Countdown to One of My Dreams

In two days I will be on a plane to San Jose, California. From there my friends and I will drive to the Mount Hermon conference center. There is where I will attend one of the most prestigious Christian Writer's conferences in the country. A huge item on my bucket list!

I'm trying not to develop specific expectations, but it's hard not to dream of what it will be like and what I would like to accomplish and who I would like to meet. But I have been told by previous attendees to simply let God's plan for me in the event to unfold.

I do have hopes of meeting with some publishing and writing professionals. Liz Curtis Higgs is the keynote speaker - one of my favorite authors. And many of the top publishing houses and magazine publishers will be there.


But I will try to guard my heart against trying to control my own destiny. I know that what will be will be. Isn't that one of the biggest temptations we battle - controlling our circumstances and believing our plan is better than God's?

I hope to keep you posted on what happens while I'm there, but if you don't hear from me I'm either floating on a cloud or pouting on a bench somewhere.

Soon.....

Remember Your First Conference?

It's been a while since I posted. I've been busy directing the Inland NW Christian Writers Conference which concluded last weekend.

Our faculty included John Van Diest from Tyndale House, James L. Rubart,- best selling author, Angela Breidenbach - author and speaker, Agent Blythe Daniel, and our keynote speaker - author Clint Kelly. It was a wonderful conference with over %50 of the attendees having never been to a writers conference before. Our theme was Amazing Awaits.

I remember my first conference. What a thrill it was to network with other writers and hobnob with publishing professionals. Inspiration and encouragement was thick in the air and I came home from that weekend ready to take on the world with my writing.

As I watched people leaving the event this weekend with big smiles, I knew some had just experienced the same kind of elation I had back then. This is the great thing about conferences. We need each other and this is the best place to congregate.

I've packed away the paperwork and decorations, but I'm hanging on to the images of new writers riding the wave of enthusiasm.

What was your first conference experience like?

It's the "I showed up for school in my underware" dream.

I'm in the last week of preparations for my writer's conference - the Inland NW Christian Writers conference of which I'm founder and director. I think I've thought of everything. I think I have all my bases covered and my ducks in a row.

I've decided what to wear and typed out my Emcee notes and workshop handouts. I've been answering emails from registered attendees daily. They have questions about what to do and what to expect. For most of them it's their first writers conference. Some are anxious or nervous - the rest are petrified.

It reminds me of my school days when, like most people, I had dreams of showing up at school in my underwear, or tried in vain to open my locker because I forgot the combination. Or it was my first day in high school and I had no idea where to go or what to do. It was the nightmare of all nightmares.

Here is the advise I have been giving to those who are worrying too much:
This conference is not about how you perform. It's about what God will show and speak to you as you go through this event.

Each time we reach out into the unknown by attending a class or conference or writers group, it's an opportunity for us to get new and possibly unexpected direction. We need to remember to listen and be open to new ideas concerning our dreams and goals.

When we can relax and enjoy the process, we are less likely to have anxiety and those pesky nightmares.

Have you ever been so anxious about a conference or other event that it interfered with your enjoyment?

Persistance sometimes pays off...

I finally made it into Chicken Soup for the Soul.

One major goal accomplished

in a long list of goals for my writing.

I'ts a story about my precious daughter and how she

nearly lost her voice after thyroid surgery.

Writing it was therapy and a reminder that life and

love is not something to be squandered.

I hope you will pick up a copy - release

date is March 13, 2012.

May you reach a major goal this coming year. It

feels good :).