Pre-Game Jitters for Author Type Athletes

Call it what you want: The Big Game, Opening Night, The Concert, The Playoffs. It is that big moment in your life for which you have been preparing. For me, it is a writing conference. Okay, I know that isn’t exactly like preparing for the Super Bowl, but there are similarities.

I know because I’m in training to attend the American Christian Fiction Writers annual conference in Dallas. It’s a big deal.

·     I need a game plan.

·  I need to know the players –the agents, editors, authors, and speakers attending.

·  I need my plays worked out.

My game plan? I am scheduled to meet with agents and editors. I have registered for workshops to help me strengthen my writing. I want to get everything I can out of those experiences.

The conference planners asked for volunteers. I volunteered to work an hour at the registration desk. I want to meet people. It’s part of my plan.

I don’t know exactly with whom I’ll be meeting. When I registered, I could choose three agents, three editors, and so forth. I think the way it works is I will get an appointment with one of each. So I’m reading their blogs, visiting their websites, learning what I can about them.

I have a first choice for an agent. I’ve been following his blog for a long time. (I don’t know if he’ll be the one I get to meet, but I’m praying that happens.) I currently don’t have an agent. I had Tom and God and figured that was enough.

I’ve prepared a synopsis for works I have in the mill.

I have my business cards ready. (Thanks Danielle)

I’m preparing my “elevator pitch.” By the way…next week I convinced the invincible Rebecca Barth to write a guest post on preparing the elevator pitch. She works with businesses and creative people all the time in presenting their ideas.

Oh, and I need to figure out what to wear, of course.

No this is not me. But I feel like it!

But mostly, I need to make sure I’m writing and not just talking about it.

The conference is a little over a week away and you could say I have the pre-game jitters.

What do you do to prepare for the BIG DAY?

Comments welcomed, prayers preferred.