To Thine Own Self Be True

The ACFW conference last weekend was phenomenal. I learned so much--I think I've got blog ideas for weeks--and had a great time meeting new people and hearing their stories, both written and in life.

One of the classes I attended was on author branding. Now before your eyes glaze over or you think this might not apply to those who are unpublished, I heard something really cool. The editor teaching the class told those of us who didn't yet have a book published that the first thing we could do toward developing an author brand is to figure out who we are. Once we know that, then we need to reflect that in the genre we choose to write.

I've heard other things before about branding and author platforms for fiction, but this little nugget of advice made it all click. And it really goes back to being yourself--in all aspects of life.

As Dr. Seuss said, "Be who you are . . . because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.”

Not What It Seems

I saw the play Mama Mia in London some years ago. At the time, my mom, aunt and cousin and I thought the play was about some Italian girl who gets married. Yeah, not exactly. The scenery, dancing, and ABBA songs were way different than what we'd expected. I only knew a few of ABBA's songs at the time, but it wasn't until I got married and my husband had this ABBA CD that I really got into their music.

Often we do the same thing with people - without knowing what's really going on we make snap judgments (positive or negative). She/he has it all together or doesn't, she/he handles her/his life or kids better or worse, she/he easily made it to publication.

Like the play, though, things aren't always what they seem. We may not know about the really bad day someone had, or the challenges faced to learn peace, or the hundreds of rejections before that one "yes."

I want to remember that people/things aren't always what they seem. Who knows, you might end up rockin' out to "Dancing Queen" without expecting to!

p.s. Thank you to the lovely Ali Cross for these two blog awards last week.

She's not only a good friend but a member of my crit group (I know, be jealous, very jealous). Alas, because I'm leaving on a jet plan very soon, I won't be able do all that the awards entail. I'll share the required seven things about myself and call it good.

1. I sleep with a pillow next to my back because I'm on the side of the bed closest to the door. Something about not having anything to block me from the door freaks me out. And yes, I realize a mere pillow isn't going to do much against intruders -- it's psychological.

2. I don't like cooking. My DH is the real chef/baker of our family.

3. Despite #2, I can bake a mean cookie.

4. I like oldies music - and no, I'm not talking post-1980's. I grew up listening to the stuff with my dad and I still like it.

5. I want to visit Minneapolis because I have a novel that takes place there - research in person, baby! I just need to convince my husband this would be a fun vacation.

6. I need sleep, like a good eight hours. I'm not one of those people who can go to bed late and have no repercussions (read grouchiness) the next day.

7. I've never read a Harry Potter book. I know, I know. I did listen in as my husband read the first one out loud to my kids. Maybe once they get into them, then I'll jump on that bandwagon

Take a Chance

I discovered an inspirational romance author this year who I really like. Her humor, her writing, her stories make for great reading. On a whim, I decided to e-mail her and tell her how much I enjoy her books. Other than the unrealistic hope that she and I would become best friends, I didn't expect much to happen after I sent the e-mail. A few weeks later I was pleasantly surprised when she e-mailed back.

Her e-mail was gracious and kind--she thanked ME for taking the time to e-mail! Then she asked if I was going to the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference this month.

Of course the answer was no. I looked up the conference just for fun and found out it was in three weeks in Indianapolis. The next day I looked up flights - just for fun, remember. But I kept thinking about the conference and what an great opportunity it would be. When I talked to my DH about it, he said, "Go for it." (And yes, I thank my lucky stars he decided to marry me!)

So next week I'm flying to Indiana. I'm thrilled (a bunch of the editors and agents from the inspirational market will be there), but I'm also scared. I don't like flying or being forced out of my comfort zone to meet new people (did I mention I don't know a soul there?) or unfamiliar situations or having to talk about my books out loud. But I'm going!

If I hadn't taken the chance to e-mail that author, I wouldn't be going to this conference. That's taking another chance in itself. But even if the only thing I get out of it is learning to be more bold personally and professionally, I think it'll be worth it.

Happy Where I Am

For a last hurrah to summer, we went hiking last week as a family up the canyon near our house. As I was looking at the mountains that I've lived around for years, I realized how amazing they really are--how majestic and beautiful and less than 15 mins away.

There are times I wish I lived near an ocean (I am a California-born girl after all) or some place with lots more trees (like Michigan where I lived for a year and a half), but living near these mountains is pretty awesome too.

Sometimes we live too much in the past or worry too much about the future, but then we miss the cool things about where we are RIGHT NOW.

Though I may be unpublished right now, there are some great things about where I am: no deadlines, other than my own, and time to explore and write what I want.

Life IS sweet and it becomes even sweeter when I remember the moments/the things I'm grateful for in where I am right now!

Next week I'll spill the beans about the crazy thing I'm doing in TWO weeks, something that'll force me to face up to quite a few of my fears!