tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post2352693487886538633..comments2024-02-21T03:32:15.577-05:00Comments on Jill Kemerer: Conferences: The Image You ProjectJill Kemererhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-45341803679066409492009-08-23T18:36:29.793-04:002009-08-23T18:36:29.793-04:00I can so relate to your post. I still get a bit i...I can so relate to your post. I still get a bit intimidated at conferences but then I remind myself that even these multi-published authors were unpublished at one point and we are just in different stages on the road.Amy DeTrempehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04785965181851533070noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-60883317063938545102009-08-22T20:24:08.237-04:002009-08-22T20:24:08.237-04:00Angie: Oh, I like that. It's like a mantra!
T...Angie: Oh, I like that. It's like a mantra!<br /><br />Tabitha: It's funny, isn't it, how we don't even realize we're sending out vibes--good or bad.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-12829421441181114382009-08-22T19:34:05.952-04:002009-08-22T19:34:05.952-04:00I loved this post. So true. We have to be comforta...I loved this post. So true. We have to be comfortable with where we are at and other's are usually going to be comfortable when we are. Glad you had a good time:)Tabitha Birdhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08196816108272065974noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-17875585428708455982009-08-22T17:37:15.394-04:002009-08-22T17:37:15.394-04:00That's right! Be proud. Chin up. Trust yoursel...That's right! Be proud. Chin up. Trust yourself.Angie Ledbetterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16407006980893727627noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-24741294041376798202009-08-22T16:10:41.958-04:002009-08-22T16:10:41.958-04:00Susan: You're welcome! Conferences do have a w...Susan: You're welcome! Conferences do have a way of bringing out a rainbow of emotions, don't they?<br /><br />Krista: I wasn't always mentally prepared for discussing my books either, so I just mentioned the genre books I write and left it at that. However, some people genuinely wanted to know, so I repeated my elevator pitch to them. Good practice!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-25316225187830466462009-08-22T09:12:20.067-04:002009-08-22T09:12:20.067-04:00GREAT advice Jill!!! I went to ACFW last year and...GREAT advice Jill!!! I went to ACFW last year and loved it... but yes, there were uncomfortable spots!<br /><br />The toughest part for me is TALKING about my book. When someone asks me, "so, tell me about your book" even just a fellow unpubed author, I clam up and stammer, because it feels so foreign to me to talk about it like it's a "book" and not just an idea. LOL. but I'm getting over it!Krista Phillipshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10772828583379163612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-39368144305658199792009-08-21T21:54:44.060-04:002009-08-21T21:54:44.060-04:00Hi Jill -
Thanks for becoming a Follower on my bl...Hi Jill -<br /><br />Thanks for becoming a Follower on my blog. :)<br /><br />I know exactly what you mean about feeling both comfortable and uncomfortable. A conference is a place of opportunity, and we want to put our best foot forward. At the same time, we're soaking up all the workshops and meeting new friends.<br /><br />Thanks for an insightful post.<br /><br />Blessings,<br />Susan :)Susan J. Reinhardthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07461276857852409546noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-68616923178842432692009-08-21T19:10:47.195-04:002009-08-21T19:10:47.195-04:00IcyRoses: Hey, we have to feel good about our unpu...IcyRoses: Hey, we have to feel good about our unpublished state or we'll be miserable! No thanks!<br /><br />Katie: Oh, you hit it spot on. It's so easy to feel defensive about our work when we don't have credentials to speak for it. No worries--no one really cares about our lack of publishing credits except us!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-52518794536951208052009-08-21T19:08:01.179-04:002009-08-21T19:08:01.179-04:00Well, some of you, my comment got lost--sorry abou...Well, some of you, my comment got lost--sorry about that!<br /><br />DianeJ: I know! They're "our people"! I love it! <br /><br />Nancy: How nice of you! I'm in this for the long haul, no matter how long or how much haulin'.<br /><br />Lisa and Laura: Yes! I didn't say "I'm a writer" to anyone other than family or fellow writers until last year. It just felt natural at that point. It's a milestone, isn't it?<br /><br />Jeannie: Not more, not less--exactly correct!<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-38763254074827140212009-08-21T18:56:55.217-04:002009-08-21T18:56:55.217-04:00Excellent advice! I hate when I feel like I need t...Excellent advice! I hate when I feel like I need to defend my writing when I have to tell people I'm not published. I'll have to start praying about that!!Katie Gansherthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09150375338556869812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-50103478874089748862009-08-21T18:12:29.982-04:002009-08-21T18:12:29.982-04:00This is really great advice. I never thought abou...This is really great advice. I never thought about looking at it that way. It makes me feel a lot better about my unpublished state. :-)XiXihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05364953168828471897noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-54571204808627443382009-08-21T16:12:31.750-04:002009-08-21T16:12:31.750-04:00PatriciaW: Welcome! I agree that we need to be gro...PatriciaW: Welcome! I agree that we need to be grounded. It's a competitive business! Thankfully, though, we as writers don't have to be threatened by our peers successes. It's a supportive community.<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-33446822024051177032009-08-21T15:28:11.261-04:002009-08-21T15:28:11.261-04:00If you're not comfortable with who and where y...If you're not comfortable with who and where you are, one might say you're not ready to be published anymore than your writing. Because I think you'd better be pretty grounded going into the publishing industry, or you're setting yourself up for heartache royale.PatriciaWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04572087157439187319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-76855190533676835322009-08-21T14:50:14.024-04:002009-08-21T14:50:14.024-04:00great advice, jill. and so timely. not only do i w...great advice, jill. and so timely. not only do i want to remember who i am...but WHOSE i am. just b/c i'm not pubbed doesn't make me worth any less in the sight of god...and just b/c someone IS pubbed, doesn't make them worth more! we're all covered with christ...equals.Jeannie Campbell, LMFThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958943404601029395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-70462692622814269762009-08-21T14:28:48.482-04:002009-08-21T14:28:48.482-04:00Great post! I had a similar realization a few mont...Great post! I had a similar realization a few months ago when someone asked me what I did for a living. And for the first time I said, "I'm a writer."<br /><br />It felt so good. Even if I'm not published yet, I sure am trying and I think that's enough to earn me the title.lisa and laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18144863275895761642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-69206736457373140202009-08-21T14:19:41.166-04:002009-08-21T14:19:41.166-04:00I believe you have time to get where you want to g...I believe you have time to get where you want to go. You are kind to people and learn from every life lesson. I also love how you appreciate others. Your time will come.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15163662759281341381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-46966276968283857152009-08-21T13:58:55.927-04:002009-08-21T13:58:55.927-04:00I love this post.
Last year I attended my first...I love this post. <br /><br />Last year I attended my first writer's conference and I was so thrilled. In the business world when I would go to seminars or conferences most people just sat there and handed out business cards. <br /><br />When I got to the writer's conference last year, every workshop I was in every person was taking notes. I almost cried. I called home and told my husband "I've found my people. They were all taking notes."<br /><br />I did have one article published at that point, but it sure is embarrassing admitting that, "Well, it was in the premiere issue of XYZ magazine...which also happened to be its last issue, too."Diane J.https://www.blogger.com/profile/06638568994448668008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-27849609452099002852009-08-21T12:49:11.524-04:002009-08-21T12:49:11.524-04:00Stephanie: Every stage brings a new set of feeling...Stephanie: Every stage brings a new set of feelings, doesn't it? I think the middle where we're no longer new but not published is pretty tough. <br /><br />T.Anne: How right you are!<br /><br />Jen: Friends share the ups and the downs--I would have been upset if you didn't tell us your wonderful news! <br /><br />Cindy: You just reminded me how much work is involved in what we do. You're right--we should be proud!<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-76753375485126152112009-08-21T12:43:16.878-04:002009-08-21T12:43:16.878-04:00Thanks for the advice, Jill. You're right, we ...Thanks for the advice, Jill. You're right, we have to take ourselves seriously! We know how much work we do and how hard it can be to write an entire novel, edit it and send it to agents and publishers. If we respect what we do more, so will others! Have a great weekend.Cindy R. Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13488732331021750408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-70311290496174213842009-08-21T12:33:22.146-04:002009-08-21T12:33:22.146-04:00Oh Jill, you are so mature. I admire your outlook....Oh Jill, you are so mature. I admire your outlook. <br /><br />I so hesitated sharing my agent news on my blog this week because I didn't want anyone to feel they were at the little kids' table. I knew my fellow writers would rejoice with me, and they did, but I was scared someone's day would be ruined, and they'd start doubting their call. I love you guys more than I love getting published or getting my name known. <br /><br />God is at work in all of us, wherever we are in the journey. Conferences are a great source for Him to help us along the path.Jeanette Levelliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12898750484193832082noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-78819694201465852352009-08-21T12:28:11.935-04:002009-08-21T12:28:11.935-04:00I think most of us are in the same boat. One day a...I think most of us are in the same boat. One day and in His time.... he really does care for our hearts desires!Tanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10518718614911804428noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-69169303653045472672009-08-21T12:10:06.304-04:002009-08-21T12:10:06.304-04:00I never really felt that at writers' conferenc...I never really felt that at writers' conferences but I always went to the ones attended en masse by my own RWA chapter members so we'd all sit together. In the beginning, it was much more enjoyable because I was surrounded by newbies. Now I feel like I don't belong in either group. I'm not published but I've been writing so long, I don't fit with the newbies either. I'm like that 50-year-old hanging out in a bar, feeling like I should be at home with my spouse and kids like the rest of my peers!Stephanie Farishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10461865229341760836noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-92190969653353931122009-08-21T12:09:40.033-04:002009-08-21T12:09:40.033-04:00Keli: You said what I've long thought. We'...Keli: You said what I've long thought. We're often impressed by everyone but ourselves, and others feel the exact same way. Thanks!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-56480021557053448482009-08-21T11:04:51.511-04:002009-08-21T11:04:51.511-04:00Jill, I loved your analogy of the big kids' an...Jill, I loved your analogy of the big kids' and little kids' tables. When I attended my first writers' conference, which was designed with newbie writers in mind, I was terrifed. I didn't want to admit how little I knew or that I'd only had a handful of magazine articles published. Imagine my surprise when the fact that the smattering of articles impressed most everyone I talked to and made <i>them</i> feel intimidated. When I realized that, I shifted my focus from worrying about myself to doing all I could to encourage them, and I had a far better time.<br /><br />Now that I've been writing for over three years, I've learned that writers are some of the most generous, supportive people I've ever met. Those who've made it know what those of us who aren't yet published are going through, and, from my experience, they want to do all they can to help. What a blessing. When I bear that in mind and stop comparing myself to them, my fears are eased.Keli Gwynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13236868298400593688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8911314544674287828.post-17891147722788516602009-08-21T10:54:27.667-04:002009-08-21T10:54:27.667-04:00Wow! Great thoughts in these comments!
Eileen: My...Wow! Great thoughts in these comments!<br /><br />Eileen: My heart and my head are often at odds. While I know I'm not inferior, when I'm in a room of amazing women, it's hard not to feel...less. I'm working on it!<br /><br />Wendy: You're right. We are where we are. Period. :)<br /><br />Jody: Exactly! I know I won't magically have no doubts ten years from now. We all have issues.<br /><br />Ralene: Me too. Me too.<br /><br />Jennifer: Nora's treated differently? I hadn't noticed--snort!!<br /><br />Tess: True, I know I'm happiest when I'm content. <br /><br />Jessica: Absolutely. When we see ourselves as serious writers, it's reflected to the world. <br /><br />LazyWriter: Oh yeah, like parenting! Yikes!<br /><br />Erica: Terrific advice. And so true. We all are in the middle, aren't we?<br /><br />Thanks so much for stopping by!Jill Kemererhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07865493609868329393noreply@blogger.com