Into the Fire

Yeah, I’m headed to my third year at the same conference (Northwest Christian Writers Renewal). Thrilled that this year I will meet Brandilyn Collins face to face not just because I enjoy her work but because she’s genuine, a real person who loves the Lord. I will miss Mick Silva who I truly love because he, too, is real and gives those he talks to either professionally or privately the eye-to-eye, you have my attention, and it doesn’t matter who you are. He’s a cool guy and a friend. I will have two editor appointments which I only look forward to because I love to meet people and find out what makes them tick in this business. I will also enjoy the face to face handshake with Harvest House’s Nick Harrison who is just an all around great guy and who had the grace to respond to a snarky comment I made after a post he wrote on a now-defunct blog a few years ago.

I don’t feel like a veteran, but I don’t feel like a newbie either. I know the “pitch” thing is not my thing, so I’ll probably simply slide a “paper pitch” across the table and try conversation. It’s kind of humiliating to do the group thing because there are so many degrees of anxiety and professionalism from “contestants”. It’s just awkward. I’m not really a competitor, and although group involvement doesn’t bother me, I excel at one-on-ones.

When you see the number of books being produced—either from the general market or from CBA—and you read about the ever-increasing number of queries to agents who often can’t keep up with them, it’s easy to understand the necessity for attending a conference. There’s nothing like putting a face to a name or getting the opportunity to bless an individual with an encouraging word, conversation, prayer, or laugh.   

The first year I attended alone and last year I took a friend from my writers’ group that is no more. This year I’ll be solo again.

For me, I think it’s important to remember it’s not always about writing. You know?

God, go before me and make my path straight. I ask in the Name of Jesus, Amen.