Five Takeaways from a Writer’s Conference
Over the weekend, I attended a writer’s conference. And then I got in a fight.
No, not with a writer. Not with an editor. It was one of those spiritual battles none of us like to talk about.
You see, there’s something about having the call to write, and then actually signing up for one of these conferences that is terrifying. Those of us who write – we have ideas. We have passion. And then to talk about them and anxiously hear how our most genius brainchild of an idea sounds to someone with the credentials to give feedback – it’s nerve-wracking. Even when it’s Christian.
So, after another up-and-down weekend (my first writer’s conference felt just like this), I made it through the conference. I am so grateful for the Heart of America Christian Writer’s Network for putting this event into play. They brought in all-star professionals to give real critiques – and real opportunities – to those of us “starving artists.” And after a long weekend, I made it through.
What did I learn? Here are my 5 biggest takeaways from the Writer’s Conference:
1. I’m called to Write.
Thanks to a great session from Sue Brage – Group Publishing on “Five Questions to Move You Forward in your Calling,” I left the conference with peace. She challenged us with questions like “Are you willing to persevere in the face of opposition?” “Are you willing to change, be stretched?” Ooh good stuff. This clued me into the idea that my anxiety about the weekend was actually a plan to derail me from what I’m called to do.
2. I need to write on this cancer stuff.
I think I realized this weekend after sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with other writers that I have a unique, God-given niche. Nobody else in that room had been diagnosed with colon cancer at age 17. Shocking, right? But while this should be obvious to me, I guess I needed this conference to realize it even more. It’s OK for me to embrace my cancer and write about it. And I’ve actually got a hunch that people want to know what I have to say.
3. Linking Verbs are for Wimps.
Writer’s conferences are actually fun for me – as someone who’s been out of school for a while, yet no desire to return. These conferences are a way to brush up on my writing skills without having to go to class. So the session about writing your story and avoiding linking verbs turned out to be a great lesson for me. I felt excited. No wait – I clung to the edge of my seat as I waited for the speaker to deliver each point. (See, I learned well.) Using verbs like felt/was/had/seem/looked – out the door. Tell vs. Show. I’m learning.
4. Query Letter and Book Proposal – Can Be Done!
I’m a newbie into this whole world, and really have no idea what I’m talking about. But thanks to a couple of classes, I feel like this is actually do-able for me. Especially Deborah Herman’s class. I now understand how to write these pieces that are so critical to editors and publishers. And I feel like when I set out to write a book proposal, I know what to do (and what not to do.)
5. God attends these conferences, too.
One great feature of the HACWN conference is the opportunity to have a professional critique your work for a small fee. I reviewed the guests for the conference for about a week, and prayed about who to send my book proposal to review. Pamela Sonnenmoser stood out. She was with a publisher looking for new authors and something unique and edgy. So, I chose her. And the realized over the weekend she too has faced infertility and cancer. We speak the same language. We’ve faced some of the same things. Now that is God.
Good things are ahead for this gal who writes a blog about poop. I have a feeling God wants to use all of this. I’m excited to follow the Lord’s promptings and use the lessons He’s taught me to save lives – both for here and eternity.
Life Updates
Wow, sorry long time no post. Life gets busy and … yeah done with excuses.
Since its been so long and my fingers are tired – here are a few pics for a photo update on life lately.
Baby Girl Turned 1!
Family pic!
Small shower for my sis-in-law because I've got a nephew on the way!!!
Shiloh & Mae - they're getting so big!!
We got a 3rd dog! (Just for Halloween)
Certitude, Mystery & Cancer Stuff
A study that I am in covered this last week:
“Certitude – a certainty greater than circumstances warrant – and absolutism are an anxious response to the reality of pain. A voice of certitude is one that claims to control the means by which we might be safe and happy. In order to deliver safety and happiness, the voice of certitude must be in control of – or appear to be in control of – any situation that potentially impinges upon safety and happiness.
This language of control is one of categorizing, measuring, and analyzing. Mystery, precisely because it can’t be categorized, measured, or analyzed, cannot be controlled. Thus, mystery is a perceived threat to the voice of certitude’s pretense of delivering safefy and happiness.
In a world dominated by the voice of certitude there is no room for mystery, and therefore no room for the God of the Bible who remains, above all, a vibrant dynamic mystery.”
– Walter Brueggemann & Steve Frost, Psalmist’s Cry by House Studio
Hmmm….
My first thought – I’m not sure this dude Walter ever had cancer. But, he’s got some good nuggets in here that have really challenged me.
I’m a gal of faith. I became “all about it” in Junior High, and it’s just been a big part of me ever since. But even with my strong faith, this kind of stuff challenges me. Do I want certitude – a mindset that I try to create that gives me peace that the future is pain (and disease)- free? Absolutely. But is that masking the pain and fear that I really feel about it all? Probably.
Walter here argues that certainty butts out God, who is all about mystery. So he’s saying embrace mystery and drop the desire to control and convince yourself of the whole “grass is greener” stuff… because following a God of mystery is vibrant and dynamic. (Regardless of what happens.) Again – good points. And I’m not sure he’s had cancer.
But – ultimately, even if my friend Walter has had cancer, his points are true. Just hard to swallow sometimes. Honesly, sometimes I DON’T want my life to be vibrant and dynamic – I’m cool with the whole boring, stale (nothing bad’s happening) days. But I do realize that’s not what we’re made for, and that God offers us more. The key is trusting in that – and not trusting in whatever circumstance we think will or won’t be happening. Because having a God of mystery directing my days and my path will lead to the life that I know I was made for.
So Okay, Walter, I’ll hear you out. But I’m not going to say it’s easy.
And aren’t you proud of me? That might just be my most intelligent post yet…
Des Moines Get Your Rear In Gear
There’s something powerful about getting to meet people “like you.” Once again, I had the chance to meet fellow young colon cancer survivors at the Des Moines Get Your Rear In Gear event this weekend.
Colondar Models from '09, '10 & '12
I had a great time. Five past & present Colondar models met up to support this great event. I met new people. I slept in an amazing hotel suite. And my daughter walked through an nflatable colon.
On the way home, Mike asked me what stuck out the most about the weekend. And when I thought about it, my answer surprised me. I met another young survivor, age 26, at the race. She was diagnosed 2 years ago. Ironically, her name was also Danielle. And she explained she was Stage IV. She was wearing a continuous pump to help with stomach cramps. And yet she told her story with such courage, and a near flippancy – yet a good flippancy. She was upbeat and positive. And when her young, blond son ran up to her and hugged her leg, I saw why. Her journey and the courage she portrayed to me. Sure, I bet she has rough days and nights at home. But meeting her gave me such inspiration. I met one of the truest definitions of “hope” this weekend.
So… there you have it. Short synopsis of our short road trip to Des Moines. Can’t wait for next year!
Props to Mikey for running the 5K!
Mae walking through a giant inflatable colon
Our family in a colon
Burgess Family Photo Shoot
Thanks to our close friends at Fantasma Imagery, we had some photos taken to celebrate our “It’s Official!” adoption day. Not much to say except wowza – we were blessed with one beautiful baby.
Enjoy some of my favorites!
Holding It Through Costco
For those of you who missed my poop posts, well here ya go.
So I made it through Costco tonight. We’ll just leave it at that. For those of you who also suffer from, er, urgency issues, you know what I mean. And all in the Crohn’s club yells “yeahhhh baby.” Tonight’s episode of trying to make it through the store gave me flashbacks to last Christmas. Let’s just say that I have used every restroom between Springfield and Clinton. And I’ve never been more thankful my hubby had family in Clinton. Ahh memories. His grandpa had to give me his prescription anti-crap pills. Now when I’m taking that sort of stuff, it’s bad.
So why bore you (or I guess for some of you this is interesting) with my poop-a-palooza stories? Well, it’s just to push myself to keep bringing such an uncomfortable, unwanted topic out in the open. Because for years I wouldn’t talk about poop. I couldn’t imagine being married and pooping in the same house as someone. And my phobia of poop wound me up with stage III colon cancer because I wouldn’t talk about it.
So there ya go, a poop post. Oh – and here’s a baby picture, just for making it through all of this bathroom humor. HAHA – get it. Man I crack myself up. HAHA get it, crack? Ok I’m done.
I bet I get this look more and more as she realizes her mama's a poop blogger....
Survivor Playlist
So I took a jog around the neighborhood a few nights ago. And then again at the gym last night (well, I ran at the gym, not around the gym.) And I realized something revolutionary. A good playlist can make all the difference in the world when running. (I realize that’s why the whole iPod craze caught on, but bear with me, I’m slow…)
So, in addition to some workout and worship playlists (don’t judge – they both help me keep going when I’m jogging) – I’ve created a survivor playlist. And let me tell you, it’s one of the best things in the world. If I’m having a rough day, running up a hill, having to head to the doctor’s office or even have a routine scan, I’ll put on my playlist and start jamming away. The songs are very carefully selected, and either bring back a memory of why to persevere, or just bluntly tell me to keep going.
Danielle’s Survivor Playlist
I couldn’t tell you I had a playlist without telling you what’s on it! Here are the songs I’ve added to my “survivor playlist” so far, and I’m sure there will be many more! Also see that although one of my biggest pet peeves in life is internet videos, I’ve decided to be trendy yet again and post links to videos so you can hear the songs and have something to look at. (And yes, I realize that YouTube is nothing new, either…) Maybe I’ll catch on sooner one of these days.
Enjoy!
We Trying To Stay Alive | Wyclef John
I Will Survive | Gloria Gaynor
Stellar | Incubus (thanks to Guitar Hero, this one’s on there.)
Lucky | Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat
Since U Been Gone | Kelly Clarkson
Life Is Short | John Reuben (ignore the cooky video, only one I could find with the song.)
Have any new suggestions for me? Leave a comment and let me know of songs you think I should add!
Blood work and Boat Napping
Pretty awesome post title, huh? Blood work and boat napping pretty much sums up my weekend and past few days.
Although my visit to the oncologist was somewhat dramatic last week, at least my blood work was not. Good news, CEA levels are normal. Not that they’ve ever really spiked – even when I had a stage 3 tumor – but you know, every bit of good news helps. Here’s some info if you’re not sure about what I mean by CEA levels.
In addition to having a good report on my blood work, I had another exciting experience over the weekend. I feel asleep on a boat. And Mike, well he fell asleep in a raft. And man was that nice. You see, life seems to be crazy around the homestead for us, and so getting away with a friend and relaxing was just what we needed. I often blame my crazy schedule and go-go-go personality on the fact that I did have cancer, and that I want to pack as much into life as possible because I know it’s short. But once in a while I do remember to slow down and take it easy. I’m not exactly a “good relaxer” but this weekend I didn’t seem to have any trouble watching a movie, eating and sleeping – even sleeping on a boat.
Flower Shower
A few weeks ago, I alluded to having a supportive husband in my “10 years Chemo-Free” post. Little did I know that while I sat here and blogged about emotions involved in being a 10-year cancer survivor, Mike had a full-blown plan underway to help me celebrate.
Thank you to everyone for the “flower shower.” I was blessed, broken, humbled and in awe. All I can really say is God be Glorified. Enjoy…
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12
Semicolon Stories 
