Writing For the Love.... of Communtiy

Pepper, Mary, Casey, Angie, Sarah, Wendy

 I have been inspired lately--just by witnessing the fruit of other writers. It's easy to get caught up in this writing life and only be in it for "me", but when I open up and give a little encouragement, prayer, time, to those around me, the blessings overflow in a whole new way. Hope this post that I wrote last year inspires you, and also gets you geared up for the upcoming ACFW conference!

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Yes, folks. We're sometimes considered to be hermits, scribbling away in our writing caves, sipping on the upteenth cup of coffee, hunched over desks, frantically pouring out words as we listen to the voices in our heads...just typing that makes me want to go find a cozy spot and begin to create! BUT, God has taught me so much this past year, and by placing people in my life as I delved into the writer's community, I know that this craft is not a lonely one. It offers some of the most wonderful friendships I have come across, and I want to share with you all how the conference shed light on my variation of the old African proverb...“It takes a village, to raise a writer.”

It morphed based on three experiences I had at the conference: AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIPS, FACE TO FACE HONESTY, WORSHIP AS ONE BODY

AUTHENTIC FRIENDSHIPS

Pepper and Ashley Clark

You can tell when someone is authentic. When they are showing you their true self and what their mouth speaks is genuine. Yes, we are all professionals trying to “sell” our books, but if you lose that authenticity, you lose what makes you YOU. I was surrounded by women ( Alley Cats, crit partners, new author friends, blog friends...) who were authentic, who didn't put on airs, who allowed their hearts to be worn smack dab on top of their neatly pressed blouses.
And I walked away knowing that I have a giant support system of which I wouldn't have realized if I chose to continue my hermitage (is that a word?)...I have friends out there who understand the passion I am driven by, and accept the humanness that causes me to stumble. When I was REAL, and others around me were REAL, God's light and providence was all the more evident.

FACE TO FACE HONESTY
I had the opportunity to sit with three editors and three agents this year. Yes, I was one of those who checked the board and snatched up appointments when someone I hoped to talk to was available. I have a harder time just striking up a conversation with an editor or agent in the hallway, so the designated appointments were gold to me.
I had some nibbles, but believe it or not, the ones that blessed me most were the “rejections”... particularly when an editor gave me a concrete example of how my story could improve... can I tell you I sat behind my computer and applied her criticism, and came up with a whole new layer of character development, a strong foundation for my novel's theme. Had I not been willing to crawl out of my writer's cave and expose myself to “the village” I would never be in the know of what people (the BIG people, the I-want-to-impress-you people) want to know!

WORSHIP AS ONE BODY

Angie and Melanie Brasher

There is a humility to know that every person in the room can cast off the cares of the same dream at the same time and fully submit to their Savior. And, to find hope when a successful author (Jenny B. Jones) blesses us with words from scripture, to share her experiences as a new writer, and know how much God has blessed her in this journey, was worth the trip to ST. Louis. To hear the testimonies of so many who are on this same path, fills a writer's heart and encourages us continue. Gather your pots, friends, God is willing and able to fill them with precious oils overflowing.

So, have you had any experiences with workshops, conferences, writing groups that help encourage and mature you as a writer?