ACFW Conference--Goals are Good

I think this will be my last post on the ACFW Conference. While I haven’t run out of things to say, I think I’m running out of things anyone would want to read. Might be I’ve already passed that point.

But the blog will pick back up on the next stage of my journey to publication. When that happens, I’ll happily let you all know.

This summer I spent some time re-evaluating my writing goals, something I do from time to time. Which got me thinking about what my goals were for the upcoming ACFW conference. I finally settled on go, be professional, and have fun.

Okay, “go” sounds like an unusual goal, but in the weeks and days and hours leading up to the conference so many barriers popped up between the conference and me that just getting there was going to be an achievement. On several levels it would have made more sense for me to just stay home. But Peter and I were convinced that God wanted me to go. So I did. And left the details to Him to work out.

So one goal down, two to go.

Be professional. This really wasn’t a hard goal for me as it tends to be my default mode when I’m nervous. But as I thought about what I wanted “being professional” to encompass, I would have to stretch a bit as well. One of the big advantages of a conference is getting to meet and interact with other writers. I wanted to make sure I made the most of this, which would mean stepping out of my comfort zone and making the first attempt to start a conversation, to participate in workshops and meal time talk.

Actually, this wasn’t as hard to do as I thought it would be. Partly because I have a deficiency in adult talking time since I primarily spend time with my kids. Partly because talking about writing is just so darn much fun. And partly since my crit partner Jenny can talk to anyone about anything. Plus, having been in ACFW for two years and participating fairly frequently in the forums, a lot of names were more familiar. It didn’t feel like I was talking to strangers.

The final goal was a shoe-in.

I had a blast. I felt relaxed and in the company of good friends. The worshipful spirit permeated the conference. And I got to talk about writing. How much better could it get?

I’ll let you know when I get to the next leg of the journey. Until then, God’s blessings on you.