Have You Done Your Homework?

Thursday, May 31st, 2018     by Debra DuPree Williams     One Comment
By Debra DuPree Williams @DDuPreeWilliams

That may seem an odd question to ask as school draws to a close for the summer. For many, this is just the start of a very busy season. Just because school is out doesn’t mean the work ends. I’m talking about for writers.

This time last week I was busy running around the hills and up and down the stairs on the campus at the Ridgecrest Conference Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina. I was there with my sister for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. This is a fabulous conference for those of you who may have any kind of interest or a calling to write. It is run by Edie Melson and DiAnn Mills, two outstanding authors and all-around fabulous women. Each of these ladies has the heart of a teacher.

BRMCWC 
BRMCWC, as the conference is called by many, is a full four days of learning the craft of writing from the very best teachers in the industry. If you go to this site https://www.blueridgeconference.com/  you will be able to read all about the faculty for this year. Delve deeper and you will find classes they taught. It is an intense week filled with not only learning opportunities, but appointments with agents, editors, and publishers, and just about anyone associated with the publishing industry. We also have a time of worship each morning and each evening followed by keynotes from member of the faculty.

This year, Russell and Kristi http://www.russellandkristi.com/ returned to lead us in praise and worship. They are a married couple who look like they are about twenty, but we were told this year that they are celebrating their twenty-fourth anniversary. Congratulations! They have done such a fabulous job over the past few years that it was announced Thursday morning that they have been asked to be the permanent worship leaders for this conference. I for one, am thrilled. They are not only great musicians, they are spirit-filled worship leaders.

I know that conferences can be overwhelming. Even though this was my fifth straight year to attend BRMCWC, I was overwhelmed at all I learned and the many things I need to do now that I’m home. I spent the weekend in my office, other than the few hours I took off on Saturday to go to Greenville, SC, with my husband to cheer on the Samford University Bulldogs in the SoCon Championship baseball series. SU is my husband’s Alma Mater and I am happy to announce that they won. Congratulations, Bulldogs. 
  

What Homework? 
So now let’s talk about that homework. I got down to business as quickly as I could. As our keynote speakers and directors reminded us on more than one occasion, if you are asked for a proposal, don’t think they weren’t serious. Get down to it, get it written, and hit that send button. What do you have to lose? Absolutely nothing, even if it’s the worst thing (in your mind) you’ve ever written. But if you don’t do it, you will never know what doors might have been opened.

 If you were told you need to hone your craft, go to the library and check out  books about writing. Take a trip to your local book store and purchase how-to books. Buy them for your e-reader. Google things you need to learn. Watch a YouTube video telling you how to do those things that bring you the most grief. If navigating anything social media related, online is a great place for learning. You can find anything online these days.

My point is, if you have work to do, and who among us doesn’t,  just do it. All those people who won awards this year began right where you did—without knowing anything, but having a deep desire to write, a call from God that you cannot ignore. Or maybe you have had a bit of experience writing but you aren’t where you need to be as yet. The same thing goes for you. Do the work and come back next year better prepared and with a heart and mind willing to learn. 

Don’t  ignore the advice of the people who have walked this journey and are now teachers and mentors. Listen to what they have to say. Pray about your writing journey, do your homework, and expect doors to open. We serve a big God. He will help you when you call upon His name. You can do this. (Phil. 4:13)

 So, I ask you, have you done your homework? Writers . . . school’s not out . . . yet.

What are doing to further your writing career? Share that with us below.

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1 Comment

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  1. Janet Campbell says:
    June 4, 2018 at 9:04 am

    School is never really out, is it!! One of our pastors used to greet people who asked how he was doing with, "Learning and growing."

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