September 25, 2006 @ 4:14 pm | Filed under: Uncategorized

I’m back from ACFW, tired yet energized about writing. That’s what a good conference will do for you, isn’t it? This conference is such an amazing blend of teaching technique and promoting worship. God is truly at the center of the entire four days, and it shows. Once again I was reminded that I write for an audience of One first and foremost. What may or may not come in terms of publishing contracts will be icing on the proverbial cake.

This is me with Wendy, my agent, at the banquet.

Of course, this is also the conference where talking to your characters is encouraged and, like Brandilyn mentioned the first night, if you must have a pow-wow with your character in the hallway, no one will look at you as though you’ve just shipped to Earth straight from somewhere in the far northwest Milky Way. They’ll understand. And they just might let their character help YOUR character out a bit.

Mama Ruth (who will turn 90 in days!) and Brandilyn Collins

Since writers spend so much of their time holed up in their offices, furiously creating characters, plots, and scenarios, it’s very validating and refreshing to spend time with others who can empathize.

This is the "Bookies" – the clients of Books & Such. Can you find me?

On Friday night, the Bookies met at Addison Cafe and shared dinner and lots of great conversation and deep laughter. I feel so blessed to be a part of such a terrific agency. This part of the business is new to me, but I’m lovin’ it!

I’m home now and ready for some serious BOC (bottom-on-chair). Oh, but wait…I have to write two papers and study for a MAJOR history unit exam first…