The Kindness of a Stranger

I made it through my first pitch session yesterday, and the editor encouraged me to send my book to them . . . when I have the latest revision finished.  I made a couple of mistakes in my presentation that I hopefully won't repeat next time I pitch to an editor or agent, but overall I felt I did pretty well, all things considered.

I spent all day yesterday at the LTUE conference.  It was a really good experience.  I learned a lot from all the classes I attended, but far and away the best class was called Drawing Out the Dragons by James Owen.  He is a gifted writer and illustrator/artist. 

His class encouraged the audience members to make wise decisions.  He started out with the saying: "If you really, really want to do something, no one can stop you.  If you really don't want to do something, no one can help you.  The choice is always yours." He had several other very wise sayings.  Then he talked about some personal experiences that illustrated his points.  His experiences really touched me, because there were a couple of times when life handed him a really difficult challenge, and he overcame them and went on to do what he loves.

After the class, I found the bookseller shop and purchased the book that goes along with his class.  A little while later, I found Mr. Owen to ask him to sign it.  I don't usually tell people I've gone through cancer, but I felt comfortable enough--given his own experiences--to tell him.  I'm glad that I did.  I felt such an outpouring of love and support from him!

He told me that he has a dear friend going through the same thing I'm going through.  He dies his hair purple in support of her and others who are facing a difficult challenge like that.  (Yes, his hair was purple!)  Then he signed my book in purple ink.  (That was a happy accident that I pointed out to him.)  Finally, he gave me a hug.  I'm normally not a very demonstrative person, and I think people are often afraid to hug me because of that, but I still need hugs.  When he did that, I was touched  deeply.  Later, I realized that it was a very Christ-like act.  I will always remember the kindness James Owen showed for a complete stranger who needed it.  He told me, "You are strong enough to do this!"

Mr. Owen has created a new fan in me.  I didn't know anything about his books before, but I definitely plan to get into them now!  I hope that someday I can influence people for good the way Mr. Owen influenced me.  Really, that's what Christ wants us to do: to love and support each other on this journey of life.