I sold my first article over grits and bacon at the Blue
Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. I arrived early for breakfast and
claimed my spot at Jesse Florea's table. As an editor at Focus on the Family,
Jesse was sure to see that my article, Catch Your Child in the Act...of Being
Good, was a perfect match for Focus' parenting newsletters. I was the first one
at his table that morning and claimed two places--one for him and one for me.
My heart pounded as I watched Jesse enter the dining room and head for his
spot.
Within minutes, the table full of eager writers attacked him
with questions regarding guidelines, submissions, and editorial needs. And even
though I felt sorry for Jesse, I added my own din to the I-want-to-be-a-writer
clamor. He stopped, took the proffered article from my hand, and read. He
smiled. I thought I was going to throw up.
"This sounds like something we could use," he
announced.
"It does?"
"Yeah. Send it to me when you get back home."
"Are you serious?"
"Yeah, I'm serious," he answered. "Your
writing's good. And I know just where this would fit."
"You do?" (Can't you just hear the confidence
oozing from my voice?)
He reached in his pocket and handed me his card.
"Here's the address. I look forward to getting your article."
And with that, he was off. Just walked away, backpack slung
over his shoulder, breakfast tray in hand. Totally unaware that he had at that
very moment been part of a miracle: After 63 rejections, I had finally sold an
article.
Instead of throwing up, I cried.
Of course, I know now that the article hadn't really sold at
that moment. There was still much to do to seal the relationship. But on that
day, over grits and bacon, Jesse Florea said I was a good writer and that he
would like to use what I had written. Wow.
I've gone on to write many articles for Focus on the Family
publications, as well as articles, books, and scripts for many other
publications. So you can see why I'm a firm believer in writer's conferences. I
mean, where else can you find such a varied collection of writing classes to
choose from? Where else can you mingle with editors, agents, and publishers?
Where else can you meet other writers who understand your pain? When I look
back, I realize I was introduced to most of my writer-friends and contacts in
this industry by attending writer's conferences.
But here’s Lesson #1: Don’t expect that your first
attendance will necessarily assure publication. My Focus on the Family
acceptance experience took place during my second year at Blue Ridge, after
attending several other conferences. By that time, I had taken many writing
classes and read a library of books on writing. (And I had already gotten 63
rejections—that proved I was serious!)
Lesson #2: There is much to learn about the craft of
writing. It’s a process. You have to be willing to put in your hard work, time,
and money. There are no shortcuts.
So if you’re serious about writing, you’ll be serious about
attending a conference. I considered writers conferences my “education” in my
career choice. In the same way that I had to pay for my education in nursing
before I became an RN, I needed to pay for my education in writing before I
became a writer. (See Lesson #2: There are no shortcuts.)
So come on! What are you waiting for? You could be sitting
at the table, eating your grits . . . and making the writing connection that
could change your life!
Vonda Skelton is a speaker and the author of fiction, non-fiction, and plays. She has two new books out this year--Seeing Through the Lies: Unmasking the Myths Women Believe, a book appropriate for either small groups or as a read alone; and her third children's mystery, Bitsy and the Mystery at Hilton Head Island. Vonda's articles have appeared in HomeLife, Clubhouse, Focus on Your Child, Christian Single, New Man Magazine, Family Doctor Magazine, and many others. A frequent instructor at writers conferences, she is an award-winning playwright and lyricist, and enjoys performing in church and community theater. Vonda and her husband, Gary, have been married all their lives, and are still happy about it! www.vondaskelton.com