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Moments from the ACFW Conference – Appointments
For many writers, the conference appointments are a time of anxiety. Until recently I fell into that category too. I’ve come to the place where I enjoy the opportunity to share my passion for my stories. Conference provides many chances to chat with like-minded people, but during those precious 15 minutes, the agent or editor across the table is somewhat your captive audience.
My goal this year was to find an agent with whom I would fit well. I asked other authors this brilliant question, “How did you know your agent was right for you?” Each time I chuckled, because I sounded like my dear friend Gretchen when each of our friends got married. You could always count on Gretchen asking, “But how did you know he was the one?” And we’d answer, “You just know.”
Well, I had the appointment with the agent I’d carefully chosen months before, and wouldn’t you know it, I just knew. After only 15 minutes, I felt completely at ease with this person. I guess God had it all in His control. This agent, the one I really want to sign with, may not feel the same about me. I’ll have to do what writers do. Wait, pray, drive my critique partners nuts, and I continually check my email for that request or rejection. Regardless of the answer, I’ll keep writing. God knows what I need, and He cares enough to take care of me.
By the way, my other appointment was mentoring with Deborah Raney. Writers, if you have the chance to do this, take it. In 15 minutes, I was encouraged, we talked out future plot ideas, and she gave me great pointers to strengthen the endings of my stories.
Hope the suns shining on you today,
Christina
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Moments from the ACFW conference, Chick-fil-A
I’d never been to a Chick-fil-A, but I’d heard of them from writers that live in other parts of the country. And then of course there is Tim Hawkins’ loving tribute to the restaurant (see video below). I had to see this place for myself. Good sports that they are, my critique group took me across the street from our hotel and into the downtown Indianapolis mall. At the top of the escalator we found our treasure. There was a cow wearing a t-shirt advocating the eating of chickens. A dream come true. Okay, maybe it wasn’t that big of a deal, but the chance to do something new with a group of my favorite people really was priceless. Oh, and the chicken sandwich was very yummy.
Donna Moore, Kimberly Buckner, a cow, Jodie Bailey, and me. -
I’m here!
I made it through a very long day of travel yesterday, but at the end my critique partner Jodie was there to meet me. Yay! That made the long hours of sitting in tiny seats worth it.
Did you know you can get a flu shot right there in the Denver airport? Now that is efficiency.
The hotel and conference center is beautiful. My room is on the nineteenth floor, and if you’re brave, you can look all the way down to the ground floor. I haven’t taken a good look yet.
My roommate, Heidi Chiavaroli, arrived today. I’m so glad to meet her. And anytime now, Donna and Kimberly should be here. Having this extra time today to hang out is wonderful.
More later,
Christina
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Back online and out the door!
Yay for the wise tech people that solved my database error. I don’t even have a clue what a database error is so it’s great they were there to help. Now I’m back online, and just in time to leave for the 2010 ACFW conference in Indianapolis. As I write, I’m sitting on the Hut Shuttle in route to Portland International Airport. My dear friend and critique partner, Jodie Bailey, is driving her way up from Tennessee. I can’t wait to see her at the end of this very long day.
This is a special conference for me. Of course I think it’s special every year, but this year most of my critique group will be attending. Donna and Kimberly will arrive tomorrow. Janay, we’ll miss you. This year is also special for me because I accomplished a major goal. I finaled in the Genesis contest. This was one of those goals I didn’t really know if I’d ever meet, but last May I found out that I made the cut in Women’s Fiction and in Contemporary Fiction. I’m still shocked. The winners will be announced at the banquet Sunday night. And believe it or not, there is a lot of truth to the “It’s just an honor to be nominated” thing.
I’ll update you as I go. Hopefully with pictures.
Christina
