ACFW: My Conferene Journey in a Word or Two
I don’t know when I began the tradition of summing up my ACFW conference experience in a word, but looking back over the years God seemed to be speaking one or two words specifically for me concerning each conference. Maybe with all the excitement and conference overload one or two simple words was all I could handle. Maybe in this case, less was really more.
In 2006, the word was Why as I was on a writing fast that year. At conference, I longed for progress in my writing career as I witness friends at the same point in the journey receive writing contracts and leave me in their dust.Then came the other words,
Pride
Humility
Patience
OUCH! Boy, was that a conference to remember! And it was just the beginning of a great work God needed to do in my heart!
In 2007, the word was Flexibile. With the news that my younger sister JUST had a heart attack at age 36, my plans were up in the air. But she lived 45 minutes from where the conference was being held that year, and though my plans were slightly disrupted, I learned to be flexible and move where God wanted me to be.
In 2008, brought me my first stalker, and the words were connections and encouragement as the people at ACFW became more important than the sessions. Here’s a link to the end of my stalker story…don’t worry, it turned out to be a God thing.
In 2009, the words were Pensieve and Humbled as I felt disconnected, but comforted from a God who supplied my every need.
In summer of 2011, I was blinded sided when a highly respected author mentor of mine told me my historical romance wasn’t working and that I should start over with Women’s fiction. That’s when everything fell apart. While I “knew” I wasn’t a romance writer, I couldn’t imagine hitting delete on 50,000 words and year’s worth of writing. But eventually, I did and grieved and doubted and decided to skip ACFW conference for a few smaller more intimate conferences that year. At these smaller conferences, I found my voice again, and got a confirmation from my writing hero, Lisa Samson, that “I really had something.” It was just what I needed to restart my story and confidence.
This year, ACFW 2011, brought the word significant. But I’ve given you more than enough to chew on for a week, so I’ll pick up that story next Friday! And trust me, you won’t want to miss it!
Let’s Talk: What one word stands out for you and your writing journey?
