You Never Know

I love writing conferences. If you have been reading this blog for very long, you already know that, because I have written about them many, many times.

I love the camaraderie of those with like minds. I love learning new things about writing and the publishing industry. I love eating in the cafeteria and pretending it is summer camp with all my friends.

Today I am thinking about the opportunities provided during the one-on-one appointments with editors, publishers, and the like. I love those, too, for you never know what’s going to happen and when God is going to open a door from a seemingly random encounter.

At the conference I attended this year, I signed up for two appointments with people I really wanted to talk to. SCORE! The rule with this conference states you’re allowed two appointments during the initial sign-up period—which is a free-for-all, by the way. It’s a good thing it’s a Christian conference, or else there would be pushing, shoving, and cage matches.

After that initial wrestling match—er, signup period—you are allowed to go back the next morning for additional appointments if there are open slots left. Not one to ignore an extra opportunity, I always go back to check the appointment sheets. This year, I signed up for my third appointment with a writer/editor I didn’t really know, but, when she introduced herself at the group meeting, she said she was looking for parenting articles.

I recently co-authored a devotional book, Adventures in Fatherhood, about . . . PARENTING, so I thought, why not talk to this person?

It turned out to be a divine appointment. At our meeting, she grabbed my book and screamed “I LOVE IT!” We discussed her editorial needs, and she suggested I send copies of the book to contacts at an organization she once worked for and still does some consulting. I won’t mention the name of the organization, but they do have a keen focus.

Back home, I stood in the valley of decision. Did I really want to send someone a book out of the blue? Wouldn’t that seem a bit weird? Have I ever denied that I am weird? Don’t answer that last question.

I took the plunge and sent the books, because you never know. That phrase has become my theme for seeking writing opportunities: it just might be a God-thing. You never know unless you try.

After I put the copies in the mail, my school year started, and my schedule was full. I had forgotten I had sent the books until, a few weeks later, I got an email from a representative of the organization. He and his staff LOVED the book and wanted to discuss freelance opportunities with me and my co-author.

Say what? A person gets a random book and likes it? And wants me to write some more? DOUBLE SCORE!

Lesson learned: take the opportunity. Try, even it seems random. After all, nothing is random with God.

You never know.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.