If Jesus doesn’t come back for us before this entry posts on Wednesday, I’ll be on my way to Kansas City to catch a plane to Denver. I’m finally attending the Christian Writers Guild conference called Writing for the Soul. I’ve attended several writing conferences, but this is the first time I’ve made this one. And I’m jazzed.

Here is something that bothers me about writers, though. Especially those of us who are also Christians. We tend to think our call or talent or gift is all we need to earn national attention. Many of us seem to think our desire to write should be enough to get us a big advance, a three-book deal, and a spot on Oprah. Or, in my case, a seat on the curvy couch with Fox & Friends.

No other professional makes that assumption. Everybody else recognizes the need for training. Obviously a good writer doesn’t have to earn a degree, though that’s not a bad idea. (Go, Felicity!) We can all learn more about our craft, though. We can read books, attend conferences, take a class at a local college, or even sign up for courses online.

So, I’m making the invest this week in both in time and money. I’ve done my homework, so I’m prepped to meet with agents and editors, and I plan to suck the marrow out of every day.

Then, when I get home, I plan to put all my new training to work as I write and write and write. Because that is the real secret of success.