I'm Back!

That was awesome!

The Writing for the Soul kept me moving the whole time between workshops, appointments with editors, and talking with people who enjoy writing.

I'll give you an outline of my trip.

Day one, January 31: My Dad and I flew from Texas and arrived in Colorado Springs after a few connecting flights. I met an old friend on the plane. I talked with him a bit, and it turns out he's going to the Air Force Academy! That was fun, till the greeters from the Academy thought I was the one they were supposed to take to the Academy. After checking into our hotel, we registered at the BroadMoor, and I met my mentor in the Jerry Jenkin's guild. All my course work is done by e-mail, so I've never met her after two years.

Day two: I fumbled with my notebook as I went to talk with an editor from AMG about the book I've written, and another concept. I thought I did OK for a beginner. He told me to send it to his house and he'd give it to the writer there who does fantasy.

From there I went to a class for teens...that was an experience. Lissa Johnson, an editor who worked on the Adventures in Odyssey, taught the class. About four other people listened to the workshop, all thirteen-year-old girls! AND they got the giggles!

Throughout the conference, I sat with editors, agents, and college professors at mealtimes. A piano player led the worship. His name was Randall Atcheson, and he's played for presidents, in France, for U.N. members and Carnegie Hall. He beat the daylight out of his piano! He always made me smile.

Day three: I spoke to another editor about my work. He gave a lot of advice, and I attended workshops. Jerry Jenkins signed a few of my books, and I talked with his son, Dallas Jenkins.

For lunch I sat with the lady in charge of directing the Jerry Jenkin's guild. She pointed out a small slip in the back of my nametag. It instructed me to sit with my mentor. That was ackward.

My highlight was when Lissa Johnson asked to see the first part of my story. We sat down, I opened my notebook, fished out my efficient envelope, and my sweaty fingers dragged nothing from the envelope. I'd taken the papers out after showing them to the editors from the publishing houses!

My eyeballs nearly bugged out as Lissa said, "Well you're a concise writer!"

I rushed out to the car and returned with the papers. She said she liked the stuff I gave her, and she pointed out some stuff for me to watch for.

Those are my highlights. I'll be working on sending in my book to a few houses, but mainly I'll focus on publishing in magazines. That's what I heard from everywhere; get published in small outlets before trying a book. I'm submitting a short story for Breakaway, a magazine for teens from Focus on the Family.