Notes from Angie Hunt's Keynote Address at Glen Eyrie

Rather than trying to sum up what I learned in each lesson, I figured I might as well just give you my notes. I wish I had a taken a tape recorder so I could put down verbatim what I heard. I can't describe the feelings and nuances of each session, but I wish I could. I also cannot read my own sloppy handwriting sometimes. There is a sentence in my notes that looks like, "Sonutinus can't place crucial message until 3rd or 4th draft." Yeah, I don't know what that's supposed to be. But the rest of it is pretty straightforward I think. More notes from the conference to come in the future. Enjoy!

“You must write. You must finish what you write.” – Robert Heinlein

6/7 Angie Hunt

“Praise the Lord and stay at the computer.”

Fiction is a microcosm of the world. If it presents a false version of truth, it cheats the reader. It’s lying propaganda.

Re-inspire

What inspires you? “The mortgage.” What inspires your ideas, hard work, to keep going?

Proverbs 3:4-5 “Trust the Lord with all your heart . . .” Pads are made for walking. Lean not on your own understanding, but still use it. Do what you think is sensible and logical—then let God direct your path. Don’t whine about it—be grateful. Conventional wisdom isn’t for you. Success is God’s doing, not yours.

Colossians 3 “Whatever you do or say, do it as a representative . . .”

Our work is an offering to the Lord. That’s why we polish! Focus on offering a worthy sacrifice.

“Excellence is the place where precision meets passion.” – Pastor Derrick

2 Samuel 24 “I cannot offer to the Lord that which cost me nothing.”

Don’t send manuscripts prematurely.

Start walking! Prove yourself a good steward! When God gives you a small thing, he isn’t doing it to see if you can. He’s doing it so you can see that you can. You are and always will be in the middle. There are always writers less talented than you and some more talented. Keep a healthy perspective.

God is waiting to see what you do with what you’ve been given. Beware of eternal consequences. Write as though your piece is bought, paid for, and distributed. Think of the brothers and sisters you can encourage. Don’t look for shortcuts. Write an irresistible story until you find an editor that agrees. Getting you foot in the door is hard; keeping it there is harder.

Avoid being distracted by illustrious offers asking you to work for the praise of men. We have to see ourselves as ministers to an unseen audience months down the road. Know what springs from self and what springs from spirit. Write wholeheartedly! Give the Creator praise! When we wield words, we reflect God’s image and creative drive. We’re driven to show the greatest truth to the world. Don’t put yourself under a lot of pressure. Laugh, learn, have fun, laugh when you need to. Strive for excellence, support brothers and sisters.