These were the questions I needed to answer in my talk at the Project Author Seminar of Salt and Light Ventures at the AIM conference hall.
Answering those two questions in book talks and casual encounters with readers has been no big deal. All I have time to say is an abridged version of how indeed did I end up being an author, when all my life I was an ad gal.
But to speak for 45 long minutes—now, that had to be a tell-all, including all the "lurid" details. This I only realized when I was beginning to write my talk.
Alas, there was no turning back! I couldn't say no to the organizer's Chairman and CEO, my friend Ardy, who has been trying to arrange a meeting with me for a year now, but, well, you know how dates can be so ephemeral in this chaotic age, and so the appointment never happened.
I had to retrace my steps from the day I decided to have my manuscripts published. Then I discovered I had already been writing about those in bits and pieces in my book-in-progress on retirement, which I am currently fine-tuning before turning it over to my editor.
The book and the talk, they somehow dovetailed by coincidence, if not by divine providence.
As it happened, the talk was a preview of the book. And judging from the audience response, I ought to have at least a few guaranteed readers when the book goes to press. The feedback I got was totally and delightfully unexpected.
"I definitely will write my own story of grace NOW," someone said after my talk.
"Can't dilly-dally any longer. I need to take my manuscripts seriously soon," another one said.
"Now I know exactly what to write about—and I will go for it!" said a young gentleman.
"I've been mulling over these topics," a soft-spoken lady told me, showing me her notes. "Now I am confident I am in the right track."
I also got several private and wall messages on FB and email saying how my author story made them rev up their idling writing engine.
I had prayed that my talk would encourage the attendees to throw caution (and fear) to the wind and follow their heart: write.
That hope is now a certainty. If only 50% of the 40 who attended the seminar had been emboldened to have their thoughts published in print or on e-pages, then every second of the 45 minutes would have been worth it!
And oh, my author story is nothing spectacular compared to other authors'. My answer to both questions: it is a simple story of grace.
The book and the talk, they somehow dovetailed by coincidence, if not by divine providence.
As it happened, the talk was a preview of the book. And judging from the audience response, I ought to have at least a few guaranteed readers when the book goes to press. The feedback I got was totally and delightfully unexpected.
"I definitely will write my own story of grace NOW," someone said after my talk.
"Can't dilly-dally any longer. I need to take my manuscripts seriously soon," another one said.
"Now I know exactly what to write about—and I will go for it!" said a young gentleman.
"I've been mulling over these topics," a soft-spoken lady told me, showing me her notes. "Now I am confident I am in the right track."
I also got several private and wall messages on FB and email saying how my author story made them rev up their idling writing engine.
I had prayed that my talk would encourage the attendees to throw caution (and fear) to the wind and follow their heart: write.
And oh, my author story is nothing spectacular compared to other authors'. My answer to both questions: it is a simple story of grace.
2 comments:
hope you can share it to me some day. =D
Will do, Rye. I don't go to Global City anymore so maybe somewhere, if we ever bump into each other (?) Thank you and Merry Chrsitmas!
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