A Bellefontaine Examiner staff writer and published author whose writing career has taken her all over the country in a variety of pursuits — from writing for radio for Focus on the Family to creating theater scripts and magazine and newspaper articles — is gearing up for a busy October, with two opportunities to share her first-hand experiences in a teaching and mentor role.
City resident Sharyn Kopf is a featured workshop presenter this week at the Kentucky Christian Writer’s Conference, beginning today, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Oct. 19, which was recently changed to a virtual conference instead of an in-person event.
In addition, Sharyn is leading her third annual local writing retreat, set for Oct. 25-27, at the Adventure Trails Lodge, 3299 State Route 540, Bellefontaine, with spots still available for the retreat.
Relating to the Kentucky Christian Writer’s Conference, the Examiner staffer said she had learned that the conference was accepting applications for teachers and she submitted three potential workshop ideas.
“To my surprise, they hired me to do all three,” she said.
Her workshops on tap this week are: “Scriptwriting 101”, “Make ‘Em Laugh- Writing Scripts for Kids,” “Marketing Your Book — and Yourself — to Newspapers and Radio.”
The theme for the conference is “Courageous” based on Deuteronomy 31:6. The virtual conference includes six-month access to 45 workshops, three panels and keynotes by speaker John Riddle, an author of 34 books (for traditional publishers). Find more information and purchase tickets at https://kychristianwriters.com/
Also prepping for the “On A Hill: A Fall Writing Retreat” at the local lodge, Sharyn said the weekend retreat is open to both women and men and is a “good time to talk about writing, to brainstorm together and to help work past writer’s block.”
Hikes around the scenic property, group discussion and taking time to break away solo to write are all options during the retreat. The cost is $200 and includes lodging and food for the entire weekend. To sign up, contact Sharyn at (937) 407-7943 or via e-mail, [email protected].
While the format of the retreat is very casual and open-ended, the Bellefontaine resident noted that based on past requests, there will be two workshops incorporated during their time at the lodge. A morning non-fiction workshop “Julie’s Almost Famous Map to Magazine Writing,” is presented by Julie Dearyan, and Sharyn leads a fiction workshop in the afternoon, “Moving Words: Using Scriptwriting Techniques to Strengthen Your Dialogue.”
Previous retreat attendees are looking forward to this year’s session as well, including Jonna LeVan.
“I always learn something at this retreat. I’ve received feedback, learned the way to create my newsletters, and made sweet friends who are learning the craft of writing just like me,” she said.
“The accommodations are comfy, clean and casual. If you’re looking for ample space to just chill and write, this rural facility provides just that.
“I love Sharyn’s heart to encourage writers. My heart is encouraged every time I drive away from the On a Hill Writer’s Retreat.”
A native of Wapello, Iowa, Sharyn said she knew at age 5 that she wanted to be a writer after she composed a clever poem. That progressed to writing poetry and fiction as a youngster, and then eventually studying journalism at a community college in Iowa in her first year of college. Next, she studied English literature at Grand Rapids Bible College and then completed her degree in communications at Grace College in Indiana.
Sharyn worked for newspapers in Missouri and Iowa, and said landing a writing job at Focus on the Family in Colorado Springs, Colo., was a position that she thoroughly enjoyed.
She moved to Ohio in 2006, first working for Cedarville University, and later moved to Bellefontaine in 2013, where she loves living close to members of her family. She began covering stories for the Examiner in February of 2022.