This isn't even our cat, but I think this is in the top 10 strangest pictures of Angel. It brings out so many "Whys?"
I know, I know. I don't really seem like the type. Trust me, I don't really feel like the conference-going type. But my mom recently told me that I shouldn't be afraid to invest into blogging and actually work to learn more about the writing industry and where I would best fit into that industry.
A few days after that, Angel told me, "You know, you can go to a blog conference anytime you want."
I didn't even know he knew blog conferences existed. I didn't even know that I would be interested in going to one if I thought it was a possibility.
A few days later, I read about the Influence Conference. I found out that it was in Indianapolis, just a medium-sized roadtrip from home, and I noticed that Angel had the days of the conference off of work. From my research, it was clear to me that my dreams of being a voice of truth, of speaking grace and joy and passion for life--of being a Christian writer in a non-Christian writing world--lined up with the goals of the Influence Conference. I asked Angel what he thought about it, and he said, "Let's go!"
This all took place within the first week of September, and now we're headed for the conference at the end of September. We're good at quickly switching plans around and adjusting to changes. I'm excited to spend a little time in Indianapolis, a city I've never stayed in before.
Honestly, I don't know what to expect. I'm looking forward to meeting people who actually have experience at the game of writing and getting published. I'm mentally preparing myself not to take the easy route out and glue myself to the wall for safety the entire time, because that's basically my gut response to the sight of a large room full of people.
I may not seem like the prime candidate for the Influence Conference. For one thing, my husband is going with me (not to the actual conference, but he has big plans of watching TV in hotel room most of the weekend). We're not staying at the conference hotel, but at a significantly cheaper one in the same general area, and I'm glad to have him as driver, bodyguard, and roommate for the weekend. I'll probably be wearing Doc Martens and studded leather bracelets the whole time because they are my happy accessories. I'll be the one with the weird business cards because the combination of my lack of graphic design skills + reluctance to spend unnecessary money means that I'll be handing out itsy-bitsy folders filled with handwritten information instead.
This is a grand experiment, we shall see what happens!
Hey, different is good, right? And you really can't beat $9 for all the supplies needed to make 90 funny little folders. Leave it to me to not be able to resign myself to a normal rectangular business card....
Your folders are so much better than the traditional business card! Very original and hard to forget.
Found you through the conference link up. You will love it. It can get super overwhelming at times since there is so much going on and so many ladies. But it's absolutely amazing.
Found you through the conference link up. You will love it. It can get super overwhelming at times since there is so much going on and so many ladies. But it's absolutely amazing.
I love your business cards! Don't for one second apologize for them! Handwritten cards are so special and personal, and might made an even bigger impression than others. Be brave, and enjoy every minute of the conference. I can't wait to hear all about it. X Jane http://janeheinrichs.blogspot.com
Excited to meet you! And your business cards are awesome! :)
That's so exciting, and a big step forward! It makes me want to say "you go, girl!" even though I never say it in real life. It just seems appropriate. :)
I go to children's writing conferences and love them! You should go! It'll be fun!
How cool that God made a way for you to go so quickly. There's a great big sign from heaven if I ever saw one. :D And I think it's sweet that your husband is going with you!!! So much better than going alone... and your business cards are cute. :P Mine are really cheap and designed by myself, too, so I feel you. I bet yours will make a bigger impression than the super awesomely expensive ones, haha!
Have a good time!! xoxo
I think your little business card folders are totally darling! And... I'm jealous that you are going to a blog conference. I have to live way out the sticks of New England... where nothing exciting ever happens. Also, I'm borderline too shy to be involved in something like that because I don't have any kind of confidence in what I write being meaningful and/or good. So there's that.
I am so excited you are going to the conference!! When I saw your face on the Twitter party stream last night, I was like "I didn't know she was going...YAY!"...Literally. :) I hope to meet you in person and get one of your cute folders! I really don't know what to expect either...just that it will be awesome, I'm sure!
I love that in basically the space of a month you're going from not having had a conversation about blogging conferences to attending one!
I love your business cards; Margaret from Floral and Frayed handmade hers too last year and they were super cute!
Have fun! I'd be so nervous to ever go to one...
Um, I am so exited that you are going to be there! Cannot wait to meet you!
How exciting! I can't wait to hear how it goes : )
bisous
Suzanne
That's great you're going, you're sure to meet tons of awesome people! I love your business cards, unique is good, it will make you memorable :)
How exciting for you!!! This sounds like a really great opportunity to advance this blogging-as-a-career business you've been talking about! ;) And I think your business cards are great. They'll stand out from all the other look-alike business cards that will be there and the handwriting + photo gives them a really personal touch!
P.S. That photo of Angel is gold.
You're business cards are too cute Rachel. That's so exciting. Have fun and good luck.
Have a lovely day.
Lenya
I think it's great that you will be going. I'm still so clueless about this whole blog thing, so I hope to attend one in the future and soak in all the wisdom from others. I need all the help I can get! The folders are awesome!! Fill us in on some things you learn if you can. That's cool that your hubby gets to go too. Y'all will have fun!
Love that story of how you ended up being able to come to Influence! That's awesome. Looking forward to meeting you!
I hope to get one of those cute folders :) If you see ME glued to the wall, pry me off of it, will ya? And I can do the same for you! Haha.
I am also so looking forward to learning from people who write WAY better than me! Can't wait to soak it all up.
Oh my word, the little folders!! I love them, and I hope I get one when I meet you!!!
How cool! I hope you have a fabulous time!
wow, thats awesome! Wish I could go :P
Sounds like lots of fun, I LOVE blog conferences!
I am SO jealous, I have yet to go to a blog conference.
YAY YAY YAY!!!!!!!!! I never thought I would go to a blog conference either, but I'm going to Blog Elevated in Houston (which I'm sure you've already heard me yack about!) I'm very excited. I've been trying to decide on my business cards also. I'm not interested in spending a ton of money (especially since I'm looking for a job), but I have some pretty decent experience with photoshop and publisher so I'm hoping to design something decent. My dad has a small computer business where we live, so he's gonna help me with the correct printing of the cards and such lol. Good luck! I cannot wait to hear all about your conference and what you learn!! I'm taking the cheaper route too with hotel accommodations... more like "family" accommodations! lol I'm excited to visit my cousin and her family while I'm there! I'm SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!!!!
You bring him with you... we will put him to work. No but really! There will be a few husbands loitering around
Have fun! What a great opportunity!
i think it's great that you have found a conference that will work for YOU.
Good for you!! A few other bloggers I follow are going too...it sounds like a wonderful conference! Cannot wait to hear about it when you get home:) safe travels:)
I hope you have a wonderful time! Even if you're not the conference type of person - I'm thinking you will find that you'll be a great fit at Influence. :)
Great news...! I also love to see a man with a cat I always find it so sweet.
YAY! Go Rachel, I've always wanted to go a blogging conference!
xx
Allexis
That's not even your cat? That's hilarious. I hope that you enjoy the conference and learn a lot, and network a lot. I bet your sweet folders will stand out and make people remember you.
I'm not a fan of large groups of people either (and sometimes want to hide in the corner), but the conference is so awesome. I'm sure you will fit right in!
I'm not the conference-type either; I often want to hide in my room when I'm surrounded by tons of people I don't know well. I love your story of how God worked it out for you to come! And your business card folders are awesome-hopefully I'll meet you there and I can have one! :)
Hi! This is my first blog conference too, and I am not staying at the Westin either. I'm staying with my mom-in-law. I use to live in Indy. It is a wonderful city, lots of fun and FREE things to do. Your husband may enjoy walking around Circle Center mall which is downtown, there are tons of museums downtown- the Indiana Historical and the Eiteljorg are my favorites. There is also a canal you can stroll down with a couple of war memorials...a zoo, a minor league baseball field and the Children's Museum (those aren't free) but they are all amazing and not just for kids. All these things are within walking distance of the Circle (which is what we call the center of the city because it's, well, a circle). If you are staying close to the Westin, then you are near the circle. Oh- and if he likes sports the NCAA tourney has a museum downtown too. And if he wants to eat the best hamburger known to man he should go to Bubs Burgers in Carmel (a suburb just north of the city)- literally the best- last year, the teams playing in the super bowl went there to eat. Well, it looks like Indy should hire me to advertise for their tourism group. Anyways, if you have any questions or want specifics email me- amyepatton@comcast.net. I look forward to meeting you while your husband has a relaxing time in the city, Amy
Rachel I am so glad you're going! I had no idea! And your business cards are great. They will be memorable and you know bloggers love a good DIY ;) see ya there girl!
Good for you!! I was hesitant about blog conferences at first, too! It took me 2 years to finally decide to go!! I went to BlissDom this past March and it was the best time I've had in a LONG time!! I have zero regrets. I'm super sad the BlissDom conference has been retired, though, because it felt like long lost family. But... I have heard wonderful things about Influence. I have a few friends going and I'm excited to see and hear all about it! :)
Dude! I so wish I was going! We could meet in real life and maybe even room together. Blah, too bad I'm not going. Have fun! Can't wait to hear all about it.
I would pass out dead in my tracks if my husband knew what a blog conference was! HAHA. But hey... Indi?! I'm not that far from there.... maybe I will have to check into that...!
I've never been to a blog conference before, but that sounds so exciting! Sounds like a good way to make a lot of new friends with similar interests and also learn some new things and maybe further ignite your passion for writing! And funny how your schedule worked out for it, too! :) Maybe it was planned that way... :)
--Erika
http://www.chimerikal.com
i. am. dying over that picture LOL
"this isn't even our cat..."
I MUST MEET YOU!!
you sound like one of God's most fun and pleasant creations :) xoxo
First of all, the mini folders is brilliant!! I'm in love with them, I want to trade you business cards or something. :) Also, I hope you have an amazing time at the conference! I've been to a few nursing ones, but a blogging one would be incredible... much more fun, to say the least. :) tell us all about it, ok?!
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