Wannabe at This Years Convention

But, I want to go to Convention; I just don’t know how to get there.

A long time ago, I told myself that one-day I would write a book. A few years ago, I told myself I could write a book. A couple of months ago, I was writing a book. Now today, I tell myself you have a book to finish.

A long time ago, I had no Internet connection, nor computer for that matter. A few years ago, I got a computer and started to surf the net. A few months ago I was helping others enjoy the experience of Writing.Com that I had found while surfing. Now I spend my time at a Writing.Com when I should be surfing dishes to the sink, and laundry to the dryer.

A long time ago, I wanted to know how to become a writer. A few years ago I found out, I was a writer. A few months ago, I had my first short story published. Now, I can’t wait for the day that I can have a book published.

A long time ago, I thought going to a convention would be neat. A few years ago, I was able to go to a convention. A few months ago, I went to the very first Writing.Com convention. Now I can’t wait to go to this year’s Writing.Com convention.

A long time ago, I had friends that did everything but write. A few years ago, I made friends with writers. A few months ago, I went to meet those friends. Now I’m making plans to see them again at this year’s convention.

A long time ago I wondered if I would ever find a place to call home, filled with family and friends, that I would willingly go out of my way to spend time with. A few years ago, I found a place to hang my hat, where friends were plentiful, and time seemed to vanish. A few months ago I nervously entered a hotel to spend a weekend with people that I knew by handle names only. Now I know them by name and by sight.

When I joined the site, there was a survey on the loose. It was a simple survey requiring one of three answers; yes, no, maybe. The question was would you consider coming to a Writing.Com convention. My first thought was that would be cool, but only being a member for a matter of days what did you expect.

A few months later, a new survey was on the loose. Convention was happening, and only one response was required; yes, I would be coming. My mind said yes, yes, yes, but my pocket book said not on your life, you're poor remember, you don’t even have a job, and you have two kids to support, are you crazy. Well the answer was yes, crazy out of my mind trying to figure out a way that I could attend.

But alas, even if I scrimped every penny that I had, it might have been enough to pay for the convention, but I wouldn’t have been able to afford to get there. So, I sent my regrets to the StoryMaster, telling him to be sure to have a great time without me.

I was surprised to find an email in my box later that day asking what reasons I had for not coming, since it was obvious that I wanted to. So I explained my plights in point form, after all he did ask. Again, I received an email telling me not to give up yet, that they were in the process of developing a scholarship fund to help those that couldn’t afford to go.

Who would have thought that an email to the StoryMaster would evolve into a scholarship that would allow me to attend the first ever Writing.Com convention, certainly not me, however I was more than happy to be proved wrong.

And now here I am but a few months later, registered for yet another Writing.Com convention. Budget in place, with the help of the StoryMistress who was kind enough to work out a payment schedule for me, I now sit and doodle with pen and paper making my list of things to bring, and roads to travel so that I can be there on time this year.

Oh did I tell you about a funny thing that happened on the way to convention last year. You see there was this highway or interstate as you like to call them that had me going around in circles for the better part of two hours. Being the impatient soul that I am, I finally gave up on the directions, and just headed down my own road and arrived minutes before registration was done.

But anyway remember that we all have dreams, and people and places that we need to see. Sometimes the road is an easy one, and sometimes we just need help getting there. The Writing.Com convention is an experience that will last in your heart forever, and it is something that every one of you should have the opportunity to experience.

Remember how that little email of mine evolved, it could happen for you too. Convention is just a few months away, be sure to plan today, for something that will last a lifetime.

"Scholarship Fund: Convention 2006"