by Alycia W. Morales @AlyciaMorales

Choosing classes can be nerve-racking! If this is your first time attending BRMCWC, you may feel a bit overwhelmed when you look at the class schedule. There’s just so much to choose from. How does one decide which classes to take? What are all those designations I see? Can I choose any class I’d like?

You’re in luck, because I’m here today to help you figure out all of that. Please excuse the length of this post. But, be sure to read all the way through, because I’ll most likely answer any question you could possibly have about choosing classes at BRMCWC. 😉

Let’s get started!

FIRST: Visit the Schedule Page and download the Conference Planner Worksheet. It’s available as either an Excel or PDF download. This form will give you space to plan out your class schedule and write down what you’re thinking. I suggest printing off a few copies. Especially if you like to write with ink.

You can find the current schedule HERE. Just be sure to keep checking it up to the start of the conference. We update it regularly with any new changes. You will need a copy of this in order to know what days and times the classes are being offered.

For a list of the class descriptions, go HERE. These are important for a few reasons. One, they tell you what’s being offered and what the classes are about. Two, they tell you whether or not you need to sign up for those classes in advance. I suggest opening this page on your computer while you have a printed copy of the schedule and Class Planner PDF in front of you for writing on.

How do I know what classes to take?

This is a great question! Thanks for asking! Before you do anything else, stop everything and pray. The Lord knows what He’s called you to do, so ask Him to reveal that to you. Is it to write fiction novels? To minister through devotionals? To share your experience in an area via a blog? Start with the Lord’s direction and go from there.

If you’re coming to a Christian writers conference, there are two things you already have decided: you’re a Christian who either wants to write or is writing. The question you need to answer first is where are you with your writing? Have you written anything or are you just getting started?

This is where our designations of Act I, Act II, and Act III come into play.

Act I: If you are just getting started, you will want to take classes that are designated as Act I classes. These are classes for beginners. They will lay the foundation for your writing, introduce you to writing-industry-specific terminology, teach you about the basics of craft, and get you blogging and interacting on social media in no time.

Act II: If you have been writing for a bit and need to hone your craft, learn a new skill, or figure out your options, you’ll want to look for classes labeled Act II. These are for intermediate writers. These classes will strengthen your understanding of plots and characters and why an agent is important and what they can do for you, among other things.

Act III: If you’ve had multiple books published and need some help brainstorming, want to learn about something new, are traditionally published and considering self-publishing, you’ll want to check out our classes labeled with Act III. Act III writers are advanced writers. They’ve already been in this business awhile and have some publications under their belts – and maybe some awards.

So, when you begin looking at the schedule, check out classes that are designated for you and other writers like you: beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Once you’ve discovered what classes are available for your writing level, consider what it is you’re doing right now. Are you writing a novel? Pulling together a nonfiction book? Do you want to start a blog? Are you just dipping your toes into the writing world and want to find out what life would look like if you chose a career in writing? We have a lot of classes that cover a wide array of writing topics, so this is where you want to hone in on what it is you need or want to learn.

For example, if you are just getting started in writing, you will probably want to start a blog, write a few articles, try your hand at devotions, and learn what the difference is between CBA and ABA. So you would take a class on blogging, article writing, freelance writing, writing devotions, and how to incorporate scripture into your writing without sounding like you’re beating the reader over the head with your Bible lingo. You may also want to take a class on writing lingo…

Okay Alycia, I have a few ideas of the classes I want to take. How do I sign up for them?

Another great question! Here at BRMCWC, we don’t require prior sign up for classes. At least, not all of them. There are a handful each year which require you to register with the instructor beforehand. These are usually more hands-on than the rest. The way to tell if you need to sign up is to visit the 2022 Classes page on our site and look at the classes you want to take. If they have a designation that registration is required, follow the given instructions.

I see that some classes are offered multiple times. Can you explain that?

Sure! You will notice on the schedule that classes are designated with a CC, WS, or P. Here’s the breakdown:

CC = Continuing Class: These classes are offered in increments of 2, 3, or 4 sessions, typically. The content of these classes is not the same every day. They build on each other. Day one is new material. Day two is new material. Day three is new material. You’ll want to attend both or all three or four classes in order to get the full benefit of the continuing class.

WS = Workshop: These classes may be offered multiple times, but the material is the same each time it’s offered.

P = Practicum: These classes are designated with Practicum in the title of the class. They are continuing classes that have a hands-on element. Some require pre-registration with the instructor.

• A side note about classes that require registering with the instructor ahead of time: If you did NOT sign up for this class ahead of time, please do not show up to the class during the conference. We’d hate to have to turn you away, and it does interrupt the class in progress. (This has obviously happened before.)

What if I get to a class and decide it’s not really what I need or expected?

Feel free to leave and go to another class. People will be coming and going throughout the entire class time. There are ample opportunities to network and schedule appointments with our faculty, so you will see people get up and leave and sometimes come back to every class. If you start a class and realize you already know that information or you wish you had chosen your backup class, then feel free to get up and go. None of us will be offended. Our faculty all expect that to happen. It’s really okay. No embarrassment necessary. We give you permission.

There are so many awesome classes to choose from! I can’t decide! What’s a person to do?

Pick the one that suits your current need. If you still aren’t sure, pray. If you really feel like you need both classes, buy the audio files. Every year, we record most of the classes and the keynotes. They’ll be offered throughout the conference for a low, low price that will be announced from the stage. It’s a limited-time offer that only lasts the duration of the conference, so be sure to place your order before time runs out. Then, when the audio files are compiled, you’ll receive an email with a link that will provide access to them, and you can download them and save them to your computer or phone or cloud to have forever. You can listen to the classes you missed. Please note: Not everyone records their classes. A few reasons why they may not record: copyright issues, it’s an interactive class that won’t provide much information for the listener, or the faculty member hates to hear themselves speak. (I slowly raise my hand, because two of the three are reasons I don’t record my class.)

Do any of the classes have handouts?

Yes. Some do. Keep an eye on the website. As we get closer to the conference, a page will magically appear that will direct you to the handouts. We will announce a secret pass code at the conference that will allow you access to that page. As writers, we ask that you honor the copyright code. These handouts are for registered conferees of the 2020 BRMCWC only. We ask that you do not break the code by sharing them with your friends who didn’t register to attend or posting them on your social media site for all to see. These are especially offered to you, our beloved conferees, in order to enhance your learning experience. PLEASE DO NOT SHARE THEM. We thank you!

I believe I’ve covered everything about choosing which classes to take. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask them in the comments below or visit our Facebook Group, Blue Ridge Conference Writers to post your question. We’re happy to answer them!

To make reservations for BRMCWC 2024 please call 1.800.588.7222

Alycia Morales is a freelance editor and writer. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and several compilation books. Thanks to her mad editing skills, her clients have won multiple awards in several national contests. She’s also a sought-after ghostwriter. In addition, she’s the prior Conference Assistant for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Alycia is currently working on a nonfiction project while characters are running around in her mind waiting to be released into children’s books and YA fantasy novels.

When she isn’t busy writing, editing, and reading, Alycia enjoys spending time with her husband taking hikes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of the Carolinas or running off to the beach with friends. She loves coffee, sweet tea, crafting, and watching crime shows.

Alycia can be found at alywmorales.com. She hangs out on Facebook and Instagram.