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Going to BlogHer Writer’s Conference

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Going to BlogHer Writer’s Conference

Oh the places we will go.

And the guilt that follows along.

I shouldn't be going to this conference.


The twins both have low-grade fevers. Alexander's probably going to get sick. The twins are having a big birthday party on Saturday. I just turned on the van and there is a warning light that popped up.  There is the very real possibility that I could leave Ray stranded with three children and no car. I feel selfish. 

But I can't stop myself. I really want to go. I really want to know if I'm any good. I really want to know if my blog could be a book. Or maybe I could write an inspirational book with all this pictures of the letters to my students. I can see it now… they laugh me out the door - I don't even know what book I want to write.


I don't have an elevator pitch done. I feel like a kid who signed up for the general class and got put in the AP course. I'm so over my head I have no plans, no pitches, etc.  I got my hair done.

IMG_0196




That's what I’ve done to prepare for this blogger conference… got a new hairstyle.







I hope people don't laugh at me. I just want to know if I am any good.

Sometimes I tell my kids be careful chasing a rabbit down wormhole. I don't know if you understand what I mean… but - sometimes people get so sidetracked that they can't see the full picture. They end up going down a path they never intended to go down. And they spend hours upon hours chasing this rabbit – only to end up nowhere. I wonder if I'm chasing rabbit. If I should be focusing my energy on other things. I wonder if I'm making a mistake with this blog. A friend told me I should take a 90 day break from my blog and do P 90 X. (and get healthy…) Because I don't have time to do them both. 

I feel like my life is about “not enough time.”

Remember the hypothetical story?  Of the hypothetical anniversary that was almost ruined?  Well… this trip prompted the hypothetical fixing of that problem.  

         IMG_0202           IMG_0203

Here’s why I didn’t do it before… Ugh. The only thing that is the same is – I am still an organ donor.  Otherwise… I’ve transformed – from a hip twenty something girl – to a mom. *sigh*

That is the extent of my preparations for the conference.  Oh – and I picked up a car charger for my new IPhone.  They are going to laugh me all the way home.

Labels: ,

posted by Kristen @ 10:07 PM   9 Comments

9 Comments:

At October 20, 2011 at 7:56 AM , Anonymous Savannah said...

Oh, my sweet, sweet friend. If you nothing else to help yourself prepare for this conference, read this post once more and realize how incredibly selfLESS you are.

You have an amazing opportunity to explore a new dream. No one would ever laugh at you for your ideas. You started this blog as a way to help yourself and it has turned into something phenomenal. YOU did that. Your WRITING did that. You deserve the opportunity this conference is presenting to you more than anyone I know.

If nothing else, this conference is a chance for you to get away for a few days (which you deserve!) and to get the opportunity to laugh until you're sick over something snarky that Joanna has to say. That alone is worth the trip :)

I love you, lady, and I am so very proud of you! Go to this conference. Ignore those nagging doubts and just enjoy yourself. No one can ever fault you for that.

 
At October 20, 2011 at 9:34 AM , Blogger championm2000 said...

Ditto everything Savannah said!

I have the feeling that this conference is the start of something big for you...

 
At October 20, 2011 at 10:08 AM , Blogger Kisses4Kaylee said...

As your friend, I agree with everything Savannah wrote, and I know that going to the conference will be the start of something wonderful for you.

As an English teacher, I can assure you that you do have a gift~ the voice in which you tell your story. You mentioned once a nagging fear over grammar and spelling; that is what editors are for. The true beauty of any published work is in the way the author captures its audience~ the heart and soul of the novel~ with his/her voice. Yours is very real; you convey your experiences and their associative earnest, relatable emotions but do not drown the reader in a mass of convoluted syntax or inflated diction. (translated: it is beautifully simple and authentic).

As an avid reader and one-time writer, I have an idea (just a suggestion) for one approach on how to use your blog and turn it into a story people will want to read. Begin with your Letter to a New Mom~ it is the cornerstone of the direction your blog has taken since its inception. Then, using a flashback technique we refer to as "in medias res" (in the middle of things), take the reader back to those earliest days when Alexander was first diagnosed. Look at your first video for additional, written inspiration~ get those fears, anger, frustration, sadness-- get it all in the open. Just as you have in your blog~ take your reader along for the ride and share in those tears. This way, your entries that follow which trace your journey to happy acceptance and your 'letter' will be proof to the reader that faith will prevail~ a lesson that always inspires. Although Alexander's story is far from over, you have the opportunity to present a pathway for your reader to find their own journey to peace and acceptance in whatever trauma they are facing~ even if it has nothing to do with raising a child with special needs. Your message becomes universal.

I wish you great luck this weekend as you learn new ways to hone your techniques and further develop your craft. I say again that you have a gift; it is not one to be wasted. xo

 
At October 20, 2011 at 11:56 AM , Blogger TiAnna Mae said...

Awww! We've got to get some confidence snapped into you!!! Whether they say so or not, you've got to believe you're "it", and if this door isn't opened another one will be.

 
At October 20, 2011 at 11:29 PM , Blogger Heather said...

I can relate to the dilemma of indecision. You said, "I don't even know what book I want to write," which sounds so much like something I would say, except not necessarily about writing. Anyway, you got some great advice here in your comments, and with a support/cheer group like you have surrounding you, I hope you head out to the conference with great confidence.

 
At October 20, 2011 at 11:33 PM , Blogger Awn said...

There will only be laughter if you are making a joke! Go chase some dreams...who knows what you'll walk away with!

 
At October 21, 2011 at 12:18 AM , Blogger Laura said...

you can SOOOO do this lady! I Love what Savannah wrote. You'll have a great time, and find that your dream is MORE realistic than you think. :)

 
At October 21, 2011 at 12:22 PM , Blogger Kristen said...

You guys are so awesome. I'm sitting here...... and it is awesome. I love all of you for supporting me.

 
At October 21, 2011 at 6:48 PM , Blogger Non-Stop Mom said...

You can do this! I love your writing, and I think that you can do amazing things with it. Very few blogs have ever made me break down and cry, or left me thinking all day and all night long, or made me laugh hysterically at something - yours has done all three of those.

You're going to be great!!! I can't wait to hear details!

:)
Amy

 

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