American Christian Fiction Writers Conference

One week from today--that's when the American Christian Fiction Writers congregate in Indianapolis for four probably exhausting days of learning the writing trade, pitching their books to anyone who will listen, and being filled with Christian fellowship. Over the past few months, we've learned so much, thanks especially to Cara Putnam, Brandilyn Collins, and Cynthia Ruchti, about conference ins and outs, transportation, one-sheets, and one-sentence and longer pitches. We'll probably find we left something important behind but muddle through anyway, get lost on the way to a class and find something else perhaps more appropriate, make dozens of friends, and return home to our families four days later exhausted but glowing. What we all hope for--a huge contract with a well-known publishing house--will not happen except for a very few, but we'll still come away knowing we tried and growing from the effort. We'll cheer ourselves hoarse, though, for those who reach that lovely goal, and for the talented and blessed ones who win the writing contests.
So what's the whole point of this post? Haven't you guessed? I'm so excited to go that I want to go pack right now. Yep, I'm hoping to be among those who wind up with a publishing contract--or at least with an agent. But mostly, I'm praying that one day God will use my books--and me--to reach someone who needs the message inside--like maybe next week?
Such an optimist!