As I mentioned, soon I’ll be going to the ACFW conference up in Minneapolis. Yes, more time away from writing, leaving home where I’m most comfortable, leaving my family behind. It’ll be a little like when I traveled this past summer, because thankfully for my family my mother-in-law will be here at home to help out. Let’s just say my husband knows where the kitchen is, but as far as what’s in there…well, I’m not sure what my kids would be eating without his mom here! Four days of McDonalds can’t be good for anyone.
But I love writer’s conferences, even if they do take this homebody away from home. There’s such a sense of community there. Everyone is excited, perhaps because there’s a sense of hope just to see what God is doing in this industry. We’re all there because we love books, and we know we have at least that in common. If attendees happen to see each other in the lobby or on an elevator, we know immediately by our badges that person is “one of us” so there’s at least a hello if not a conversation or friendship springing up. We meet new friends, connect with old ones, learn something about the craft or business, listen to inspiring speakers, see what’s hot and what’s not. And at a Christian conference, there is always terrific worship. What could be better?
This year I get to attend the conference as a Book Of The Year finalist, in two categories for both of my books that were released last year. (The Oak Leaves for Women’s Fiction and Remember Me for Long Historical). Needless to say I’m excited but just going as a finalist is the real prize. I’m a huge supporter of contests. I’ve entered them on both sides, when I was unpublished and also now that I’m published. I’ve served as a judge for years in both Christian and secular contests.
Before publication, contests are great for the unbiased feedback. If you do final the exposure can be more than a confidence builder, it can sometimes lead to a contract. As a published author I enter them for the exposure. Even if I don’t final it’s possible to gain a few readers by way of the judges.
But I also know how frustrating contests can be. I don’t believe in luck as a secularist believes in luck, but there is a random quality about contests that’s impossible to deny. Most people say contests are subjective, and it’s true because taste is subjective. One person’s classic is another’s bore. It all depends on which judges your work is assigned, for either published or unpublished contests. I’ve run the gamut, won some contests, placed, and been left with those who hold only score sheets in my hands.
So my excitement over finaling is leveled with an understanding that this is just “my turn” to have been given judges whose taste runs along the same path as mine.
Entering contests is a great way to get a taste of this business. It takes confidence to put your work out there to begin with, and then to withstand the feedback. Win, lose or place, it’s always a learning experience.
Maureen, as a Genesist finalist this year for ACFW, I was trying to put into words why my excitement (real) is tempered. It’s not JUST, “Oh, my work will never win” spoken with a voice that sounds like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz (“Oh, I don’t think there’s anything in that bag for me.”). Reading your post made me see in print what I’ve been feeling and couldn’t express. This was my time for my writing to resonate with that particular set of judges. I’m grateful. It’s an enormous honor. But what happens from this moment on is still all God’s doing.