Thursday, May 03, 2007

Expectations

Tomorrow is the Writer’s Conference I’ve been preparing for. My friend and I will be leaving early in the morning for Seattle. She’s been very helpful with showing me how to get a book proposal together, reviewing it, and helping me make it look professional. Thanks L for all your help.

The dictionary defines expectation as anticipation of something happening, a confident belief or strong hope that a particular event will happen and somebody’s likely prospects of success in the future.

I realized today that I don’t have any expectations regarding this conference. I just want to have fun and enjoy the workshops. Part of the fun is that I’ve signed up to meet with an agent in a group setting. I’ll have three whole minutes to pitch my novel to him. He’ll either say thank you or I’ll like to see more. Again, no expectations about what will happen. If he likes me than that’s great, but if not that’s just fine because the experience will be worth it. This is not a my way of preparing myself for failure, but rather my way of letting God be God and leaving it all in His hands. The only expectation I have is to have fun.

Did I always feel this way…no. I’ve been nervous about it, but I’m blessed to have people in my life that encouraged me to be just me. That’s great advice. Once I’ve let go of expectations the pressure was off and I was able to walk in freedom. Freedom to just enjoy the experience.

I’ve learned so much in this whole process. I’ve learned that I’m a storyteller who just enjoys telling a story. I’ve written a book, whether it’s ever published it doesn’t matter. I’ve learned that I love how proud my husband is of me for having just written the book in the first place. I’ve learned that I’m surrounded by much love and support. I’ve learned that this world is big enough for different types of authors. I’ve learned that I’m a writer.

© Nadine Z. 2007

25 comments:

Art said...

Good luck at the conference!

Shionge said...

This is oh so exciting pal and wish you best of luck. Yes just be positive and everything will be fine.

We'll be here giving you the morale support and can't wait to hear the good news :D

palmtreefanatic said...

Great! I hope you have a wonderful blessed time at the conference! Also I have tagged you for a meme, check out my blog to know more about it! Have a great weekend!

Deb said...

I love your attitude/insite.
I hope you get alot out of the conferance. Most of all, enjoy the people around you. Cause really it is all about relationship. I have total confidence in you my friend.
Thanks for your kind words, they really mean alot.
Hugs ps. glad you are feeling better.

Louise said...

That is awesome!!
Have a GREAT time at the conference!

Diane Viere said...

I expect to hear great things....from your writing conference! Have fun! I just love your enthusiasm...your expectation...and your acknowledgement of the writer that you truly are!

Enjoy!

Diane

marykathryn said...

I think that is such a great way at looking at this weekend, I on the other hand am not that good about it...I would be so crazy anxious.
The fact that no matter what you CAN say that you wrote a book is, I agree, quite an accomplishment in itself. I'm sure you will do great and hope you have a blast this weekend..Good Luck!!

Jill said...

Sometimes expectations just set us up for disappointment. Go...have fun... and enjoy yourself. And then come home and write all about it so we can read all about it!

Dedee said...

Good luck. I'm glad that you are going to be able to enjoy yourself. I wish I was going to be there. I've always wanted to go to a writers conference. (If no-one accepts your book, can I still read it?) (Knowing, of course, that just because one agent doesn't like it doesn't mean the next one won't. I assume it would take a long time to find this out!)

yours truly B said...

good luck and I just want to say I am grateful for you btw I have a new blog called daily gratefulness it is http://5thingstobegratefulfor.blogspot.com
Billie

Unknown said...

Yes. You ARE a writer. Repeat after me: I AM A WRITER. I AM A WRITER. I AM A WRITER. !!!!!!!!

Bloom where you've been planted.

You're amazing!!

a woman who is said...

Have a wonderful weekend! Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Delina said...

Learning just to be you is one of the most important things you can learn to do.

I used to care more what others thought, but now I am more like "this is me, if you don't like it, who cares, the people important to me love me and that's what matters!"

Hope you had fun at the conference.

Anonymous said...

I love your writing, and I hope someone there does too! Sounds like you've already been blessed by the journey thus far-- and so have all of us, your faithful blog readers. May the blessings keep coming...

Demara said...

How exciting Nadine! WTG

YOU ARE an excellent writer...keep up the great work!

Ashley said...

How exciting. I hope you have fun at the conference. Take good notes to share, hehe.

eph2810 said...

Nadine, my prayers are with you as you are 'pitching' your book. May our Lord continue to give you the confidence and strength to go through this process. I also pray that your book will be published.

Blessings to your and yours.

Sandy said...

Yes, there is room for many authors. And God has a plan for you. I can't wait to hear how it goes for you ... I hope you come back refreshed and encouraged.
Sandy

Cherrye said...

How did it go?? Did you learn a lot? I can't wait to hear about it.

BTW - I know you are super busy, but I tagged you today (just in case you want something easy and fun to write!)

Kim's Life said...

Im back and I just wanted to say Hi.

Amydeanne said...

have a great conference!!

Anonymous said...

I've been thinking positive thoughts about you all weekend! Remember these words by Walt Whitman... "A writer can do nothing more necessary or satisfying than just simply to reveal the infinite possibilities of their own souls." You are that writer!

~Crystal~ said...

I chose you to receive an award, stop by & snag it.

Shionge said...

Hope you are progressing well Nadine :D

all over the map said...

Expectations can be really destructive and lead to even greater let down when we get caught up in the "what should" be. I know from experience and it is hard not to them.
Enjoy your experience. I know God will bless it.