Wondering exactly what happens at writing conferences? Today’s the day for me to highlight the 2008 ACFW Conference. To read a minute-by-minute report about last year’s conference–practically in real time–click on the following links. They’re very detailed and packed with pictures of me stalking famous people and people who will be famous soon.
Of course, if I were an unnamed female judge on American Idol, perhaps I’m already posting about what will happen this year. 🙂
The Trip There
Day One
Day Two
Day Three
Final Day
Novel Journey: Special Edition & Aftermath
The best advice I have for those considering attending ACFW is this:
Prepare to be humbled.
And it will happen in so many different ways.
I write with my mother, Sherrie Ashcraft, as well as on my own. Last year, we’d just come from a hugely successful conference where every single editor we met with complimented our clean writing and asked for at least a proposal, if not a full manuscript. Maybe, if I were to look somewhere deep inside, I’d have to admit that I wanted ACFW to continue to pile on the praise. When one of the first events, our joint paid critique, did not follow this pattern … eek! In other words, we were humbled just when we needed to be.
If you think you’re a brilliant writer, you’ll find out you’re not.
If you’ve began to fear your writing is just a jumble of words that sound flat, someone will praise the life in a well-crafted sentence.
If you think you’ve been writing FOREVER with no contract in sight, you might bump your moping self into Jill Eileen Smith and realize that nine years really isn’t that long compared to twenty.
If you’ve lost hope, God will fan the dying embers of your dream into a flickering light just bright enough to see the next step.
If you need healing, the prayer room will beckon.
If you think the prayer room is the only place where people care for you, you’ll find yourself mistaken.
If you’re awed by true celebrity, you’ll find yourself speechless, standing amidst your favorite authors who’ve written books the Lord has used to touch your heart.
If you’re hungry to learn, your head will be close to exploding by the conclusion of conference.
If you’re scared to meet with editors, you’ll find many kindred spirits. (Some editors are even afraid to be alone with themselves!)
If you begin to think you might have a chance of making it, you’ll be disconcerted by the quality and quantity of fellow attenders.
And just when you doubt your calling, the Lord will confirm it.
If you are prepared to humble yourself, then the Lord can exalt you! (Luke 14:11)
Though I haven’t experienced all of the above, I’ve heard of each happening at the ACFW conference. It’s an intense experience you don’t want to miss. This year, as a Genesis finalist, I know I’ll be humbled, win or lose. And I’ll be thankful either way.
To find out more, check out the posts on the ACFW Conference Blog or click around on these blogs:
6/11/2008 Chip MacGregor http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
/6/11/2008 Cara Putman http://carasmusings.blogspot.com
6/12/2008 Pamela James http://pammer.blogspot.com/
6/12/2008 Wanda Dyson http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/13/2008 Ane Mulligan http://anemulligan.blogspot.com
6/13/2008 Jennifer AlLee http://jenniferallee.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Christina Nelson http://christinanelson.blogspot.com
6/16/2008 Robin Miller http://robinswritingworld.blogspot.com/
6/17/2008 Annette Irby www.annetteirby.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Sharon Hinck http://sharonwriting.blogspot.com
6/18/2008 Martha Rogers www.marthawrogers.com
6/19/2008 Susan May Warren scribbles.susanmaywarren.com
6/20/2008 Camy Tang http://camys-loft.blogspot.com
/6/23/2008 Ronie Kendig http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com
6/23/2008 Deb Raney www.deborahraney.com
6/24/2008 Colleen Coble http://girlswriteout.blogspot.com
6/25/2008 Rachel Hauck http://www.rachelhauck.com/blog.htm
6/26/2008 Brandilyn Collins www.forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com
6/26/2008 Cathy West http://writersrest.blogspot.com
6/27/2008 Jill Elizabeth Nelson
http://www.jillelizabethnelson.com/artisticblogger.shtml
6/28/2008 Gail Gaymer Martin www.gailmartin.blogspot.com
6/28/2008 Eileen Watson http://eileenastels.blogspot.com
/6/30/2008 Lynette Sowell www.lynettesowell.com
6/30/2008 Sue Brower http://acfwconference.blogspot.com/
6/30/2008 Julie Carobini http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Mary Connealy http://www.mconnealy.blogspot.com/
7/1/2008 Gina Conroy http://ginaconroy.com/ginablog/wordpress/
7/1/2008 Steve Laube http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/2/2008 Rachelle Gardner http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/
7/2/2008 Lena Nelson Dooley http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com
7/3/2008 Linda Fulkerson http://scrivenings.com
7/4/2008 Terry Burns http://www.terryburns.net/
7/4/2008 Rebecca Yauger http://acfwconference.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Carla Stewart http://carlastewart.blogspot.com
7/7/2008 Susan Downs http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Leanna Ellis http://www.leannaellis.com/news.html
7/9/2008 Rebecca Germany http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/9/2008 Rose McCauley www.rosemccauley.blogspot.com
7/10/2008 Sharon Dunn http://marilynngriffith.typepad.com/faithchick/
7/11/2008 Pam Meyers http://pammeyerswrites.blogspot.com/
7/11/2008 JoAnne Simmons http://editcafe.blogspot.com/
7/14/2008 Celia Tomer www.ceceliadowdy.blogspot.com
7/14/2008 Janice Olson www.janiceolson.com
7/15/2008 Angie Bredenbach http://godusesbrokenvessels.blogspot.com
7/15/2008 Cheryl Wyatt www.scrollsquirrel.blogspot.com
7/17/2008 Roxanne Rustad http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com;http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/18/2008 Margaret Daley http://margaretdaley.blogspot.com
7/22/2008 Pam Hillman http://www.calicotrails.blogspot.com/
7/28/2008 Virginia Smith www.virginiasmith.org/funstuff.html
7/30/2008 Cara Putman http://seekerville.blogspot.com/
8/1/2008 Christa Allen www.cballan.wordpress.com
8/3/2008 Deborah Vogts http://www.deborahvogts.com
8/4/2008 Michelle Hutchinson http://edgyinspirationalauthor.blogspot.com
8/6/2008 Tiff Stockton http://www.ambermiller.com
Hi Christina –
Thanks for the tips, especially the ones concerning possible scenarios. I’m keeping a rein on my expectations, a prayerful heart, and a focus on learning.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
I’m sure you probably told me you’re going, but I had forgotten. The great thing is that I got excited all over again to meet you.
🙂
Alas, I won’t be going to ACFW. Besides the lack of vacation time, the finances are not there. I am going to the Philly Conference (see my blogpost), which is much closer to home.
I’d love to meet you in person. Hopefully, it will happen this side of heaven. If not, we’ll meet there. As I said to another writer friend, we won’t even have to be introduced. 🙂
Blessings,
Susan