When I agreed to blog about ACFW, the finest Christian Fiction conference on the planet, I thought I’d share about the wonderful sessions, incredible worship, and unforgettable fellowship with fellow authors and agents. While all that is true, and I could probably share a blog post or two on the details of the conference and my personal experiences (actually did, just search my blog for them,) I decided instead to share a funny and what could have been really embarrassing moment for me and our key note speaker last year. Indulge me while I reminisce…

It was late when I finally arrived at ACFW. I had driven for over five hours and then visited with my sister in Fort Worth at the hospital. After making two treks from the car to the hotel room, I was tired. But not tired enough to change into my Writer…Interrupted T-shirt and head down to the lobby to see who was hanging out.

The lobby was buzzing with conference arrivals and those who had already settled into the lobby social hour. I immediately said hello to the edgy inspirational author aka Michelle Sutton, and Meredith Efken who were chatting away. Later I sat down with Meredith to chat for a while. The subject matter escapes me, but it’s the feeling of camaraderie and connection that I remember.

A crowd started to gather around our little area. We were on the couch, but I noticed several others gathered in a semi-circle around a gentleman in a chair. My memory is a little fuzzy, but I remember Camy Tang, Randy Ingermanson, and Sarah Anne Sumpolec being in the group laughing and talking.

I got up to greet some more friends and when I returned, Meredith had joined the little group. I was fading fast, so I plopped down on the couch next the to man in the chair who was engaged in conversation with the growing group.

Then unexpectedly, he turned to me and asked me my name. He held out his hand, and I shook it and said, “Gina Conroy, and you are?” (I was actually taking the advice of those on the conference loop that said when feeling introverted and shy, just ask someone their name!!! GREAT advice people! :0 Next time put a disclaimer to FIRST familiarize yourself with the key note speaker!)

The looks and giggles from “the group” surrounding him were memorable. I heard him say Jim something and then someone said, “He’s the key note speaker.” Call me slow… I’d just asked James Scott Bell who he was!!

When I got a good look at him, and titled my head slightly, he did look like his picture. I guess it was the location and pose that threw me off.

Jim was a good sport and said something like it being good for his ego! Then Camy bragged on me and my Writer…Interrupted site. Thanks Camy! Surprisingly enough I didn’t get embarrassed, and I milked it as a running joke for the rest of the conference. When I would see him in passing I would stick out my hand and say, “And your name is?” He’d shake it and give me a false name.

Like I said in previous posts on this blog. When I’m around other writers, even famous ones, I become a different person. I think I become the person God had designed me to be all along, before the crud and baggage of life crept in. I like the person who I am when I’m around other writers. I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not, I’m just me!

And it feels good!

More fun with James!

So for all those introverted writers (I’m one of them) you can rest at ease knowing you probably won’t do anything worse than I did last year at conference. And when you feel introverted and shy, like a guppy in a tank of big fish, just swim over and ask them their name! What’s the worse that could happen?

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