American Christian Fiction Writers
Angie Breidenbach

Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the Jadyn Fred Foundation, and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. Angela’s calling is as a purposeful life coach and educator. She’s also certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer and is a multi-award winning inspirational author and speaker. Not only did she walk the hard line of deciding to donate her mom's brain, but she is also on the brain donation list at the Brain Bank-Harvard McLean Hospital. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson. Purposeful Living Educator & Coach. Personal growth = Powerful living! You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites: http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com on Wednesdays each week.

What’s a Writing Loop?

When I first started writing “for real,” over ten years ago, I kept hearing different writing phrases or words that seemed like Greek to me. The craft of writing does have its own language, from POV to head-hopping to e-loops. My head was hopping! I honestly felt I had a long way to go, but more so because of the strange linguistics that never showed up in a manuscript.


One of the most valuable writing tools has to be writing loops via e-mail. Never heard of it? Don’t know how to take advantage? Well then, you are in for a treat. Writing loops exist in many writing organizations. But the American Christian Fiction Writers has an incredible tool in the www.acfw.com main loop. Let’s explore a little Q & A.


Q: How does it work?


A: Quite simply by e-mail. A person sends an e-mail to the address for the ACFW main loop with a subject line that specifies the topic. Out of nearly two thousand members, you can be sure to receive a response for almost any question regarding the writing craft, promotion ideas for your work, computer suggestions, and even common problems with word processing programs. Awesome support systems are in place through the loop as well. The friendships built are stunning, not to mention the warmth that surrounds a person when they announce either a rejection or a sale. The list of opportunities through the ACFW main loop is hefty.


Q: What does it do for a writer?


A: Mmm, now we’re talking. The ACFW main loop includes writers in varying degrees of the publishing experience, ranging from multipublished to beginner authors. But many agents, publicists, editors, and other writing professionals also belong to the loop. It’s an awesome way to connect and network. Guess what else? All the ACFW announcements, free online classes, conference detail, TOTW (Topic of the Week), VOTW (Verse of the Week), mentoring posts from multipubbed authors, notices about calls for submissions, experts in pretty much any specialty, and incredible knowledge are right at your fingertips. I think I just pulled out one shovelful of sand above the treasure that is the ACFW main loop.


Q: How do I get on the ACFW main loop?


A: This will make your day because it is simple. First, you join ACFW by going to www.acfw.com. Then you login. Once on the member home page, you’ll see a menu bar with drop down boxes. Hover over GET CONNECTED. All the options will drop down for your viewing. Play around and get familiar at your leisure. But click on ELOOPS. Once the page displays, you’ll see three options. Make your choice and fill in your e-mail and password. The next decision will be if you want the loop to be sent to your e-mail as a digest or in individual messages. By individual message, you can respond or store just that e-mail. By digest, if the volume of messages becomes too large to manage, the system will send one e-mail that contains a block of messages. So you can scroll through and read each one, skim through quickly and read only those of interest, or delete the entire thing. It’s as simple as that. Bingo!


Q: Does ACFW have any other loops?


A: Yes, we also offer a prayer loop as well as a course loop. The additional opportunities for writing support closer to home include regional chapters and their e-mail writing loops. (However, the chapters often offer meeting options on a local, smaller level you might want to attend.)


Q: What is the course loop?


A: Ten to eleven months out of the year, American Christian Fiction Writers offers month-long writing courses free to members. The instructors volunteer and teach an amazing variety of topics specific to career and craft. The first year’s membership of $50 makes each month-long class a measly $5 if that’s the only membership benefit you partake of. The level of education and dedication from these ACFW teachers is bountiful and a huge blessing!


Q: Is there more?


A: Absolutely. But I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you. Visit the ACFW Web site and find out why it is the voice of Christian fiction. I can’t think of a better way to start the new year than to blossom in your writing through using the tools available. The main loop is revolutionary for someone who has written in solitude. Give yourself the gift of encouragement, enlightenment, and education by joining ACFW today and signing into the e-loops, or if you already are a member, find out what you’ve been missing!