ACFW Conference ... Dallas 2007

"Deb Raney" D'Ann Mateer and me as Brandilyn Collins.

Sorry about the delay in reporting, folks. I'm back from the ACFW conference and still bleary-eyed.

We could have posted from the conference, but sometimes even we need to just"be". We hadn't intended to take a break, but Ane and I really needed it apparently.

We brought our new and improved video equipment to do some vodcasts from Dallas and did sit down with Brandilyn Collins, but that was the only one we got around to. We just wanted to talk with friends, worship, pray, and laugh, and laugh, and laugh, and laugh.

Every year those of us who go to this conference leave with a couple of "this is why I came" fors.

Personally, I've come out of a very long and difficult period in my personal life and I was able to lay this burden at Jesus' feet finally. To accept His forgiveness for my failings and to be reminded that He loves me. That He really, really, loves me. Wow.

Rachel Hauck and her oh so anointed worship team blessed the toenail polish off me (I wasn't wearing socks, okay?). Oh I felt God's presence when they played. Wow again.

Did I get a book contract? Nah, I signed nothing but met with some interested people who I genuinely enjoyed my time with not because of what they could give me but for them.

You know, the folks in the CBA are really, really cool. Worshiping with them reminded me, we're all in this together. We're all here for a common purpose: to write amazing stories that bless God's heart.

Jess and I spent a morning on our knees as God screamed (gently) in our ears that this is your tribe. These are your people. They're imperfect sinners like us, sometimes get their eyes off the goal, (like us), but they love ME. I love THEM. Always, always, offer to them blessings not cursings. No matter what.

Wow, I love the folks in the CBA.

I am so proud of my critique group, The Penwrights. We swept the Genesis contest which was thrilling. Six of us finaled and we took first through third places in our category. Very cool.

ACFW is amazing. Robin Miller, our president worked her butt off. If you are in need of someone to send a thank you note to ... you might want to send one to her if you're part of that organization. (If you're not, you honestly should be.)

Another highlight was meeting new folks whose writing is "ripe". Oh what an amazing thing to ask to see what someone is pitching and then finding out it's just right and ready to publish. That this person knows the craft and has the gift and is ready for publication. Sara Mills, represented by Steve Laube comes to mind. Can this girl write? Ha. Reading her manuscript was like watching Casa Blanca. You had the feeling of being in a black and white movie. Holy smoke is this girl ready to pop. And besides, I really, really like her. Her sense of humor is horribly inappropriate. Oh wait, that's me. Whatever.

What else did I learn? I played Brandilyn Collins in a skit and found I'm not the prettiest red-head (not cherry-red anyway), Brandt Dodson is sooooooooo funny. Ha. I'm still laughing about his toe story. (You'll have to ask him about it when you meet him), Mary DeMuth is even cooler than you think she is, Andy Meisenheimer (acquisitions editor for Zondervan) is going to age really fast because it's apparently his birthday every day. Make sure to tell him Happy Birthday each time you run into him. ) Sue Brower and Jan Stob are editors who know their stuff and speaking to each of them left me feeling really good about the state of the CBA. Editors want to publish fiction that changes lives. Fiction that thinks outside the box. Fiction that furthers the kingdom. They truly do. Isn't that cool to know?

Oh and on more than one occasion I was told to read a memoir called "Glass Castles". I think that's right.

Did I make a fool out of myself this year? You bet! I said stupid things to several editors and authors, and well, this is par for the course for me.

Yet another thing I got out of this conference was that I have really, really, really, really loyal and awesome friends. Jessica Dotta is not a fan of public speaking, but when a public speaking moment I was required to do conflicted with an editor appointment that was very important to me arose, she agreed to take over the speaking for me. This is huge if you know her. Luckily, she didn't have to because Ane Mulligan (now known as Polly Ann) was thrilled to do it for me. She's soooooo shy. Not.

I have good and loyal and amazing friends who complete me in this arena. Thank you God.

Oh and Heather Diane Tipton whispered to me "Run Forest, run." as I went up to accept my Genesis award. I nearly tripped. Ha. Got to love that girl. (She does amazing blog tours btw. Very effective because her personal relationship with bloggers is so good. I will always try my best to find a way to accomodate the authors she's representing.)

Jim Bell gave an amazing keynote and is now known not for his wonderful writing or super sweet and gracious personality, but as being a hairy man. Ask someone who went to explain.

Jim Bell rocks.

There were so many highlights and so many people I laughed with. So many people who blessed me, that I don't have time to mention all...


But I will tell you the coolest thing that happened: On the elevator at the hotel where our conference was being held and where most of us stayed, a maid smiled at me and Deborah Raney and said, "Who are you all? Everyone is so nice to us."

Hey... how's that for doing something right? Praise God for ACFW and the people who sacrificed so we all could be blessed. May God bless you in return.

UPDATE: next year's ACFW conference will be held in Minneapolis and the book signing will be held at The Mall of America!! How cool is that?