Two dollars.
It's a small amount. Less than one of those overly sweet, delightful to look at and even more delightful to taste drinks from Starbucks.
Right now I'm asking for two dollars.
As a writer, I have come to learn the value of a Writer's Conference. The obvious is, they are the best place imaginable to learn the craft of writing. Where else can you find so many knowledgeable experts all in one place?
More than that, though, is the delightful fellowship of being with other writers. Writing is a solitary profession. And yes, those who do it, tend to look at the world a little bit differently from the rest of the world. So being able to sit down with other people who not only understand your compulsion to make lists all the time and have conversations with people who don't exist is priceless. Even more so, because they do those selfsame things.
Right now I know of three individuals who have dreamed of attending a certain Writer's Conference. All three of them are facing certain financial challenges that stand in the way of this dream. When I found that out, I said to myself, well that's sad. But I can't pay for three conference fees.
On the other hand, maybe I can start something.
So I'm keeping this simple. I'm asking for $2. A small donation that put together with other small donations can make a dream come true.
I'm also helping out by putting books up for sale. Whatever I make from the sale I'm putting straight into a fund to enable these three writers to get to conference.
My goal is $1845 by August 15th. Would you like to help?
You'd be amazed at what two dollars can do.
NOTE: I've been interviewed on the Steven Bonenberger show about this fund raiser. Do listen!
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
Three Weeks to go...
Three hundred eighty miles stretch between me and my dreams. More steps than I can imagine as I stand here and look into the distance. It's more than a little scary...and exciting.
In three weeks I need to be in Wheaton, IL for Write to Publish. I've never been to this conference but I know it's going to big deal.
I want to use my time at the conference wisely. In order to do that I need to use my time now just as wisely.
Tonight I've put a lot of thought into the preparations I need to make for conference. I've actually been working on this for the last couple of weeks. I think the smartest thing I've done so far was purchase Meredith Efkin's e-book, Writers Conference Survival Guide. I've gone to several conferences and STILL learned new things.
The second smartest thing I've done is delegate what tasks I can. I've given the job of making my business cards to the friend who has a degree in graphic design. As time goes by I'm sure I'll find other things I can delegate as well. (You want to photocopy things for me don't you? Maybe run to Office Max?)
Lastly, I'm being realistic. My list of things I need to get done before I go, WON'T ALL GET DONE. And that's OK. Really. I've put the most important things at the head of the list and followed it with less important things and so on. If I do half of what I've set out for myself I will be amply prepared.
I'm really looking forward to Write to Publish. I have no idea how I'm going to get there (can you believe Amtrak is booked solid?) but I'll be OK. I have faith that this is something I'm meant to do. So it's all good.
Maybe this road isn't so empty after all.
In three weeks I need to be in Wheaton, IL for Write to Publish. I've never been to this conference but I know it's going to big deal.
I want to use my time at the conference wisely. In order to do that I need to use my time now just as wisely.
Tonight I've put a lot of thought into the preparations I need to make for conference. I've actually been working on this for the last couple of weeks. I think the smartest thing I've done so far was purchase Meredith Efkin's e-book, Writers Conference Survival Guide. I've gone to several conferences and STILL learned new things.
The second smartest thing I've done is delegate what tasks I can. I've given the job of making my business cards to the friend who has a degree in graphic design. As time goes by I'm sure I'll find other things I can delegate as well. (You want to photocopy things for me don't you? Maybe run to Office Max?)
Lastly, I'm being realistic. My list of things I need to get done before I go, WON'T ALL GET DONE. And that's OK. Really. I've put the most important things at the head of the list and followed it with less important things and so on. If I do half of what I've set out for myself I will be amply prepared.
I'm really looking forward to Write to Publish. I have no idea how I'm going to get there (can you believe Amtrak is booked solid?) but I'll be OK. I have faith that this is something I'm meant to do. So it's all good.
Maybe this road isn't so empty after all.
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