hot as it has been lately for so many of us!!!
~robin
I’m so glad that you had fun with the ladies and made it safely home again!! I’m so glad that you mentioned the newsletter as this is my first one!! On my way to checking it now. If you decide to have an influencer group or ARC readers, I should be available. Next week I’ll be doing one for Julie Lessman. Can’t wait!! Have a blessed day– Brenda.
Brenda, keep watch as there will probably be an application for ARC readers at some point. My publisher currently uses NetGalley but I may go another way.
Wow! You definitely didn’t blow it – you blessed retreat sisters. I’m just starting my novel and wish there was a critique group close but am blessed with a patient husband. I have two little dogs and Henry would be just like your Boo and the other (PD) just like your Pinky. My hubby’s Golden Retriever Spike is more effusive in his affection upon my return from anywhere. Hope you had a lovely boat day and will enjoy a quiet week. GOD bless!
Thanks, Cindy!
God is so good to do things like your devotion! Recently one of our Sunday School teachers gave the message on Wednesday night. ‘God Dwells in the Thick Darkness’ was her title. She spoke about her 29 year old son dying of an accidental overdose. That message had been postponed twice. But God knows what He is doing. It ministered to a situation in my life so much. Then two more women I know felt it was for them, one had a daughter murdered years earlier and no justice. And an author I influence for said the scriptures I shared with her from the message were ones she felt God intended her to use in the current work in progress. So God can use things we think are nothing to touch others.
Isn’t it amazing how often we go to church or to some other function, and it seems that the preacher or speaker prepared their words just for us. Then we find out that so many others felt exactly the same way.
That’s my favorite picture of you from this retreat! And I miss you already!
Miss you too, Sunni. Sorry I was away just before you got up. Would have been nice to get one more hug.
Isn’t it amazing how God shows up and shows off when we remain faithful to Him. He knew what the ladies needed to hear at the retreat. What we bring to the table often feels small and lackluster but it is perfume for the King of kings.
Thanks for sharing!
I am so glad you had a great drive to and from and at the retreat and great audio books to keep you company. I am just sending my check and signed forms to publish my first book with Zoe Life Christian Communications and learning the ropes of publishing my own work since I’ve only seen it from editing and sending out comps and such for my friend who has another small publishing company. I’ve yet to attend a writer’s conference or retreat. Are there any you recommend close to Northern New York state?
Hi, Heidi. I’m afraid I don’t have any recommendations for conferences or retreats in the New York state area. You might try googling “Christian writer conferences New York.” I suggest that you consider joining American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW.com) and/or Faith, Hope, & Love Christian Writers (FHL-CW.com). I’m advisor to the board on the latter, but I belong to both. There are critique group opportunities. ACFW also has regional chapters where you might find a critique partner.