Conference Takeaways

Every year I've been to ACFW, I've always taken away SOMETHING. It's different every year, and many times, it has little to do with the actual craft of writing. (although I learn a lot about that too!!)

2008 - My first conference. I was as green as green could be. I learned that not all agents are created equal, that writers were my PEOPLE because I'd finally felt as if I'd come HOME, and that friendship knows no age. (I roomed with two amazing women who were decades my senior but taught me a ton!)

2009 - My second conference. I learned that my book doesn't completely stink with a critique with the fabulous Deb Raney. I got my first "request" for my manuscript from an agent. I learned a LOT more about craft. This was the year that I clearly saw what a "ladder" filled journey writing was going to be. It wasn't a sprint, but a marathon. And that's okay!

2010 - 2011 - I missed these years due to the birth and health of my 4th daughter. BUT.... these years also saw my first contract and me signing with my first agent. LOTS happened these years even though I missed conference. What a whirlwind!

2012 - My third conference. My first book released the same month as conference! There was NOTHING like seeing MY book in the bookstore for the first time. My big takeaway from conference, though, was this.... that my books make Jesus smile. That regardless of what readers think of my books, that JESUS is my captive audience and that I can't forget that pleasing HIM is my ultimate goal.

2013 - I crashed conference. With no money to go but a heart that needed to hug the necks of some amazing friends, I bummed a ride with a few other authors, crashed a friend's room with her permission, and hung out in the lobby for a few days. My take away? Friends are AWESOME and OH so critical. This was a huge refreshing time for me, because I was floundering.

2014 - My 4th technical conference, 5th attendance though.

My take away this year?

Stress is a choice.

Yup, you heard it. In past years, I've spent too much time stressing over agents and pitches and "do people like me" and "am I annoying?" and "they probably are just pretending to like me" and "i need to sit by ____" and "did I get a picture with ____" and "will this editor like me" and "will my agent think I'm a total dork"

But this year, I was in desperate need to DESTRESS from my life. Adding MORE stress was NOT an option.

So I made a decision.

I would not stress.

I took pictures when I could, but would go hours and hours with my phone safely in my pocket.

I didn't carry around my laptop to take notes or check social media or post pictures. In fact, I only opened it one time the whole trip, and that was to get a phone number off email.

I didn't worry about who I would sit with at meals, I just sat in a chair and chatted to those close by.

I didn't worry about who I would meet, I just enjoyed getting to know those around me.

I didn't worry about what people thought of me, if they didn't like it, well, that was their own problem.

I didn't worry about what time sessions were, although that did result in me going to a very small number of sessions. But ya know? I didn't worry about that either. I needed less stress, and to get that, I had to CHOOSE not to worry and just enjoy the time.

And I did. OH GOODNESS did I enjoy it. It was 100% exactly what I needed this year.

It was also a great reminder for me that, even on this crazy writing journey, worry and stress are optional. They are always there as an option, but choosing to let go to perfect and give in to God's perfect will offers such amazing freedom and PEACE.

Discussion:

What about you? What was YOUR conference takeaway?

If you didn't go to conference, let's chat about stress and worry. Do you do a lot of fretting about your journey? How can you change your CHOICE to NOT stress?

Live from ACFW with Amy & Pepper!

Greetings from ACFW St. Louis! We are having an absolute blast so far and things are just getting started. We thought we'd share the TOP 5 REASONS ACFW ROCKS!

#5. It's totally normal, and even encouraged for adults to dress up in costume. (Genre night!)
 

#4. Rubbing elbows... gleaning wisdom from more experienced authors and respected leaders in the writing world. (Mentors, editors, publishers, agents galore!)

#3. Worship! One of the unique things about ACFW is that it's about much more than fiction and technique. It's about answering a greater calling. And about bringing the focus back to the One who inspires our stories.

#2. Encouragement. Journeying together on a walk that may seem solitary at times, but is actually far from it.


 




#1. Fellowship! Seeing all of our weird, likeminded, friends from all over the globe gathered in one place. We love you all so much!










What are your favorite things about ACFW?

 

 

And stay tuned for some big signing news on the Alley MONDAY!!!

A conference prayer

It’s here! ACFW conference 2014 begins tomorrow! Follow The Writers Alley on Facebook to see updates from our Alleycats at conference!

So many hopes and expectations converge over these next few days. Let’s pray that God will be at the center of it all.

For those who are travelling… Lord, keep them safe. We ask for itineraries to run smoothly, for timely flight connections, for safety on the road, for time to reflect and relax and mentally prepare.

For those who are anxious… Lord, give them peace. In all the hurry and busyness, let them turn their minds to you and find a place of calm. Take away all anxiety and worry, pressure and expectation, and fear of the unknown. Replace these things with your perfect peace. May they rest in you.

For those attending conference for the first time… Lord, may they have the time of their lives. We pray for new friendships to be formed, for eyes and ears wide open to soak everything in, for hearts willing to learn and the confidence to go after their dreams.

For those who’ve been before… We thank you for friends old and new, for fun and laughter, for morning coffee-runs and conversations that last late into the night. We ask for eyes to see those who are lonely or in need of encouragement, and the generosity of spirit to reach out beyond themselves and help someone else along the way.

For writers who are feeling burnt out… Lord, give them fresh inspiration. Fresh ideas. Fresh joy in the craft and a renewed passion for their calling. You know those who need a little extra something this year. Those who’ve pursued their dreams for so long they’ve grown tired and discouraged along the way. Please bless them with a song in Praise and Worship, a light-bulb moment in a workshop, a word of encouragement from a respected mentor, the divine connection they so desperately need, the open door they’ve been longing for.

For writers who are pitching… Lord, please gift them with peace and clarity. Help them articulate the essence of their story with passion and heart. Give them the confidence to believe in their ideas and the grace to understand that not every editor or agent will be a perfect fit for them. We pray for a spirit of calm over the appointment tables, for great conversations between writers and industry professionals, for writers to leave their appointments feeling satisfied that they represented themselves well.

For the editors and agents… This is such a busy time for them. Amid the clamor of voices, pitches and ideas, please give them the discernment to recognize the people and projects that would be a great fit for them. Keep them sharp and alert to what your Spirit is saying. Give them the ability to filter through distraction – a noisy lunch table, an imperfect pitch from a nervous writer – and catch the heart of each idea that is offered. May they consider each project with open-mindedness, honesty and grace. When they are tired, please refresh their spirits. We pray for blessed times with colleagues, valuable professional connections, and exciting new projects to acquire.

For those who can’t go to conference… Lord, help us to trust in your good plans for our writing journey. Renew our spirits. As we hear good news and exciting stories filtering back from our writer friends at conference, may we rejoice with them whole-heartedly. We thank you for how far you’ve brought us and give you praise that the best is yet to come.

Amen.

How can we pray for you this week? Please share your prayer requests in the comments section so we can lift each other up in faith!

Karen Schravemade lives in Australia, where she mothers by day and transforms into a fearless blogger by night. Her popular creative home-making blog, A house full of sunshine, reaches over 50,000 readers a month. She's a Genesis finalist for women's fiction and is represented by Rachel Kent of Books & Such. Find her on Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest.