For many writers, the conference appointments are a time of anxiety. Until recently I fell into that category too. I’ve come to the place where I enjoy the opportunity to share my passion for my stories. Conference provides many chances to chat with like-minded people, but during those precious 15 minutes, the agent or editor across the table is somewhat your captive audience.

My goal this year was to find an agent with whom I would fit well. I asked other authors this brilliant question, “How did you know your agent was right for you?” Each time I chuckled, because I sounded like my dear friend Gretchen when each of our friends got married. You could always count on Gretchen asking, “But how did you know he was the one?” And we’d answer, “You just know.”

Well, I had the appointment with the agent I’d carefully chosen months before, and wouldn’t you know it, I just knew. After only 15 minutes, I felt completely at ease with this person. I guess God had it all in His control. This agent, the one I really want to sign with,  may not feel the same about me. I’ll have to do what writers do. Wait, pray, drive my critique partners nuts, and I continually check my email for that request or rejection. Regardless of the answer, I’ll keep writing. God knows what I need, and He cares enough to take care of me.

By the way, my other appointment was mentoring with Deborah Raney. Writers, if you have the chance to do this, take it. In 15 minutes, I was encouraged, we talked out future plot ideas, and she gave me great pointers to strengthen the endings of my stories.

Hope the suns shining on you today,

Christina

I made it through a very long day of travel yesterday, but at the end my critique partner Jodie was there to meet me. Yay! That made the long hours of sitting in tiny seats worth it.

Did you know you can get a flu shot right there in the Denver airport? Now that is efficiency.

The hotel and conference center is beautiful. My room is on the nineteenth floor, and if you’re brave, you can look all the way down to the ground floor. I haven’t taken a good look yet.

My roommate, Heidi Chiavaroli, arrived today. I’m so glad to meet her. And anytime now, Donna and Kimberly should be here. Having this extra time today to hang out is wonderful.

More later,

Christina

I received a comment from one of my wonderful critique partners today. She questioned part of my story, and rightly so. I hadn’t done enough research. Funny thing is, I love the research, so I got right on with it.

The storyline has two people with Down’s Syndrome planning to be married. But is that reasonable? I know of a couple locally that are married, and I assumed that marriage among adults with Down’s Syndrome was a regular occurrence.

I’m happy to report that after searching the internet, I found some of the most beautiful loves stories. My favorite is the story of Paul and Andrea. They were the first couple with Down’s Syndrome to marry in the UK. Check out their story.

Below is a trailer for the documentary, Monica and David.

Enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago, I finished another first draft. That brings me to a total of three completed manuscripts. I wonder when I’ll get to this point and not feel lost for a few days.

So what’s next?

Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

Yep, it’s back at the edits. I’ll be fixing all those little glitches, typos, and oops I-could-do-better spots. I’m also putting together a proposal for an agent and ordering new business cards.

The new cards will have one of my new headshots taken by Marci at MarciB Photography.

Here are a few I’m considering. What do you think?