Thursday, October 28, 2010

Christian Writers Conference

BUCKET LIST – Teaching at a Writers Conference
GREATEST FEAR - Standing up in front of a room full of people for more than five minutes

A few years ago, out of the blue, I received an email inviting me to speak at a conference in PA. I was thrilled but turned the offer down. Me? I have never spoken to anyone like that. I’d die.

Then regret at my own stupid fear ate away at me, and I admitted that speaking was one of my dreams. I actually started out as an elementary teacher in college and partly changed majors due to my fear of standing in front of a classroom.

So I signed up for Toastmasters and did about three speeches for three minutes each. Very long three minutes.

But I promised myself if I ever got the opportunity to talk to people about writing again, I would go for it despite my fears.

Guess what? I did and you are invited to come see me either faint, freeze or die as I overcome my fear and do what I feel God is leading me to do.

My very good blogging friend Jan Cline is hosting a Writers Conference in Spokane WA on March 19, 2011. You can read all about it here and I will be posting more as we get closer. Jim Rubart will be the key speaker and of course I’ll be doing my best to share what I’ve learned over the years.

Please check it out and if you are in the Northwest region, please put it on your calendar. It promises to be a great time of fellowship and learning. Besides all that, I want to meet you!

What's on your bucket list?

42 comments:

Kara said...

How exciting! You will do great, and I wish I was closer because I would love to come.

I've been thinking of my bucket list lately and one thing is I'd like to learn how to sail:)

Anonymous said...

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7 My favorite verse when I'm fearful. I wish I could be there! Congrats on the honor and you'll awesome, I can feel it!
On my bucket list is to attend a major writers conference one day. And to travel creating a photo essay as I go.

Great Grandma Lin said...

you'll be great. I just got asked to speak at a women's meeting in Jan for my church on bucket lists-writing your personal testimony. I love to teach and talk. I'm sure you'll be great. On my bucket list is getting a book published by a company and not just self published, hopefully I'm on my way.

kathy taylor said...

You'll do a great job. I'm confident of that. I've done public speaking without fear, but the thought of singing in public scares the wits out of me. When I taught drama, I had the nerve to sing with my students, teenagers being the most critical audience, but I wouldn't do it now. My bucket list? Helping people who have trigeminal neuralgia. The Lord is opening doors.

I hope your opportunity goes well. I love Spokane. It's beautiful!

Pat Guy said...

Awesome Terri! You go girl! And you will do ab-so-lute-ly great. I just KNOW it deep-down inside me -- so it must be so. ; )

Will back up my deep-down knowledge with prayer ...

Love,
Pat

Robin Lambright said...

I am sure you will ROCK THE HOUSE! I can sympathize with the fear of public speaking, over the years in many different opportunities I have had to conquer that fear. I have had multiple opportunities to speak in front of our congregation or other function that put me in front of a large group of people. It can be unnerving.

Best advice I can give you is to rehearse your talk out loud in from of some close friends or even just in your living room. I helps to hear your voice and hear your self say what you will be talking about out loud.

Blessings
R
R

Julie Gillies said...

Woo-hoo! I'm SO excited for you! What are you teaching on, Terri? I'd love to go, but I don't get out to the Pacific Coast. But I'll be cheering you on, girl!

Diane said...

So proud of you that you are facing your fears. God will honor this and it will be so exciting! :O)

Sarah Forgrave said...

Good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone! A little nerves are a good thing too...They keep that adrenaline going when you need it. :)

Rhonda Schrock said...

Good for you, Terri! Go for it! God will give you a word, He'll stand you on your feet, and He'll keep you there. And people will benefit from what you have done in His power.

Stephanie Faris said...

I daydream all the time about a day when I'll be a successful author, going around to promote my book. I try not to think about the fact that this would involve massive amounts of public speaking!

You'll do great. Just remember...everyone in the room is focused more on themselves than you most of the time. We're so self-conscious but they aren't scrutinizing us like we think they are. Just get up there and have fun with it!

Kenda Turner said...

You will do great. Toastmasters training? You're already way ahead of a lot of us :-) And you already share with us what you've learned about writing, you'll just be doing that in front of a live audience not a computer screen! Tell yourself you're among friends, you are there to have fun, and trust that God will equip you to get the words out!

Jennifer Shirk said...

That is fantastic, Terri!!!

My hubby did Toastmasters and now...well, he's a master. :)

What a wonderful experience! You're gonna do great!

Deborah said...

I have a fear of public speaking too, so I can relate. I'll be praying for you.
It's a little too far for me to come and hear you...maybe you can post a video clip when you come back.

Linda O'Connell said...

Congratulations. Everyone already thinks you are the experet so just act like the queen. Seriously, writers are eager to learn so anything you share is valuable. Wish I could be there.
http://lindaoconnell.bloghspost.com

KelliGirl said...

Terri,
I share your fears completely! So happy for you and this opportunity. I wish I could come see you and cheer you on, but I live on the wrong coast!

I also share your aspiration that I'd like to teach or facilitate someday.

Way to go!!

Blessings and prayers,
Kelli

Warren Baldwin said...

Congratulations on the invitation to speak. You'll do great. Remember ...
1) You have something significant to say
2) People want to hear you b/c they will benefit
3) You have earned the right to be there from your years of hard work.

Let those thoughts empower you.

And I like the verse Lynn gave.

WB

Jeanette Levellie said...

I SO want to be there, and meet you and Jan. Sigh. Are you recording it? PLEASE???? Sign me up to receive the first copy you mail out, if you record!

I will pray for you to do well, and not faint or barf. If you're too confident, that's not good, so everyone will make you feel welcome, I know it.

My bucket list?

Have a book published--at least one;
Speak at a Writers Conference;
Live near my grandkids;
Win a million people to Jesus.
Hot air balloon ride! whoo hoo!!!

Unknown said...

Good luck! You'll do great! I'm speaking to my hometown high school in a few weeks, and I am so nervous!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Terri -

Woohoo! Congratulations.

Pretend you're writing a blog post or talking to all of us. :)

Blessings,
Susan

Jolene Perry said...

Don't have one.
I totally sympathize with your fear but have never had a problem with getting in front of people. I think I'm pretty used to putting my foot in my mouth so doing it in front of a lot of people is like... well probably not a lot different than everyday.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

for some reason I am really excited about speaking opportunities. I just bought a book to help me with this endeavor, and I offered to speak at a conference here next summer. So we'll see!

Good luck!

Rachna Chhabria said...

Thats great Terri. Just forget the fear and God will guide you to speak well. I am sure you will impress the audience.

There is an award for you on my blog.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

I don't have one doubt that you can do this well. Yay!!!

Lynda Lee Schab said...

This is such a wonderful opportunity for you, Terri! Trust me, if I can do it (and live through it), you certainly can! You'll do great!

Anonymous said...

Congrats, Terri!! I hope you have a wonderful experience. You can do it :-)

Nancy said...

I'm so glad you are getting to do something you have always wanted to do. You will be great. Wish I could see you.
I would like to go on the mission field at least once. Like you, I have qualms. Perhaps I'll get an opportunity, too some day.

Tana said...

Look at you go girl! I used to speak all the time for work but speaking in front of authors and writers seems different. I'm sure you'll do great!

Nikki (Sarah) said...

wow. Way to go....hey if I could stand up and talk you can too. And you got so many great things to share. I wish wish wish I could attend....Hey can you hear me cheering for you up here....☺

Sally said...

Good luck, I know you'll have a great time. Good for you taking the opportunity.

Karen Lange said...

I'm excited for you! Will pray for you. :) Wish I lived on there, I would come!
Happy weekend,
Karen

Lydia Kang said...

I wish I was out there.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll do just great!

Jackee said...

Congrats, Terri! That is so huge. Way to overcome your fears. I've found the more I speak in front of people, the easier it becomes. (I was once very shy, believe it or not.)

And I love Spokane--make sure you dress warmly, Florida-girl! lol

Ann Best said...

I would be more than mildly terrified to speak at a conference.

I truly wish I could be at the conference next year to meet you!! It sounds so exciting. With God's help you will be able to share what you've learned!!!
Ann

Margo Berendsen said...

Over the years I have come to love public speaking, esp. in my profession where I am on my own turf. But speaking to writers - even though I am a writer - that is an enormous step and I commend you for your bravery! Good preparation and lots of practice will help though. (and powerpoint doesn't hurt, either). We all have something worth sharing and I'm sure God will give you something amazing to say! I wish Spokane wasn't 1000 miles away, it's one of my favorite cities and i'd love to come!

Btw, I have an award for you at my blog, as a thanks for all the enjoyment and inspiration your blog has provided.

Kathryn Magendie said...

Always a pleasure to come here and see what you have going on or the inspirational posts! *smiling*

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Oh! Congratulations! It's a real blessing to follow where God leads you. This is fantastic! If you rely on God He won't let you faint or freeze :)

BeckyJoie said...

I wish you the best! You will do fine. Just speak what you know!Pretend you are dictating your book on how to write and block out the faces. Well, maybe that won't work but it's worth a chuckle. I know you will do fine anyway.

Emily Conrad said...

Oh, I wish I was close enough! Alas, I'm in Wisconsin... Someday, I hope to speak about writing, probably mostly to high schoolers, since I write YA. I'm interested to follow along as you prepare and go! :)

Deb Shucka said...

I'm so proud of you and excited for you. You're going to love Spokane - my old stomping grounds. I know you'll be a hit.

Julie Musil said...

What an honor! Terri, you'll do great. Speak from your heart, and you can't go wrong.

Rebecca Stuhlmiller said...

The first year I spoke at the Northwest Christian Ministry Conference, I was pretty nervous. So I sat in on two workshops by other women just to get my jitters out. It worked! I saw regular women give regular messages and I realized I didn't have to be "all that." So at the INCW conference, sit in on mine, and then you'll be ready to just be you :)