#TipfulTuesday Lordy, Lordy, the conference is over! The laundry basket is piled to the ceiling and the home to-do list drips onto the thirtieth page. There isn't time to even begin thinking about what was learned, what was requested, or all the new friends that need connecting.
We here at the Alley TOTALLY understand. We've been there. Done that. And...oddly enough have no desire to burn the tee shirt! No, we're not weird. We're writers!
Here are a few calming tips to hopefully de-stress your day.
1. Instead of running the television/online programming in the background while going through your day, choose a session you attended and reflect on the teachings. I adapted a memory game for myself that has kept any teaching alive in my brain. I started using this for the Sunday sermon. On Monday, I quiz myself: what was the topic. I keep my questions basic. If in the hype of the day I can recall the Sunday sermon, I am ecstatic.
So, right now. Think back to the last conference you attended. Now choose a class. It doesn't have to be your favorite, just the first one that pops into your mind. What was the topic? Picture the instructor and recall their name. Imagine the setting, oddly enough this will help you recall the instructions. Now, name as many points taught as you can. Take no more than about ten minutes at one time for this. It can be done while driving, loading the washer, vacuuming, preparing dinner.
The idea is to silence the extraneous sounds (not the kids of course) and focus, deeply focus on the setting of your class to help you recall what you learned.
On Tuesday, take the recall a step farther. List not only what you remembered Monday but new points. This is essential to moving forward as a writer. The more we recall and plant in our heads, the more these concepts will seep into our writing. Seriously. In the middle of a sentence, one of the conference principles will flash into my mind. I instantly apply the idea and POOF my writing is like--wow! I wrote that??? Is it okay to say I smile at those moments? That I feel supercharged to keep writing? That ideas flow?
2. Connecting with your new friends, sorry to say, is not a number one priority. It is important but not this week. Trust me, all those great new friends are in the same boat as you. Yes, you need to friend them on FB and connect in hundreds of other ways, but your family needs you. God needs your attention. Your writing needs you. You need to remember what you learned. I find that the massive friend requests leap into my box one to two weeks later. No need to overextend this week.
3. If you received a request for material, a query, proposal, chapter, or full manuscript, congratulations!Does the agent or editor expect to receive these items today? NO! These individuals are wading through number one above like you. Also, they expect your absolute best. Take the time to edit, review, and ensure what you plan to send is the absolute best you can do. It is wise to work on this for about a week. Two weeks or more is not bad either. The agents and editors would much rather you gave them your best than to receive the material right away.
If you did not receive a request for material, no sweat. There are so many of us who have rowed in that boat. Deep down we knew it wasn't ready.
4. Breathe. God designed twenty-four hours for a reason. Cramming thirty-six hours into a twenty-four hour day--I am so guilty of this--is not quality anything. Hug your babies. Kiss your hubby. Call your mom. Sip a cup of tea. Enjoy and be productive. This is the day that the Lord Has Made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
You can do this!!
~Mary Vee
Photo by Mary Vee
A Garden in Colmar, Germany
Mary Vee - Mary Vee - Rock climbing, white-water rafting, and hiking top Mary’s list of ways to enjoy a day. She was homeless for a time, earned her MA in Counseling, and married an Air Force vet. Mary has been a finalist in several writing contests and writes for her King.
Visit Mary at her website, blog, and her ministry blog to families: God Loves Kids. Or chat on Facebook or Twitter
Mary's new release, Daring to Live, is a new release on Amazon.
2 comments:
Mary, I love this. I got back from ACFW and my head was spinning. Thrilled to be asked for proposals, but that's a lot of work if you do it right. And I want everything Done Yesterday.
Went to an agent panel where they gave similar advice: Don't Rush It.
I met several Alley Cats in Nashville: Angie, Ashley, Cara, Krista and Pepper. Were you there? If you were, sorry I missed you.
Kathy Bailey
Unfortunately, I was not able to go this year. But I'm so happy you could and that you had the wonderful responses.
It's really hard not to rush the things we want. To stop and enjoy them. Appreciate the process. Envelope ourselves with the journey. But, we do each step as God intends for us....we will have something amazing to look back at. Right?
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