What does it mean for you to try something out of your comfort zone? Would you give it a chance even if it stretched you and caused you some unease? It doesn’t matter how small or big it is. What is something that would challenge the ways that you think, or push you to become a better version of yourself, to give yourself the opportunity for growth, or even new memories?
They weren’t kidding when a speaker said the conference would be a fire hose of information. After my first class of Publishing 101, I knew there was so much about the industry that I didn’t know about, and that my current manuscript wasn’t anywhere near ready to be published, whether that was traditional or self-publishing. As I looked at the long list of notes I had already compiled from part one of three of the Publishing 101, I knew there was a lot of work ahead of me. Yet, strangely enough, I wasn’t deterred. I felt more resolved than before to follow the steps I would need to become successful as an author. Not famous, guys. Just being able to write a novel and publish it well. For I desire to make the content as best as it can be. “Well, you can’t just wait till it’s perfect,” some might say. True. But also, no one wants to read unpolished trash. That’s what critique groups, beta readers, and editors are for. Helping you refine the trash into gold. (I hope my friend doesn’t come to scold me later for calling my writing trash!) Okay, how about beautiful, lovely trash? No? I can hear the growl of disapproval. Well, I wrote what I wrote. Not taking it back now!
Even if my manuscript isn’t perfect yet, though, that doesn’t mean I didn’t bring a few pages of my draft to my 15-minute author meeting session. Oh, boy. I entered a room filled with tables with professionals in the writing industry and found the author I had set up an appointment with. She asked me what I wanted to talk about. Advice. That’s what I wanted. She gave me a few that I jotted down in my notebook so as not to forget for later, and then she asked if I had brought any of my manuscript. Slightly nervous, I pulled out the first ten pages of my current work in project and handed it to her. She started reading through it. Ah! I hate when anyone reads my work when I’m present, yet I wasn’t going to turn down help. So, keep it together, man!
She started marking some sentences and explaining how wording could be improved or tweaked, but as she went through it, she told me that my writing was good. Though there were common first-page errors that writers make, they were things that could easily be fixed. Not going to lie. That little meeting boosted my confidence. I didn’t care if the page was all marked up because the advice she had given me made sense. I thanked her when the time was up and left with a little more pep in my step.
Afterwards, I headed for a world-building class. I was in my element, loving fantasy, sci-fi, and all the details of what goes behind creating worlds for fiction. At the end of the class, though, when it was time for questions, I had one lingering in my mind. Normally, I don’t enjoy talking in class, but I decided to force myself to ask, giving a reference to the tiny dragons that were in my story world. It wasn’t even that big of a deal asking the question, but I spoke up.
As the class ended, a young woman suddenly came up to me with an excited gleam in her eye, asking me more about my book with the tiny dragons. I wasn’t sure why I was so caught off guard, considering I was in a class mainly for those who wrote in this genre, but it really touched me that she was so interested in my book. More writers joined the circle, and we got to talking about issues in our storylines and thinking through ideas. If I hadn’t asked a question, would that conversation have followed? I don’t know. But I made a few friends that day, friends who understood the complexities of writing in certain genres and writers who have the same passion as I do for storytelling.
Finally, dinner rolled around. I found myself sitting alone in the busy cafeteria. That wasn’t such a big deal to me. It meant I didn’t have to talk again. I know, I know. I had great conversations throughout the day, but that didn’t mean all my nerves were completely gone yet, and a break from that felt good. I sat quietly by myself when three Australians (everyone loved the Aussies) came over to my table and joined me, and I was quite happy to have company, even if my nerves weren’t completely settled.
Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the literary agents — actually, he is probably one of THE literary agents that is well known in the Christian publishing world, and I didn’t even know about that until I researched the conference.
And he asked to join our table.
Panic, panic! Ahh!
He put his plate down by my seat and excused himself as he went to get a drink or something. Um, this wasn’t part of the plan? Not that I had a plan, but oh no. What if he asked me about what I write? Yes, it’s a writer’s conference, but I didn’t have a great answer for my novel. Well, I had an answer. I just didn’t want to be stumbling all over my words. One of the Aussies saw my reaction, I think a little amused, and said there was nothing to be afraid of and that he was a great guy. I didn’t doubt he was a great guy. I just didn’t want to talk about my book.
Well, he soon came back. And we all started talking.
He did not ask me about me about my book. Thank the heavens.
But I was actually super happy that he joined the table because the conversations we had were so fun. I got to learn a bit more about what it’s like being a literary agent, and the publishing industry, and he also made me laugh so hard about a story about a slush muppet. I think I was nearly in tears. Even if I didn’t exactly push myself out of my comfort zone, I’m really glad I didn’t go to a quiet corner of the cafeteria where no one would have seen me, but I placed myself in an area where I left it open for others to join my table. Even the small steps I took to push myself out of my comfort zone brought many new memories. Everything I did was worth it. Maybe next time I’ll be able to take more steps toward growth.
Gettin' Real 