Agents scare me. I see one and if I KNOW they are an agent, my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth and I say something brilliant like. "Hi!" And then, nothing else. LOL.
One year I accosted Janet Grant. Quite unwittingly I assure you. I stepped on her foot in the bathroom with my stiletto heel. I then nearly spilled coffee on her later that very same day. Numerous other occurances happened and by the end of the conference she'd slide over to the other side of the hallway while passing me. The day of the awards banquet, I walked over to her and gave her my business card. . .with a bandaid tacked on the back. :)
Now there is one agent that doesn't totally scare me. Kelly Mortimer. She's my mentor. Last year I found out that she liked Trader Joes cheese puffs. (the reduced fat kind) I thought how cool to get some and give them to her at conference. Only problem, the nearest Trader Joes is four hours away!! But my brother-in-law lives there. So he being the nice fella he is, went to Trader Joes for me, bought two bags of the puffs, and shipped them to me at the hotel in Dallas! What a sweetie. And then I gave them to Kelly.
But while they scare me, I also feel for them. By the end of a conference, they, like the editors, have got to feel glazed over. Rejctions, acceptances, requests for partials and fulls, with ALL those people talking and talking and talking. . .it's a wonder they don't have to spend the next two weeks in a spa just to recover.
So be nice to the agents. Sure pitch to them, but make sure it's an appropriate time. God's timing rather than your own. Maybe they can have some time to enjoy the conference too.
And here is the prayer for the day:
Day 30
Agents at the conference
Psalm 143:8a--Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; for I trust in You.
Father, we worship and praise your name. You are a holy God willing and ableto answer our prayers. We are thankful for our courage, strength, andabilities that come from You.
We pray Your blessing upon the agents attending conference. Supply them withpatience, compassion, and knowledge as they meet with the many writers. .. the timid, anxious ones so eager to please. Grant them knowledge to judgethe work presented. Give them wisdom and understanding to speak words oftruth, tempered with love and kindness. And as they accept and rejectproposals allow them to plant seeds of encouragement inside each writer'sheart so they will grow and achieve all that You have designed for them tobecome. Allow the agents to be filled with Your peace as they look to Youfor their strength during conference and the years to come.
This we pray inYour wonderful Son's name Jesus. Amen.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, August 18, 2008
Editor Memories/Day 31 of Prayer
I just love the conference time of year! I have so many good memories.
I thought I'd share some of these with you and then give you the prayer of the day. If you don't want to read the memory, that's okay, skip past it.
It was my first conference, I had just given up smoking, traveled without my family, and met my online friends in person. I set up the agent and editor appointments like everyone else. I don't even recall how we did them that year, but I got an appointment with Krista Stroever from Steeple Hill. I don't think I talked to an agent because I didn't know any and to be honest, it's probably a good thing I didn't.
So as it neared time for my appointment, I wanted to look my best so I snuck out of class and trotted to my room (call me slow, but I didn't realize the prayer room was for everyone, so I didn't even stop by there). I spent ten minutes ironing my pristine white shirt which I planned to wear with black slacks. Not as dressy as a suit but always a stunning combination, right? I find that I have some extra time, so I went back downstairs and got a cup of coffee. While sipping on it, I realized I'd left my camera hooked up to my laptop. Gasp! I hurried back upstairs and the maid was in the room with the door standing open slightly. I tried to squeeze in with my coffee cup. Sigh. Yep, all down the arms of my shirt. Grrr. Now I had to change again. I'm not sure what I ended up with.
But I had to RUN to my appointment now since I'd wasted so much time. I was just on time. Then Krista introduced herself and said she remembered me from the board and my stomach folded in on itself AND tied into a knot. She asked if I had a book I wanted to talk about and I said. . .are you ready? I said, "No, thank you." I ended up talking to her about it, because she is just so good at what she does, but I never relaxed during the appointment. (Not Krista's fault mind you, but at this point of the conference, I was totally overwhelmed.)
I pitched to Joan at Steeple Hill the next year and I was just as nervous, but she was also nice and I was frightfully early and stood outside the door praying before I went in. Apparently her first appointment didn't show up and she was reading the paper. So I got extra time. She asked me to send her a full and I took her card and . . .didn't leave mine. In fact mine stayed in the car the entire weekend and I found them as we were leaving. Sigh.
Last year I pitched to three people! Only problem is, my mouth turns super-sonic and I'm sure they only hear half of what I"m saying. I look like a blabbering idiot. And I'm sure I'm not the only one, so you have to give these editors kudos for agreeing to do this insane thing every year. And love them for it.
So on to the PRAYER today:
Day 31
Editors at the conference
Psalm 141:2--May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting of my hands as the evening offering.
Father,
thank you for each of the editors you will bring to the conference. We pray you will give them the physical stamina and mental clarity needed to meet with so many eager writers. We ask you to fill them with wisdom and just the right words for their appointment times. We pray you will help them gather just the right information as they prepare to teach workshops and lead late night chats. Even though this will be a very busy time, we pray they will sense your presence and be blessed and encouraged by their time at the conference. Thank you again for their willingness to come and share this special time with us.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
I thought I'd share some of these with you and then give you the prayer of the day. If you don't want to read the memory, that's okay, skip past it.
It was my first conference, I had just given up smoking, traveled without my family, and met my online friends in person. I set up the agent and editor appointments like everyone else. I don't even recall how we did them that year, but I got an appointment with Krista Stroever from Steeple Hill. I don't think I talked to an agent because I didn't know any and to be honest, it's probably a good thing I didn't.
So as it neared time for my appointment, I wanted to look my best so I snuck out of class and trotted to my room (call me slow, but I didn't realize the prayer room was for everyone, so I didn't even stop by there). I spent ten minutes ironing my pristine white shirt which I planned to wear with black slacks. Not as dressy as a suit but always a stunning combination, right? I find that I have some extra time, so I went back downstairs and got a cup of coffee. While sipping on it, I realized I'd left my camera hooked up to my laptop. Gasp! I hurried back upstairs and the maid was in the room with the door standing open slightly. I tried to squeeze in with my coffee cup. Sigh. Yep, all down the arms of my shirt. Grrr. Now I had to change again. I'm not sure what I ended up with.
But I had to RUN to my appointment now since I'd wasted so much time. I was just on time. Then Krista introduced herself and said she remembered me from the board and my stomach folded in on itself AND tied into a knot. She asked if I had a book I wanted to talk about and I said. . .are you ready? I said, "No, thank you." I ended up talking to her about it, because she is just so good at what she does, but I never relaxed during the appointment. (Not Krista's fault mind you, but at this point of the conference, I was totally overwhelmed.)
I pitched to Joan at Steeple Hill the next year and I was just as nervous, but she was also nice and I was frightfully early and stood outside the door praying before I went in. Apparently her first appointment didn't show up and she was reading the paper. So I got extra time. She asked me to send her a full and I took her card and . . .didn't leave mine. In fact mine stayed in the car the entire weekend and I found them as we were leaving. Sigh.
Last year I pitched to three people! Only problem is, my mouth turns super-sonic and I'm sure they only hear half of what I"m saying. I look like a blabbering idiot. And I'm sure I'm not the only one, so you have to give these editors kudos for agreeing to do this insane thing every year. And love them for it.
So on to the PRAYER today:
Day 31
Editors at the conference
Psalm 141:2--May my prayer be counted as incense before You; the lifting of my hands as the evening offering.
Father,
thank you for each of the editors you will bring to the conference. We pray you will give them the physical stamina and mental clarity needed to meet with so many eager writers. We ask you to fill them with wisdom and just the right words for their appointment times. We pray you will help them gather just the right information as they prepare to teach workshops and lead late night chats. Even though this will be a very busy time, we pray they will sense your presence and be blessed and encouraged by their time at the conference. Thank you again for their willingness to come and share this special time with us.
In Jesus name,
Amen.
Sunday, August 17, 2008
ACFW 40 Days of Prayer
Countdown!
I can't believe in a month I will be getting on a plane and flying to Minneapolis. Well, techinically I have a layover in Chicago, but my destination is MN. :)
I'm excited to meet new friends, see and hug the stuff out of old ones (I don't mean they're old, I mean we've been friends for a loooong time), eat some good food, drink some Caribou and Starbucks, learn LOTS in the classes and workshops, worship God, and fellowship. Wow, that sounds so awesome, I think I'm going to pack now. :)
However every year, we have been praying for the last forty days approaching the conference. You can see my little countdown calander on the side. (Yes, I realize I'm late, but I've been really busy, sorry.) These were gathered by a wonderful volunteer (waving to Sally Bradley) and are sent out each day.
I'll try to put these up here and those of you that are going to conference can pray as well as those of you who aren't going, and those of you who aren't even writers and just want to pray for us. :D (BTW I'll try to get us all caught up in a later post.)
Here is for Day 32:
For Brandilyn as she emcees
Psalm 45:1--My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for our precious Brandilyn Collins as she again emcees the conference. Thank You for her willing servant's heart to use her talents to glorify You as she keeps us informed, entertained and focused. Please give her the words You have prepared for us to hear. Infuse her with peace and confidence. And especially refresh her spirit through the busy days and nights so that she comes to seek Your face and Your will and leaves the conference glowing from the experience. Help her to address her words to You and for You. Make her tongue and pen ready for the stories You will provide. Let her heart overflow with blessings that You have prepared in advance. Keep her healthy and safe so that she is able to perform as beautifully as she always does. And press her so closely to Your chest that she can hear Your heart beating steady, strong and sure.
We pray this in Your Son's precious name,
Amen
I can't believe in a month I will be getting on a plane and flying to Minneapolis. Well, techinically I have a layover in Chicago, but my destination is MN. :)
I'm excited to meet new friends, see and hug the stuff out of old ones (I don't mean they're old, I mean we've been friends for a loooong time), eat some good food, drink some Caribou and Starbucks, learn LOTS in the classes and workshops, worship God, and fellowship. Wow, that sounds so awesome, I think I'm going to pack now. :)
However every year, we have been praying for the last forty days approaching the conference. You can see my little countdown calander on the side. (Yes, I realize I'm late, but I've been really busy, sorry.) These were gathered by a wonderful volunteer (waving to Sally Bradley) and are sent out each day.
I'll try to put these up here and those of you that are going to conference can pray as well as those of you who aren't going, and those of you who aren't even writers and just want to pray for us. :D (BTW I'll try to get us all caught up in a later post.)
Here is for Day 32:
For Brandilyn as she emcees
Psalm 45:1--My heart overflows with a good theme; I address my verses to the King; My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for our precious Brandilyn Collins as she again emcees the conference. Thank You for her willing servant's heart to use her talents to glorify You as she keeps us informed, entertained and focused. Please give her the words You have prepared for us to hear. Infuse her with peace and confidence. And especially refresh her spirit through the busy days and nights so that she comes to seek Your face and Your will and leaves the conference glowing from the experience. Help her to address her words to You and for You. Make her tongue and pen ready for the stories You will provide. Let her heart overflow with blessings that You have prepared in advance. Keep her healthy and safe so that she is able to perform as beautifully as she always does. And press her so closely to Your chest that she can hear Your heart beating steady, strong and sure.
We pray this in Your Son's precious name,
Amen
Friday, August 15, 2008
Noble Legacy Series
Susan May Warren
Book Three
Finding Stefanie
Stefanie Noble is afraid life is passing her by.
When she put her dreams on hold to help run the family ranch, she never imagined they would slip out of sight. Luckily for Stefanie, those dreams are about to come knocking at her door.
Lincoln Cash has gained fame and fortune on the big screen, but a crippling secret leaves him one last chance to make his mark on the movie industry. With dreams of hosting the new film festival, Lincoln intends to remodel a sprawling ranch in eastern Montana to make it the new Hollywood hot spot.
Unfortunately, a house fire threatens his plans. So does opposition from his new neighbor Stefanie Noble, who's not thrilled about his Tinseltown changes. What Lincoln and Stefanie don't know is that the fire won't be the last disaster to threaten Lincoln or his future. Someone is out for revenge. . .but who? And who is the real target?
Pammer here:
I don't know how Susie does it. She takes these awesome characters and drop them into a wonderful setting and then takes you there. The story is always fresh and new, the cast alive and the setting a breathing thing.
I'm not yet finished with this newest installment of the Noble Legacy, but I can tell you, it won't be long before I do finish. It's nearly impossible to put down.
And if you've never read any of the others of this series, hard, handsome Nick, tortured Rafe, and Stefanie who loves freedom and the fulfilment of her dreams, you definitely need to jump on yer steed and ride to the nearest book store and get copies. You don't want to miss this tales of hope.
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