Home from the Conference

The 2007 ACFW Conference exceeded all my expectations. The sessions, meeting new friends, divine appointments, and sharing fears, woes, and triumphs with other writers made it a fantastic experience. My local WIN group took home many honors and the promise of requested submissions from editors and agents. Going full-tilt for three full days wore me out, and I may never fully absorb all the information. I did learn that a conference of this magnitude is not for wimps, and that you really should prepare a few words for the awards ceremony, just in case.

On the one hand, I didn't dream I would win anything, let alone take first place in my Genesis category. I thought it would be presumptive of me to write out a list of people to thank or any lofty thoughts. Who would've thought? On the other hand, perhaps I should have. When my name was called, my brain turned to mush, followed quickly by involuntary shaking and the inability to propel myself to the stage. That's when my friends took over, and I know their cheers and prayers went with me to the stage. I don't know what I said at the podium, only that words DID flow from my mouth, and the next thing I knew, Jodie Westfall was taking my picture and smiling back at me. Today, I feel humbled and honored and thankful. Enough of that.

The real purpose of today's blog is to share the victories of my local WIN (Writers of Inspirational Novels). What an accomplished group! For some, it was their first conference. Many others are seasoned veterans.

Kudos to:

• Margaret Daley, 1st place Book of the Year, Short Suspense
• Therese Stenzel, Zone Director Award
• Myra Johnson, 3rd place Genesis Award, Comtemporary Fiction
• Vickie McDonough, finalist in two Book of the Year categories

The photo above is of me with my Genesis award plaque and Jennifer Hudson Taylor, my new fun friend who placed in TWO Genesis categories. Way to go, Jennifer!

I am blessed by this group and will post some of the conference pics when I figure out how. A techie I'm not.

Till then . . .