When Dreams & Reality Collide

I love going to writers’ conferences. I mean, I really, really love going to writers’ conferences. As in, if I didn’t have a family to think of and money or days off from work were of no concern, I would go to every writers’ conference I could find.

But that’s not how real life plays out.

I was blessed to attend the Blue Ridge Christian Writers Conference in ‘09 and have been thinking and praying for a while about whether to try and go to another ‘big’ conference in 2010. My dream conference is the one hosted by American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), but it’s in Sept. each year and always seems to overlap with our kids’ fall break from school. That’s when we always go on vacation since the summer is so short, which means the ACFW conference is basically out of my reach for a while. I’m just thankful we can buy recordings afterwards!

I’ve enjoyed Blue Ridge very much both times I went, but the timing’s not great. It’s the next-to-last week of school, when tons of things are going on. As much as I love the conference, I always feel guilty for missing things with the kids. And since this is our son’s last year before middle school (ack!), it’s a biggie. I don’t want to miss anything, so Blue Ridge is out for ‘10.

I’ve heard great things about several other conferences, but — again — they conflict with family/school/work things. And as much as I love writing, I don’t want to put it above my family.

The only Christian writers’ conference I know of that falls into the ‘bigger’ category and doesn’t clash with family things is the Florida CWC in late February/early March. I went to it a few years ago and was blown away by the teaching, the friends I made, the validation I received, and the closeness with God. I treasure every memory from those days. I don’t expect every conference there to be like that, but have been praying about it and was seriously considering going again. But two big reality factors kept surfacing.

Finances: Money is always a huge factor for any conference, especially when I have to fly because that adds big $$$ for the flight, airport parking, a shuttle ride to the conference center, etc., etc. Up until now I’ve always used money from my freelance business to pay for conferences. But that’s not really an option at the moment and I hate to spend money from the ‘family pot’ just on myself when the whole family could go on a vacation for the same amount or less. So finances are a bigger obstacle than usual.

My manuscript: Since I’m writing fiction now, my manuscript must be finished and in good shape before I can shop it to anyone. My goal was to have it finished and going through edits by the time I went to a conference. That way, I would have something substantial to offer when I talked with editors or agents. But the manuscript is moving slower than I’d hoped/expected won’t be anywhere near that stage by the time the Florida conference rolls around. So although I could still meet with editors/agents and get their feedback, I wouldn’t be in the position of ’serious contender’ yet.

The decision: This is where dreams and reality collide. I’m going to hold off on attending a big conference in 2010 (unless God happens to dump the opportunity in my lap ). My local writers group will host a conference in the summer, which will be great. I’m going to order session recordings from ACFW and Florida, which will be big helps. I’m going to set money aside throughout the year so the fees won’t be a bit hit to our budget. And I’m going to write, edit, write, and edit — and then write and edit some more. By the time I go to a conference in 2011 I’ll have a completed manuscript and another one in the works, which will help show editors and agents that I’m serious about writing and can get the job done.

Of course, any (and all) of these things could change. Everything happens in God’s timeframe and on His terms. I’m learning to offer every detail of my writing to Him every day and trust that He’ll work it out. As much as the conference junkie in me hates to think of not going to a big conference in 2010, the rest of me has a real peace about it. I believe it’s the right decision for now — and if this year stands as any indication, 2011 will be here in a flash. I’d better get busy.

Goal Check-in

Christmas is barely past, the New Year is just around the corner, and it’s time for me (and lots of other people) to think about the goals I set in ‘09, how well I did (or didn’t) do with them, and where I want to focus in 2010. To be quite honest, my mind’s all for it, but my body’s still pretty tired from all the feasting and celebrating. But I’ll give it a shot anyway.

Some of my writing goals in 2009 included:

• Finish the manuscript I’d been researching and playing with for a few months.
• Enter at least 2 or 3 contests.
• Attend 1 or 2 writers’ conferences.
• Get back on track promoting my speaking ministry.

So how’d I do?

• I didn’t finish the manuscript, but am still working on it. I still love the story and it won’t leave me alone, so I’m taking that as a good sign. I decided to rewrite the beginning and change one of the subplots, so making those changes has taken some time. I’m almost caught up again, though, so am ready for the story to keep moving on. Didn’t meet the goal I’d set, but at least I’m still working on it.
• I entered 3 contests, plus paid for a critique through a conference. That was a big step for me because I’d only entered 1 contest in ‘07and 1 in ‘08. I didn’t final in any this year, but got some good comments and (even sweeter) got some real encouragement from some judges. The author who critiqued my conference submission was incredibly encouraging so that was another big boost, but she also gave me some great pointers for  making things even better. So — a checkmark for that goal.
• I attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May — a great time and wonderful experience! No matter how great books or online classes or crit groups or other resources might be, nothing beats going to a conference. Then my local writers group hosted a conference in July with Dr. Dennis Hensley as our speaker. More great classes and I loved having the chance to meet Dennis. He’s a fantastic teacher, mentor, and all-around great guy. Yay — another goal checkmark.
• Promotion for my speaking ministry this year was close to nil. Sigh. I love to speak, but just haven’t felt God pointing me in that direction lately. Toward the end of last year I went through a period of feeling like it was time to decide whether I’m a writer who also speaks or a speaker who also writes. After lots of prayer and mulling things over, I felt God turning me to focus more on writing. I realize that speaking and writing usually go hand in hand, and I’m fine with that. But right now I’m mostly focusing on the writing. I’m not sure what 2010 will hold for me in that regard.

Of course, actually, I don’t know what 2010 will hold for me in any of these areas. And to tell the truth, as much as I might like to plan things, I’m glad I’m not the one who’s really in charge of everything in my life. Yes, Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my favorite verses (For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope). I just want to keep my head and heart focused on God and will let Him handle the rest. How about you?

Resource: Seekerville

One of my favorite writing blogs to visit is Seekerville. It was started by a group of ladies who met — and kept running up against each other — in multiple writing contests. They banded together as a way to support each other, grow in their writing craft, and just have fun. And they let the rest of us join in! Most of those ladies have since moved from “Unpubbed Island” to the published mainland, but they’re generous enough to share advice (and some scrumptious cyber food) with whoever stops by.

Need advice on writing query letters or proposals? Check.

Want to read interviews with some of the top literary agents to help decide who to target (in a nice way, of course!)? Plenty to browse through.

Wondering how to improve your novel’s plot structure or keep track of all those characters and their goals? They’ve got you covered.  

Hoping to start your day with some laughs, encouragement, and motivation to tackle whatever problem your manuscript has thrown your way? This is your place.

But — disclaimer time — I wouldn’t be a responsible blogger without issuing a warning: visiting Seekerville can be addictive. Stock up on sunscreen for all the hot-of-the-press tips you’ll collect, bring water to help cure those hiccups you’ll get from laughing so much, and pack your walking shoes for all those brainstorming walks on the beach. This is one little island you’ll want to visit again and again.

Forget Talent

Do you love to write? Maybe feel tempted to give it up sometimes because of frustration but find that you can’t quite leave it alone (or maybe that it won’t leave you alone)? Or maybe know that you’ll just keep writing whether you’re good or not because you can’t imagine not writing? If so, then today’s quote is for you:

It took me fifteen years to discover that I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous. (Robert Benchley, 1889-1945)

If you’re an incredibly good writer, then write! If you’re a so-so writer, then write! If you’re a terrible writer but it makes you happy, then write! Just get those stories or poems or songs on the page and enjoy every minute of it.

Have a great week of writing!

Resource: Conference CDs

If I had unlimited vacation time, a bottomless bank account, and no family obligations, I could easily become a writers’ conference junkie. I’m involved with a conference my local writers group hosts each summer and try to attend one other conference during the year. But there are so many to choose from and it can be so hard to decide which one is best! Since I can’t go to nearly as many as I’d like, I’ve found the next best thing — CDs or MP3 downloads of the conference sessions.

No, it’s not the same as being there, but most are really high quality and it’s nice to be able to listen to them again in case I missed something the first time (and I always miss something the first time!). They’re also pretty inexpensive and most speakers are happy to email you copies of the handouts if you can track down their email address. Just think — if you were a speaker, wouldn’t you love to get an email months after your talk saying, “I bought the CD from your class at ____ conference and am really enjoying it. Is there any way you could send me the handouts you used?”? Personally, a note like that would make my day! So even if I don’t need handouts sometimes I’ll send a quick note to the speaker just to let her know I learned something.

So far, I’ve bought CDs or have downloaded MP3s from sessions at 4 conferences. Here are some links for you to check out the next time you’re looking for a conference-on-the-go or need a quick fix before your next one:

• Florida Christian Writers Conference
• American Christian Fiction Writers Conference
• Philadelphia Christian Writers Conference
• Write to Publish
• Mount Hermon

I’m sure there are other conference that have class CDs available. If you know of any, send me a note and I’ll add it to the list. Happy learning!

All Those Characters

Here’s a quote with novelists in mind:

Every human being has hundreds of separate people living under his skin. The talent of a writer is his ability to give them their separate names, identities, personalities and have them relate to other characters living with him. (Mel Brooks)

So maybe those of us who write fiction aren’t the only ones with voices and characters in our heads or under our skin. We’re just the ones who listen to them closely enough to let them be heard.

Coming Soon …

School’s back in session so it’s time for the organize/get on track bug to strike me again — goodness knows he’s been on vacation long enough! I really do think about this blog pretty often, even though you wouldn’t know from the lack of posts. It’s just that I usually think about it when I can’t actually write a post — like when I’m driving, and it just can’t be a good thing to try and write blog posts while you’re behind the wheel.

At any rate, since the whole ’starting fresh’ thing is on my mind, I’m going to jump back in and try something new here. I’ve read (and heard) a lot about keeping blogs centered on themes instead of hopping all over the place with whatever strikes your fancy. I’ve tried to stay focused to some extent, but need to do better in that department. My new plan (ta da!) is to post a writing quote on Mondays, something about a helpful resource on Wednesdays, and a book review or author news on Fridays. Then I’ll work in other things about my own projects whenever something worth mentioning comes along.

Here’s to new plans and molding myself into a better poster! I hope you’ll come back and join me for the fun.

Contests, Conferences, & Catch-ups

It’s been way too long since I blogged, but it’s not because I haven’t had anything going on to write about. It’s because I’ve had so much going on that I haven’t had time to stop and write about it! Here’s the quick rundown, and I’ll aim to get back on track wtih regular posts.

Contests: I entered my work-in-progress in three contests this spring –  which was a big step up from only entering one, like I’ve done the past few years. The two new ones were sponsored by RWA chapters, which means they had some different criteria and were more focused on the romance beginning right up front. You meet my hero and heroine in the first chapter, but they don’t meet each other until a bit later on. That cost me some points, so is a good thing to remember the next time I’m looking at romance contests. I did get some great feedback and some of the judges were especially complimentary, so I can’t complain.

Conferences: I went to the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in May and had a fabulous time. Took great classes, made new writer friends, and enjoyed the beautiful Smokey Mountains. What more could I ask? The classes I took were all good, but my favorite had to be a 4-part continuing class with Angela Hunt called “The Sophisticated Novelist.” Not sure how sophisticated I am, but I sure learned a lot!

Catch-ups: When I went to Blue Ridge, my manuscript was just over 31,000 words. The exercises we did through various classes helped me rethink some things and have some new ideas for where things could go for different characters. I really want to keep moving with the story and watch that word count grow, but I decided to start from the beginning and rehash some things instead. Changing bits and pieces affects everything else! And it can be hard to whack some of those words I worked so hard to string together, but I think the story will be much better for it.

Stay tuned …

Resource: Pitch & Promote E-book

Welcome to the first post in a new category for my blog — Writer’s Resources. Anyone who tries to write (and wants to do it well) knows you need to keep learning in order to improve and keep taking steps toward publication. Many writers have already helped me tremendously by sharing their knowledge, so I want to do the same for those of you who stop by for a visit. Some resources will be tips I write myself; others will be from various authors, editors, agents, or websites. And, of course, I’ll be sure to give credit where credit’s due.

One of the newest resources I’ve been fortunate enough to read is an e-book by agent Terry Burns of Hartline Literary. Terry taught ACFW’s online class in April and shared more insights with us than I’ve had time to process. The class was called “Too Shy to Pitch and Promote” and covered topics such as:

• Creating a ‘writing/conference persona’ to help conquer your nerves
• Writing a successful 1-line elevator pitch and then extending it to a couple of sentences to introduce your pitch session with an editor or agent
• Pieces and parts of a one sheet
• Components of a book proposal (including details about what should go into each section)

The lessons in themselves were a gold mine but then Terry spent oodles of time responding personally to ideas we bounced around and any related questions that cropped up along the way. And here’s the best part — he compiled his lessons, some of our comments, and answers to a lot of our extra questions in an e-book! You can get it through his website as an e-book download (in PDF format) or on a CD. The e-book is $5 and the CD is $8.50 (which includes S/H) . It’s a steal of a deal, especially considering the wealth of information. Be sure to hop over to Terry’s website and check it out — click on the Bookstore link up top and you’ll see the info under the course’s new name, “Pitch and Promote Like a Pro.”

I’m a long way from officially pitching my novel, but know I’ll be much more prepared when that day comes, thanks to this class. I’ve not had the chance to meet Terry, but hope that might change someday. After listening to several CDs of classes he’s taught at Write to Publish or ACFW conferences and then seeing him in action  with the online course, it’s easy to see that he knows the industry and does whatever he can to help clients succeed.

Thanks for a fantastic class, Terry, and for finding a way to help even more people benefit from your knowledge!

Persistence Pays

Our writing quote for the week is pretty self-explanatory:

You must keep sending work out; you must never let a manuscript do nothing but eat its head off in a drawer. You send that work out again and again, while you’re working on another one. If you have talent, you will receive some measure of success — but only if you persist. (Isaac Asimov, US science fiction novelist and scholar, 1920-1992)

Granted, some of the things we write deserve to stay buried in the back of your deepest drawer or hidden away on your highest closet shelf. But if everything we write gets stuffed in a corner and never again sees the light of day, we’ll never know if we’re improving and we’ll never be part of that small percentage of writers who actually get published. Keep plugging away on those drafts and keep working hard to find someone who will print them and share your words with the world!