Mother Inferior

   

Welcome to my site! I'm so grateful you stopped by. :) My name is Dena Dyer and I'm a writer, speaker, editor, musician, and--most important of all--a proud wife of a seriously funny guy and mom to two rambunctious, creative boys.

Here at "Mother Inferior," I blog--usually on Mondays--about family, faith, and the high calling of our daily work.

If you're looking for speaking topics and my availability, I'll be glad to send you a list of talks I give, as well as my fees and requirements. I have experience in professional entertainment, as does my hubby Carey, so we're open (individually or as a duo) to doing music, drama, and storytelling at your church, conference, retreat, or other event.

Just send an email to denadyer [at] gmail [dot] com, and I'll respond ASAP. (P.S. I love speaking to women--it's about the only girl time I get!) If you'd like to see me "in action," I have a few short speaking clips here.

Whatever brings you to "Mother Inferior," I hope you'll kick your shoes off, stay awhile--and come back often. You're welcome here--and you never know just what you'll find!

Write Away: A Mentoring Retreat for Women Writers

I'm excited to announce that I've planned my first-ever "Write Away" mentoring weekend for aspiring women writers. This retreat is something I've wanted to do for a long time, and because of the generosity of a friend with the cutest lake house you've ever seen, the dream is becoming a reality!

(Here, my mom would squeal; I'll just do a happy dance.)

Space is limited to 6-8 writers (only women, because we'll be sharing living space), but I will have a waiting list and will keep those on the list posted if a space opens due to illness or cancellations. I hope to have at least two "Write Away" retreats in 2014, so if you aren't able to come this year, stay tuned. I plan to publicize future dates as soon as they become firm.

Here are the details about "Write Away":

What:  Two days of mentoring, encouragement, inspiration (and a few fun surprises) for aspiring women writers. Because the group number is limited to 6-8 women, this will be an intimate and personal time of specific guidance.

When:  September 27-29, 2013 (Friday at noon through Sunday noon).

Where:  Granbury, Texas (45 minutes southwest of Fort Worth). Granbury is approximately one hour from the DFW International Airport and 1 1/2 hours from Love Field, a Southwest hub. [Depending on your arrival time, free transportation from the airport may be available, or you could rent a car. There is also a "Super Shuttle" that runs from DFW to Granbury.] 

Who:   Aspiring and established women writers who want to learn more about the publishing business and grow in their craft.

Cost:  $150 ($50 non-refundable deposit required; installment payment plan available on request).

Fee includes:  One-on-one mentoring by a professional writer with twenty-five years’ experience and six books published by national royalty publishers;  lodging in a quaint lake house; two breakfasts, two lunches, snacks and drinks; small group exercises and critique sessions.

Schedule:

September 27 ( Friday)

• Arrive by noon.
• Noon to 2 pm:  Unpack, introductions, prayer time
• 3 pm:  First one-on-one mentoring sessions/writing time/free time
• 6 pm:  Dinner (on the town, cost not included); artistic inspiration and shopping on the Granbury square during the town’s monthly “Girls Night Out”
• 9 pm:  Dessert/publishing industry session

September 28 (Saturday)

• 8 am:  Breakfast
• 9-12:  Second one-on-one mentoring sessions/free time/writing time
• 1 pm:  Share writing (if desired);  get group feedback
• 3-5 pm:  Creative exercises; Q&A; Skype session with expert
• 6 pm:  Dinner (on the town, cost not included)
• 9 pm:  Dessert/craft and writing disciplines sessions

September 29 (Sunday)

• 8-10 am: Breakfast; worship by the lake; pack up to leave.

Interested? Download the Application for Write Away retreat, which asks your writing goals, experience (though none is required), and what you hope to take home from the weekend. If you hear from me that there is space, and you send in the $50 deposit, you'll be set to go.

(Oh, one more thing: I'd sure appreciate your prayers for the weekend. And I'm excited to meet my first retreat participants in person!)

Look at Me: Encouragement for the Highly Distractible Writer (and others)

When my sons were toddlers, they were so easily distracted (look: a squirrel!) that I often knelt down and gently placed my hands on their cheeks to help them listen.

“Look at me,” I’d say, waiting until their eyes met mine. Then I asked them, “What did Mommy say?”

Lately, I’ve felt God kneeling down, kindly pressing His hands to my cheeks. “Look at me,” He says. It’s not only a call to attention, but to single-minded devotion.

“Yes, Lord, ” I reply, taking my eyes off Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter–and focusing on Him.

Read the rest of the post.

From Wounded Women of the Bible: Finding Hope When Life Hurts by Dena Dyer and Tina Samples (Kregel, releases July 1, 2013; available for pre-order now).