Novel Journey Reports from the Blue Ridge Conference

Gina and I had a blast on our first gig as faculty at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Here we are getting giddy with Cindy Sproles.

Held at Ridgecrest, Yvonne Lehman puts on a great conference. After 25 years, she's handing over the Blue Ridge to Alton Gansky, but she'll continue to do the new Novelists Retreat in October. If you're a novelist with a current WIP, you'll want to check this out.

Gina and I taught on Building a Platform Before You're Published and the Best Advice From Novel Journey. We've interviewed so many authors, both CBA and ABA, and gleaned so much good advice, it made for a fun workshop.

For me, the highlight was the faculty talent show. That's right. Gina and I were in it. First of all, Eva Marie Everson coerced us into doing the Cha Cha Slide. And it got funky. Yvonne didn't expect to have to be in this, and what a good sport she is.

Then after the warm-up act, came RIDGECREST IDOL with yours truly as Simone Cow. Suzanne Hadley played Trala Blabdrool and Carmen Leal was Mandy Slackson. Eva Marie Everson hosted as Rhianna Fleasnest.

The contestants, famous authors, read selections from their books and we judged them. Here's the line-up:

Vonda Skelton came out as William Shakespeare's wife, reading Romeo a Juliet. Her wig and period costume had us rolling in laughter. Les Stobbe gave us the giggles as Daniel DeFoe, reading Robinson Crusoe. He had a hard time keeping a straight face when receiving his critiques.

Chip MacGregor did an incredible portrayal of Robert Louis Stephenson, reading Treasure Island. It was all Eva Marie could do to keep him on his feet.

Ron Benrey as Lord Edward George Earl Lyton Bulwer-Lyton, reading Paul Clifford.
Janet Benrey was a hoot as Dame Barbara Cartland, reading The Dawn of Love. She had the stuffed animal and feather boa, which she tried to convince us wasn't hers.

Gina Holmes had us in stitches as Charlotte Bronte, reading Jane Eyre. When she stopped because she couldn't remember a line, Simone shouted at her, "It's a book. Read it." Then Trala told her she loved Charlotte's second book.

Deb Raney was a highlight as Jane Austin, reading Sense and Sensibility. She read every comma, semi colon and period in the passage—all with a straight face. And earlier that day, she was seen giggling over a ... snake? Hmmm. I didn't think Brandilyn Collins was at Ridgecrest.

But DiAnn Mills as Yvonne Lehman, reading His Hands, stole the show. She had Yvonne down to a "T", including the walk, the hand fluttering at the podium and the wig. She looked like Yvonne playing herself.

During an "intermission" Mindy Starns Clark belted out a song that had us all gasping for breath between laughs. That woman has a fantastic voice! Who knew?

But the best part of the conference was that we've been invited back again next year. And I can't wait to see what they come up with for the talent show.

Be watching for news of a video post. Gina interviewed Yvonne and Alton on video. And you never know what Gina might ask.

If you went to the Blue Ridge conference, tell us your favorite memory and be entered in a drawing to win a book.