When You Can't Go To ACFW Conference

Today is the day! It's the beginning of the 2018 ACFW Conference. If you are one of the lucky ones, you are flying/driving in, checking into your hotel, and meeting up with friends who "get you" and your weird writer brain.

But there are some, myself included, who couldn't quite scrap enough dollars together to attend. Yes, it is sad. I also noticed a tinge of green coloring my countenance when I looked in the mirror. Jealous, much?

How is a person supposed to get over the I-CANT-GO-TO-CONFERENCE-BLUES? (Or greens, as in my case!)

I've provided a list for your enjoyment:

• Sign up for At-Home Conference 2018! I stumbled upon this and then found out my editor is the one who put it together! There is a list of topics and faculty, and it looks amazing! Plus, it's free! You can find more about it HERE. They also have a Facebook Group HERE. 
• Hit up your favorite coffee shop and pour out sadness/frustration/er, jealousy into your work-in-progress. Yeah, it's not really like going to the conference, but you might as well take advantage of those emotions. 
• Binge on Netflix! There are so many great movies and TV shows that you can escape to. It's okay to take a day (or two or three) for yourself. If you have small kids, hire a babysitter for the afternoon and take some much deserved ME time. 
• Search hashtags on Twitter or Instagram (#acfw2018 or #acfw) and send an encouraging comment to those who are nervous about pitching or meeting new people. Yes, you will have to tamp down the jealousy, but giving to others will help in restoring joy for others. 
• Knock out your TBR pile. This is a great time to escape into great books. It will take your mind off what you are missing and will transport you to a different time and place. Reading is the answer to everything, don't you think?

While I know there is nothing that will completely take away the heartache of not attending the ACFW Conference, you can definitely find things to do that will ease the pang of "missing out". Remember, God works everything out for good. He knows your desires and He has a plan for you. 

Take heart, dear one!

If you aren't going to the 2018 ACFW Conference this year, what are you going to do instead?

*Photo Credit: Robin Higgins @ pixabay.com

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Sherrinda Ketchersid is a born and bred Texan, preacher’s wife, mother of 4 children, and works part-time as a bookseller at Amazon. With the children grown and out of the house, she weaves tales of fierce knights and their ladies in a time where men were warriors and women had to be strong enough to keep them in check.

After taking time off from writing, she has returned with a new motto in place to spur her on. “Writers write. Everyone else makes excuses.” ~Jack Bickham.  No excuses this time. She is weaving her love of romance with history to bring joy and the hope of love to those who may one day read her stories. Her first book, tentatively The Lady's Masquerade, will release April 2019.

You can connect with her through:

Personal blog: sherrinda.com

Twitter: @sherrinda

Instagram: @sherrinda