Writing in the Midst of Life

I know it’s been a long time, and I should have updated this sooner, but I’ll give it my best shot and conclude what has turned into a series.

I tried to get a meeting with Chip MacGregor, but he was all booked. I put my name on a list in case something opened up. Later I returned 15 minutes early before my meeting with Steve Laube to go to the prayer room. I settled in, and opened the bible, but before I could really enage in anything spiritual, a friend comes in the room and calls me out. I had no clue why I would be ushered out of the prayer room, but she informed me Chip had an opening, now! So I gathered my stuff and thoughts and sat down with Chip. I don’t think I really pitched, but I do remember him reading my proposal and him making suggestions, correction my commas misplacement, me hoping my face wasn’t beat red, etc. I’m a visual person, so while the images of that meeting is etched in my memory, the conversation isn’t. The most important part is that he requested it!

When the meeting was over, I ran across the hall and met with Steve. He looked over my proposal and first chapter, gave me suggestions, and asked me to send it in. I know it’s a very abreviated version of what really happened, but the most important part of the meetings is that I felt very comfortable talking with both agents, and walked away feeling good about the meeting and the request.

Fast forward seven months and I’m still pounding away on the keys, tweaking, and fretting about actually sending this WIP out. After ACFW Steve emailed me. We emailed back and forth and the words that stuck with me was (and this is a loose quote) “a great book can’t be rushe.” Well, I haven’t rushed. And I hope my book is great. But there’s still a few more things I have to do before I can send it out!