It has been a long journey. The path to becoming a published author has been filled with it’s hills and valleys, potholes and smooth sailing. I have attended the Blueridge Christian Writer’s Conference out of North Carolina twice. It was an awesome experience. I pitched my book, even though it wasn’t ready to push forward with, I wanted the experience and was very glad I did. I received some positive feedback and was asked to contact them again once the manuscript was complete.
The skills I have learned over the past two years have been invaluable. The first conference I focused on the craft of writing. For example, the age-old lesson of “Show don’t Tell”, “Give the reader credit”, “If you’re stuck, add conflict”, just to name a few important things I have learned. The second conference I mainly focused on the self-editing classes, and it was very much a learning curve for me. However, I faced it head on and have done my best to put everything into practice.
In February of this year, I entered the first three chapters of my manuscript to a contest put on by The Word Guild. I submitted my work to the “In the beginning (unpublished work award) catagory. Then I waited.
The Word Guild announced their “Short List” this past week (from which the winners will be chosen). I was completely surprised to find my name on it! This was very much a confirmation that I am on the right track. I still have much to learn, and a long way to go. But God is faithful. He won’t lead me down a deserted road deep in the wilderness and abandon me. God is a good God and will accomplish what he has set forth to accomplish in my life.
So now I wait again. The winners will be announced at The Awards Gala, during the Write Canada Conference, being held in Hamilton on June 14-15th. So, guess where I am headed? I have posted the Word Guild Short List logo and link below.
If you are anything like me, there are days when your hope dwindles like embers of a dying fire. Days when you just don’t believe your dreams will come to fruition. Please don’t stay in that place. If God is in it, he will make a way for you. He promises that, and God cannot lie.