There’s nothing like paying for a sitter so that you can go to the Panera parking lot, eat lunch on your lap, contort your body to type on the keyboard that has mayonnaise all over the “w” and update your blog by mooching off their wi-fi. Not because you don’t have internet access but because you have 3 kids.
There’s also nothing like having people walk by your car, see you on the computer and think you are doing something important. But really you are just desperate for some time alone and for a place to speak it. Which I guess is important after all.
I know I could go inside. But there are people inside. So I sit here in my car with mayonnaise on my keyboard, thinking about why I write and those of you like me who write because you can, because you want to, because if you didn’t, you would be denying a part of yourself.
And I think about blogging and how it is a place for those of us who love to write and kind of sometimes have something to say but don’t have to have an agent or risk rejection to do it. And we can be the editor, publisher, AND the author and use all the run-on sentences that we want. And begin lots of fragment sentences with conjunctions.
It’s all very egocentric, really.
I’m going to She Speaks tomorrow. It’s a conference held by Proverbs 31 ministries to encourage and equip women who speak, who lead and who write.
I will be among those who write.
I signed up back in February and, like a raving mad lunatic, also signed up to be in a peer review group. That’s when you bring something you’ve written and let other people read it while laughing and pointing and throwing rocks at you. Who would sign up for a peer review? Why am I subjecting myself to the madness?
Some of you I will see there, I know. I look forward to meeting you, as long as you kindly leave your rocks at home.
oh it sounds wonderful. i wish i were there too. i would bring something and we could get in a corner and be careful with one another’s words.
Hey! I’m glad you’re going to the She Speaks conference! Enjoy the time without the kiddos and time spend around people who share your passions. I briefly thought about going to it back in February, but it’s just too far away. (and I like run-on sentences too much) My mom lived in Charlotte for one year, and if I had known, I would have flown down there and left the kids in her care. I missed my chance!
I’ll be curious to hear how it goes. It sounds like a safe place to share your writing…
have fun at the conference! hope you get some good feedback!
i’ve never heard of such a conference but frankly my dear…your attitude towards your writing and others response is a montrocity (hee hee sp?) anyway, the problem you should be having is the angst of picking just one piece of all of your gifted little yummies to share with a group with such an enlightened name as SHE SPEAKS….you dream, eat, sleep, breath and you know what else… catchy and unique phrases that you are able to so unwittingly (and knowingly)spin into beautiful, poetic, humorous and visionary dialogue….my dear when it comes to relaying the beauty around you so that anyone ANYONE who reads it feels, sees, hears, tastes, and experiences what you do….ms chatting at the sky you not only speak….you resound.
Have a wonderful time! I wish I were going.
Of course, your peer review will be a sweet experience because you are such a gifted writer. Your words speak right to the heart.
Thank you for sharing them.
Have a great time, Emily. I know you will be great!
Have a wonderful time! I can’t wait to hear all about it. And please be sure to share with us what you share with the peer review group. (If it’s not too personal!)
Oh, I would totally love to do the speaking part of that, as I’m not so good with writing. You’ll have a great time, I’ve heard those are really good!
You are an awesome writer! I know you won’t have a single rock thrown at you.
That really sounds like fun!
The conference sounds like fun! You have NOTHING to worry about…everyone will love you!!
Totally understand your “position” at Panera. I have sat in the parking lot at my beloved Chick-Fil-A at ten at night just to check my email and blog (oh yea, and have a tea and brownie).
Have fun!!
How exciting for you! Do you have your work picked out that you will take? Are you like me and keep changing your mind about what to take? I would be, but that’s just me.
Have an amazing weekend. May you be blessed by others and may you be a blessing to others.
– Brandi
AFter all these comments, peer review will be nothin’
! I am so proud of you for taking the time to write so often. I know we all love having your stuff to read. I am actually investing in a laptop so I can “escape” to blog from time to time too. My usual writing time–between midnight and 2 am—doesn’t always produce the most coherent thoughts!
All the best to you! Can’t wait to hear how the conference goes!
I can’t wait to hear how it goes! take detailed notes!!!
You are so funny. I don’t know why I blog, you and your sister take care of anything I might have wanted to say & you both do it so well! I love to read about your days as a mommy with young kids. You make me feel a little more normal and you make it all sound so pretty and funny.
Take care, have a great time.
Julie @ sweet chaos
What a great time, and I’m sure your peer review will be as moved by your writing as those of us who get to read it regularly are.
Enjoy the weekend ~ hope you come back restored and inspired.
I’m trying hard to not be bitter. Have a great time and tell us all of the fun details!!
Have fun! I would LOVE to go, maybe next year!
You will do awesome, you are a very good writer. I remember in college, every quarter I had to play my flute in front of all the music professors while they sat and judged you, and then after they tell yo all the things you did wrong, so glad those days are over.
I would love to be in that peer review group…no stones hidden in my pockets! They will love you. I know we all do here in blog land!
I’ve gone to Starbucks many many many times to do the same thing. I’ve got my ipod too so I can be inside and still not have to deal with people – just my thoughts and no kids.
Saving sanity is what will make you appreciate everything all the more when you get home even from a little get away like that!
Have a great time at the conference!
hey friend. i’m so happy that you get this time. i pray that as you pour out something so precious that you would be reminded of His glory that comes out as you speak. can’t wait to hear about it.
Great photos! I love taking them too. So much that I have more pictures than text on my blog…haha! Thanks for sharing your blog! May God bless you!
hey Glad that I got to meet you and chat with you on Friday night at dinner at She Speaks. I am adding your blog to my feed reader so I”ll be back!
i hope the conference went really well- what a great opportunity!
i’ve desperately attempted alone time at panera too, but never in my car
i love panera- i get the sierra chicken and an apple every time i’m there, i can’t bring myself to get anything else 
when jim’s with me, i try some of his, but still stick with my sierra 
i still love my oyster bay, and loved it so much, i used it in the playroom closet as well
Megan
I am so enjoying your writing! I read Nester too and you are such fun sisters! Your parents must have done something right:>)