What's Up the Street Next Week? - Post Conference Peek

EVERYBODY gets nervous at conferences for one VERY important reason.
Appointments.
For our Post-Conference Vlogs, we have a great chat with the FABULOUS Edie Melson!

Check it out:




What's happenin' at the Alley next week?

Monday - Excuses, Excuses! What's Stopping You from the Dreaded Rewrite with Angie.

Tuesday - Julie brings us Beta Readers and how They Help Our Manuscripts

Wednesday - Get Techy with Karen as she posts about Time Management Apps for Writers.

Thursday - Assumptions That Affect our Creativity with Ashley.

Friday - Cindy's up with her post The Writing Road Trip : Destination Publication

Okay....fun question:

BEST or most interesting conference food you've ever had?

Pepper's Agent Story - Who Believes in You?

I've had a lot of people ask me to tell my agent story.

At first I felt weird about sharing it on The Alley since self-promotion is NOT my forte, but the longer I thought and prayed about it, I realized that this story is all about what God does.

Because it’s a pretty cool story.

And it really wouldn't have happened unless God was seriously involved.

I've been told by several authors that you aren't a REAL writer until you have rejections under your writing belt. I don’t know if the same rule applies for agent rejections, but I've definitely had those too. About nine specific rejection letters and over ten “no responses” – and those all happened over the past two years.

Let’s not even start calculating my manuscript rejections J

At ACFW 2011, I had a chance to have dinner with an editor. I didn't really pitch. She didn't really ask. We just talked. It was a nice conversation, followed by a few other conversations throughout the remainder of the conference. Just before leaving the conference she said, “Hey, when you get an agent, I want to read your work. Okay?”

Sure.

Fabulous.

So I queried 5 agents after the conference. FIVE. And I’d actually met 4 of the 5 in person at the conference. AND I was a Genesis double-finalist. That had to count for something, right?

Nothin’. Nada. Zilch.

For nine months this ‘baby’ didn't go anywhere. 

I assumed it was because my stories didn't really ‘fit’ with what was selling in CBA. Rom Com wasn't the top genre. Self-doubt reared its ugly head on many occasions. I carried insecurities around like a pack of gum. Was I just dreaming too big? Missing the mark? Living on stardust and daydreams?

After all, I'd been seriously writing for over six years with no 'happily-ever-after' in sight :-)

BUT, like the obedient flunky I was, I kept doing what Ruth Logan Herne and Mary Connealy told me to do. I kept writing.

In July I finished another novel and posted my excitement on Facebook. Low and behold, the editor saw my comment and replied, “Hey, when are you going to send me something to read?”

To which I replied. “You told me not to send anything until I had an agent. I still don’t’ have one, so I haven’t sent anything.”

Then the most amazing thing happened! She asked me to compose a cover letter and she would send it out to agents for me. Agents she thought would be a good match for me.

I was overwhelmed. Floored. Humbled.

And did exactly what she said.

When two agents emailed me, I sent my proposals. They both responded quickly and favorably.

Then at ACFW, I had the opportunity to meet Nicole – one of the agents recommended to me. She seemed as excited about my stories as I was. She was funny, sweet, and savvy – plus she had a great sense of style. There was an immediate match. (Look at that GREAT smile!)

And she told me she would like to represent me.

I told her that I thought we had a great connection, but I wanted to think and pray about it first.

So I did. And consulted close writing friends. And prayed some more.

And I knew it was right.

When I heard her beautiful acceptance speech as Agent of the Year, it just confirmed what a special lady she was.

End of story?

Not quite.

It was the last day of conference before I had the chance to talk to the editor who set this up. We’d missed each other throughout the conference, but in God’s good time, we were both in the lobby waiting to leave for the airport at the same time. I went up to her and told her about what happened with Nicole and she smiled. “I’m so proud of you.”

To which I replied. “I can’t thank you enough. You didn't have to do that. It’s not your job to find me an agent.”

She answered, “I believe in you.”

And I said, “ You've never even read my writing before. How can you believe in me?”

(I will NEVER forget her answer. EVER. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about it) She said, “Pepper, I didn't say I believed in your writing. I said, I believe in you.”

It was as if the voice of God sliced through all the chaos of the moment, all the emotional baggage of my past rejections, all the doubts in my heart, all the questions and insecurities, and used this editor to speak directly to my spirit.

“I believe in you.”

Wow.

And it’s true – for ALL His kids.

He may give us great and amazing talents. He may bring us fame and recognition. He may shower us with opportunities to spread His word through our writing.

But at the heart of it all, He’s doing a  whole lot more than those things.

He’s letting His kids know that He believes in them.

Enough to take on the Devil, Death, and Hell.

Our writing is just an extension of what’s happening inside of us. Who we are in Him.

And with His faith in us spurring us forward, we are equipped to do great and marvelous things…whether those “great and marvelous” things are meant to minister to a small number of 1 or a great number of MORE.

He believes in you.

He believes in me.

We are His.
******************************************************************************

Pepper Basham writes Blue Ridge romance sprinkled with grace and humor. In her contemporary romances she doubles-up on the humor. She is a mom of five, speech-language pathologist, lover of all things AlleyCat, and chocolate addict. You can check out her website at www.pepperbasham.com to discover more.

What's Up the Street - Post Conference Treat

For the month of October, The Writers Alley is going to be featuring video clips from the ACFW conference during the weekend posts. We have some fun clips from people like Susan May Warren, Edie Melson, Lindsay Harrell...not to mention some of the Alley Cats.
So....for our first vlog, here's Susie May! (the background noise is a little loud, but we WERE at the MBT party :-)




GREAT reminder from Susan May Warren.

Okay - so next week we have all kinds of great information from Pepper's agent story to more post- conference information to propelling readers deep into the story to a guest post with Tamara Leigh.

Make sure to stop by and visit with us and have a fabulous weekend.

Btw - what would your post-conference advice be?

Taking the Jesus out of ACFW.....

SO COOL seeing my books
in the conference bookstore...
even cooler on Saturday seeing them
SOLD OUT!

... (continued from title) would totally stink!

I wrestled with going to ACFW this year.

I'd gone in 2008 and 2009 and LOVED IT. Granted, I'd had frazzled nerves each time, trying to pitch to agents/editors etc. But they were wonderful times of learning about writing craft and networking with authors.

2010 and 2011 I missed because I had a very special little girl at home who needed her mommy much more than mommy needed ACFW.

But 2012 came. And I wanted to go SO INCREDIBLY BAD.

Caramel Mousse Cheesecake. *swoon*

After much fretting about money and praying, my husband and I both decided it'd be best for me to go. It's my first year with a book out. My first year not having to pitch to an agent and editor.

And honestly, the last two years have been brutal. This Mommy needed time away.

Conference without the pressure of pitching was, in one word, AMAZING.

And it wasn't just about not pitching.

Look! We are stair-steps! :-)

It was seriously about Jesus. About being around a group of people who love Jesus and want to write for Him. It was about seeign people stop and pray for each other in the middle of a room without any concern over what others thought. It was about listening to workshops on not being so scheduled that you schedule Jesus into a box. It was remembering that while publishing IS a business, taking Jesus out of your writing equation is counter-productive.

God wants to use our fiction. But He won't if we take Him out of the picture and let all business override our brains.

That's what I learned at ACFW this year.

Casey the... reindeer?

In a way, I rededicated my writing to the Lord who gave me the talent in the first place.

I've rediscovered the JOY in writing/editor/selling books for Jesus. Without Him and without that purpose, it falls pretty flat.

Another thing I learned at ACFW:

Alleycats ROCK.

Seriously. I cannot begin to tell you how amazing it was to spend time with these incredible women that I've been privileged to become a part of. It's odd to walk into a room of strangers and instantly feel this thick-corded connection. To be able to be yourself, drop all pretense, and just relax in your differences.

Oh yeah... and we were crazy a few times too.... we MIGHT have done an extreme amount of laughing.

Discussion: Have you ever rededicated your writing to Jesus? What part does God play in your writing equation?

ACFW update

GOOOOODDDDDDDD MOOOOOORRRRRRNING Writers Alley!!!

Well, I got in from my flight around midnight, and even though my eyelids are puffy and my thoughts come like their being pulled through a strainer, it has been a fabulous weekend.

We got to celebrate as our wonderful Cindy Wilson was listed as a Finalist.

And spend so much time just chatting together on Friday night (as you could see in the video)

The BEST part of ACFW for me is the relationship-building. Oh my goodness! God has been so good to give me (and many other people here) to create new relationships and renew older ones.

I want to really encourage all of you to keep this point in perspective. Building relationships, especially our spiritual relationship, trumps all the editor/agent appointments, requests, and great pitches.

Rachel Hauck brought attention to the scene in the Bible with Mary and Martha. Martha was working away, taking care of Jesus and his disciples, while Mary sat at Jesus' feet. Martha started complaining, saying "Jesus, I'm over here working away and Mary's just sitting around listening to you." (paraphrase ;-)

What did Jesus say? Something like - "Martha, you are worrried about many things, but only ONE thing is important right now. Mary's found the ONE thing." (again, Paraphrase :-)

What is that One thing?
Jesus - and the relationship we build with him.

Conference can be hectic, crazy, and scary. It can pull your mind and spirit in good directions and bad. But only ONE thing is the most important at the heart of all the chaos.
Jesus.
His Call in your life - His direction of your path - His guidance related to the story written on the pages of your life.

I LOVED meeting my Alley Cats.

I LOVED spending time with fabulous people like Lindsey Harrell and Gabrielle Meyer. Laughing with the marvelous Jeanne T and dosey-do-ing with the MBT gals.
I LOVED having prayers with Beth Vogt and laughing with Tina Radcliffe and Mary Connealy.
But at the end of the day, when you check out of the hotel and are faced with a blank computer screen on the flight home......there is only ONE THING that holds all this together.

Jesus.
*********************************************************************************
btw, thee pic at the top was taken by the fabulous Renee Ann Smith.

Conference Appointments

Since so many you will either be attending the ACFW conference or another conference this year, today I want to talk about what you can expect when meeting with agents and editors for those one-on-one appointments, and also some things to remember.

The Practical

I remember my first one-on-one meeting. It was with Ami McConnell, and I was terrified because I adore her. I had no idea what to expect or how nervous I would feel waiting for that appointment with all the other people waiting for their own appointments. The impending doom was palpable! Just kidding. But in all seriousness, conference appointments can sometimes feel like a meeting with the principal, but they don't have to be that way. If you've never been to an appointment with an editor or agent before, essentially what happens is you'll find the appointment waiting area, and then your name will be called whenever the editor or agent is finished with their last appointment. Someone will usher you to the editor or agent's table, where you'll sit down and just talk about your book. It's that simple. Yes, nerves can really build up in that waiting time... like waiting at the doctor's office! But something I recommend is that you look around to the others who are waiting and see if you can offer encouragement to them. I guarantee someone will be more nervous than you, and shifting your focus away from yourself will not only help another person, it will also help you.

The Deeper Level

What an editor or agent is looking for during an appointment, essentially, is a spark and a connection with the author. So it doesn't really matter if you miss a word of your perfectly-rehearsed pitch. This isn't an oral book report. They are much more concerned with whether or not you are someone they would like to work with (i.e.-did you show up on time, is your one sheet well-written, do you have a positive attitude and demonstrate professionalism, etc.). They also want to see some kind of spark or hook in you or your work that inspires them to want to invest (and buying your book IS an investment for them) in your work. So be enthusiastic when talking about your story. Get them excited without being too cheesy. Wouldn't you want to see the same thing if you were an editor or agent?

The Heart

Something I would encourage you to remember is that editors and agents are not mean people. They love books just as much as you do. Probably more than you do, actually, because their whole job is to promote the selling of stories and to make stories better. They are not waiting for you to fail. I think it's so important to go into your appointment with a heart that is at peace with the fact that you are looking for a partner in this business, someone you can trust with your story. Yes, you will probably be nervous. Everyone feels that way. But beyond the nerves, realize and remember that the person you are going to speak with wants to see you succeed. They want you to be the next bestseller, and to have discovered you themselves. If you get a "no," don't take that personally. Smile and thank them for their consideration and time. If you make a good impression, you never know what opportunities may await you the next go around.

Do you have any stories to share about conference appointments? What advice would you add to this list?

*Photo from www.freedigitalphotos.com

*******************************************************************************

Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook,Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

A conference prayer

It’s here! ACFW 2012! Watch out for our Alleycats who will be LIVE BLOGGING from Dallas as conference kicks off.

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!

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Karen Schravemade lives in Australia. When she's not chasing after two small boys or gazing at her brand-new baby girl, she spends her spare minutes daydreaming about the intricate lives of characters who don't actually exist. Find her on her website, on Twitter or getting creative over at her mummy blog.

TOP 10 Things To Do When You Can't Go To Conference

What? You can't go to the 2012 ACFW Writing Conferences this year? Well, I have just one thing to say...

HAKUNAH MATATA

No worries...just chill out and pick out one of my Top 10 Things To Do When You Can't Go To A Conference. Let's shorten that up to T4DWYCGTAC, why don't we? I wasn't sure what to write about, but everyone seemed to be writing about conferences, so I thought I'd join in the fun.

The countdown begins:

Photo by savit keawtavee
freedigitalphotos.net

10. Stock the pantry with chocolate bon bons and the freezer with ice cream, and pig out for the duration of the conference. (Warning: Not Waistline Friendly!)

9. Have a slumber party and read your favorite romance scenes aloud to each other. Bring out the chocolate for a night of fun!

8. Read a book a day, preferably romance, where you can escape into sigh-inducing scenes and smile at happy endings.

7. Make up flyers announcing your future bestseller and post them in all the coffee shops and libraries in your area. Make sure to put a cute head shot of yourself. They say it's never to early to market yourself.

6. Subscribe to Netflix and have a sappy movie marathon day...or two...or three. Cry and laugh your heart out. You might want to have your bon bons close at hand.

5. Text your friends at the conference every 30 minutes, telling them how your word count has grown...and how theirs has not.

4. Send out 54 queries to random agents. You can pick any number to send out, but I prefer randomness. Who knows? You might hit the jackpot.

Photo by digitalart
freedigitalphotos.net

3. Go to Disneyland and devise a murder mystery involving Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and the Big Bad Wolf. (Yes, I know the Big Bad Wolf is NOT a Disney character, thank you very much.)

2. Spend an hour in Barnes and Noble. Take one page from 300 books in the store and string them together for a Mad Lib Novel.

1. Watch the weather channel and drive to the nearest rainstorm. Let your hair down and dance a jig in the rain, screaming at the top of your lungs how much fun you are having instead of meeting famous authors.

There you have it, my TOP 10 fun things to do while I won't be at conference this year. I am sad to not be going, but am excited to get to stop by and HUG all the Alley Cats who are coming to town! Can't wait!

So those of you not going to any conferences this year, how do you intend to chase the blues away?

*This post was originally posted May 25, 2010

****************************************************************************

This post is brought to you by

 Sherrinda Ketchersid

Sherrinda is wife to "Pastor John" and mother to three giant sons and one gorgeous daughter. A born and bred Texan, she writes historical romance filled with fun, faith, and forever love.

The Heart of the Author and The Heart of the Story

Authors are brave. I mean, very, very brave. You have to have a unique kind of heart to be a writer, or at least, to be a good one. On the one hand, you have to feel deeply. You must be compassionate, sensitive, even empathetic, to craft characters whose stories resonate with readers. You must care deeply enough to stick with a story until page three-hundred and twenty-two, through all the zingers that come along the way. You must have something deep in your core, a calling, that holds you to to task and pushes you toward your goal. You must, in other words, feel in order to be a good artist.

On the other hand, unless you are writing strictly for our own sake, your story must inevitably stand on its however-wobbly little newborn feel and step out into the real world of readers. That world is scary sometimes because it carries rejection, it carries disappointment, it carries doubt, and sometimes it carries straight-out pain.

Today I want to talk about the ever-important, ever-difficult-to-discern line we all must find between these two things, between compassion and the inevitability of writing as a business. I think it's important we take time to flesh out the space in between the two, especially as conference season approaches and we're all bound to face at least some measure of disappointment.

I don't know about you, but I think writing honestly, deeply, with feeling, is a struggle. I can't tell you how many times I have e-mailed my fellow Alley Cat Angie in the last two weeks with updated versions of my pitch or one sheet because I keep panicking over it, wanting my pitch to be the best it possibly can. Do you feel that way too sometimes? I think this kind of anxiety is normal when you've become so invested in a dream or goal. But we have to be so careful that we don't allow our fears of rejection to cloud our heart for a project.

What I mean is that we always, always must write from our hearts if we expect to write anything worthwhile. It's so much easier to detach ourselves from our writing and never experience the sting of rejection, is it not? But whenever we write a story that is close to us, whenever we craft a heroine who's struggles we truly understand, who's pain we actually feel, we take a risk. If she is rejected, does a little part of us not feel rejected also? But what benefit is to to the reader if we refuse to be brave enough to give them stories that we feel? How do we expect the reader to then feel anything, to be moved by the story, if we are not even moved by it ourself? Now, I'm not saying your stories have to be biographical. They don't have to be true or have happened to you. In fact, probably better if they haven't actually happened to you. But they need to live somewhere in you. You need to be able to imagine how your heroine might feel when she faces her greatest fear, and a little part of you, when you think about that playing out, should feel that fear yourself in the same way your heart would hurt over the trials of a good friend. Your characters, your plot arc, your narrative--they should all reflect your deeper heart and calling for the novel. That is how you find your writing voice.

Now let's say you've successfully done this. You've poured your heart and soul into a book and turned off those voices of inner doubt. You've worked with your critique partner and have squeezed every last bit of vulnerability out of your own heart and into the work.

That means it's time to let go. Going back to that wobbly-knees idea, it's time to let your story have a chance, to struggle, in the world. At this point in the process, you have to learn to detach yourself from any criticism, constructive or otherwise, that you might receive. You must turn your back on your own story, difficult as it might seem, so you can instead turn toward improvement. The neat thing about writing is that there is no perfect writer. There is always room for a story, for an author, to improve, and one of the best ways of achieving that is by exposing yourself to feedback from editors, critique partners, and even contests. I'm not saying you should listen to everything everybody tells you. I am saying you should listen sometimes. Surround yourself with people who believe in you as a writer, who "get" your vision for your writing and whose advice you can trust, and then trust them.

I know it may feel like your story is already the way it should be, that you made decisions like where the story starts or why a particular character has certain quirks for a reason. But what if you started at chapter three instead? What if you paired down some of your descriptions to make the dialogue flow faster? Things like this can only be found through keeping an open mind and being willing to let go of your original intentions for the story. Remember that we will never be able to see the larger picture in a story if we won't take our eyes off the first draft.

Here are some things to keep in mind about rejection and difficult feedback.

Rejection is...

• Change
• Challenging
• Subjective
• Inevitable
• Character-building (pun intended!)

Rejection might be...

• Helpful
• Part of a larger picture
• Wrong (plenty of authors are rejected only to find success with that same project--just look what happened with The Shack!)
• Temporary
• A source of self-doubt and fear, if left unchecked
• The single-most reason writers give up

Rejection is not...

• Personal
• A reason to give up
• A reflection of your heart for the book
• Reason to give up writing

To get a different perspective on all of this, I asked my friend Amanda Luedeke of the MacGregor Agency her advice for authors who are struggling to find that distinction between the vulnerability of the writing process itself and taking rejection too seriously.

She said, "People just need to realize that not everyone is going to like your book... just like there are people who love Twilight, and others who hate it. People who love Dickens, Jane Austen, and Tolkein, and others who don't. The industry is subjective. It's nothing personal."

I thought that was such good advice, and especially helpful to hear when it's coming from a literary agent. So as you're gearing up for the conference, be encouraged. Your calling as a writer is so much bigger than any rejection or hardships you might face. Remember to see the big picture and hold fast to God's plans for you. They are always greater than our own.

It can be so difficult to stay balanced instead of 1) taking criticism too harshly or 2) writing from a place outside of our heart in an attempt to protect our feelings. How do you manage these two things effectively? What thoughts do you have on dealing with constructive criticism, even rejection, in a way that allows you to keep pressing on? (I.e. Hitting up the Godiva store.)

*****************************************************************************

Ashley Clark writes romantic comedy with southern grace. She's dreamed of being a writer ever since the thumbprint-cookie-days of library story hour. Ashley has an M.A. in English and enjoys teaching literature courses at her local university. She's an active member of ACFW and runs their newcomer's loop. When she's not writing, Ashley's usually busy rescuing stray animals and finding charming new towns. You can find Ashley on her personal blog, Facebook,Pinterest, and Twitter. She is represented by Karen Solem.

For those not going to conference

Only two weeks until Dallas, and the biggest conference event of the year. The blogging community is buzzing. Online friends make plans to meet. Writers practise their pitches to the bathroom mirror, their pet canary and the Jehovah’s witnesses who knock at the door. Business cards arrive in the mail. One sheets are designed and agonized over. Everyone is caught up in a flurry of preparations, plans and adrenalin.

Everyone, it seems, except you.

This post is for you. The writer who is not attending ACFW conference this year. 

I understand and sympathize, because I’m not going either.

I know what it’s like to feel left out amid the buzz of excitement and anticipation. The wistful daydreaming about what it would be like to be there in the middle of all the action. The questions you ask yourself about the state of your writing career. Are you ever going to get your big break? Are you ever going to move forward, or will you still be stuck at the starting blocks while your conference-going friends have crossed the finishing line and are running a victory lap arm in arm?

There are lots of reasons you may not be able to make conference this year. You may have family commitments, work commitments, financial or health limitations. Perhaps you’re just at a stagnant place in your writing journey and questioning the validity of continuing to invest into your writing.

I live in Australia, so attending a writing conference in the States is a major deal for me. I’ve been to two in the past six years, including my first ACFW last year. Ten weeks ago I gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, so I knew attending ACFW conference would not be an option for me this year, even if we could afford the international airfares.

Whatever your reason for not attending conference, I want to encourage you to lift your gaze. It’s so tempting to focus on what you’re missing out on instead of thanking God for how far you’ve already come.

With that in mind, here are some things you can do while your friends jet off to Dallas in a couple of weeks’ time.

1. Use the time to pray about your writing journey.

Nothing beats discouragement like giving thanks. Praise God for where he’s brought you thus far. Take the time to recount the ways God has helped you along the path, giving thanks for every blessing, no matter how small.

Then seek his face. Where would God have you step next? How can you best use your time and talents to honor him? Ask for God’s blessing on your writing, his daily help and guidance in shaping words that will bring him glory.

2. Have a mini retreat.

Why not invest in some teaching CDs from conference? You don’t have to miss out! If you can’t be there in person to hear from your favorite author or editor, invite them into your home instead, and listen at your leisure!

While conference is on, why not read a craft book you’ve been meaning to get to for some time? I’ve set myself the challenge of reading “The Fire in Fiction” by Donald Maas over the Dallas weekend. Who knows? It may stir up some fresh inspiration and reinvigorate my writing energies – and all without the jetlag.

3. Set some goals.

Just because you can’t pitch face-to-face to editors or agents in a couple of weeks’ time doesn’t mean you can’t make equally valid goals. Why not use the information about editors and agents on the ACFW website and tailor a query letter to send out to your dream team? Face-to-face meetings are wonderful, but they’re not everything. Stellar writing is what gets you noticed, above all else.

Perhaps your goal is to finish outlining your book by the end of September. Or finish writing it by Christmas. Or edit twenty pages by the end of this week. Or polish your proposal and query five agents. Whatever the case may be, breathe some life into your deflating dream by setting an achievable goal and then taking action to make it happen.

4. Be encouraged.

Your future writing success doesn’t hinge on this one conference. Your success is in God’s hands, not yours.

I love the dramatic way God teaches this truth to his people in Chronicles as they prepare to face a vast army. He tells them, “Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. …You will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and watch the LORD’s victory.” (2 Chronicles 20:15, 17)

The Israelites believed what God told them and sang praises all the way to the lookout, and when they looked down over the plain, the entire opposing army was already dead. They didn’t have to lift a finger to fight them.

It’s a concept that can seem foreign to us, used as we are to struggling and striving. But often it’s in the times of waiting and stillness that we’re reminded where our true strength lies.

“I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him… My salvation and my honor come from God alone.” Psalm 62:5,7

5. Know you are not forgotten.

Allegra Grace - my gorgeous little reason
for not attending conference.

God has a plan for your writing. Whether you are in America or Australia, Alaska or Afghanistan, if God has called you to write, he will make a way for you.

Whether you’re at conference wowing editors with your eloquence and wit, or stuck at home changing diapers and wiping snotty noses, God has a plan for this season of your life, and you haven’t been overlooked by him.

Whether you can afford the glossiest business cards and first-class plane tickets to get to Dallas, or whether you’re worrying about meeting the rent for next week, God is your provider, and he is more than able to be your abundance where there is lack.

As you hear all the exciting stories filtering back from conference – of friendships made and rekindled, divine appointments, God moments and blessings – rejoice with your friends and be glad for what God is doing in their lives. He’s at work in yours too.

You’re not forgotten. Not left behind. Not disadvantaged or limited.

Remember – you serve a God without limits. A God who is able. A God who will fight for you even when you can’t.

A God who has called you, and placed his hand upon your life, and won’t ever, ever let you go.

Images courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net

Karen Schravemade lives in Australia. When she's not chasing after two small boys or gazing at her brand-new baby girl, she spends her spare minutes daydreaming about the intricate lives of characters who don't actually exist. Find her on her website, on Twitter or getting creative over at her mummy blog.