ACFW Blog

by Angela Breidenbach
ACFW Publicity Officer

Many Christian fiction writers are gearing up to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in Denver this September. Some are feeling the pinch of nerves as if their finger were caught in the car door. They want to go, need to go, but don’t know how to get through it without serious doubts.

I’d like to share some ideas to help light the path for those feeling less than confident in professional situations. At least I can share what works for me.

Mentally prepare–Imagine yourself at the event. Imagine how happy, fascinated and alert you are to the opportunities around you. Imagine yourself looking confident and comfortable. This is the most important thing you can do in advance of something that worries you.

Dress the part–Wear clothing that makes you feel professional and confident. With time on your side, take note of how you feel in certain outfits ahead of time and pack those. I’m not telling you what to wear, I’m telling you to wear what makes you feel the best. It does reflect in how you hold yourself in public. Don’t believe me? Do some people watching over the next few days. Pay attention to yourself in sweats and jeans versus slacks and a jacket.

Practice professional greetings in advance–If you aren’t used to shaking hands firmly (but not breaking knuckles) then practice with friends and family. A proper hand shake is gently firm, has eye contact and a smile. The words can be anything comfortable akin to, “Hi, my name is…” That immediately gets a return response. All you have to do is say, “So nice to meet you, Joe.” It’s that simple. Teach your children and practice as they will need to know that skill too.

Talk to those who have gone before–Learn from their experience either by email, blogs, phone or in person.

Read the ACFW Conference Blog Tour! You’ll be stunned by all the information and advice available. It fits for other events as well because good advice is just plain good advice.

Smile--Those that don’t look petrified or bored. Those that do look friendly and approachable. Enough said.

Look for others--There will be ribbons for first time attendees. Team up and share what you are learning. You’ll feel part of the pack instead of on the outside looking in at strangers.

Take one thing at a time--Don’t be so busy that it’s a whirlwind. Allow yourself to be present in the moment, at the meal or in the class. Look over the schedule several times in advance. Now a glance at the schedule will just be a confidence builder because you know what’s next. By being aware, you’ll feel prepared. It’s that out of control feeling that zaps confidence.

Act confident–How? Eye contact, a soft and happy smile, allow yourself to sit up front and not hide, talk to people around you, shake hands, compliment people for pleasant things you notice, arrange coffee dates with new friends, ask questions about others, build relationships. Note: Do not keep repeating how nervous or bad or uncomfortable you are. All you are doing is repeating a broken mantra. Do repeat how excited and interested you are to retrain your brain.

Focus on the positive–Things will go wrong. They always do. Get enough rest so you aren’t frazzled and that enables you to manage stress better. Things will go wrong. Your job is to focus on the solution not on the problem. Confident people look at the problem long enough to realize they need a solution…and then get to work on it.

Things will go wrong–What? I know, you heard this before. Being solution focused means you aren’t micro-focused. When we try to micro-manage or microscopically tear something apart, we do more damage. Since things will go wrong, create self talk that allows you to calm yourself internally while you get creative about solving what went awry. I often use, “Well, that didn’t work. What will?” I also use those moments in my writing. Such a wonderful study of plot possibilities. When you look at it from that direction, you might hope something goes wrong so you can use it in a book. It’s amazing how creativity comes out of difficulty. Keep a journal of the drama. You’ll need to make it worse for your heroine

Ask for help–Don’t let your mind get in the way of common sense. You are not bothering anyone to ask for help with something you don’t know. Most people are honored to help and tickled to show they know something too.

Watch people you think look and act confident– Mimicry is an excellent tool. When you note the behavior, vocal tones, and manners of confident people, you realize it is just a set of skills to learn. Did you mimic learning piano, riding a bike, learning to read? Okay then, watch others to learn the skills you want to master.

And when all else fails, breathe deeply and say a prayer. Trust me, that’s what I do backstage before any performance or speech. Because it isn’t about me after all, it’s about the message God has placed in my being and wants to share through me. It’s His job, not mine, to bring that message out.

Exodus 4:12 “Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say.” Contemporary English Version

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Angela Breidenbach is Mrs. Montana International 2009 working with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, the Jadyn Fred Foundation and drawing awareness to Fair Trade practices. She also serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer’s Publicity Officer and is a multi-award winning inspirational author, speaker, and purposeful life coach. Her Gems of Wisdom line of jewelry helps support orphan homes in Kenya. She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson. Angela believes: Personal growth = Powerful living!

You can interact or learn more about Angela Breidenbach at these sites:

http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com

http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com

http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com

http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach

http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach

http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com

by Jennifer AlLee

Don’t get me wrong. I love tweeting to my peeps and keeping up with Facebook buddies. I’ve made a lot of connections in the virtual world. My friend list includes newbie authors, published authors, editors, agents, and a bunch of old school friends I’d completely lost track of. I’ve connected with more people via social networking than I ever could have the old fashioned way, including a multi-published ABA author who I consider one of my writing inspirations. Obviously, I’m a fan of the online water cooler.

But sometimes, a writer has to stick her head out of the cave, venture squinting and hunch-backed into the sunlight, and interact with flesh and blood folk. And there’s no better place to do this than a writer’s conference.

I joined ACFW back in April 2007. I signed up for the email loop and began electronically meeting other authors. It was like a whole new world opened up to me. Even though I’d been writing for half my life, I was clueless to the concept of writers supporting each other. Really? There are groups that do that? What an amazing thing.

In September of 2009 I attended the ACFW conference in Dallas, TX. Not only was it my first ACFW conference, it was my first writer’s conference ever. I was more than a little nervous. But from the minute I set foot on Texas pavement, the world I thought couldn’t get any better, did. Standing in the queue for the Super Shuttle, I met other writers going to the conference. In the hotel, the lobby was swarming with excited, chatty writers. I’d fallen into writer-heaven.

Now, everything wasn’t peaches-and-cream-perfect at the conference. I had a very traumatic meeting with an editor. It was my first time pitching a story. It was a story I had written specifically for this house. And I found out my story was totally wrong for them. My spirits were crushed as I walked out of the room. Not because the editor had been mean to me (she hadn’t) but because I felt like a failure. But after I left that meeting, God put not one but three different people directly in my path. Three people who encouraged me, hugged me, empathized with me, and helped me see that my writing career had not just ended. You can’t get that kind of support on Twitter.

That evening, I reported for duty at the bookstore and was paired up at the checkout table with Lisa Richardson. We instantly clicked. When our shift ended, we headed out to dinner. We forged a friendship that night. Now, we critique each other’s work, support each other, share in highs and lows… we even share the same birthday, although I’m just a tad bit older than she is. While Lisa and I might have eventually met via the email loop, or Twitter, or Facebook, I doubt that we’d have developed the same kind of relationship. Only a face-to-face encounter can do that.

So definitely come to the conference to network with agents and editors. It’s one of your best chances to do so. But also come to grow friendships. Your life will be all the richer for it.

BIO

As a child, Jennifer AlLee lived above a mortuary in the heart of Hollywood, California, which may explain her unique outlook on life. Her publishing credits include The Love of His Brother, a contemporary romance novel from Five Star Publishing (November 2007) as well as skits, activity pages, and over one hundred contributions to Concordia Publishing House’s popular My Devotions series. Her next novel, The Pastor’s Wife, releases February 2010 from Abingdon Press. She’s an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers and serves as the Nevada Area Coordinator. Jennifer resides in the grace-filled city of Las Vegas with her husband and teenage son.

Jennifer would love to meet you in person at the ACFW conference in Denver. Or, you can meet her online here:
Her blog
Her website
Twitter
Facebook

by Annette Irby

It’s good to have a focus.

Golf players zero in on the hole (or the flag across the green). Ball players “keep their eye on the ball.” Runners aim for the tape.

As a Christian writer attending an ACFW conference, there are tons of things to focus on: from the business side of workshops, critiques, and meetings with agents or editors, to the more social aspect of fellowshipping or dining together with new friends and old.

But what if the appointments don’t go as expected? What if the editor you pinned your hopes on doesn’t love your project idea? What if the agent of your dreams doesn’t sign you after one glance at your sample chapters? Or what if the onions in the soup give you indigestion and keep you up all night before a can’t-miss-it workshop?

What if you discover you’ve been writing all wrong all along?

That depends.

What is your focus?

If your focus is winning your top pick editor, or wooing that perfect agent, or hearing “I couldn’t find one thing wrong with your manuscript” from the award-winning author critiquing your project, when those situations go south, you might sink with them.

As in daily writing, if your focus is Jesus, in pleasing Him, in offering Him your hands, your words . . . then the response of those around you at conference isn’t as all-consuming, whether with worry or regrets.

Our perspective changes with our focus. Marathon runners will eventually make the finish line.

How do they get there? They endure because the goal is in sight (even if only mentally for the number of miles).

Make your goal this conference to focus on Jesus and pleasing Him. Be prayerful about your appointments, workshops and whose table to sit at during dinner, but let God cover the results.

I’m going to try following this advice this year. I imagine I’ll stress a lot less and enjoy myself even more than previous years.

Dig in. Get the most you can from the prayer room, from the worship times and from reaching out to help someone else—even if it’s only a smile to share with a weary traveler who arrives at
the end of the first day.

Focus on Jesus and leave the rest to Him.

www.annetteirbyreviews.blogspot.com (Net’s Book Notes)

Annette M. Irby
annette@annetteirby.com
www.annetteirby.com
Net’s Notes & Net’s Book Notes
Seriously Write blog

by Mindy Obenhaus

We’ve ordered/printed our business cards, perfected our pitch, polished our one-sheets, and organized our wardrobe. We’re almost ready to go.

One more quick note before I totally leave the topic of wardrobe. I couldn’t resist sharing a quote from Coco Chanel. Ms. Chanel believed looking our best showed politeness to others. She said, “Maybe today’s the day she has a date with destiny. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

Now it’s time to pack. Years of attending conferences have taught me to be prepared. Here are a few things you’ll want to be sure and bring along:
A sweater or jacket/blazer – Basically, anything you can layer. It could be 110 outside, but those meeting rooms are often two degrees colder than a meat locker. However, pack a lot of bodies into one room and it could go the other direction.

Snacks – I always pack some granola-type bars, nuts, or trail mix. That way I have a little pick-me-up without having to make a trip to the hotel gift shop. Save that for those late night munchies.

Safety pins – Just a couple, but you never know when you might pop a button or find you’re gapping where you don’t want to gap. You may never need them, or you might be someone else’s saving grace

Jewelry – Accessories make the outfit. Be sure to pack it in your carry-on to protect from theft.

Medicines – Prescription, yes, but a small bottle of pain-reliever may come in handy. Also pack in your carry-on.

Now that you’re all packed, take a deep breath. Ask God to not only bless your conference time, but that you would allow Him to guide your steps instead of taking matters into your own hands. When the Spirit is your guide, the way is never wrong.

What are some of your must-have’s for a conference?

Mindy Obenhaus
www.mindyobenhaus.com
You gotta have F.A.I.T.H.–Six unique authors, One awesome God
www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com

by Mindy Obenhaus

This week, we’re going to focus on you. More to the point, your presentation of yourself. I can hear the moans now. But cliche as it might sound, we really do have only one chance to make a first impression. Sure, there are times we get to redeem ourselves, but just imagine how much better you’d feel if you put your best foot forward the first time.

First, let’s talk about wardrobe. Now before you move on to the next blog, hear me out. Wardrobe does not mean you have to dress like a fashionista. But it does mean that you put some effort into choosing your clothes. I spent years wearing baggy jeans and over-sized t-shirts because I was overweight. I played this nasty little game, telling myself that since I was not the size I wanted to be I did not deserve to have nice-looking clothes. Then there was that whole torture of actually trying on clothes to purchase. Ugh! Sign me up for a root canal instead.

Then I lost forty pounds. Suddenly buying clothes and dressing the way I wanted to dress wasn’t such torture. Gradually, I gained thirty of those dreadful pounds back. Much more enjoyable than losing them, I might add. I had to buy new clothes again. Only this time, a bigger size. Ouch. But if there’s one thing I learned, it was that when I dressed nice, I felt better about myself. I presented myself better. No matter how much weight I put back on, I refused to go back to the way I once dressed. Okay, maybe to clean the house or hang out at the ranch, but not in public.

In the past year and a half, I’ve not only re-lost those thirty pounds, but ten more as well. That however, is a post for another time. My point is that I know the excuses and I’m not buying them. You are in control of how you look. You are in control of presenting yourself in a pleasing, professional manner. And you don’t have to be Cindy Crawford to do it.

Start by evaluating what’s in your closet. If it has holes, don’t bring it to conference. Unless, of course, you can mend them so no one will know they were ever there. Check to make sure the seams and hems aren’t worn on your slacks. Make sure there are no stains on your shirts/blouses. Now think of the events you’ll be attending. Business casual is appropriate most of the time. The key word being “business.” Would you wear said outfit to a job interview? The interview for your dream job? If not, then you might want to rethink it.

Jeans can be appropriate, but go for a dark wash with a good fit and a bit of a flared leg. Believe it or not, those elements will actually slim you. Pair them with a nice top, maybe a jacket, and a nice pair of shoes.

Ah yes, shoes. I’ll admit to having a bit of a shoe habit. Unfortunately, my pocketbook won’t let me have much of one. Drat! And I confess to loving heels, though I also understand that not everyone can wear them. However–and I’ll probably step on some toes here (no pun intended)–that doesn’t mean tennis shoes are your only option. There are plenty of comfortable, nice-looking shoes that do not double as workout attire. Invest in an attractive, comfortable pair of shoes in a color that’ll coordinate nicely with all your outfits.

Now that you’ve inventoried what you have, make a list of what you may need to purchase to fill in the gaps. It’s definitely better to go through these steps weeks, if not months, before conference. That way you can space purchases. And let’s face it, we’re all feeling the pinch these days. Shop wisely. Thrift stores and resale shops are a fantastic option. I often see clothes still sporting their tags, selling for a mere fraction of their original price. Discount stores (ie. Walmart and Target) are also a good buy. My favorite jeans come from Walmart and cost me less than $20. Way less. They also have some very nice slacks in basic colors like black, brown, and gray.

Dressing nice doesn’t have to cost a lot.

Whew! I’ve taken up a lot of space here. Needless to say, I’m a bit passionate about this topic. But you are worth it. You’ve written a book(s). Not everyone can say that. Now it’s time to promote, promote, promote. And that starts with Y-O-U.

www.mindyobenhaus.com
You gotta have F.A.I.T.H.–Six unique authors, One awesome God
www.writingbyfaith.blogspot.com