On the Porch
Onisha Ellis

Does this look familiar? You have so much you want to write, but you can’t seem to get your thoughts on paper, well paper that isn’t crumpled up anyway? Take heart, at least you have crumpled paper which is more than I have. I don’t think I could carry a plot line longer that a page and a half. You have the desire to tell your stories and that is a good start.
But sometimes one does need help to get started and that is why I am sharing about a writing conference in my hometown. Plus, my daughter Rebekah will be speaking on writing fiction. And you know how moms are.
Conference details
Pastor Charles Morris of Raising the Standard International Publishing LLC is leading a writing conference in my hometown of Titusville, Florida September 16-18, 2022. I’ve included information about Pastor Charles from the conference website.
In 2021 Charles established Raising the Standard International Publishing LLC to self-publish his works and assist others to do so. He has the heart’s desire to assist other believers to write and publish their books; thus he established Kingdom Impact Christian Writer’s Conferences in 2022.
This is a hands-on event. It is recommended that each person plan to bring a laptop and be ready to put into practice what’s being taught! The maximum number of attendees for the conference is 70. By limiting the number of attendees, you won’t just be a face in a crowd. The classes and panels will cover:
- Fiction-Rebekah Lyn
- Non Fiction- Pastor Charles Morris
- Chris McClure-Marketing
The conference is being held in the retreat center on the campus of Park Avenue Baptist Church, 2600 S. Park Ave. Titusville, Fl. If you click the link above, at this time, I can’t verify that the kitchen will be available for general use and I don’t believe the two bedroom apartment is available. It is a comfortable and inviting space. The conference fee is $200.00 without accommodations. Here is a copy/paste from the conference website.
KICW Conference Fee: $200.00 per person ($250.00 per married couple).
Accommodations Fees: Maximum on-campus housing is 48. Availability on a first-come status. Off-campus hotel availability is dependent upon tourism. The maximum number of attendees for the conference is 70.
Park Avenue Baptist Church Retreat Accommodations:
$30.00 per night for double occupancy. 2 per room for 3 nights (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) is $90.00 per person.
$60.00 per night for single room occupancy. 1 per room for 3 nights (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) is $180.00.
Registration for the room will be through this Writers Conference Retreat Site.
Total cost: Registration & double occupancy room for 3 nights: (200 + 90=$290.00)
Registration & single occupancy room for 3 nights: (200 + 180=$380.00)
Registration for married plus double occupancy room for 3 nights: (250 + 180=$430.00)
The hotel accommodations after the 48 max on-campus housing will be the responsibility of the attendee. The Campus Retreat rates are on a first come first serve basis. Each person is responsible for their meals
Titusville is a small town, but we do have a variety of restaurants within 15 minutes of the conference and of course, Door Dash. We are located on the east coast of Florida, and one can view launches from Kennedy Space Center on the banks of the Indian River and if you are a fan of space flight, Space X has nine launches scheduled for September!
Now that I have done my mom thing, let’s talk about me! LOL. The most excitement at our house of late was a trip up into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park on Tuesday. We set out around 9:30 am and didn’t rush. As always the mountains and forests were beautiful and since it was a weekday traffic wasn’t bad. We almost always stop at Newfound Gap to enjoy the view and on this trip we easily found a parking place. Sometimes in the summer or fall, the parking is full.

The clouds were hanging low over the mountains and we even drove through one. Growing up in the flat Florida, I still feel amazement driving in clouds. Seeing families together enjoying nature warms my heart.
This parking lot is the dividing line between North Carolina and Tennessee. What I find to be really weird is that many times the weather is different on each side. In this case, as soon as we began the descent into Tennessee, the mist and clouds cleared.

As you emerge from the National Park in Tennessee there are two choices, follow highway 441 into Gatlinburg, TN or turn off to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Fifty years ago, Pigeon Forge was called the “quiet side” of the Smokies compared to the hustle of tourist trade in Gatlinburg. I miss that. Now it is packed with every kind of tourist entertainment imaginable including Dollywood. Fortunately the next town over has normal non-tourist shopping and we were able to pick up some items we needed.
On our return trip traffic was at a standstill on the North Carolina side of the park. A small herd of elk were crossing the road so park personnel were holding back the cars while they crossed. A mama and her baby decided to not join the herd and I was able to snap a picture from the car window.

Please feel free to share the writing conference with friends! Who knows, you may end up being a character in one of their writings!
The conference is an easy drive from the southeast and conveniently located near three airports: Orlando, Sanford Orlando and Melbourne.

After my retirement, I decided to re-learn the canning and preserving skills I learned from my mother but hadn’t practiced for twenty years. I titled the blog Old Things R New to chronicle my experience. Since then I have been blessed to have six other bloggers join me, DiVoran Lites, Bill Lites, Judy Wills, Louise Gibson, Janet Perez Eckles and Melody Hendrix
In addition to blogging, I work as the publicist/marketer/ amateur editor and general “mom Friday” for my author daughter, Rebekah Lyn. I also manage her website, Rebekah Lyn Books
My 2022 goal is continue to use my love of photographs and words to be an encourager on social media.
Thank you for stopping by and reading our posts. Your comments are welcomed.