I’ve been preparing for the ACFW conference. As it draws closer, both my anticipation and anxiety levels are increasing.
My pitch packets are ready. Am I?
My appointment requests are in. But whom will I actually be meeting with?
My razor is charging. Need to present a professional appearance.
My wardrobe is coming together. Sort of.
My checklist is ready for the checkmarks that an item is done. Love making those checkmarks.
Looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones, especially a special dinner with my accountability partner.
Looking forward to the classes and workshops. Learn more of the craft. Hone my skills. See areas where I can get better.
Looking forward to the appointments but the anxiety alarms are blaring. What if none of the agents and editors likes any of my ideas? What if I stumble and bumble my way through the appointment or a meal? Or even a chance meeting in the hallway or the bookstore?
Deep breath and focus. What are my goals for this conference?
To enjoy the time with other writers.
To become a better writer.
To learn through appointments more about my stories and myself, to grow as a professional.
To receive and marvel at all that God will show me over these few days.
What are your goals when you attend writers’ conferences?
Hi Henry! I’m here in St. Louis waiting for you! ha! I totally get where you’re coming from in your post. Your fears are the same as mine. Will I fumble on my pitch, will they like my idea, will I stand out in a cast of hundreds (being the introvert that I am, I tend to sit in the shadows!)? I’m not only here to pitch my book idea, but to learn more on the craft of writing. And of course to see old friends and make new ones. Looking forward to seeing you! 🙂
Darlene
Thanks, Darlene.
See you at the conference.
Writer’s conferences are the best! They consistently make me a sharper writer, as well as make me aware of the most recent trends in the market. Plus, you just can’t replace rubbing elbows with other writers.
What are my goals? To learn, to grow, to pitch (can’t leave that out!) and reevaluate while being away from the “noise.”
Thanks for stopping by, Chris. Good points about pitching and reevaluating away from the noise.