Thursday, September 15, 2011

Write...Be...Who YOU Are

Fingers CrossedIn four short, (loooonnnnggg) days I pile my luggage, laptop and dad into the car and we drive across the country to St. Louis, Missouri for the ACFW conference.

I'm giddy with excitement.

And anxious with nerves.

What if they don't like me?

The agent laughs at my writing?


I go blank when someone wants to know what my story is about?

Monkeys take over planet Hollywood. No...what...wait, what is my story idea again??

Did I pack enough breath mints? Deodorant? One sheets? My roommate survival cheat sheet?

My story idea sucks. My business card font is waaaay too small and no agent/editor is going to give a hill o' beans to what I'm writing or care enough to dig out their magnifying scope to read my contact info.

At one time or another these ideas have run through my head as I prepared for the conference. But I know you don't have to be attending to know what I am talking about. Because at some point in our writing lives (in life period it seems) we have these doubting behaviors.  Those times when all we want to do is give completely up.

It can be so discouraging to watch the changing shifts in the market and know that our 'monkies hit planet Hollywood and crash on the set of Grey's Anatomy' is not going to be bought anytime soon.

Is it worth it to keep going?

Since you can't attend the conference and won't get to meet with all these fab authors/agents/editors is it really worth continuing to write right now? Maybe you should just wait for the muse to come back.

Wrong. That is the last thing you should do.

As humans, but more importantly, as creations of the Father, we are unique and important in His sight. We each bring something to the table of His kingdom. It doesn't matter how long you spend on those manuscripts or how much they aren't 'saleable' in the world's eyes. They are perfect for you right now.

No one can write the story you are writing like you can. No one else had that exact story idea. You were the one to dream up the characters, give them a plot and put them to life on the page.

You spend hours breathing life and editing them into submission and no one else could come up with the exact same string of words like you could.

Don't listen to what the world is telling you should or should not be writing. Or going. Or doing. Fads change like the winds, but because we are anchored to Christ, grounded in what we know we should be doing for Him, we are in the perfect place.

Listen to the voices of reason God has placed around you, sure. Absolutely, don't ignore their common sense, but also, don't forget that you wouldn't be here unless HE put you here.

I'll see you on the other side of the conference!

22 comments:

Mary Vee Storyteller said...

Good words full of wisdom, Casey.

See yah at the conference

Joanne Sher said...

This was SO encouraging for me. SOO encouraging. THANK you, Casey. More than you can know.

Casey said...

MARY, are you ready for the hug aimed your way??? :-))

JOANNE, God works great in those ways, doesn't He?? I LOVE it when He does that. So glad you were able to stop by today. :)

Sarah Forgrave said...

Whoa, girl, I didn't realize you were driving to conference! I hope you have safe travels! And what a neat father-daughter time. Hopefully you don't pile all that luggage on TOP of your dad, LOL.

Great post, Casey. It's so easy to compare, no matter what stage we're in. This is a good reminder that we've each been given a unique gift that no one can duplicate. Thanks for sharing these words.

Jeanne Takenaka said...

Casey, what a great post. I feel for you as you've gone through those thought processes. You're right--we all do it. Yet, you moved beyond them to regain a God perspective. I hope your meetings with agents/editors/mentors go wonderfully. I hope you'll share your experiences as a newbie at ACFW when you get back so I can be ready for next year. :)

Keli Gwyn said...

Casey, I hope you and your dad have a great trip as you travel to St. Louis and see some wonderful sights along the way. I'm sooo eager to meet you in person.

Jennifer K. Hale said...

Love this. Love love love. Can't wait to meet you at ACFW! :)

Anonymous said...

Great post - thanks for grounding us!

Faith said...

Have fun at the conference, Casey! I'm sure you'll have a blast, and everything will be OK :)

Debra E. Marvin said...

You'll enjoy it so much. All these little issues that we want perfect for Conference just sort of melt into days filled with blessings. Have a safe trip and an amazing time.
I'm looking forward to alley cat photos!

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Beautiful post! And how wonderful to spend time with DAD! Way cool...but ugh...a long drive. :) Wish I could hug you at conference! You can text me though if an Alley Cat wins something, right????

Casey said...

SARAH, LOL! I've thought about that scenerio more than once to be honest. Hope the poor guy doesn't bring a big suitcase. ;-)

JEANNE, I promise I will! I have gone through those emotions and sometimes all of them within one day it seems! I think it's the fear of the unknown and not trusting that gets to us more than anything, would you agree?

Casey said...

KELI, I'll see a lot of new country! Counting the days till I can meet you Lady!

JENNIFER, thank you! Right back at ya. :)

Casey said...

FREYA, I'm glad you could stop by. I've been at work all day, so it's fun to come home to some great comments. Thanks for joining the conversation!

FAYE, I'm sure it will too. God has prepared too much that is going right, I don't doubt His goodness. :)

Casey said...

DEBRA, I'm sure you'll get so many of them you'll be sick of them. ;-) It's going to be a great time to learn and let God move!

SHERRINDA, sending you a ((((hug)))) right now! But so wish it could be in person, I know. Yeah, it will be a long drive, but I have no doubt it will be a good one! I don't have texting. :( Otherwise I would when Pep wins the Genesis. I might have to call you!

Angie Dicken said...

Oh Casey! You are speaking right to my heart!!! The doubt and insecurity overwhelms right now, and I needed to read this, and will read it again before I step into the Hyatt!

Karen @ a house full of sunshine said...

GREAT reminder, Casey. I needed this! Seems like a lot of us did. It's nice to know I'm not alone.

Pepper said...

Wonderful reminder, Casey!
OH dear, I needed to read that.

Especially with less than a week to go to conference.

And NO time to write!!!

God knows. He's the Author of, not only our faith, but our calling.

Can't wait to see you, Case.

Meeting you and the other AlleyCat, plus Ruth Logan Herne...well, that makes ACFW a 'winner' for me

Casey said...

ANGIE, just like you needed that win, right?? I'm so glad I get to meet you! But until then I'll be keeping you in prayers. :)

KAREN, I think it happens to a LOT of us ALL the time! So, no you are not alone in this at all! Goodness, I'm sure I'll be feeling it the minute I step into that HUGE hotel! But God's guiding all the way. :)

Casey said...

Hey Pep! Was praying for you last night (actually a great many of our Alley Cats. ;) Was thinkin' I'd give you a call on Sunday just for kicks. :)

You're going to do awesome. I'm so glad you can go because you NEED to go. To be get re-energized to write and be encouraged to keep pushing on. You GO girl!!

Pepper said...

Call ANYTIME, sweet Case.
I'll chat if I can :-)

Anonymous said...

Casey! I didn't know you were an Alley Cat! What a cool blog. Definitely gonna link to you from my website. Safe travels, and see ya at conference! Whhooohoo!