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So thrilled to be a past National 1st place Winner 

Amy Writing Awards 

The winning article, Finding Forgiveness, about one family's journey of healing after a loved one's brutal murder 

Read the article: 

Finding Forgiveness 

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From the Amy Foundation's Newsletter Pen & Sword:  As a past First Place Amy Awards winning writer, I was able to share a few suggestions for writers or wannabe writers

 Writer's Toolbox

Q. What recommendations do you have for writers? 
A: Writers need to read constantly. I always keep a book, newspaper, or magazine with me wherever I go. I tend to like to read Christian recovery books, biographies, well-known columnists, inspirational pieces, and specific authors. But I try to be careful not to get stuck in reading only genres that I like. Having struggled with clinical depression myself, when it comes to reading, I try to concentrate on the advice found in Phil. 4:8, “Summing
it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse” (The Message). 

Q: Do you have any encouragement for Christian writers as to how to use media resources to publish their work?
A: As time-consuming and seemingly narcissistic as social media can be, it is important for a writer to have a presence on the Internet for marketing purposes. Through mediums like Facebook, Twitter, Instragram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn, etc., one can create that presence in conjunction with maintaining a personal website, blog, or podcast. Just make sure the information is current, or else these tools can actually work against you in a marketing sense. 
Q: How do you fit in time to write?
A: At this point of my life, I am free to concentrate solely on my writing and speaking career. For many years as a single mom, I worked a full-time job. Pursuing writing always requires sacrifice and great discipline, but if you believe it is a calling, you will pay the price.
Q: How do you get your ideas for articles or books?
A: Often I pray and ask God to guide me in what He would like written. Also, since I have been a storyteller for many years, people occasionally share ideas. A knowledge of
what has been well-received in the past helps, too. Other times, the Holy Spirit will nudge me to pursue a topic I might otherwise overlook. Depression, sexual abuse, domestic violence, suicide, abortion, and now aging are all subjects I have written about extensively, because I sensed God wanted to use my writing and broken past to reach those still struggling.

:
 Meeting one of my favorite authors, Mitch Albom, was a bucket list moment.

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God has brought personal  healing through my writing.

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Q: When did you begin writing?
A: I began writing in the early 1970s as a troubled teen. After surviving a near fatal suicide attempt, I was committed to Ohio’s Toledo State Mental Hospital. During those long months, I wrote about my feelings of loneliness, abandonment, and depression. God used writing to enable me to survive.
Q: What inspired you to write your Amy Award winning article?
A: As a journalist, I have witnessed Christians who experience traumatic events who share their stories in the light of God’s sustaining grace. It has empowered them to heal.
Therefore, prompted by God’s Spirit, I approached the Henderson family who are precious friends of mine. I asked  if there was something they wanted others in the community to know about their daughter’s brutal murder. It was Dale Henderson’s amazing story of a father’s forgiveness that emerged.
Q: How did you market your story?
A: As a freelance journalist, I wrote many articles for Ohio’s The Lima News and other newspapers. I simply approached my then editor, and she approved the story idea. At the time I wrote the article I was not aware of the Amy Awards.
Q: How did you hear about the Amy Awards?
A: I originally heard about the Amy Awards through the winter 2011 Northwest Ohio Christian Writers’ newsletter. It’s important for writers to network with others in their field, and to learn about writing possibilities like the former Amy Awards.