What a "TRIP"!!

Everyone talks about "surviving" your first writer's conference. It's true, I didn't really know quite what to expect. But if you ask me today,

"Did you 'survive'?" I'd have to say,

"I didn't really. How about you?" 

For those who have no idea what I'm talking about....just think of whatever YOU've plugged through the past few days! Did YOU survive??

survive

Pronunciation: s&r-'vIv
Function: verb

intransitive verb
1 : to remain alive or in existence : live on
2 : to continue to function or prosper

transitive verb
1 : to remain alive after the death of
2 : to continue to exist or live after
3 : to continue to function or prosper despite : WITHSTAND
- sur·vi·vor /-'vI-v&r/ noun

Well, according to Webster's Dictionary... I didn't (merely) "survive", I actually "thrived" through my first writer's conference!!! Wooohooo! 

How about you?

(Side note to some: please don't fret, if you ARE in survival mode right now --I'm there in many, many areas of life too... still looking to God for the wisdom and strength to "thrive" in those journeys as well. I encourage you to hang on, to know that He IS there, to continue to seek Him, and to trust with all your might, that He WILL bring you through!) 

thrive
Pronunciation: 'thrIv
Function: intransitive verb

1 : to grow vigorously : FLOURISH
2 : to gain in wealth or possessions : PROSPER
3 : to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances -- often used with on
- thriv·er /'thrI-v&r/ noun

The ACFW conference was quite an experience. 

I grew spiritually. Worship and fellowship with other writers, editors and agents challenged me, both in writing, and other priorities of life as well. 

I gained knowledge. Yep! Soaked up lots of new information about the "craft", and the process toward publication.  

Taking one step further in my progress toward a first novel, helped me realize that I'd already learned a little more than I thought, and confirmed that I'm definitely on the "right track"!

Writing like any endeavor in life is a" journey".  I was laughing when I came home last night and everyone kept asking if I'd "had a good trip?"... "Trip? What trip? I was just at a hotel here in Dallas for a few days", after all I hadn't really left town or anything. 

This morning as the memory of the past few days washed over me, it finally hit...Trip? Did they say TRIP? I giggled to myself. Wow, yeah...what a "TRIP"!! 

Watch for photos and more about my "trip" over the next week... AND THEN, on October 1st I'm back to "work"!! 

Join me then, as I officially unveil the "title" and invite you to an ongoing, intimate view of what it takes to write my first book!!

Smile, it's a fresh new week-

Rebecca