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ACFWIn a week I’ll be experiencing my first American Christian Fiction Writers conference. That means I’ll be in a hotel with six hundred or so people who do what I do. Write. I’m equal parts excited and intimidated.

This isn’t my first writing conference–I’ve been to several closer to home. There’s a great conference about twenty minutes from my house. But here’s what’s different about this trip: I’m not striving.

In the past I went to conferences to learn, sure, but I also wanted to meet agents and editors. To make connections that had the potential to make my dream of publication come true. But that dream is well underway. I have an agent. I have an editor. I have a contract to write three books. (Gulp.)

This time I can go to the conference and really focus on learning without stressing about pitching my novel. I can connect in person with people I’ve met on-line. I can just sit back and take it all in.

Of course, I’ll also get to do some business. Talk career goals with my agent. Talk marketing with folks from the publishing house. Finally meet the people who are partnering with me in telling the stories God has given me.

I’m still a little bit in shock over this whole business. When you want something for a long time getting it can take you by surprise. It’s still sinking in that I’ll soon be a published author. And I’m SO looking forward to celebrating that fact with my on-line, writer friends next week.

What a blessing!