ACFW Memories Part 1

 I remember my first ACFW conference in Nashville, Tennesse. Therese Stenzel, Margaret Daley and I drove nine hours, talking pitches and plotting all the way. Therese and I were anxious, Margaret was our encourager.

The conference filled me socially and spiritually. I met online friends and new friends. Lasting friendships with people like me, who got me and never questioned what I was doing writing.

The only thing I really remember about the editor appointments is standing outside the doors being really nervous. But when I sat down in front of an editor and shared my story, I felt at ease and confident. The editors requested my proposals and I was flying high.

I remember my agent appoint critique with Steve Laube like it was yesterday. Standing in the hall waiting for him to come from another appointment. Worrying about him shredding my proposal/writing to pieces. Wondering if I had the right room when he didn’t show on time and feeling the nervous heat of the moment. But his smile eased my anxiety and his words soothed my anxiousness. He said I was a good writer, that I had the highest scores out of all his critiques, but he couldn’t quite buy into my story idea. I secretly hoped to be offered representation by my brilliant prose, but I walked away with so much more. Feeling uplifted and validated as a writer.

By January my priorities in life were messed up, and I didn’t know how to get them back on track. My desire to be published peaked to the neglect of my family. I knew things weren’t right, but couldn’t seem to reign myself in. A month or two later God told me to lay my Isaac on the altar. I did, and physically grieved for the loss of a possible dream, my Isaac. I plugged away, soul searching, interviewing writing moms all the while wondering “why me?”

The next year in Dallas brought me to a place of yearning. For my career and for God, to be a part of the comradery. Though officially not writing, I longed to be around my writing friends. People who understood me. I witnessed other writers having from a far. I witnessed my crit partner get a contract right at the conference and I had to deal with all sorts of emotions…jealousy and the “why not me” factor. Though I knew partly “why not me…” I wasn’t ready and didn’t have a manuscript. I pitched some ideas, got some interested and built stronger relationships. I also met my future agent.

I was thrilled to get the green light to write before ACFW Dallas 2007 and when I pitched to two agents, they were interested. That sent me on an emotional and writing rollercoaster, frantically trying to get my submission in before next conference. If you’re new here and want to read what happened visit my writing blog. 

All that brings me to today. Already the memories and emotions are starting to fade, but I don’t want to forget the feeling and friendships at ACFW Minnesota. Though it was a complete 180 from my first time in Nashville, it was just as awe inspiring and confirming that I’m where God wants me to be.But I’ll get to that later in the week!