Mount Hermon

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After it’s all said and done.

Wednesday, April 8th, 2009

Literally.

I’m back at Sarah‘s house where I’ll be staying for the next few weeks.  Hanging in the OC for a bit? Don’t mind if I do.

Mt. Hermon. I don’t know what to say. It was absolutely wonderful. I’m a better person for going- professionally and personally. I have some really sweet friends, old and new- Sarah, Melodee, Brad, Andy, BJ, Rusty, Hollie, Judy, and a few other crazies. And our buddy Thomas [who has some seriously sweet internet skillz] did an AWESOME job of collecting all the Mt. Hermon twitter people here.  Cool, huh?

So I left the conference feeling like I have a small conglomerate of buds that kinda mean a lot to me.

And professionally, it was awesome. I learned a whole lot, met some great editors, authors, agents, and publicists. I met with my agent Rachel and we have laid out a simple plan which should lead to world domination in 6-9 months. I also went to classes that will benefit my career, improve my writing, and hopefully put my book on your book shelf in the near future.

BUT.

I am exhausted. I mean, seriously, how many times can one genuinely answer “So what do you write?”. Apparently somewhere in the 350-360 times range. And then I ran out of steam and started saying things like, “I…. ummm…. kinda…. yeah… where is the nearest Smoothie King?”

Which is strange, but these are the things that happen when I get very tired.

In fact, while writing this post on my bed, I started to feel my head droop. So I laid on my shoulder and typed, then scooted back a bit further and laid my head down while I was typing.  And then I thought, “I wonder if I look as tired as I feel?”

I’m going to go with UH. YEAH.

tired

[Someday I'll regret putting up pictures like this. But for today, I think it's funny. Humor trumps dignity every time here at annieblogs.com]

Posted in Mount Hermon, Ze Bloggy Goodness | 17 Responses »

I’m out of words.

Tuesday, April 7th, 2009

collage1

And I’m grateful for my people.

Posted in Mount Hermon | 10 Responses »

Mt. Hermon Day 2.

Sunday, April 5th, 2009

I have a confession- I am currently skipping a session that would probably make me a STELLAR writer. Hope y’all will settle for mediocre. Cause I just need. a. break. from. writing.

So I came to the coffee shop to blog.  Cause you know, blogging is significantly different than writing.

And after editing a piece for Mona Hodgson to critique, let’s just say I’m quite cognizant of the amount of times I use the words “was” and “very”.

It was a very interesting critique meeting.

Dang it.

I want to spill out all the things that are happening here for my career, but that’s weird and really possibly inappropriate.  I mean, you aren’t telling me about your business meetings on your blog, are you?  [Are you? Cause I'm really nosy and I would enjoy that.]  But rest assured that your prayers are being heard and felt and KEEP IT UP UNTIL TUESDAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU.

We take different classes every afternoon, but in the morning we take the same class every day.  [A track, if you will.]  And my track is about media and public relations. Let’s just say there is a lot of BLOG TALK and that does a heart good.  My friends Holley and BJ are in the class with me. We whisper tech-talk back and forth. Cause I’m a dork. And have found some of my kind.

And the dude teaching the class, Rusty, keeps us entertained and is pretty smart.  [Smart enough to call me a savvy author on his blog. And if any of y'all correct him about that "savvy" business, I'll be real sad. Just let it go.]

Sorry to post on a Sunday, but I want to keep y’all in the know.

Happy Palm Sunday. Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.

Posted in Mount Hermon | 4 Responses »

Mount Hermon 09 Official Post 1.

Saturday, April 4th, 2009

That is a pompous title. And I like it.

I can’t stop listening to The Alternate Routes singing “California”.  It just feels so right, how could it be wrong?

It’s nice to be here at Mount Hermon.  It’s nice to feel a bit more comfortable since I’ve done this before. It’s nice to say, “I’ve finished a book and I’m represented by so-and-so and I’m here shopping a book”.  Because last year? My answer was as follows:

“Uh…. I have a blog…. and I’m quitting my job… and I like to write…” and then I’d end with some mumbles and spit bubbles.

So I guess you could say I was not exactly what publishers were looking for.

Your prayers, sweet friends, are being felt. I had my first rejection and as I said on twitter, “…. I’m still breathing. Burned more like chlorine in my eyes than a spear through my heart. Which I find to be progress.”  I really am okay, it was weird. This thought came to mind- if God has a plan for this book [and I think He does], then this rejection right here? It’s part of the plan.

And I dig it, though honestly no one really enjoys chlorine in their eyes.

Our keynote speaker, Bill Butterworth, did an awesome job last night talking about courage and how to be courageous using the story of David and Goliath.  I wanted to share his points with you because I think they are universal, not just writer-versal. [Uh, listen. I can make up words if I so choose. I'm an author.]

1. Courageous people take the initiative. (David stepping up to fight.)

2. Courageous people have to learn how to take criticism. (Saul saying David wasn’t strong enough, making him wear the armor, etc.)

3. Courageous people are victorious in their own appropriate style. (David’s sling and stones.)

4. Courageous people know that their power is from the Lord. (Like David.)

So read over that a bit today and enjoy it. I don’t know your life so well, so I can’t tell you what area of your life is requiring courage today, but it’s something. Somewhere in your life, you are brave.

And for that, I salute you, brave one.  You keep it up there and I’ll try to keep it up here.  Deal?

Posted in Mount Hermon | 7 Responses »
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