Vonda Skelton is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. I first saw her at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference where she taught classes on writing and speaking.

A bundle of energy and Southern charm, Vonda emits Christian  love through her interaction with beginning writers. When I first took her packed class, I stood in line to speak to her afterwards, since her appoint-ment schedule had already filled up. Apparently, her reputation for helping others was well-known. Her time ran out before she had time to talk to me, and rushing out to her appointments, she told me to follow her and talk on the way.

So we walked quickly while I told her about a story I was pitching to a children’s magazine. She asked me to tell her my opening sentence, which I did. I remember her saying, “Oh, no, don’t start it that way. Believe me, I did that before on an article and it was rejected by the publisher.” Then she proceeded to give me some tips on how to rewrite the opening. Reaching her destination, she asked me to join her and her group at lunch in a specially-designated area of the dining room. What an honor! I was alone at the conference knowing no one else, and she had just made me part of her group.

What I must tell you about Vonda is that she is just plain cute. A petite woman with big eyes, a huge smile and a precious sweet voice – she endears everyone to her. And she’s funny! Seeing her perform some of her presentations is hilarious. She does a skit from the Song of Solomon where she literally
dresses in some of the imagery of the verse, which is side-splitting.

As a writer of both adult and children’s books, she is eager to share her knowledge through her website as well as her classes. In addition, she holds workshops and classes on speaking. In all her ventures, she is an encourager, which we all need. On her website, www.vondaskelton.com/, she gives kudos each month to successes of those who subscribe. She also posts writing opportunities once a month and my publications in Chicken Soup for the Soul are a direct result.

Thanks you, Vonda, for being such a sweetheart and a faithful encourager to others.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” Isaiah 30:21