Wowie and Zowzie!

What a conference! This year's writing conference was one of the best I've attended for ACFW. Here are some good stuff I liked:

• reconnected with old friends
• met some new ones
• talked with some people I've been too shy to talk to before
• Had TWO people in our state group that one awards. Isn't that amazing?
• Had ONE critique partner final in a contest.
• Had a fun and entertaining breakfast with my literary agency and some of their clients (including me, of course!)
• Met with SIX editors. Whooeee! That is outstanding.
• Had FOUR of them request samples.
• Went through a depressing time while there, but with God's help and prayer from friends, pulled out of it. I should know by now that God doesn't fail; I just have to leave it all in His hands and for His timing!!
• Loved the class sessions I attended.
• Wasn't too nervous talking with editors.
• Gave up time talking with one editor so a sweet friend could have that special time. It all worked out anyhow.
• Learned a few things.
• Was able to brainstorm with hubby about a novel we may do together on the way home.
• Received some affirmation on my writing
• Learned that in the end it all comes down to doing what my heart and gut feeling says.
• Came away feeling re-energized to keep on.
• Came away feeling more than ever before that I must have God's anointing and timing for my career in writing. It's all about Him.
• Had a chorus replay in my mind since leaving. Re-learned that God is my all in all, my shelter, my everything.
• THINK I've become brave enough to enter the contest year. Still searching on that one. LOL

Perhaps more later.


Quote:
A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds. --Francis Bacon


Blessings

Gettin' Ready

Right now I'm getting ready to talk with more editors.

Of course, by the time you read this (I'm getting this ready for next week: see how thoughtful I am? Laugh.), I will have already "been there, done that."

But it won't hurt for you to read what's going to happen in your future reading material in my life, will it? Huh? Did that make sense? Oh, well.

Anyhow.
I requested TWO editors this year instead of an editor and an agent. See, I've already got this terrific agent, so I needed two editors. Hopefully, I'll get my pick, but if I don't get my first two picks, the third and fourth ones aren't bad either. In fact, they're great too.

Besides, I can always hover in elevators, doors, lobbys and other such places editors are known to hide in (that's a joke really), and waylay them with my supreme pitch. It'll probably bowl them over, and who knows, I'll probably have dozens throwing themselves into a frenzy of a bidding auction trying to get me to sign on the dotted line . . .

(Oops. Forgot myself. You just got a private read into a fantasy of mine. LOL)

Anyway.
Agent Diana does want me to talk with one certain editor and that's on my priority list. Meeting with as many editors as I can cram in, is there right at the top. I'm anxious to meet with the other agents from my literary agency (altho Diana can't be there this year), and meet some of the other authors. Also, I'm excited (sort of) to get to see some of my critique partners and friends I've met. (Slowly, but surely: that's me. Sigh)

Anyway.
I mean, Oh, well.

Wish me a favorable trip and say a few prayers for me. I'll love you forever if you do. That's a promise. I also promise to never forget you when I get rich and famous, and to always sign my books for you, and to . . .

There I go again. Dreaming . . . or wait, maybe I'm prophetic.

Yep. That's it. I can see in the future.

Love you all!


Quote:
Doubt is a pain too lonely, to know that faith is its twin. --Khalil Gibran


Blessings

Another Writing Experience



Myself and two writing buddies traveled about an hour and half away to join other writing friends for a weekday noon meal at the Der Dutchman Restaurant. Several were there for the first time (seven), one for the second time, and the rest of us have joined together in writing events more than that.



It was a great time of fellowship with good food and a pleasant atmosphere. We called it a meet and greet meeting. After introductions, we asked the blessing, and enjoyed a delicious buffet. Then on to the important things--writing! It wasn't strange or unusual for our talk to center on writing. It's our favorite topic.



It was exciting to hear everyone's progress (some of those present were published. Yeah! Some have agents.) and the great diverse ideas being plotted from different brains. We ranged from regency historical set in England to western historical, German Baptist stories, suspense, romance, childrens, women's fiction, and probably a lot of other ideas germinating in creative minds.



We discussed a few problems we have and how we deal with them. We talked about getting ideas and how we carried them out. We discussed agents and editors, and what we liked or disliked about different publishers. We passed on encouragement and praise. We talked about our upcoming ACFW conference in Minnesota this year.



We explained how our close-at-home writing groups work (or don't work) and what a help it is when they do. We teased each other, laughed, listened, loved, and had the great kind of fun together that only another writer understands.



We argued (agreeably) why some of us wrote what and how we do. Why it works for us. Why we like and want to write certain things.



Two middle graders were with us for the first time and we encouraged and listened to their dreams and thoughts about writing. Three new people who haven't yet joined our group were welcomed and encouraged to become a part.



Donna won the book give-away (even though I tried every which way to get it! Laugh!)



Happy sigh. I'm looking forward to more rewarding days like this. I needed this day. It was an encouragement when discouragement about my writing has been nibbling at my heels.





Quote:

Trouble shared is troubled halved. --Dorothy Salyers



Blessings