Post-Conference Must-Do’s by Andy Scheer

I still have some important tasks.

I’m back home, but I still have work to do. Late Sunday, after a ten-hour drive, I unloaded the car, unpacked my bags, and went to bed early.

But I still haven’t completed my obligations to the writers conference. Yesterday morning, to make sure I didn’t miss anything, I made a short list.

I’ve already written three thank-you notes: to the conference directors, to the person who hosted me and another faculty member for three nights, and to someone who gave me a solid lead for a potential client.

But I’m still not done. Before I put away my folders for the three classes I taught, I should update some material, based on the latest comments. And I’ve promised to email copies of handouts to people in one class that drew double the expected attendance.

If I’d attended the conference as a camper, I’d remind myself that if I really wanted to remember the points from all the classes, I’d retype my session notes into my computer. That way I’d have a second interaction while the information—and my handwriting—is still relatively fresh.

I know I kept receipts for all my travel expenses and meals en route. But I’m not sure I’ve found all of them yet. Once I do, I need to tally them in my spreadsheet and put all the originals in a folder. April 15th is still five months away, but I want to be ready.

Being moderately obsessive, I keep a computerized list of the clothing, equipment, and sundries I take to a conference. To make sure I’m on top of things for next time, I really should make a note to take again my newest backpack and the 12-cup coffee maker instead of that 4-cup model. And also a note that for a cross-country trip, nibbling Corn Nuts can be less messy than pretzels.

Your list of post-conference must-do’s will likely differ. If you attend as a camper, I hope it includes thanking the editors and agents with whom you had appointments, clarifying any details about their request to send a proposal or manuscript, then following through and actually sending that material.

Home Again…home again! By Linda S. Glaz

Half the laundry’s done, some sleep is caught up, and I’m ready to dig into the waiting work. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

Had a chance to meet with some clients over dinner. Great fun. And to be in attendance when client, Kate Breslin, took home the Carol!

Still searching for a home, just finishing a novel, juggling multiple books, or pulling in the awards, my clients make me proud. Such a talented group of folks from such diverse backgrounds. And they are why I do this job: to see so much amazing talent all in one place.

  

Why am I telling you this? Conferences. Conferences bring an eclectic group of folks together, all in one place, all full of stories, all wanting to find the right home for their stories. And all…getting each other. We know what makes each of us tick. We don’t cringe if we see someone’s lips moving, as if in dialogue, as they stand alone in the elevator. We don’t run the other way if they ask how to murder someone. And we don’t think it odd if they hunch over their laptops when in the middle of dinner. Speaking of dinner, these same odd folks dress up! In costume! By genre! I'm not kidding.

They are writers!

And the joy of spending 4 days squirreled away with so many nuts is called JOY.

Hope everyone arrived home safely, and I’m already planning for next year.

Blessings, all.

Writers Conference Essentials by Andy Scheer

What are the most important things you bring?

I’ve been prepping for this weekend’s writers conference since 1988. While I still haven’t nailed the process, I think I’m getting better--at getting ready.

I’ll be teaching, so my preparations are a little different from those of conferees. I don’t have to decide which class to attend. But this past summer I had to revise and submit my session outlines. This week, I’ll run through my slide presentations one more time.

Instead of hoping to deliver a flawless elevator speech, I get to mark up some seriously flawed first pages in such a way that the people in my editing class will learn to be more effective self-editors. Given the challenge of condensing into fours hours what I’ve learned in four decades, I’m antsy.

As a safely valve for that nervous energy, I resort to excessive planning.

For every conference, I customize the standard itinerary I keep on my computer. Besides flight numbers and times, I list three sets of information:

• what I’ll wear and the main items I’ll carry in my pockets (phone, flash drive, mints, that day’s pills)

• what I’ll take in my briefcase

• what I’ll pack in my suitcase

For each conference I modify the list. My Kindle recently died, so I won’t need to pack it and its charger. But I’ll need a paperback in my briefcase, and another in my suitcase. Depending on how full my suitcase, I’ll take either a compact Bible or one that’s tiny.

The hotel has coffee makers in the rooms, so I won’t need my travel coffee pot—just a supply of ground coffee and filters.

My list helps me remember little necessities such as chargers, spare eyeglasses, and enough clean socks. Later this week I’ll check the forecast to see if I can omit an umbrella and rain coat.

I long ago decided not to bother with a camera. But since many places have microwaves, sometimes I’ll bring a pouch of popcorn. Rather than try to find lunch at the airport, I often bring frozen slices of Little Caesar’s pizza in a ziploc bag. (That’s another reason to remember those mints.)

Once I’ve been to Writer to Writer in Murfreesboro, I’ll have a better idea of what I need to bring . . . the next time.

More Conference Gold Mines by Andy Scheer

Writers conferences offer more than informative classes, inspiring speakers, and one-on-ones with agents and editors. Having just come down from the mountain at the Colorado Christian Writers Conference, I received fresh reminders of these other opportunities:

● Getting There & Back

Whether carpooling to a nearby conference or sharing a ride from the airport, this time in transit lets you not only talk shop, but also get to know others. One conferee gave a ride to a pastor who just arrived from overseas. I detoured past the airport to pick up an editor from a major publishing house.

● Orienting First-Timers

If you’re a veteran, can enjoy the privilege to direct newbies (scan the crowd for those looking puzzled). If you’re new and wondering where to find the registration desk and the classrooms, don’t fear. The person who comes to your rescue may eventually become your critique partner.

● Waiting in Line for Meals

The longer the line, the more opportunity to meet those standing near you. In one meal line a few years ago, while discussing their works in progress, one conferee discovered a much-needed expert resource for her novel’s key scene.

● Eating with Strangers

It’s tempting to sit with friends ... but more adventurous to join a meal table with those you’ve not yet met. Should I ever need to write about hair-coloring, I now know an expert. And I got to tell some people from eastern Kansas about a great writers group in Kansas City.

● Hearing Affirmation

After several years of rejections, this weekend a friend encountered a publishing professional who agreed his project had fabulous potential. He’d been ready to give up.

● Receiving Redirection

I’d dreaded my final appointment—for a paid critique with a conferee who had a solid concept but had made some poor decisions in how to introduce the topic. I’m grateful he was open to an approach more likely to engage readers. Some writers get defensive, but this time I got lucky—and so will his future readers.

Where else have you struck gold at a conference?

Going to Kansas City by Andy Scheer

As much as I appreciate large, national writers conferences, for me the events held by regional writers groups hold a special place.

This Thursday I plan to drive from Colorado Springs to Kansas City to attend the fall conference of the Heart of American Christian Writers Network. If you're within driving distance (say less than 500 miles) I hope you can attend.

Before and after the HACWN
conference, I plan to enjoy some
great Kansas City barbecue.

As usual, they've pulled together a great faculty, including some names you might not expect at a regional event. To see details, including who's teaching, click here.

For my part, I plan to teach three sessions: on titles and leads, on editing your writing tightly, and on book proposals.

What will you learn if you attend the HACWN conference? Perhaps not what you expect, but definitely what you need. This past week as I worked on a set of daily devotions, I needed a couple of illustrations.

Two recent conversations with people at the CLASS Christian Writers Conference came to mind. I'd not planned or expected either interaction – or seen their significance at the time. Only on further reflection did they significance strike me.

If you come to the conference in Kansas City, keep your ears open – and not just during the teaching sessions. You never know what you're going to learn if you put yourself in the right place.

Meet you at Atlanta? by Terry Burns

Will be on the road headed to the "Catch the Wave" Christian Writer's Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference is August 22-24th at the Lodge at Simpsonwood and is put on by the Christian Authors Guild. I've been there once before and it is a beautiful facility and a great place for a conference.

I have a little more expanded role this time as I'm going to set the tone for the conference in an opening talk on "Just Say Yes." Decisions that we make take on a whole new meaning when we realize that there are only two answers when we come to realize that the Lord wants us to do something, yes or no. Later, maybe, I'm not qualified, I can't do it, are just forms of saying no. We'll talk about what this means for writers . . . and just for Christians in general.

I'll be doing appointments, of course, and doing a workshop on "Developing a writer's persona" as well as one on "Agent and Editor pet peeves." I'll be speaking in the closing session as well, talking about, talking about "Why do we write?"

Hopefully there is something in these for everybody and the remainder of the conference content is very strong with presenters like Cindy Sproles, cofounder and Executive Director of Christian Devotions Ministries, Faye Lamb, acquisition editor for Pelican Book Group, and Stacy Robinson of the Robinson Talent Agency. Others are bestselling author Lynette Easton, publicist and media specialist ReAnn Ring, and Pix-N-Pens publisher Tracy Ruckman.

The conference is very affordable and a great opportunity to network and learn, particularly convenient for those who live in the Southeast. I hope I get the chance to meet you there.

Back from the Conference by Andy Scheer

For three days this past weekend, I wasn't alone in my pursuits.

I again found myself among more than a hundred people with similar goals -- people who didn't find my interests quaint, fruitless, or odd.

For three days I could easily learn more about the field and at times pass on information to willing listeners. I could talk shop using insider shorthand. And I could get answers from veteran experts, rather than rely on my own knowledge or comb the internet.

Faced with a vast array of resources for sale, I spent every dollar I'd budgeted – then an extra forty percent I'd squirreled away in case. I didn't get much sleep, but I filled my heart and spirit.

After three days packed with back to back sessions, I came home exhausted but happy. Digesting all the material I brought home will take a year.

By then I'll be ready to return. The dates are already marked on my calendar.

I hope you also have a favorite conference – a place you can call home and where for a few days, you don't have to pretend to be normal.

7 Fear Removing Thoughts for Beginning and Stuck Writers by Diana Flegal

Returning from teaching at a recent writers conference I realized the thing I really accomplish in presenting my workshops is to remove the element of fear and get the writer to begin or continue in their journey.

While I highly recommend attending a writers conference for all of its benefits, I have listed below some fear removing thoughts for beginning and stuck writers to consider.

• Every well published authors journey began with the first step, followed by the second. BEGIN

• Editors and Agents are regular people passionate about words. As my Daddy used to say, "Everyone pulls their pants on same as you do. One leg at a time." Befriend and learn from them. Follow their blogs. FEAR NOT and FOLLOW

• There are scads of free writers resources and helps available online. Google your need. Example: How to Write a Magazine Article. Your idea can be shaped and made print worthy. NO EXCUSES

• Set realistic goals. Do not attempt to leap tall buildings in a single bound before you excel at the basics. Be patient and hone your skills. Writing is a journey not a sprint. PACE YOURSELF

•  There are many books that will aid you in your journey. For fiction writers: The Art of War for Writers: Fiction Writing Strategies, Tactics and Exercises by James Scott Bell, Write To Be Heard by Diane Sherlock and Aaron Gansky and Plotting Simplified: Story Structure Tips for the Break-Out Novelist by Eddie Jones. Nonfiction writing books: On Writing Well by William Zinsser, Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamont. READ

• Share your writing with other objective writers. LEARN from constructive criticism.

• Rewrite as often as you need to. Write like mad. Write in the morning, evening, and in-between times as well. PRACTICE.

Please add to the list any fear busters you might think of to offer to those beginning or stuck in their writing journey. Always remember to be kind to others you meet at various spots along the path. Creatives are fragile. FRA-JIL-LE as my son and I like to say. Do not break them, I need the wisdom they have and look forward to learning from them once they sit and write it all down.

Happy over the hump day!
Diana

After the Conference by Andy Scheer

Yesterday I returned after four days at a Christian writers conference. I unpacked my bags, then took the afternoon and evening off to relax.

This morning I listed nine followup points I need to take — starting today. I've already crossed off three. As soon as I write this (item four), I'll begin tackling the fifth.

I don't want to be like many of those writers who made appointments with me during my days as a magazine editor. I'd never ask people to send me their material simply to be nice. I didn't have time to ask for projects with no potential.

But in the weeks and months after the conference, most of those writers didn't send me their material. I didn't publish them. Yes, I did reject — or ask for revisions to — some of the material I received. But I also discovered and cultivated some of my best writers among those who followed up.

I just invested four intense days in a conference. Now I'm determined to get the maximum benefit from the experience. That's why I came.

Yes, I enjoyed staying in a great hotel for a few days, and times of fellowship with like-minded people. I appreciated listening to inspiring speakers. But those speakers kept reminding us that as Christian writers, we've been entrusted with talent—and have a message to proclaim.

Thanks to the conference, I'm better equipped to accomplish my job. It's time to put that to use.

Down from the Mountain by Andy Scheer

Today I'm back in the office after twelve days on the road, attending writers conferences on two consecutive weekends.

Both events featured inspiring keynoters and multiple one-on-one appointments—times to connect with aspiring writers and potential colleagues.

Toward the end of that marathon I was beginning to feel like my cell phone, which I had forgotten to recharge.

But the final afternoon of the second conference I seized the opportunity to do more than attend the keynotes, take appointments, and teach my own classes. The schedule allowed me to attend someone else's workshop.

The presenter spoke about nurturing the writer's soul—an essential topic for someone working daily in this business.

She discussed the problems we face, spoke about her practices, then asked the audience what they do to stay fresh.

The ideas varied as much at the personalities of the people. (I mentioned my longtime practice of listening to a narrator read Scripture as I follow along with a printed version.) That hour of downtime from my responsibilities gave me several new ideas I plan to apply.

If even one of those helps me keep my batteries charged, I'll consider the time well spent.

That's what writers conferences are for.