It’s been compared to drinking from a firehose. It’s been called “graduate school in a week.” It’s intense, in-depth, and incomparable. It’s also a remarkable amount of fun.
It’s the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Five days that can change your life and your career. You will leave enthused, engaged, and encouraged.
Of course, if you’ve been there, you already know this. If you haven’t been, think seriously how important these five days can be to your writing, your personal network, and your future.
But how do you deal with the firehose, the aftermath of “graduate school in a week”? Enthusiasm is bordered by exhaustion. The overwhelming amount of information you’ll receive, the gang of friends you’ll make all weigh on your mind as you want to get home and get to writing.
If you can only decide where and how to start.
The key to turning a successful conference into a productive aftermath lies in two things: preparation and focus. Yep—the secret (although it’s not really all that much a secret) to recovering FROM the conference is planning FOR the conference.
I’m not going to re-invent the wheel here. There are several great blogs on preparing for a conference, some on this blog. Check these out:
https://www.blueridgeconference.com/prepare-writers-conference-7-tips/
Also make sure that part of your planning is deciding on which classes and folks you want to talk to BEFORE you get to the conference. That way, you know who to stop in the food line, grab a table with, or follow to the bathroom.
https://www.blueridgeconference.com/2019-classes/
What I do want to share are a few tips on processing the aftermath, which may, in fact, help you plan for the conference.
- Take a breath and get some sleep. I know you’ll want to dive into productivity, but give yourself a break. Rest a few days. PLAN NOW to do so, and let your family and friends know you’re going to need some time to sort everything out.
- Pray. Open a conversation and seek His guidance on your writing and the direction He wants you to take. It’ll be way too easy to want to DO IT ALL RIGHT NOW! Don’t. Listen first.
- Make a list of short-term and long-term goals.Short-term goals(to be completed in the next month or so) may involve things like sending thank you notes to editors and agents who asked for more information—or just for taking the time to list what was most valuable to you about the conference. Making social media connections. Updating those pages to be more professional. Reviewing your website. Long-term goalswill include items like new dates for completing a book or a series of articles. Setting the number of submissions you want to make next month and developing a plan to do so. Oh . . . and actually submitting that manuscript the agent asked for.
- Network. Post frequently on the BRMCWC Facebook page or the social media pages of your new friends. If one of your goals involve connecting with a writing group, look into the ones already available (like WordWeavers) or consider starting your own. Check out the frequent tips posted here and other places about increasing your social media presence. Engage!
How do you drink from a firehose? With careful planning. One sip at a time.
Ramona Richards is the associate publisher for Iron Stream Media, the parent company of New Hope Publishers, Iron Stream Kidz, and Ascender Books. She has been an in-house editor for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Rutledge Hill Press, and Idealsmagazine, and has freelanced for a dozen other publishers. The author of nine novels, three books of devotions, and numerous magazine articles, she is a frequent speaker for women’s and writers’ groups, and has presented at numerous conferences across the country. Her latest book, Murder in the Family,will be released in October from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
Website: Ramonarichards.com
Facebook: ramonapope.richards
Twitter: @RamonaRichards
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The Conversation
Ramona, Great advice. My first class at a writers conference was with Cec Murphy. I didn’t know the definition of a protagonist. I’m was a new non-fiction writer. I knew it was a basic term, but I asked during the class, anyway. Cec was graceful and kind. He said, “see, there are writers of every level of learning here.” I laughed at myself and allowed others to laugh with me. Humor is a great part of the conference. Now, I’m writing my first fiction novel and still learning about character development, plot twists, and pacing.
Thanks, Cherrilyn. I’m glad you’re continuing to grown and learn. And Cec is a remarkable teacher. Just adore him.
Thanks for the shout out (and link), Ramona!