“Rediscover your gifts and learn more about running your business. Stay Focused Christian Writers Retreat is here for you! Providing attendees with Information, Partnership, & Strategies of doing business better, by becoming an author.” ~Deanna Garlic, MA
KEEP FOCUSING ON THE MESSIAH
“Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.” ~Colossians 3:1 International Standard Version (ISV)
2023 THEME: STAY FOCUSED
- Writing, Ghost Writing, & AI – Giselle Quintanilla (Friday)
- Writing With Passion – Dolevera Robinson (Friday)
- Releasing The Warrior In You – Andres Viloria (Saturday)
- Learning to navigate KDP Kindle Direct Publishing & Low Content Publishing – Vanessa Davis Griggs (Saturday)
Vanessa Davis Griggs – Developing A Game Plan Part I & II (Friday) http://vanessadavisgriggs.com/
Deanna Garlic – What It Means To Retreat – Day I & Review and Feedback for Writing Assignments Day III https://www.facebook.com/stayfocsedmagazine or @Stayfocusedmag
Group Discussions & One on One Coaching – Mapping Out Future Plans – A Writing Assignment will be given on Thursday evening and due on Saturday morning.
2021 THEME: STAY FOCUSED
- 10 Easy Steps to Writing & Publishing – Elder Terrence Clark
- Excellence In Editing – Giselle Quintanilla
- Legacy Planning for “Your Life’s Purpose” – Arthur Horn, MBA
- Marketing Your Writing via Zoom – Dr. Cecilia Dennery
Vanessa Davis Griggs – Tune in to Listen on WII-FM (What’s In It – For Me?!) An Author’s Life Testimony Part I & II http://vanessadavisgriggs.com/
Pastor Dolevera Robinson – What It Means To Retreat – Day I & II https://www.facebook.com/dolevera or @DoleveraDerilus
Group Discussions – Making Future Plans – A Writing Assignment will be given on Friday afternoon and due Saturday morning.
2018 THEME: STAY FOCUSED
Legacy Planning for You & Your Journey as an Author,
by Arthur C. Horn, MSA, MBA, CFEI, GCDF, CCSP
This class will assist participants in creating a legacy plan designed to co-exist with their journey as an Author. Often we make plans for our business of writing and we separately write plans for our family and personal life. Mr. Horn will demonstrate and display how his personal journey guided him through a thorough detailed legacy/life plan.
Magazine and Business Article Writing,
by Elder Terrence Clark
Specific writing needs specific teaching and attention. Let us show you just what that means concerning writing an article. First define your purpose: Informative, Encouraging, Personal Interest, Political, Call to Action, etc. Then begin to compose your piece. Use data, charts, and diagrams to make your article so very well put together that people will refer to your article when making presentations.
Prerequisites To Successful Writing,
by Bishop J. Wayne Arnold
After writing sermons, Bible Study curricula and other presentations for over thirty years, and now being the author of his first book, “JUST A THOUGHT”, Bishop Arnold will introduce you to the tools needed to become a more successful writer. This class will reveal many fundamental, day to day habits and characteristics that the successful writer must develop. Create a new mindset with regard to your writing. Come and be encouraged and inspired.
Judging A Book By It’s Cover
by Dr. Ceicilia B. Dennery, Ed.D, MS, MBA
Whether you believe it or not, people do judge a book by its cover. In this workshop, we will discuss the various elements that make an effective book cover that will grab your reader’s attention and help to sell your book.
An Introduction To Color,
by Kimberly B. Rogers, MHS
An overview of the multiple dimensions of color beginning with its history and rich symbolism is presented to the learner. Color psychology with an emphasis on color and personality, and the physiological dimensions will be presented. Participants will gain a basic understanding of how color affects space, time, temperature, attitudes, moods and mental health.
Cost Effective Website Marketing for Authors & Entrepreneurs,
by Deanna L. Garlic, MS
Website Marketing is vital in today’s economy. Business does not wait for the entrepreneur to be able to afford a branding consultant. There are no excuses not to build a website yourself until the time comes when you can afford professional attention to your brand. So much is offered for free, and you can still look very professional using free tools. This class slows down the process and gives you a “how to” approach to creating and managing your own website for your business and/or your book.
Websites & Mobile Apps – Changing the Face of Business,
by Kyle D. Amaker
Websites and mobile apps are one of the best ways to build authority and traffic to your writing business. As the internet continues to grow at a record pace, consumers have an insatiable need for content. A website and mobile app has become one of the most reliable forms of providing that information. The biggest challenge most writers face is not whether they need a website, but how to build a website that brings in business. This class will discuss how to build a website to accomplish what you need most.
2017 THEME: STAY FOCUSED
Classes Include:
The smART of Writing
Writing is a craft. Writing is an art. In this class, we’ll cover the how to’s, the what’s, the why’s and the when and the where’s! Hands-on Q & A.
A Marketing Platform With Confidence
What is confidence? Confidence comes from the acquisition of knowing, doing, and teaching. During this workshop you will discover your level of confidence. We will answer and explore several questions: like, What do you know?; Who are you associated with?; What gifts do you bring to the table?;… to name a few. Hands-on Q & A.
Public Speaking We are very familiar with Moses speech impediments, but what about our own. What is really stopping you from declaring God’s Word publicly and moving forward in your gift, your talents, and your calling. The process of writing and the ability to speak well is healing. You can do it and God can help. Hands-on Q & A.
Go & Grow, Write & Speak through the Hurts
Jesus never promised it would be easy to follow Him, but He has promised always to be with us. Biblical principles for those times that test and stretch our faith and later become the focus of our writing and speaking ministry. Hands-on Q & A.
Discover God’s Plan for Your Ministry
Is God calling you to write an article, story, or book? Who is your audience? What are their needs? How will you reach them? Should you look for a publisher or go indie? What are the advantages and disadvantages of traditional and indie publishing? Hands-on Q & A.
You Can Do It!
How to indie publish affordably yet professionally. Learn why thousands of authors are choosing independent publishing, or indie publishing, to publish books of all genres. And more importantly learn how you can join them and do it too. Hands-on Q & A.
Closing – Think Big Because You Serve a Big God
How to cut the old tapes, stop listening to the wrong voices, and accomplish what God is calling you to do.
2016 CLASS LIST
2016 THEME: THE BOOK THAT CHANGED MY LIFE!
2016 DVD’s Available for Purchase2016 DVD’s Available for Purchase
Creative Writing Courses:
Real, Phony and Somewhere In Between: Creating believable characters, by Author Andrea Gadson
It does not matter. You can be writing the longest novel in the world or the shortest; your characters will make or break your story. Readers need to connect with your characters. If they don’t know a character, they won’t stick with them through any journey or situation you create. Your characters make your reader forget they are…well…reading. Building believable characters takes investment. Once you make this investment, your story may just erupt from your loins without much effort. Let believable characters reveal your believable story.
In this workshop we’ll sink into what it takes to create characters people love (or hate). This fun and interactive workshop may place two or three characters in your back pocket for the next your story or novel.
Publishing Made Easy, by Author Ronnie Dawson
Class about various tools available to writers to empower them to do what is necessary to become published authors. Topics discussed will include: 1. Why do you want to publish a book. 2. Important factors in publishing. 3. Connecting to your audience.
Giving Purpose and Intent to Your Writing , by Minister Author Terrence Clarke
You’ve heard everyone has a story. And, you said, one day I’ll write mine. Before you pick up a pen or start pounding the keys of your laptop, understand the intent and purpose of your writing and side step frustration and unreal goals. Find out that your story, script, poem, article is more than just a collection of words, ideas or imagery, but perhaps a tool to reach (and minister to) someone in this world of seven billion plus.
The Business of Writing
Legacy Planning for You & Your Business, by Arthur C. Horn
This class will assist participants in creating a personal plan designed to co-exist with their business life/plan. Often we make plans for our business and we separately write plans for our family and personal life. Mr. Horn will demonstrate and display how his personal journey guided him through a thorough detailed legacy/life plan.
Financing Your Business / Writing, by Minister Danielle Wright
Concerning our finances how many of us can say as Paul said in Philippians 4:12a “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound:…” Come learn from someone who has an Awesome story and professional experience that will enlighten and ignite your business finances.
Danielle is going to share how the book, “Thou Shall Prosper: Ten Commandments for Making Money” by Rabbi Daniel Lapin enhanced her life. She is going to share how he explains “life is business and business is life”. Also help you to answer the question, is it God’s will that we shall be prosperous? You need help in understanding finances, this is the class for you.
2015 CLASS LIST
Creative Writing Courses:
Giving Purpose and Intent to Your Writing , by Minister Terrence Clarke
You’ve heard everyone has a story. And, you said, one day I’ll write mine. Before you pick up a pen or start pounding the keys of your laptop, understand the intent and purpose of your writing and side step frustration and unreal goals. Find out that your story, script, poem, article is more than just a collection of words, ideas or imagery, but perhaps a tool to reach (and minister to) someone in this world of seven billion plus.
Creative Business Writing – (A Creative Approach to Strategic Communications & Marketing), by Billy Ray Davis, Jr.
Discover how to define your mission and vision put words to your passion and niche. Develop a practical approach to taking your information and bringing it to your bottom line. This workshop will look at all aspects of strategic communications and provide a connection to those things that inspire us to do business.
Killing My Baby, by Andrea Gadson
You have finished your masterpiece. It may be your best work. You’re confident about every period and comma. You know you’ve got the right organization. Your facts are straight. You’re ready to send your work to any editor and publisher, and they should be ready to print it.
HOLD IT! Have you done a sufficient job in editing and revising your work? Don’t groan. Editing and revising are mandatory aspects of the writing process. Many of us think we’re ready when we truly are not. Killing My Baby: Tips on Revising and Editing Your Own Work gives you practical steps to use when you have to take off the writing hat and put on the editing hat. These tips will assure you are sending your best work to any editor or publisher.
The Business of Writing
The Nonprofit’s Place in The World of Business, by Arthur C. Horn
Today everyone wants to start a nonprofit. And the reality is that your nonprofit will need financing to get started and continue operating, just like your for profit business. The Nonprofit Sector, also known as the Independent Sector is dynamic, complex, and deserves some studying before you decide to jump into it.
To operate a nonprofit you will need business skills or surround yourself with people who have business skills, or you will be unsuccessful. In this class, be prepared to learn about the mission, the money, the need, volunteers, donors, and customers. What is important?
Websites & Mobile Apps – Changing the Face of Business, by Kyle D. Amaker
A website and mobile app has become one of the most reliable forms of providing that information. The biggest challenge most writers face is not whether they need a website, but how to build a website that brings in business. This class will discuss how to build a website to accomplish what you need most.