Okay, here they are: My extremely helpful tips for writers going to the ACFW conference (or any writer’s conference really).
But first…
Monday I’ll be posting the Faith Readers Group review of Code Triage, a novel by the lovely Candace Calvert! I’ll also announce the winner for the $5 Starbucks or Amazon card. You still have time to play the Urban Fun Words Game and get a shot at winning! You can enter HERE!
Wednesday, I’m uber-stoked to host the launch of Donna Pyle’s new Bible Study, The God of All Comfort! She’s got an AMAZING giveaway (besides the study itself) so make sure you come and tweet and share about it on facebook!
And Friday, that lovely author, Candace Calvert, I was talking about will be here with us chatting about her medical series. Think Grey’s Anatomy meets faith! It’s going to be a blast!
Now, tips you can’t pass up!
Have a great weekend!
I haven't started working on my pitch or my one sheet. Are you surprised? 🙂 The scariest thing about my first ACFW conference was that I didn't know anyone. Not one single person. The biggest blessing was simply how nice and welcoming everyone was.
I am not! lol I think you should pitch wearing your plastic protectors from the factory! 🙂
You should definitely wear those plastic eye protectors!!
Not going – and avoiding most posts/emails, etc. about it to tame the green-eyed monster.
But DEFINITELY looking forward to Candace Calvert stopping by – have one of her books on my kindle.
I will miss you, Joanne. But I know one day we'll get to meet in person. Prepare for a huge hug.
I didn't get to go last year and I can relate to not reading the posts etc…
Great advice! It IS all about Him!
wish I were going! I'll be at the NJRW Conference in October though.
I wish you were going too! I'm sure you'll have a fab time at the NJRW!
I so agree with you, Jessica, 100% 🙂 I love that His shoulders are so big and that this path is all His to lay, not mine. Yes, I need to be responsible and be prepared, but the rest is His. Takes the pressure completely off.
Hope to see you there!
Great advice, Jess!
Thanks for the wonderful reminders of what it's all about!
Have a good weekend!
Thanks for the advice! 🙂 At least the second half of it!! I can't wait to meet you – I bet you're a blast to be with. This is my first writer's conference ever and I'm choosing to go to the biggest one out there! Ahh. I have very few expectations, but to learn and soak up as much as I can. I'm not pitching formally (because my WIP isn't ready), but I will be talking to mentors and just listening to everyone who has something to teach me. I hope I can be an encouragement to others, in some way, as well. Looking forward to meeting everyone!!
You totally rock, Jess!! Can't wait to meet you in person at ACFW…finally!! 🙂
I want to follow you around at the conference while you try on various personas to see who you finally settle on. Bond Girl? Super Spy? Princess of Bavaria? Though I admit, I'll be sad if you aren't yourself, because yourself is so witty and funny and :D.
Girl, you are hilarious! I agree with Erica – you should TOTALLY be a Bond Girl. Then you'd be right up there with the Queen, thanks to the Olympic Opening Ceremony. 🙂
Yes, be yourself at conferences, because eventually the real you shows through anyway and you don’t want to come across as a schizophrenic. Mass exodus of all offers (including a ride to the airport) will follow. 🙂
Jessica, I am laughing SO HARD as I'm watching this. Yes, HOW can we be ourselves when we're so nervous? And love the conflicting advice to memorize that hood, but don't let it sound memorized.
Girl, if I ever make it to a conference, I'm hunting you down! I think we could have some serious laughs together! Great vlog post! So fun!
And great advice to remember WHY we go–why we thought our book was important to write.
Praying for all you ACFW-going peeps this year! All the best to you!
(OOPS< memorize that HOOK! you can see I was laughing as I typed!)
Jessica,
Well, it looks like you and I will by vying for bathroom stalls……
I'm praying – and praying and praying and praying – that I can still make it. God has 9 more days to provide and like you said, He already knows if I'll be there so I don't have to worry or wonder.
Wonderful – and VERY Jessica – post today. I'm passing this one on!
Blessings,
Becky
Great post!! I laughed then laughed some more. Looking forward to seeing you there.
I'm so happy to report that I've never pitched to someone while their pants were down. 🙂 You are so dang funny!!
I think pitching is the scariest thing I've ever done in my life. (Okay, maybe not the scariest.) But I do not like pitching. My message to other writers… You guys will be great. I'm the only one on this planet who sucks at it, I promise. 😉
Jess, I'm so unbelievably, crazy upset that I won't be there to meet you. The biggest blessing about ACFW is meeting the most incredible writer friends ever!!!!
Twitter led me to your blog for the first time, Jessica & I'm so happy it did! What a great vlog–funny & motivational. Thanks you. And I'll be in Dallas too.
Super fun post! Thanks for the laugh and encouragement. I found your blog through twitter's ACFW section, and yes, I'll be in Dallas for the conference (first time to this one)! *WOOT WOOT*
I think your comment of WHO we're ultimately doing this for is the best piece of advice for us writers to keep in mind. When it all comes down to it, every writers' conference I've attended (both Christian and non) are filled with people just like me (imagine that!). People who are nervous, excited, maybe had a rough week, or had moments of feeling intimidated. People who just need other people to look like Jesus and talk like Jesus and cheer them on like Jesus.
My motto is similar to yours: Prepare like heck. And then show up seeking to discover whatever it is that God has for you. However that may look. 🙂
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