Watch for Opportunities

By now you are either wound up by the hype of conference preparation or praying for a last minute miracle that would allow you to attend.  Even those who’ve decided long ago that this was not a conference year may be experiencing closet wishes.  I know I am.

                I’m not going to expound on how to put a one sheet together or practice elevator pitches. There are plenty of resources for those. Instead, I want to suggest you go to conference with specific goals. I don’t mean “to get published”.  Sure, that’s the destination, but looking to the specifics will affect your ETA at that goal.

1.       Evaluate where you are. Are you at the beginning of the journey? One characteristic of the beginner is to worry about needs that are beyond their current position.  If you’re unpublished, creating a network of friends, recognizing established faces, learning your craft is critical. Focus on those things. If you’re published and have an online presence, finding critique partners or getting to know personally those on your on-line critique groups, talking with agents and publishers moves to the forefront.

2.       Think through what you require. You may see the big picture and believe you need to know it all now, but truthfully, you can’t take it all in. Focus on what you need right now. Think about a survivor show or Ninja warriors where contestants climb a wall or swing themselves over some goop. They focus on searching out the next hand hold. That’s what you need to do. Rather than trying to convince everyone you are ready, humble yourself to say, “This is where I’m weak. I need this information.” I think this is an important time to listen to those next to you at meal times and do a little learning outside the classroom. Other people’s experiences are invaluable.

3.       Arrange your priorities. As you listen to others, your idea of what you need may shift. True, writing is a lonely one-man task, but it will pay to remember that the publishing community is made up of people. This is the perfect time to put “be sociable” at the top of the list. You don’t need to be an extrovert to make use of conference to practice friendly exchanges. If speaking to strangers scares you out of your mind, at least take the time to speak to your teachers. Tell them you appreciate their class. Mention one thing they taught that has helped you. Think of it as a challenge or as a necessary accomplishment to receive a high grade, whatever works for you.

ACFW conference is a fantastic event. It will hold many opportunities for you. Most of them will not be what you expect. So, watch for the opportunities God brings your way. He’s the Creator, and I can guarantee that he has created something special for you if you will open your hands to receive it.

God bless each of you and may this year’s conference be one you will remember always. 

Mary Allen lives in the Midwest. She was La Porte County Poet Laureate from 2010-2011 and took third in this year's competition. She serves as Arts in the Park Poetry Chair. Mary can be found on  The Barn Door.net, has published numerous articles, and has two real-life inspirational stories in "Kernels of Hope" by Majesty House. She has released a book of poetry, "Journey to Christmas", about thoughts and feelings of those involved in the first Christmas.

Coming to the Indianapolis Public Library: Terri Blackstock & Gayle Roper

If you're a reader or a writer, you'll want to take advantage of this opportunity. On Saturday, September 18, at noon, NYT best-selling author Terri Blackstock and multi-published author Gayle Roper will speak at the downtown Indianapolis Public Library. A beautiful new facility located at One Library Square, 40 E. St. Clair St., in downtown Indianapolis, this is your opportunity to ask these two authors your questions about writing.

Adults are invited to hear Terri Blackstock, author of "Intervention," and Gayle Roper, author of "A Stranger's Wish," discuss their lives and works. This will be followed by a question and answer session and book signing. This program is held in conjunction with the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference. This program will be held in the Clowes Auditorium at Central Library.

I hope you will join us for a fun event. And an opportunity to meet these great ladies.

Having "Enough"...and Wanting More

Recently, I said, “Enough.” It wasn’t easy. But I did it.

I’d been working my bloomin’ tail off at the day job to get a book out for my employer, I was crosseyed with fatigue, and yet I still took two projects home that Friday evening, something I never do...simply because I didn’t want to look like someone who didn’t care if her colleagues’ work went out on time
I’m here to tell you...this is a bad idea.

As I writer, I experience a different kind of “off” time from my fellow editors.They’re readers, with no real aspirations to write. When they go home from the office, they don’t go “home” to another “office.
But I do. And therefore, there come places at which I’ve finally had to say, “Enough.”

Those manuscripts I took home? They sat all weekend in the same place I put them on Friday afternoon. I felt guilty about it, but not enough to do anything more than say, “Nope. Burned out here. No can do.”

That week, I was working on Chapter Two of a new story. (I’m still working on Chapter Two of that new story!) I like this story. I could, eventually, love this story...if I made it a priority and wrote more per day. But when one comes home tuckered from one’s day job, it’s not a matter of priorities. It’s a matter of sheer lack of physical and emotional energy.

Which got me thinking about when it’s time to say “enough” to someone else’s mission...and embrace one’s own.

You see, there is another gig around the world of writing, one that doesn’t exhaust me—in fact, it fires me up creatively: speaking to writers about writing. I do it online, I’ve done it “live”at conferences, and I want to do more of it. Some people tremble at the thought of speaking, teaching, or presenting. Not me. I’d love, love, love, to do more of it. But when I have a week or two, or a weekend, like this, I wonder how I’ll ever make that transition.

So I’ve decided to do something really radical, for me at least: ask for help.

If you are a person, or know a person, who’s looking for an experienced (ohhh, boy, am I) veteran to come into a workshop, conference, or writing program and put the rookies through some basic training...
...please pass my name along.

I give you permission. Carte blanche. With only one condition.
Do not pass me along to people who only want someone to do this for free. (!)

(Please understand, I do know that the occasional free gig is fine. But as a habit? Not so much. The Bible says the laborer deserves his/her fair wage. Besides, one look at me should tell you...I like to eat. ‘nuff said.)

Bottom line is, it’s long past time, in this writer’s life, to connect with people who’ll appreciate what I’ve come to understand about the writing trade over the past (you don’t want to know how many) years, and who may be willing to offer good old-fashioned honest Coin of the Realm for it.

So I’m hanging out the shingle. I’m placing the fleece. I’m praying for the best. And, with a few blessings, sooner rather than later, I hope to say “Enough!” to the rest.

Thoughts?
Janny
(Janet W. Butler)