tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post6646264350342559016..comments2024-03-27T03:14:07.652-04:00Comments on Seekerville: The Journey Continues: A Few Thoughts about Conferences...and Networking :)Missy Tippenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05480008023330542958noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-76435792184236886362022-08-17T05:51:07.804-04:002022-08-17T05:51:07.804-04:00I know you guys will have so much fun in September...I know you guys will have so much fun in September! Enjoy! Wonderful post, Pepper... filled with joy. One arguable point via Ruthy-mode... Naps??? (SIGH...) Remember Ruthy's mantra via her old buddy Ben Franklin: "Plenty of time for rest in the grave." :) <br /><br />Naps are for old folks.<br /><br />Let's party! :)Ruth Logan Hernehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11550734775151341968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71173527713404699602022-08-16T21:38:39.297-04:002022-08-16T21:38:39.297-04:00Love this, Pepper! I am so happy that ACFW is goin...Love this, Pepper! I am so happy that ACFW is going to have Storyfest, too! I can't go to all the conferences, but I do enjoy this one. I remember my first conference. I was so sure that I'd get in trouble if I skipped a class I'd signed up for. Now, I feel that networking is as if, and sometimes more, essential at these events. I met my my best writer friends at ACFW in 2015, and we talk several times a week to this day.<br /><br />I have to say, I have a picture of you with that fabulous backpack in my ACFW album. It still makes me grin.<br /><br />Looking forward to seeing so many in September!!Dana R. Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17649630182279568107noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-71702188194668944112022-08-16T19:18:50.078-04:002022-08-16T19:18:50.078-04:00Can't wait to see you too, Audra. Hugs are so ...Can't wait to see you too, Audra. Hugs are so great!! Definitely good advice about bringing your phone and your smile! Memories are sweet!Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-9519644164143924892022-08-16T19:18:08.905-04:002022-08-16T19:18:08.905-04:00Lee-Ann!! Oh, I hope you can come next year and we...Lee-Ann!! Oh, I hope you can come next year and we can meet!!Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-89521018321858185712022-08-16T16:39:33.133-04:002022-08-16T16:39:33.133-04:00Hey, Karen! You could try contacting your local AC...Hey, Karen! You could try contacting your local ACFW chapter (the list is on the website) and see if you could join others who are driving up. Since you live so close, I'm sure there are others from your area who would be glad to split gas money with you!<br />Let us know if it works out!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-19040181031568893892022-08-16T16:36:56.129-04:002022-08-16T16:36:56.129-04:00I wish I was going to St. Louis this year, but it ...I wish I was going to St. Louis this year, but it just isn't going to happen. I'm cheering on everyone who will be there, though!<br /><br />My first tip: don't build all of your hopes and dreams on this one conference. This is not a make-it-or-break-it weekend for your career. If you're nervous when you're talking to an editor or agent, it isn't the end of the world. They've been there, too. Focus on one thing - making friends.<br /><br />Second: Even though it's going to seem like a burden to carry your conference bag around with you, do it anyway! Use it to carry your folder full on one-sheets, business cards, swag, or anything else you might want to give away. Who knows if you'll be at the same lunch table as an author you want to keep in touch with? Or even that dream agent you weren't able to get an appointment with? It's times like that when you DON'T want to leave your bag in your room "just this once."<br /><br />Third: take naps whenever you can. A tired author isn't always a fun author. :-)<br /><br />Have fun, conference-goers!Jan Drexlerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05609332074458434806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-12074991271976450272022-08-16T16:33:04.693-04:002022-08-16T16:33:04.693-04:00Great advice, Pepper! I know this year's confe...Great advice, Pepper! I know this year's conference will be fantastic! I'll be there in Spirit!Debby Giustihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09463321611980242375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-12775068185524495382022-08-16T14:21:23.476-04:002022-08-16T14:21:23.476-04:00Pepper, I can't wait to see you and all the lo...Pepper, I can't wait to see you and all the loveable, huggable, squeezable friends who attend the conference! If my hugs last too long it's because my catch-and-release button is broken and I have no intentions of repairing it before the conference, LOL!<br /><br />Thank you for all the great reminders to keep in the back of our minds as we attend and mingle. If you bring nothing else bring your phone and your smile. *Wear smile while taking a photo with all your favorite peeps*<br /><br />Good times will be had by all!!<br /><br />Audra (aka Anonymous)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-76015952611863245432022-08-16T13:34:05.100-04:002022-08-16T13:34:05.100-04:00Oh Karen, what an opportunity. I pray God gives yo...Oh Karen, what an opportunity. I pray God gives you the best answer for your heart!! (But it would be great to meet you :) Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-23755147712814647722022-08-16T13:32:49.639-04:002022-08-16T13:32:49.639-04:00ACFW Conference is on my wish list of conferences ...ACFW Conference is on my wish list of conferences to attend! After crossing the border a week ago, I wish I had've signed up for this year's conference. We didn't have any issues flying out or back into Canada. Next, I need to save my pennies (or would that be loonies now?) for an upcoming conference. :DLee-Annnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-52964918597371304882022-08-16T12:29:18.800-04:002022-08-16T12:29:18.800-04:00Hi Pepper, I love that photo of you and Debbie Mac...Hi Pepper, I love that photo of you and Debbie Macomber! Oh my goodness! I went to the ACFW website and the conference is in St. Louis!! That's only 4.5 hours away from me (I live near Joplin) I would LOVE to go...so I'm praying and asking God what to do...I'm a widow now and going solo anywhere has been hard for me to do! I'm praying when I get off here and asking God to guide me. I'd LOVE to see all of you! I'd be like Mindy said above, squealing! P.S. Maybe I need to joing ACFW, too. Karen Jenningshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05711803445934476038noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73437702824114368432022-08-16T11:20:54.780-04:002022-08-16T11:20:54.780-04:00HAHA!! I totally agree, Mindy!HAHA!! I totally agree, Mindy!Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-43786518721946639602022-08-16T11:20:37.320-04:002022-08-16T11:20:37.320-04:00I'm definitely looking forward to those hugs!!...I'm definitely looking forward to those hugs!!Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-6345062321480205072022-08-16T11:20:10.298-04:002022-08-16T11:20:10.298-04:00Sandy, if you have a tagline, you could put that o...Sandy, if you have a tagline, you could put that on your cards. As well as what you write (mine say historical & contemporary romance). You will also want to list any relevant social media links. I need to get new ones made because I don't have IG on my current ones. A photo is important too because the people you meet may remember your face easier than your name. Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-10687679338341289642022-08-16T10:20:57.282-04:002022-08-16T10:20:57.282-04:00Great tips, Pepper. I can't wait to see you an...Great tips, Pepper. I can't wait to see you and everyone else that I've missed since 2019. I have a feeling this conference is going to be extra loud with all the squealing going on as we spot old friends in the hallways. It's going to be so much fun.Mindy Obenhaushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15049730175697756032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-48581878923084754942022-08-16T09:50:30.847-04:002022-08-16T09:50:30.847-04:00Pepper, what wonderful and practical encouragement...Pepper, what wonderful and practical encouragement! Knowing friendly faces will be present makes the people-ing more enjoyable for sure. I'll also be at ACFW StoryFest offering hugs, moral support, and other goodies 🥰<br /><br />(Beth has too many profiles to keep straight)Beth Erinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06131911324802518331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-73242835617430468092022-08-16T09:35:19.003-04:002022-08-16T09:35:19.003-04:00Great tips, Pepper. What should be on a business c...Great tips, Pepper. What should be on a business card? I have made them to use in my job as a substitute teacher, but what should a card for a writer say? Thanks!Sandy Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11920692341258066387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-4141875359263266582022-08-16T09:04:27.011-04:002022-08-16T09:04:27.011-04:00GREAT tip, Erica! And I'm looking forward to s...GREAT tip, Erica! And I'm looking forward to seeing you too!!Pepper Bashamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01131323931119566198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3649424089750316818.post-87852439608074913082022-08-16T08:34:35.314-04:002022-08-16T08:34:35.314-04:00Looking forward to seeing you, Pepper! I love your...Looking forward to seeing you, Pepper! I love your tips! It's been awhile since I attended a conference in person. <br /><br />My advice is to keep your agenda simple and short, and rather than "Get that Long Desired Contract" perhaps "Make a new Friend" or "Help Someone Out" would be a better daily goal while at conference.Erica Vetschhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10512579637041637161noreply@blogger.com