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This is a week, with the miraculous rescue of the Chilean mine workers, that will surely go down as one of the most inspiring in recent memory. Who was not riveted and uplifted by the live coverage of the 33 trapped miners being brought out one by one from what should have been their crypt? By God’s grace and by the hope, faith, prayers and determination of millions of people around the world, triumph was wrought from near tragedy.
It was one of the great survival stories of our time. In a world where taking life is all too common, saving the lives of 33 men assumed a global significance. Even North Korea featured live coverage of the rescue. Now there is a place that could use some hope and inspiration.
Meanwhile this week the 15 winners of our writers workshop contest attended our biannual Guideposts Writers Workshop at Wainwright House in Rye, New York, where we editors taught them everything we know about writing real life inspirational stories. This year we had an especially strong group whose manuscripts were chosen from thousands of entries. We’ll do it again two years from now so it is definitely not too early for you to start thinking about what your inspiring story is.
I want to recognize the winners this year and congratulate them on a fantastic week of learning about telling the first-person inspirational story. They are: Erika Bentsen, Lisa Bogart, Caroline Coleman, Renee Coy, Lori Durham, Lacie Graf Hansen, Elizabeth (Beth) Havey, Patty Huntsman, Andrea Johnson, Shauna Kattler, Ann Robinson, Marci Seither, Marilyn Turk, Jennifer Clark Vihal and Colette Warner.
Check out the group photo that was taken earlier today. Who knows, maybe you will be in it next time. Remember, it’s all about positive thinking and a positive attitude!
Photo by Wagner Photos
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Edward Grinnan is Editor-in-Chief and Vice President of Guideposts Publications. Edward lives in New York City with two blondes—his wife, Julee, and Golden Retriever, Millie, who has been featured in his blog and popular videos. Edward loves cycling, hiking with Millie at his house in the Berkshire Hills and Wolverines that hail from Michigan.
Your Comments
Mr. Grinnan, I have no desire to try again in two years or ever. I have a degree in writing, one I earned the hard and honest way, from a university with outstanding credentials.
Many years ago, a fabulous Christian minister told me that the "positivisms" spouted in Guideposts cause many Christians to fail, because they don't feel that positive, and feel they are less than Christian. I did not feel that way then, but I do now.
I'm not about to getting into an internet conversation with you about a contest that requires writing workshops, websites, and published works to enter, but when I read about a certain Christian writer bragging that two of her students were chosen, it really defines that the writers chosen were handpicked by writers who had students in their workshops. If you want to have a professional contest, state it as such. Don't give amateur writers the opinion they can win. I would appreciate it if you would not address me on this board any more. The very fact that you have to defend it and put down someone you know nothing about, indicates you are very, very sensitive about the way this workshop is run.
Now, if you will excuse me, I do have a life outside of trying to defend how lopsided your workshop "invitees" are. There are no African Americans, and apparently no men. The last time I noticed, there are fabulous African American Christian writers. I am caucasian, and a senior citizen, and two years from now, I may not even be here. But, I guarantee you, unless the board of Guideposts -- which they appear to be interested in doing -- investigates the "contributing writers to Guideposts" who conduct workshops two months before the contest ends, and then crow about the winners being from their workshop -- and other "friends of friends of friends" who recommend writers, the results will be the same.
I don't have the time in my life nor the desire to converse with Christian editors who demean people who disagree with with them. I'm sorry, but that is the way I read your comments above.
And please, don't tell me about stories so incredible that fiction couldn't write it. I've lived it, many times over. As my professor once told me, "you've lived and survived one heck of a life. You should write a book!" Can you say the same about yourself?
Good luck as editor, I will not comment anymore, or read this page again. So demean me all you want. That is your right. We learn in J-school the only freedom of the press belongs to the person who owns the press. And you certainly on this one.
God bless you, and forgive you for your arrogance. I do.
Beg to differ with you. Winning the contest has nothing to do with real talent -- it has to do with knowing someone who knows someone who knows someone at Guideposts. And there is not a person of color in this group. Sorry,I no longer read nor do I want to read Guideposts after hearing how these winners are chosen. Unfortunately, writing the truth as a Christian sometimes means more than the positivisms that you so proudly clings to. It means telling about how real faith pulls a person through the darkest of times. I pray that you never have to live through such times,as many of us have, and survived.
I'm sorry you have such a jaundiced view or our workshop and I can't imagine what might have led you to such an erroneous and misbegotten conclusion. Invitees are all chosen strictly on merit and promise. We read several thousand contest manuscripts in the process. Only Guideposts staff editors who are required to attend as a condition of employment are known to the judges.
As to your second point perhaps you did not notice the woman of Asian heritage standing in the front row. But who's counting? We welcome people from all walks of life, the more diverse the better. And since you did not have the privilege of reading this year's outstanding mansucripts you could not have known some of the incredible struggles and hardships these talented authors have faced and found the courage to write about in the most personal and moving way.
Hope this clears things up for you. I welcome you to try again in two years. Good luck. Edward Grinnan
I can't imagine being with this crew! Wow! Such writing of a lofty nature to inspire the rest of us. I heard Debbie Macomber was there too. I can't wait to read everyone's inspiring story in the upcoming Guideposts - thank you so much for nurturing talent and making it possible for these writers to pursue God's calling so we all can enjoy the fruits of their labors. Some of their stories are so incredible; if you wrote it in fiction it would be rejected as impossible. But in real life, with God, all things are possible!
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