Today’s post is written by Sarah Baughman, a semi-finalist in the Write It Sideways regular contributor search. Thanks, Sarah!
Why should you sign up for a writers’ conference?
You can’t afford not to. That’s the bottom line.
Sure, writers’ conferences require two things many of us feel we lack anyway—money and time—but they give us an instant jolt of inspiration that is often even harder to come by.
I’m a big believer in conferences, even though I can usually only attend one per year. The last time I participated in the Bear River Writers’ Conference in Michigan, I left my 1-year-old son and husband behind for three days. I knew I would miss them, but I distinctly recall walking out onto the deck of the conference hall after registering, pouring a cup of tea, looking out over the lake, and feeling thrilled at the prospect of so much focused writing time. In fact, I popped open my laptop right there and sent an e-mail to my husband titled, “Yessss!”
Here’s why I was so excited:
1. To write with others.
A writing conference will certainly include at least one workshop that puts you in contact with other writers.
Whether you’re writing from a common prompt, listening to and critiquing one another’s work, or producing a collaborative piece, you’ll benefit from this exposure to different styles and perspectives.
Even if you regularly participate in a writing group outside of the conference setting, you’ll find learning with, and from, a new set of writers energizing.
2. To write alone.
Writers’ conferences don’t keep you in class all day. Most include “down time” designed for you to practice what you’ve learned in workshops or simply write as you please.
The break from your regular routine is important. We love our jobs, our kids, our pets—but how often are we truly free from distraction? Even the “good clutter” in life is worth escaping once in a while.
Virginia Woolf famously insisted that “a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction…” Just replace “woman” with “person,” and “fiction” with “anything,” and you have a terrific reason to attend a writers’ conference!
Though you might not exactly get paid, many conferences do offer scholarships, and in any case, you’ll certainly get that coveted room of your own to write.
3. To write differently.
Every conference has a specific agenda; at Bear River, for example, participants are asked to focus on generating new work.
During workshops, writing prompts, instruction on specific writing strategies, and critiquing sessions will help you stretch past your comfort zone, and your writing will grow as a result.
You might even consider signing up for a workshop in a genre that you don’t typically work with. You never can tell, for example, how strengthening your grasp of poetry could ultimately enhance your fiction.
4. To make writing connections.
Readings from prominent authors, panel discussions on everything from poetry to publication, workshops, post-class social gatherings…these are all excellent opportunities to learn more about the writing industry and get to know people who can serve as writing buddies or mentors even after the conference has ended.
In your normal life, you might have to work hard to find these people, but at a conference, they’re concentrated in one place.
5. To fall back in love with writing.
Of course we all love to write. But can’t it be frustrating too, especially when we’re stuck in a rut? I haven’t found a writers’ conference that offers a money-back guarantee on inspiration, but they really should.
Most conferences offer an intellectually challenging yet emotionally supportive atmosphere—the perfect environment for your writing to grow. You’re bound to produce a new piece, or revise an older one, in an innovative way, reminding you why you love to write in the first place.
Ready to sign up?
Check out The Guide to Writers Conferences & Workshops or WC&C to find a conference that fits your geographical or genre requirements. You won’t regret working one into your budget—or your calendar.
Do you feel writers’ conferences are important to your development as a writer? Have you benefited from attending one?
Sarah Baughman is a writer and trained teacher who has published articles in print and online publications. Her collection of creative non-fiction essays won the Michigan Writers Cooperative Press 2010 Chapbook Contest. You can follow her on Twitter and check out her blog, A Line At A Time.
I wasted many years that I could have done more productive writing if I had attended writer’s conferences. I would look at the price and fret about the time away from my family. I talked myself out of the whole experience when I thought about commuting into Chicago. Having never gone to a conference I couldn’t justify the expense. I past few years have attended three and am still kicking myself that I didn’t do this sooner. What a change my writing has taken. My writer’s heart was revived and focus. I have connected with agents, publishers and well-known authors that have been the basis for my writer’s network of encouragement.
Cindy, I’m glad to hear your experience with conferences has also been productive! The financial and family-related concerns are valid– I’ve experienced them myself– but in the end I found that a couple of days were enough to fuel a year’s worth of writing.
I have always wanted to do something like this, but the prices are just ridiculously expensive for me. I’m a 21 year old college student married to a soldier. Together, we are two broke people who would never be able to fork up the money for this.
One day…
I completely relate, Ashley. I actually was only able to attend the writers’ conference I mentioned due to a scholarship. Fortunately, lots of conferences offer these. Even if a conference ends up being far in the future for you, you might want to just scope out a few that look good to see if they offer financial assistance. The WC&C website actually lets you check a search box that will only return conferences that have scholarships available. Good luck…and yes, one day it will happen!
I think the advantages of a writer’s conference are amazing and any of us who are able should attend. I have not yet gone, but this winter there will be the national MWA (Mystery Writers of America) conference within driving distance. This may be my first, but I am sure, it will not be my last. Great post, Sarah 🙂
I hope you enjoy the conference, Florence– it sounds like a great one! I’m sure it will not be your last. 🙂
I’m a huge fan of conferences. I met my agent at one and feel that the opportunity to connect w/other writers is invaluable. Love your insight.. Thanks!
It’s really neat that you connected with an agent at a conference, August! That’s a very concrete benefit to attending one…and certainly worth the financial investment.
When I was younger (under 45), I really enjoyed and benefitted from these conferences. However, now that I have so much bottled up from NOT writing every day for the past 20 years, I am still sprinting in the water to avoid drowning in the flood of all that is flowing now that I am writing again every day. Also, my online writer’s community and the challenges and new ideas I constantly experience blogging are providing me with almost all of the details of the Five Points you raise in this post. However, I do believe I would enjoy at least a 3 day workshop in the autumn of 2012.
That makes a lot of sense, Rose. One of the major benefits of the internet is that there are so many virtual ways to simulate a Writers’ Conference. At my current stage in life, I find the physical escape to a conference helpful…but I also think it’s terrific that your ideas flow so well without it! Enjoy the fall workshop if you do decide to go.
I am going to my first one in SF in Feb. I cannot wait!
Love,
Jodi Aman
Sounds great, Jodi! Hope it goes well.
I just signed up for one that includes five hours of perusing others work, having mine critiqued by people who are published or agents, a pitch session with an agent and two more days of get your stuff together inspiration. Scared out of my mind and so excited I’m losing sleep.
Time to work.
Tasha, that sounds like a really productive conference. I can see why you’re losing sleep. 🙂 I imagine that a conference involving critiques and pitches with actual agents would be a terrific springboard to great things. Best of luck!
I’ve felt just like you. The upside is at the end of the conference you will be so stoked and ready to roll. The people you met and the contacts you make will be priceless. Go with an open mind and heart. Have fun!