Perseverance Payoff

Seven years is a long time to run after a dream.

While I've always written, I began writing seriously in May of 2005. Since then I've typed THE END on six novels, and I've penned the first scenes in book number seven. I contribute to two separate blogs, Spire Reviews and Inkspirational Messages, and I have a website (Brenda Anderson Books) that's currently under reconstruction.

Also, during those seven years, I've attended five writing conferences where I've learned from Angela Hunt, Ted Dekker, James Scott Bell, Tim Downs, and many more accomplished authors and teachers.

I'm in two critique groups with the best partners anyone could ask for (Thanks Lorna, Shannon, Jerri, and Steph). I've entered a handful of contests but never advanced past round one. I've met with numerous agents/editors; twice, I nearly signed with an agent. I've paid for several critiques, gaining improvement with each. And I've received some strange advice: frequently, I've been told that women won't read books with a male protagonist. (Really?) One editor told me that my characters were too messed up, they needed counseling, and should never get together. She said I should take out all the messy stuff and write something sweet. (Not gonna happen.) Once, when pitching to an agent, I told her my protag had previously lived with his girlfriend-- The agent stopped me right there and told me that women who read Christian fiction don't want to read about that. (Oh my!) It was a mutual decision that we weren't right for each other.

During these years, I've cheered on three critique partners as they published and have happy danced with friends as they signed with agents. But, I couldn't stop the niggling thought, "I've been giving it my all. When is it my turn to win?"

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.     1 Corinthians 9:24

In 2010, I attended the ACFW Conference in Indianapolis. The conference began with a very encouraging paid critique from a well-respected, multi-published author who told me she loved my writing and that she fully expected to stand in line for my autograph someday. Oh, I was flying high at that moment.

Then I crashed.

After pitching to editors and agents, no one requested I send more. That had never happened before. Even at my very first conference, with a terrible manuscript, an agent requested a proposal.

It left me wondering, "What do I do now?" After years of perfecting and even completing a novel in the romance genre in order to appeal to a wider audience, no one wanted me. I had no where to run.

But I couldn't stand still--I kept running, this time without seeking outside approval. While I still worked with my critique partners, I didn't attend a conference or enter any contests. I just wrote. I didn't write for the market, but rather what was on my heart, and I completed two more novels. In the process, I rediscovered my voice.

A voice I'm ready to share again.

Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me Heavenward in Christ Jesus.     Philippians 3:13-14

And I shared by entering two stories in the ACFW Genesis contest, one in women's fiction, and one in contemporary romance. To be honest, I didn't expect much, and my gut told me I wasn't going to semi-final, but then last Wednesday, April 18, at 12:16 pm (yes, I recorded the time), I received a call from the coordinator for the contemporary romance category who told me I semi-finalled. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! I called my husband right away, then I hurried an e-mail to my critique partners.

Then at 12:34 my phone rang again. I peeked at the caller I.D., and my heart started palpitating. It was the coordinator for women's fiction! After managing a thank you amid my shock, I called my husband again and flung off another e-mail to my critique partners.

I don't think my feet touched the ground for two days. After the Genesis contest coordinator announced all the semi-finalists later Wednesday evening, my Facebook page and e-mail were flooded with congratulations. My celebration was tempered, though, with the knowledge that several talented friends did not advance--I know too well how that feels and wasn't about to offer them the platitudes. Believe me, empty encouragement doesn't help immediately after a rejection.

Now, does semi-finalling mean that a publishing contract is around the corner? Nope. This is just the first lap in a multi-lap race. The precentage of finalling in this contest, of being in the top three in either of my categories, is a mere 15%. Not great odds, but not impossible either. With help from my critique partners, I know I did my best.

What this does mean is that working hard these past seven years has finally paid off with confirmation that I'm running the right race. To advance this far, I must have talent worth harvesting.

And so, regardless of the outcome of the Genesis contest, regardless of the results of the ACFW Conference in Dallas this fall, I'll persevere. I'll keep running this race, and I will continue to give it my all and leave the results in God's hands.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE 2012

GENESIS CONTEST SEMI-FINALISTS!

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us...     Hebrews 12:1

Christian Writers Conference Conundrum

View from my room at CCWC

I'm facing a small dilemma right now. Every year I attend one writer's conference. I would love to attend more than that, but the budget strains mightily just getting me to one. The big problem I'm having this year is deciding which conference is the best for me at this juncture in my writing career. There are many conferences to choose from, but three are vying for my attendance.

I'll lay out the pros and cons below and maybe you can help me make a decision.

Colorado Christian Writers Conference (CCWC)

Estes Park, Colorado, May 16 - 19

     Pros:
I've attended this conference three times and it tends to be my favorite. First of all, you can't beat the location. It's at a YMCA in the Rockies so you're surrounded with beauty. The entire atmosphere of the conference is casual which, for me, translates to less stress.

I've taken in some fabulous classes here: I've been Nangied by Nancy Rue and Angela  Hunt, James Scott Bell taught me how to plot, and Tim Shoemaker drove home the basics of POV. I still have his Super-Ocular POV finder as a reminder. One year, I  got to sit in on a question-answer session with Ted Dekker. That was fascinating. The CCWC is also where I met my hawk-eyed critique partner (& friend), Stephanie Prichard.

A big advantage to the conference is the number of editor/agent/author appointments each full-time attendee receives: four! Plus, for $35, you can purchase a paid critique from an industry professional that includes 30 minutes (not 15 minutes that's standard in other conferences) of face time with that professional.

But perhaps the biggest advantage to this conference is cost. When I run the numbers, it's easily $300 less than the other two I'm mentioning here. That's a hefty amount.

     Cons:
CCWC's not fiction specific. While the faculty is very well represented by prominent editors/agents/authors, there aren't as many as at other conferences. The timing of this conference isn't the best--I have a mother-daughter vacation scheduled for May 6 to the 12, so I'd be gone again from May 16 - 20.

Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference (BRMCWC)

Near Asheville, NC, May 20 - 24

     Pros:
I've always wanted to attend this conference. I've heard the scenery alone is worth the trip. But this year, I find more than scenery attractive. To me, it has the faculty of my dreams, agent, editor, and author-wise. But, it's the authors who have me excited. Here are a few names: Steven James, Gina Holmes, Angela Hunt, Ann Tatlock, Jim Rubart, and so many more. I would LOVE to learn from any of them! This conference also offers a  manuscript critique (just $30), but I don't see anything on their site regarding agent/editor meetings.

     Cons:
Cost-wise, this conference would run about $300 more than CCWC, a big consideration for me. The date would be a little better than CCWC. At least I'd have a few more days in between being gone with my daughter and attending conference. A big consideration is whether I'm willing to sacrifice the one-on-one editor/agent meeting time. To learn from these authors, it might be worth it.

How I attended in 2011

American Christian Fiction Writers Conference (ACFW)

Dallas, TX, September 20 - 23

     Pros:
This is widely renowned as the  crème de la crème  of Christian fiction writers conferences. It's only focus is on fiction writing so the education is invaluable. All the best agents / editors attend, and a multitude of of publishing houses are represented. Included in your fees are (2) agent/editor/author meetings, plus you can purchase a paid critique from one of the many authors. The keynote speaker this year is Michael Hyatt, a giant in the publishing industry.

ACFW is also the conference the majority of my friends will attend. It's worth it going just to see them again.

     Cons:
The biggest disadvantage for me is the date. September is typically my busiest month of the year. School begins right after Labor Day. We have (2) family birthdays. But the biggest obstacle is that my husband has (2) conferences in September. One overlaps with ACFW. Another obstacle is cost. While it is worth the price, it is still the most expensive of the three.

As of this moment, I'm still not certain which conference will win out. I'm praying for guidance ...

What conferences have you attended? Which do you prefer and why?