I guess this is the one last thing I forgot to mention about the conference: That Look.
Not everyone will see it, particularly those who are uninformed as to the expectations and roles of professionals at these conferences. Young in “the experience” of the writing journey, these individuals focus their sights and agendas on their targeted agents and editors and authors who are either holding appointments or leading workshops and laser beam themselves into their spaces timidly or boldly depending on their personalities. It’s painful to watch even from a distance because That Look is recognizable no matter how practiced the pro to avoid the appearance of dread.
I could have been one of those people with nervous aims and trigger-happy introductions. I’m so grateful to God for tempering me with rejections, the informational websites and blogs of the authors and other professionals in the industry, and with fresh understanding of His divine purposes carefully designed by the hands of a loving Lord. When I submitted my unqualified dreams to His dream for me, everything changed and became unique and desirable in its own unusual way. And while some of us have similar experiences and commonality in our dreams, there is still the incredible originality to the execution of our journeys and walks with our Lord. The more we stride upon the path He’s cleared for us, the more satisfaction and peace we accumulate along the way. And the less pressurized the experience of writing becomes.
What I gathered from listening to the various professionals assembled at this conference was that it takes a particular type of person to be able to thrive amidst the chaos and unfathomable workload. Double columns of names were listed for appointments under certain editors, and the lone agent, Joyce Hart, had double stacks of people under her name, too. These bunches of people would be giving their pitches in group appointments and given five minutes each to describe their project. While this is done in pre-registered one-on-one sets at other conferences, this was the format for this one. Even though you signed up for a slot and gathered in the meeting room, at that time you could decide whether to go ahead and pitch your piece or not. My guess is few declined to give it a go since they’d made it that far. Some had the honor of a request to send their proposals. Others were given polite and helpful suggestions and the privilege of making contact.
But beyond those pitch encounters, one could still observe the full court presses after roundtable discussions, workshops, and meals. Hopeful writers or wannabes surrounding the featured faculty with tentative solicitations and receiving a weary glimpse from the professional quickly turning to a semi-smile with an effort to both look and be attentive. I saw an earnest effort on behalf of professionals to accommodate every level of eager writer. This particular group were definitely making the effort to listen, to teach, to inform, and, yes, to tolerate those eager writers with one agenda: to meet and impress the pros in order to get their work published. At times it was painful to watch.
In person most of the people that make up this publishing community desire to help educate hopeful writers. They travel long distances often, they plan and execute workshops, interviews, and discussions all in order to find new talent and reinforce “old” talent. They have their own struggles in the biz and in their lives. It was no secret that many of them were quite fatigued in spite of their emotional energy and willingness to answer even the beginner’s inquiries with patience and straightforward information.
What little I can offer to those who will attend their first conferences at some point would be to do the following things:
1.Treat each individual with respect no matter who he/she is, professional or non.
2.Smile regularly, laugh when you have the opportunity.
3.Pray before you go and ask the Father to direct your words, your actions, and your prayers.
4.Pray for anyone the Lord asks you to pray for, putting others’ needs above your own.
5.Listen carefully.
6.Avoid any activity which will be sure to encourage That Look.
7.Pray for God-ordained opportunities, not man-made ones.
Father, thank you for blessing me, for answering my prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.
*Please remember Kristy Dykes and her family at this time of great need.*