In November of 2021, I attended the Christy Awards ceremony virtually. When they announced the winner of the contemporary romance category (!MY BOOK!) I knew that meant I was in for a big honor in November of 2022.
Here’s a little background about the Christy Awards from their website… “The Christys have been a focal point for the writers and publishers in our community, symbolizing the best aspirations and accomplishments of writers who write from a perspective of faith and who create stories with matters of belief at their core.” The awards are judged by members of the Christian fiction community. Booksellers, publishing professionals, bloggers, publicists, and more. I recently met a church librarian in Dallas who proudly told me, “I’m a Christy Award judge!” 🙂
The Christy Awards have been such an unexpected blessing and encouragement to me. Over the past five years, four of my books have received a Christy Award for contemporary romance. One of them, True to You, also received the Book of the Year Award.
When an author wins Christy Awards for four separate books, the organizers induct that author into the Christy Award Hall of Fame. [Shout out to our own Tamera Alexander, who was inducted in 2020!] Once you’re placed in the Hall of Fame, they retire your books from future Christy contests, invite you to speak at the next ceremony, and give you a lovely statue to commemorate the occasion.
The moment I learned that they’d be holding the 2022 Christy ceremony in-person in Nashville after two years of holding it virtually, I decided to plan a birthday trip around it, paid for my airfare, and reserved an AirBnB.
A few weeks ago, we kicked off our time in Nashville with a casual reader/writer gathering.
The next day began with the Art of Writing conference for authors. Then several of us changed into our “fancy clothes” at a bathroom on-site before attending the Christy Awards sit-down dinner.
I was eventually called to the stage to say a few words. I began by listing the writing advice I didn’t follow for the books they were displaying on the big screens…
- I didn’t follow the advice to write shorter books and publish more often. (My Christy Award books are all over a hundred thousand words long and I publish one a year.)
- I didn’t follow the advice to write every day. (I believe in weekends off and vacations.)
- I didn’t follow the advice to write based on word count goals. (I prefer page count or hourly goals.)
- I didn’t follow the advice to jump on trends. (I go where my own inspiration leads.)
- I didn’t follow the advice to “write to please your ideal reader”. (I’ve always simply written the books the way I felt led to write them and the way that I loved them.)
More and more over the years I’ve come to understand how crucial it is not to write in a way that works for other people or to pursue someone else’s goal. What’s been better? To figure out the writing process that works for me. To answer for myself…. “What is my goal?”
My goal has been this… to write the very best books I can for the glory of the Lord.
Knowing that has been the thing that has brought me peace, clarity, joy, and protection from burnout.
We closed our our time in Nashville with…
This honor was such a milestone for me. As hard as my job can be at times, I truly do love it. I’m very grateful that the Lord has seen fit to equip me for this work.
God is good!
Becky Wade
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Congratulations! Thank you for being true to yourself in your writing. I have enjoyed every book of yours I have read. Thank you for using your talents for the glory of God!
Thank you so much, Julie, for these kind words!
Such an honor, Becky! Huge congrats to you. And I loved seeing all the photos from the event. A memorable week for sure!
Thanks, Deb! I’ll remember it always!
Congratulations, Becky! Such an honor and so well deserved!
Thank you!!
I’m so glad we were able to be there in person to celebrate the Hall of Fame accomplishment AND your birthday! So fun!
I’m so glad, too! Your presence made it extra special. 🙂
You’ve brought such pleasure and insight to your readers over the years! Thank you for following God’s leading for your life and thus enriching ours!
You’re welcome! Thank YOU for reading my stories. 🙂
So delighted for you, Becky! And I loved your speech. So freeing for those of us who occasionally make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others and growing discouraged. (Me!) God has touched countless reader hearts through your books, and I know he will continue to do amazing things through you and your writing. 🙂
Thanks so much, friend!
So happy for and proud of you! Congrats!
Thanks, D’Ann!
Well deserved. And I love your list of the advice you didn’t follow.
Ha ha! There’s no one right way to do this. The right way for you is the one that keeps you happy, healthy, and productive.
So awesome! I appreciate your wisdom as well. Congratulations!!!
Thank you, Angie!
I’m thrilled you followed your writing heart!
Thanks, Mom!
Congratulations! This was well deserved!
Congratulations! I loved your list of advice you didn’t follow. The first book I read by you was My Stubborn Heart, and I loved it. I’ve read every book you have written and feel that you are right. Follow your heart and the Lord will bless you and the message He gives you to share. A well deserved honor. Keep writing what brings you peace, clarity and joy.
Thank you so much for these kind and encouraging words, Jocelyn!
Oh Becky, congrats friend! You are one of my faves and always will be! I gasped when I saw you with another favorite that I have discoverd, T.I. Lowe. I just LOVE her books too!
That was a fantastic speech that I bet spoke to many!
Thank you! Your longtime support has meant so much to me. 🙂
I was SO HAPPY to be there and cheer you on!! I’m so proud of you!!!
Becky, congratulations on your award. And I wanted to say that your blog resonated with me. Such encouraging words. I’m with you on listening to what the Lord wants me to write, not the masses. My genre is Christian Comedy (with a touch of romance) My Father in heaven wouldn’t want me to write anything else. I love to laugh. Sometimes I’m at my desk and have written something, and I laugh out loud at what fell out of my fingers. And I thank Him for giving me the words. Okay, I’ve rambled enough. Merry Christmas and many blessings in 2023 for you and your family!
I relate so much to what you shared! I often marvel over the words He gave me to say. Keep writing what you love to write!
Congratulations, Becky! I loved the Bradford sisters trilogy! Cheers for listing the advice you didn’t follow. I know there are people out there who read far faster than I do – just about to reach my goal of 60 for the year. I like to keep up with the authors I enjoy, and that would be hard to do with authors who publish several books a year.
Keep on doing what works for you. Love the pictures. So wonderful to have family and friends with you!❤
Thank your for this sweet encouragement, Betty!