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write2ignite:

Presenters are People, Too

by Samantha Bell

Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in two writing conferences. I was a presenter for the SCBWI-Carolinas conference and part of the planning team for Write2Ignite! It was a good experience, as “shy me” had to talk with authors, agents, and editors I normally wouldn’t have spoken to.

One such opportunity turned out to be more than I expected. At the Write2Ignite! Conference, it was my job to pick up two presenters from two different hotels and take them to the church for a nice supper before the Friday evening meeting. The whole trip should have taken me about 15 – 20 minutes, and I envisioned pleasant small talk among the three of us during the drive.

I arrived on time to pick up Jonathan Friesen, our guest speaker for the teens who will be speaking again this year. We then headed for the second hotel to pick up Sandra Epps, a presenter for the adult workshops.

I was unfamiliar with the city, though. I watched for Sandra’s hotel off to the right, spotted it, and then started searching for an entrance. But I couldn’t find one! Before I knew it, we were merging onto a different highway going towards another city with no way to turn around.

I began making calls to let folks know that we didn’t have Sandra. I also had to tell them that we were lost! Here I was, driving our full-size family van down the interstate with a conference presenter with no idea where I was going. I finally spotted an exit with a street name that looked familiar, so I took it. We eventually found a shopping center that gave us a point of reference, and with some help over the phone made our way back to the church. It was about an hour after I had first left.

Well, despite my embarrassment, I did have a really good conversation with Jonathan. (We had the time, after all!) We talked about our families, our daughters, and their love of horses. I also found out that he very patient and easy-going. Best of all, I got to know him more as a person, rather than an untouchable presenter who wouldn’t have time for a conference attendee like me.

As the conference went on, I found all of the presenters to be just like Jonathan. All real people willing to talk, to share, and to bless others. I know our presenters this year will be the same, and I can’t wait to meet them. And since I’m familiar with the town, I won’t get anyone lost.