Meet me in St. Louie, Louie, meet me at the Conference!
It’s fabulous!
You should come! Really!
St. Louis is a grand city! They have an arch in plain view from the hotel.
The hotel has cool carpet.
I’ll be there!
Listen, I know what it’s like to feel lost, alone, stupid, clumsy, and like an outsider at a conference. In 2002, I attended the first ACFW conference and I felt completely on the outside. I left saying I’d never go to another conference again.
Ha! I was the Vice President of ACFW and conference coordinator two weeks later and heading the charge to Houston 2003.
But 11 years later, I still have moments when I feel like the third wheel, or the unwanted step child. I think my agent or my editor doesn’t want to talk to me. Or, that my friends are busy with other friends. I lose a contest. No one likes the worship songs I picked.
(Here I am with the fab Diann Hunt, Kristin Billerbeck and Colleen Coble!)
It’s always something. But really? It’s nothing! The conference is worth all those momentary feelings of “being left out.”
Look, if I can feel left out — an advisor, teacher, mentor, worship leader, published author who’s attended every ACFW conference — then surely you can brave a moment or two of feeling the same. Right?
I tell you all of this to let you know you’re not alone. Come to the conference. I can guarantee you there will be folks to love on you, put an arm around you, pray with you. At the very least, you come to the worship sets and connect with the One who loves you more than His own life and get your attitude and perspective straightened.
(with Cheryl Hodde of Hannah Alexander!)
Chin up now. Attitude toward the Lord. Hearts open to give and receive. Here’s what you will get from the conference:
1. Excellent teaching.
2. Excellent accommodations.
3. Sparkling and inspiring keynote address.
4. Worship with 500 brothers and sisters in Christ.
5. St. Louis! Me me there!
6. My Book Therapy Pizza Party.
7. Connecting with old and new friends.
8. Meeting editors and agents, those who can help guild you along your publishing journey.
9. Four of the most frenetic days you’ll be glad to go home to the hubby/wife, wild banshee kids and barking dogs. Two days later you’ll miss the conference so bad you’ll ache!
10. Investing in your dream to be a published author is the first right step you’ll take!
I’m glad the Lord had other things in mind for me than quitting the conference in 2002. What joy I would’ve missed if I’d let my fears keep me back.
In all my conference years, I didn’t know what I’m doing half the time. I botched more editor and agent appointments than I care to consider. I missed workshops. I offended people. I got offended. Come on, we’re people.
But I go every year with the core value: to love others and seek to esteem them higher than myself. With that as my main goal, the conference becomes easy. It’s not about me! Sigh of relief.
Surely you can join me with the same high calling? Let the Lord see to our careers, our writing destination. He’s good at handling those things.
Conference is too easy to get discouraged if our eyes are on ourselves. Someone else seems to be so favored while you feel like a log of knotted pine.
At one conference, I’ll never forget the reaction of one author when her editor appointment produced the words, “your work is incredible.”
I can still see the author smiling from ear to ear, bouncing around, celebrating with her friends. The rest of the conferencees were whispering, wondering. Lucky girl. She scored.
Yeah, I was a bit green. But I put my head down, focused on myself and got to work doing what the Lord had given me to do.
Do you know that author’s career has yet to land a major house book deal? I know… hard to believe.
You just never know! Don’t judge. Don’t think you’re a loser before you even get started! Don’t think that one over there will get a book deal or favor and not you.
Yet, rejoice with those who do and wait for God’s perfect timing for you. Do you know I met the lovely, gracious and talented Susan May Warren at the 2002 Conference.
She was Miss Thing that year having just signed with Tyndale. Her star was rising. I never thought she’d be friends with me. But guess what? Conference after conference we became friends. We served on ACFW board together. We found a kindred heart. She’s been instrumental in my writing career. All because I accepted the invitation to put my insecurity and fears behind me.
So, how should you prepare for the conference?
1. Adopt my core value: Esteem others above yourself. Think the best of every one. Forgive easy. Don’t be offended. Be humble! Jesus loves humility!
2. Prepare as best you can. Get your pitch ready. Study the craft. Editor your story. Get that hook set so you can converse with an editor or agent about your work.
3. Adopt a casual professional look. Don’t spend a bunch of money you don’t have, but go through your wardrobe and figure out what looks good on you. It doesn’t have to be the latest styles, but try too look as professional as possible.
4. Pray, pray, pray.
5. Reach out to others before hand. It helps break the ice the first day. 😉
Can’t wait to see you in St. Louis.
Comments 15
Oh that is so true about feeling ‘wrong’ and ‘out of step’ especially if it’s your first conference. I’m so glad you came back Rachel. I wish you’d been at my table…maybe you were? I had anxiety problems for years –gone now –bad gluten! And I made it through those dinners praying for a smile from anyone. Seems like I always received one. Made some lifetime friends too.
What a great post, Rachel! And so true for us all. I missed conference last year and can’t wait for this one!
What a great post! And as of last Thursday it looks like I’m gonna make it after all!!!!!
[anyone else see Mary Tyler Moore just now?]
Can’t wait! I’ve stayed at the hotel and it really is quite nice. 🙂
Carol
I saw this mentioned on Twitter and hopped over to read it. I’m excited about the Conference–my first writing conference of any kind! I began my registration, but I have so many questions on how things work and when to arrive, etc. I’ll have to pick a few brains before I make my final decisions . . .
Very good post. I’ll tweet it and it’ll go to my Facebook account.
I’d been to other writers’ conferences, but 2003 Houston was my first ACFW/ACRW conference. I roomed with Diann Hunt, Tammy Alexander and Colleen Coble. What a year, for sure.
If you write Christian fiction and have a chance to go to the ACFW conference, go, go, go! 🙂
Great post, Rachel. I love conference and would love to attend again this year. It’s just not in the cards, at this moment.
Have a great time, take lots of pictures and post them asap!
Thanks to some mad, secretive number crunching by my darling man, I will get to go this year, my second ACFW conference. I can relate to the whispers of fear and insecurity, and can also attest to the blessings and priceless benefits of attending. And I WILL take you up on that Pizza Party invite this time. (hung back and felt I’d missed out last year…)
Gotta leave the wall and dance sometime, right?
Looking forward to worshipping with you again, Rachel. Thanks for the encouraging words. 😀
YAY! I’m going this year!! 😀 And just an aside…while I would *really* love to meet you, I’ve also requested a mentor appointment with you. Top of my list! 🙂 Thanks Rachel, this is one great post!
Wonderful post, Rachel. It will be only my 2nd time at ACFW–so, great reminders for me. Now I’m looking forward to conference more than ever!
And there’s always a Starbucks in the hotel. 😉
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Thanks for stopping by all! Can’t wait to see you in St. Louis!
Crystal, what great roomies you had! I loved that conference. It’s still one of my favorites.
Rachel
Rachel, I can’t get off work at that time this year and I had so hoped to make this my first writing conference. Reading your blog depressed me at first until I came to the part of God’s perfect timing for me. You have helped me find peace, and when disappointment sneaks up on me, I’ll remember this.
Thanks!
Jackie, I understand. God’s timing IS perfect! Trust Him. I know it’s hard, trust me, I do, but I also know He can be trusted! He does Love and Care for you!
XO,
Rachel