Trading a Backpack for a Suitcase

On my last section hike. Trading in trail runners for high heels

I’m getting ready for another trip – and this time it has nothing to do with a backpack(!) Though I live out of a backpack several months of the year, right now it is my suitcase I am carrying for my next great adventure.

This time I trade in the backpack and trail runners, the convertible pants and rain hat for a suitcase, nice clothes, and the heart of a writer as I prepare to attend the 15^th annual ACFW conference in Nashville, Tennessee.

After all, before I really began my backpacking adventures, I was (and still am) a penman of the word.  In fact, 2017 will celebrate 20 years of being a published author that has seen some twenty plus novels and novellas find the printed page to the eyes of eager readers. I did do some day hikes in the old days and nursed a long sought-after goal to one day complete the whole Appalachian Trail (which I did in 2007 and again in 2010-11, both hikes chronicled in my first nonfiction book, Mountains, Madness and Miracles – 4000 Miles Along the Appalachian Trail).  But in the beginning came my fiction work – of which there have been many titles of adventure and romance, but really, seeking God in everyday life to life issues. I draw from experiences and personal issues I have been through to create these stories. I like to weave a tale too that will make readers keep turning the pages rather than close the book on chapter two (which I dislike doing myself when I read a book!)

So this day finds me packing a suitcase as I venture to a writer’s conference to network with fellow authors and talk to editors about future book ideas (of which I always have many!). Just like hiking,

the thrill of writing a good story is a part of me. I don’t want to waste any moment of what I have been given or learned in life’s journey. It’s in that mode of transporting through life’s ups and downs that I can craft a story that speaks to a reader and makes a difference in one’s life as it did in mine.

The Job is a Journey

My journey in the work force is my writing. Long ago I did get a nursing degree and practiced for several years, but I always had a desire to write. I found that journey well on its way with my first published novel, Mountaintop. 

But like most journeys, I had to plan and prepare. And one of the greatest things I did to help me plan is go to a writers' conference. You may be in certain work areas that require you to attend workshops, in-services and the like. I did as a nurse, and it gave me a more well-rounded approach to my work and what I intended to do. Best of all, I met with others who were like minded and could rattle off ideas and share experiences. I found these times to be the most valuable at conferences, like at a writers' conference. I could share in the trials of my fellow writers when perhaps a book pitch to an editor did not go quite as planned or their triumphs when a query was accepted. 

With fellow author Diane Brandmeyer at ACFW 2009

I take in information much like a student with my notebook in hand, jotting down ideas about writing from editors and writers or how to take publication and communication to a whole new level via the Internet.  In these challenging economic times, it does good to find out all you can about your work field. To be involved as much as possible using the tools that are available. I discovered what a great tool the Internet is to connect with others. Of course like everything else, moderation is the key. You can spend your entire day online. But with your particular field of interest, you can blog (like I am now through blogspot or wordpress) share passions and dreams with others I may never meet (via Facebook, Twitter and other social networks), learn about my field, share in the disappointments and the triumphs.

I love the written word, but writing that word so that I can connect with others makes it all the more meaningful to the journey.

**There is still time to join the passionate talk of Laura Hilton’s journey through breast cancer and her book giveaway. 

A Journey of Amazing Things...

And so I journeyed to Denver and the annual American Christian Fiction Writers conference not knowing what would happen. On a rainy and dark Thursday morning I head to the car and the airport to catch my flight, only to miss a step and fall flat on my back. I tore up my right ankle (I had JUST finished rehabing my left ankle from a sprain on a hike in August) and received a bruise that is about ten inches in length on my forearm. Crying, I barely have time to go and find some ankle braces to throw in my carry on. There isn't even any time to ice it.

Reality sinks in quickly. I am going to the conference bruised, in pain, and unable to walk. What does that bode for this journey? It ain't lookin' too good...

But I will find out in a whole new way...that when I am weak, He is most definitely strong.

- on the airplane, an old gentleman helped me put my carry-on up above and then took it down. And the ice the flight attendant gave me on the airplane and the nice bag of ice a guy made up for me at a McDonalds in Dallas.

- at the hotel in Denver, limping down halls that first 24 hours to see friendly and sympathetic faces offering encouragement and support

- my wonderful roommate, Cindy, who stood by me at my low point on Friday, when I was wondering why I even write or why I'm even here. She saw the highs and lows of a published author. It is not all fame and fortune. It is tough all the way.

- the gathering of Barbour authors Friday night. What a turning point for me. I met some great friends, laughed a lot, but it was the contact with my editors JoAnne and Becky, that were highlights for me. Especially when Becky made the suggestion that I write fiction about the Appalachian Trail, and they would look at it. That could not have been a greater uplift to a downtrodden spirit and a confirmation that God has me exactly where He wants me.

- mealtimes. Each table I sat at gave me unique and interesting experiences. An overwhelmed writer looking for encouragement. Laughing with a good friend, Deb. Another writer who prayed with me about family matters. My former editor, Tracie Peterson, who sympathizes with family matters, and we plan to pray for each other. It was all good.

- Editor appointments. The first one on Friday was a disaster for me, which led to my low time. But I had one left - on Saturday with the editor of Bethany House whom I had been in e-mail contact with four years ago. And she remembered me! It has been a long road trying to find a book they will take. But there is still hope as I have resurrected an idea they rejected five years ago but are willing to look at again. So we'll see.

- Graduation. I attended this fiction clinic for advanced authors and at the end, you receive a diploma and a gift. Wow, I had not graduated in over 25 years, so this was extra special! And the diplomas were beautiful, hand done by one of the editors. It was these encounters with editors at private functions and at the graduation that made me realize how much these busy people truly value their authors and make us feel special.

There are more fascinating things that happened, which I will likely address as I blog. But God met me in Denver. I knew He would, but I didn't know how. But He did it in the most perfect way possible.

Networking with Online Communities

A few days ago, I just joined Facebook. I had heard about it, of course, because my son is totally enthralled by it. He gets fish slammed, super poked, written on a wall, and all the other interesting scenarios, of which I had NO IDEA what was happening! But I am a part of a hiking forum with my other interest - hiking, and they mentioned creating a group on Facebook. So to be a part, one must also join this social community. I discovered that plenty of fellow writers hang out there, too. I have since been building my friend base and also finding out their interests, what they are up to on a day by day basis, articles and books they have read, blogs they maintain, etc. And I have found out what it means to have something written on your wall. Haven't gotten poked yet, but I'm sure that will come eventually. But it's a great way to stay in touch with others in this wide and often lonely realm of writing. A Christian network, Shoutlife, also provides a way to interact with others. You can reach many with your writing by posting blogs and bulletins, along with advertising books you have written on your profile page.

Another paid online group I belong to is American Christian Fiction Writers. In fact they are having their big annual conference in Minneapolis this week. I have been fortunate to attend in the past, but this year, with my interest in non fiction writing, I opted for the conference in Philadelphia to help me learn in that area. But conferences are another great way to match names with faces and get to know others. I met some lovely women at the Philadelphia conference and hope to stay in touch with them as we navigate the unpredictable waters of writing and publishing. But I have found with a big group like ACFW online, I learn much more about the members through the prayer list. There, writers share about their lives, their trials and tribulations, their praises and other things. And lift each other up when the going gets rough.

Online communities are great ways to push back the books and the writing and connect with fellow authors underneath it all - the people in other states or other parts of the world, to connect in new and exciting ways. It certainly makes the path of writing much less of a lonely road to travel.

Expanding Your Profile

Well, it's time to wander off the deep end into unknown territory. As most of you know, I have leaped from being a fiction author for over twelve years into the newest realm of non fiction writing. I certainly don't know everything, even after attending a writer's conference, but I am trying to get my feet wet.

I am pleased to share that an outdoor magazine just recently accepted a small piece of my work for inclusion in their September magazine. It was an incident that happened on our hike a few years back for their CLOSE CALLS section. Click here for the article and scroll down until you come to Mountaintop Madness. When this came out, I was able to add it to my biography list I was compiling for my main event - my big non fiction book on our hiking experience.

I am also entering a writer's contest of sorts - that is, I am writing an article for a possible book compilation by Dr. Gary Chapman on the extraordinary things people do for love. Again I am taking an incident from our time on the trail last year when my husband performed a miraculous feat so he could see my son and I. This type of writing helps me practice in the area of non fiction while giving me the opportunity to sell. All in the name of building my resume for the important book I desire to have published.

If you have the desire to write non fiction or fiction, begin by writing. Look for opportunities to practice your craft, especially in the smaller areas like magazines and book compilations. Even writing contests. Go to a writer's conference and learn the techniques. Get involved in critique groups and other writing organizations. And then get your work on the editor's desk as soon as it's ready.

The Call to Write

Ah, writing. A calling. A ministry. A passion. These are all things I was desperate to learn when I arrived at the Write His Answer conference held in Philadelphia. There is something to be said about hearing passionate speakers speak about the craft of writing, to have scripture shared that pertains to writing, to sit and share with other writers as we each learn the craft of writing (in my case, at the non fiction clinic), to put aside nerves, trust God and speak boldly to editors about the projects on your heart.

It was the the push I needed to raise myself out of the doldrums. To know without a doubt that God has called me to write, and to write what He gives me. To trust Him with the timing of publication, but to do the work of writing. Once I recall hearing a message by Billy Graham at a conference long ago in the 1980's about "doing the work of an evangelist." Well, we are called to do the work of a writer. To learn. To listen. To apply. To then sit down and write. And that is what I received from the conference, a building up of my most holy faith to go forward in this difficult road of writing and see where it leads me. To be faithful in my calling and trust the outcome to God's capable hands.

And on that note...I have some good news to share.

I sold a novella to Barbour Publishing - a Civil war novella that will be set in Fredericksburg, Virginia around Christmas. More on that in another post...

Conference Time~!

This week I am heading for a conference in Philadelphia called Write His Answer. I had gone to the conference many years ago when I was a new writer, looking for help in the area of fiction. Now I go looking for help in a new area, that is, with non fiction as I seek to write a book about my experiences on the Appalachian Trail. Since there is a special non fiction clinic offered at the conference this year, plus editors of publishing houses looking to buy, I thought this a great opportunity to go. Writing conferences are a super way to jump start your writing goals and career. Especially if it is in the wilderness / dry area as mine seems to be. Under links I have posted a site that outlines some of the upcoming conferences. Be sure to check them out and try to attend just one this year if you can. You will not regret it, and it may be the nourishment you need to make that crucial sale.