A few nights ago, I remembered the bag I brought back from my repeated trips to the Romance Writers of America conference's goodie room.
I emptied it out on the couch before the interested eyes of my 13-year-old daughter. Out spilled free pens, refrigerator magnets, emery boards, even a back massager! And of course, tons of book marks and postcards promoting authors and their work. My girl quickly found the couple of postcards that somehow still had mini chocolate bars attached to them.
And just like my daughter, I salivated all over again.
I
sorted through the enticing book marks of writers I'd like to check out, and
the tantalizing PR pieces from publishers swearing they've love to have a
writer like me. In a rush of three-day-old nostalgia, I remembered the fun. The
fatigue. The excitement. The hope.
Like
many writers, I didn't return from RWA with a hot new publishing deal. So what
did I bring back with me, aside from a fresh bag of almost-forgotten goodies?
I
think we go to conferences for two reasons:
1.
To advance our careers (hey, that editor from the Big Six COULD fall in love
with us).
2.
To get inspired.
The
outcome of the first one is beyond our control. The outcome of the second is
entirely up to us.
A
conference, and a writing career, can be a disappointment if you're only in it
for the brass ring. That sucker can be far away, and some of us never attain
it. So, we need to think about WHY we're writing, and make sure that reason is
enough to sustain you through the lean times.
If
you're doing it for fame and fortune, stop! First of all, you're delusional and
may need professional help. Second of all, even if you achieve it, it's likely
to be a long road. You'd better enjoy getting there – and be ready to stick
with it if a market shift suddenly makes your current genre "not hot."
I'm
not saying there needs to be joy every minute. There's not joy in motherhood
every minute – ask any mom! It was somehow startling for me, returning to a
familiar world where there's no milk in the refrigerator and I need to figure
out what to feed people. Somehow, in a few days, I forgot about that? Funny how
fast a person can get spoiled, sleeping on clean white sheets we didn't wash,
and having balanced meals brought to us that we didn't cook!
But
it's the commitment to what you've chosen to be – the love – that will see you
through. Even when I'm not overjoyed with my kids at the moment, I don't stop
being a mom. I'm committed to it. I took my pen name from the names of my
children as a reminder of that – my way of dedicating every book to them. And
it's a good thing, because that Sierra Donovan can be pretty self-centered.
Now,
just as I've returned to the task of feeding my family, I need to remember to
feed my muse. The goodie bag was a reminder of that. My name may not be up in
lights next year, or the year after that. But it's our choice, every day, to
stay in love with the process of telling our stories.
That
-- like my chocolate-devouring child on the couch beside me -- is what sees
me through.
8 comments:
Conferences are exhausting, but so worth the expense. Maybe next year when RWA is in Atlanta I'll get to attend.
Geography was definitely a deciding factor for me this year. Anaheim was just a 1-1/2 hour drive for me -- I couldn't pass that up!
What a wonderful post. I'd never thought of the love and commitment to writing as akin to the love and commitment we feel to our children, but it is so true. Next time I get stuck in the middle of a book, I'll remember those middle of the night feedings and how they paid off. Conversely, when I feel frustrated by the demands of my family, I'll remember the thrill of holding one of my books in my hands.
What a great post. It put into words exactly how I feel about my writing, even though I had never thought about it that way before.
Well said!
Loretta, Sandy and Jennifer, thanks so much for reading! I am bound and determined to make the most of my conference experience. I've been going over my notes -- something I've too rarely done in the past -- and reliving those "a-ha" moments from the workshops while they're still fresh!
But also mustn't forget that it's the family that keeps me going ... and going ... and going!!! :)
Thank you so much, Sierra. Tonight, I needed this.
LOVED, LOVED spending time with you at the conference this year. As we drove home through your home town, I saw it in a whole new light. This wasn't just a town anymore, it was where Sierra Donovan lived! Thanks for the lovely times!
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