Can a writer's conference be a divine appointment?
Most definitely! While I'd written and published scripts, when I began writing novels I didn't have a support system. I was all alone—just me and my computer, alone at my desk, alone in my room. No one to talk to about writing. No one to share with. Did I mention I was alone?
Then in 2004, I received an email about a writer's conference. We (hubby and I) decided I should go. I arrived early and my room wasn't ready, so I plopped down on a sofa in the lobby next to another attendee, Gina Holmes. She'd come for the conference, too, and over the course of the conference, we ran into each other a lot.
I won't tell you what she thought of me (you'll have to ask her about that), but by the end of the conference, she'd decided I wasn't certifiable and we'd become friends. We were at about the same level of writing, what Randy Ingermanson calls Freshman.
I invited her to join the crit group I belonged to. Another writer, Jessica Dotta, joined around the same time. The three of us hit it off right from the start. The following year, Jessica joined us for a conference. It was about that time we formed our own private online crit group.
But Gina and Jess weren't the only people I met at that conference who've had a major impact on my writing life. Deb Raney has been a mentor and an encourager to me from the first day we met in her class. She also recommended we join ACFW. This was the third divine appointment. I joined as soon as I got home, and the next conference I attended was ACFW's in Nashville, 2005.
That was the best move for me in my writing. I've learned so much, but even more, I've gained lifelong friends. Only God could have brought Gina and Jessica and me together in a divine appointment. They're young enough to be my daughters, proof that God has a sense of humor.
This year, I was privileged to be on the faculty at another conference. And guess what? Yep ... another divine appointment. I spent time with a wonderful agent I'd gotten to know through ACFW, and signed with her.
So if you've prayed about going to a conference, let me recommend the ACFW conference in Minneapolis. Registration is open now, just click on the picture of Angela Hunt, then get excited and prepare for a divine appointment.
Most definitely! While I'd written and published scripts, when I began writing novels I didn't have a support system. I was all alone—just me and my computer, alone at my desk, alone in my room. No one to talk to about writing. No one to share with. Did I mention I was alone?
Then in 2004, I received an email about a writer's conference. We (hubby and I) decided I should go. I arrived early and my room wasn't ready, so I plopped down on a sofa in the lobby next to another attendee, Gina Holmes. She'd come for the conference, too, and over the course of the conference, we ran into each other a lot.
I won't tell you what she thought of me (you'll have to ask her about that), but by the end of the conference, she'd decided I wasn't certifiable and we'd become friends. We were at about the same level of writing, what Randy Ingermanson calls Freshman.
I invited her to join the crit group I belonged to. Another writer, Jessica Dotta, joined around the same time. The three of us hit it off right from the start. The following year, Jessica joined us for a conference. It was about that time we formed our own private online crit group.
But Gina and Jess weren't the only people I met at that conference who've had a major impact on my writing life. Deb Raney has been a mentor and an encourager to me from the first day we met in her class. She also recommended we join ACFW. This was the third divine appointment. I joined as soon as I got home, and the next conference I attended was ACFW's in Nashville, 2005.
That was the best move for me in my writing. I've learned so much, but even more, I've gained lifelong friends. Only God could have brought Gina and Jessica and me together in a divine appointment. They're young enough to be my daughters, proof that God has a sense of humor.
This year, I was privileged to be on the faculty at another conference. And guess what? Yep ... another divine appointment. I spent time with a wonderful agent I'd gotten to know through ACFW, and signed with her.
So if you've prayed about going to a conference, let me recommend the ACFW conference in Minneapolis. Registration is open now, just click on the picture of Angela Hunt, then get excited and prepare for a divine appointment.
What a wonderful story! I am looking forward to the conference.
ReplyDeleteAnd because you went to that conference and joined ACFW and kept writing, you and I are now great friends. You are a fantastic cheerleader, Ane.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Julie
Divine appointment? Absolutely! The writing group I belong to came together when we met as first-timers at the 2007 Florida Christian Writers Conference. We support and encourage one another and the friendships are priceless. Two of us will be attending the ACW conference in Orlando tomorrow and I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteJohnnie
I'd been to several writers conferences before attending ACFW and it was more wonderful than I could imagine. I am looking forward to this years conference.
ReplyDelete