Standing on the Edge.....

Tomorrow I will be on the road to Nashville to attend The Ragged Edge, a very unconventional writer's workshop.  Until a week ago I had made my peace with not going to this...but one email changed all of that.  Turns out I was the runner up in author Tosca Lee's essay contest.  I had to write in 200 words or less why I wanted to go to the conference. 

So I wrote about the sound of dragon wings, and how my dad heard them long before I did.  When my dad made me promise to him two days before he died that I would write a book I had no idea it would be 11 years before I started.  I explained how an idea of a ordinary girl who learned to sword fight turned into an epic tale of good vs. evil and had a cast of characters including skeletons, giants, dragons, and kings.  It is a story that has grabbed my heart and I can't stop working on it if I tried. 

The winner of Tosca's contest could not make it and she asked me if I wanted it.  Of course I said YES!  I am so honored to have won this $650 ticket!  With Rich out of work there is no way I could have gone otherwise.  Tomorrow I will sit at the feet of some of the most unconventional christian authors and hear their hearts. 

As I get ready today....I wanted to blog and while I am typing this...RED is playing on Youtube.  Without this band I would not have the inspiration for some of my most important scenes in my story.  It all started with "Let Go" when I first pictured a scene in my head with such clarity- it freaked me out a little.  I had no idea when I started Afton's story two years ago just what would develop in the novel, but in my heart.

This story of a girl with a sword has left it's mark on my heart already.  I have been challenged to look at my relationships with my family, friends, and enemies and they have been left on the pages of this epic story.  I have learned how to be a better observer of what is around me.  I have learned about the Celtic way of life and I have learned about symbolism and the power of love. 

I feel as if I am standing on the edge of the next part of this journey...and it's not a mistake that this workshop is called The Ragged Edge.  When I blog about this adventure next week I am sure that I will changed.  I hope to be able to put into words the impact this weekend had on me. 

I also have to give a big shout out to those of you that read my blog and encourage me in this project.  I know there are many days that you have given me the strength and courage to keep going!  I hope and pray that you continue to hang with me as I keep plowing ahead with this story. 

I am excited and nervous about tomorrow because of the unknown.  I have wanted to do something like this for so long, that I am trying to have no expectations about it.  I do know that the authors that will be speaking are very out of the box and will challenge me.  I am so up for that! 

Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers this weekend as I stand on the edge of something new (and old).  I wanted to post one RED song and found that I cannot make a decision between them...so I am posting both. 

Let Go was the first song I ever "saw" a scene to, and Ordinary World- the video (esp. the last 10 seconds or so) slapped me upside the head one day and got me back on track. 

Here's to a new adventure.........