Conference Confessions

I'm at the Indianapolis Christian Writers Conference teaching two workshops and meeting with people who are interested in writing cards. It's my first year to attend this conference and I've been really impressed. I'd recommend it for any of you who are aspiring writers.

This is probably my seventh writers conference or so but I'll tell you a secret...I still get really nervous. Perhaps it's the introvert in me but small-talking with editors and widely published writers scares me silly at times. Of course, they're all very nice and in the end I have a wonderful time but those first few moments through the door I always seem to sweat (literally and figuratively).

Also, I seem to be quite capable of getting myself into precarious situations wherever I go. This time I have done three things so far. First, I forgot the tank top that I normally wear under the shirt I packed for today. I frantically called the front desk this morning and they had a safety pin that seemed to do the trick. But I spent a most of the day silently hoping that no wardrobe malfunctions would occur.

Second, I walked into the men's bathroom. Okay, scratch that. I spent several minutes in the men's bathroom and even redid my lipstick before realizing I was in the wrong place. Thankfully no one was in there. (I'm becoming a bit concerned about my reason as well as reputation because I did this at the last conference I went to as well.)

Finally, I twisted the knob off a very fancy water jug. I scrambled to put cup after cup beneath the spicket to catch all the water before discovering if I leaned it back then it would stop. I carried it into the kitchen and apologized for destroying conference property. Fortunately, it was easily repaired and my fragile self-esteem probably ultimately took the greater beating.

So there are my confessions for the day. The speakers were inspirational, the facility beautiful, the other attendees inspiring and kind, but what stood out to me most was how very thankful I am that God doesn't have any requirements for who He uses. He doesn't care if I occasionally wander into the wrong restroom, almost cause a flood, or forget essential articles of clothing (okay, maybe He does care about that last one). What matters to Him most is my heart.

The other night I was watching the part of Bridget Jones' Diary where Mark Darcy says to her, "I like you just as you are." I felt that way today. It was as if I could sense God saying to my nervous, silly, mixed-up self, "Holley, I love you just as you are." He says the same to each of you tonight.

What beautiful, scandalous, undeserved grace. Is there anything better in the whole wide world?

Comments

[Lawrence W. Wilson]

Holley ... No worries! You have been a big hit at Indy Christian Writers Conference. My 16-year-old daugther loved your workshop, and she's hard to impress!

Thanks for sharing about your nervousness, I know that nearly all the conferees feel the same way.

I hope you can come back again next year.

Larry Wilson
indychristianwritersconf.com

[Linda]

Holley, you're incredible! Um, so it's okay if I got nervous and wondered what I was doing at the speaking engagement last fall. The butterflies were fluttery, I got incredibly quiet, and the words "if you're not anointed, sit down" were fresh in my mind. (Did I drive all those miles just to sit down? Thank God He answered.) I came away blessed, refreshed and changed.

Somehow reading this today helped relax me. That's a good thing because I'm at work with oodles of things to do. :) Can't wait to hear your presentation another time. Thanks for being so real and putting us all at ease. Blessings.

[Terry Whalin]

Holley,

They've surveyed most editors and writers and the majority of us are introverts. Yes, no one assumes that I'm one but my preference is to sit in a corner with a book instead of being the life of the party. Thank you for your transparency and coming to help other writers. It means a great deal.

Terry
Author of Book Proposals That Sell
http://www.bookproposals.ws/

The Writing Life
http://www.thewritinglife.ws/

[AngelaAdams]

Holley,

I loved your talk on keeping your writing relevant. You clarified a lot for me. I was surprised to read that you were nervous because even with the computer glitch, you seemed completely in control.

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who stuggled with the fancy water dispenser!

[Phyllis (Holley) Blickensderfer]

So nice to meet another Holley! That was my maiden name. If it is a family name for you, too, you wear it well. Thank you for your blog -- and for the cards I may have used that you created. Their line is beautiful!

[Robin Fogle]

Holley, I was at the conference, and I just had to laugh about your water jar incident. I couldn't figure out how the stupid thing worked either! Just as I was about to yank the lid off the top and dunk my cup in, a friend saved the day by showing me how to unscrew that little "thingy" on the front. Who would have thought?! ha! You did a great job on your workshops. I am enjoying your blog too. Thanks for sharing your talent with us! Robin

[Holley]

Thanks so much for all of your encouraging words! I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one who gets nervous or does silly things at times. And I'm also glad I'm not banned from the Christian Writers Conference circuit. Thanks, Larry! (: