by Hope Welborn @WriteawayHope

Writers Conference.

These two words can strike fear into the souls of every introverted writer hiding behind her hipster glasses, organic green tea, and laptop. Or maybe that’s just me.

Meeting new people, meals with strangers, and the dreaded 15-minute appointments with faculty. These things can be scary. But the fear of being unprepared should be crossed off the list. At least at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference.

I’m one of those people who likes to know what I’m getting into before I get there. It’s important for me to be prepared for anything that may happen. So, being the control freak, er, preparation junkie that I am, I scoured the Blue Ridge website for any information I could find. Boy, was I in for a happy surprise.

The information provided on the website’s pages and blog posts answered every question I had, and some I didn’t even know I should ask. What to say when someone asks, “So, what is your book about?” What to put on my business cards, and why I needed business cards. What a one sheet was and how to make one. What NOT to do when talking to a faculty member. And as for Edie Melson’s “Conference Notebook” post, I could seriously fan-girl-swoon over that.

I followed the suggestions to a tee, and I walked into Blue Ridge without the fear and trepidation that so often accompany me in a new situation. I made new friends. I gave my elevator pitch to those who asked. I handed out so many business cards that I need to re-order.

And when I got to my first 15-minute appointment, I knew how to act and what to expect. I was prepared when the person asked me for my one sheet and a writing sample. And I walked away with a request to submit a proposal.

There was a lot of prayer that went into that appointment, and but I also want to thank the conference staff. My experience wouldn’t have gone as well without your helpful and inspired advice.

I told someone at dinner one night that if you came into this conference unprepared, you had no one to blame but yourself, because the information was there, ready to be consumed and acted upon.

The same is true in our writing. When I first began the journey of being a writer, I asked God to show me how. And the information poured in. Through many Divine circumstances, I have been given the opportunity to learn and grow, and I don’t take that lightly. Like a delicious meal, the things I have learned have been food for my soul.

So, don’t wander around not knowing what to do. Be prepared. Information is everywhere. You just have to open your eyes and see what God has provided.

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” James 1:5 ESV

Hope Welborn loves to create spine-tingling suspense that is sprinkled with romance and saturated with faith. When not writing, you can find her spending time at her parents’ farm, teaching piano lessons, discussing anything superhero related, or laughing until she cries with her best friend. She masquerades as a web marketing projects manager at her day job. She blogs about writing and life at www.hopewelborn.com. You can also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.