By Heather Kreke @HKreke
It’s been a few weeks since our Blue Ridge experience and we’re missing the workshops, the keynotes, the worship, and most of all the fellowship.
Those we meet at writing conferences become family. Although we only see them once a year for a few days, they just get us. That type of understanding of another person forms a bond quickly and tightly. So what do we do to prevent the bond from fading?
Social Media
We can start by going through all the business cards we collected at the conference. Find everyone on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, MeWe, Clubhouse, whatever it may be and friend, follow, like, comment, and all that other stuff we do on those platforms. Take it a step further and send a message. Tell that person how nice it was to meet them at the conference and offer to stay connected.
Blogs
Most of us writers have blogs. If someone you met has a blog, subscribe to it, join their email list, read their posts, and comment. Not only is this a great way to continue learning about your new friend, it’s a great way to support them.
Say hey to your new friends by emailing them. With texting, email has kind of fallen by the way side when it comes to personal conversations. However, email allows you to actually have a longer conversation or tell an entire story.
Phone
Text your new friends, or *gasp* call them! With FaceTime and Zoom talking virtually face-to-face has becoming the norm. Set up a weekly or monthly call and stick to it.
Don’t stop at new friends though.
Did you meet an editor, publisher, or teacher whom you should thank or want to support. Feel free to reach out in the same ways as you would to a friend. Message them, thank them for sharing their knowledge, like their posts, sign up for their emails. Remember to be professional.
We never know who could become our life long friend, so we need to reach out to support and encourage each other. I have found that messaging, talking, etc. with people from the conference during the year helps keep the conference spirit alive. When I am struggling, I have my Blue Ridge family to reach out too. When I have something to be happy about, I have people to celebrate with.
Don’t let the friendships you formed this year fade. How are you going to keep in touch with the people you met at Blue Ridge?
Heather Kreke is a young adult dystopian fiction author, Blog Manager for BRMCWC, and a Coordinator for the Blue Ridge Readers Connection. In her spare time, she teaches writing classes at her church, has written for numerous blogs, and has completed coursework through the former Christian Writers Guild. Married since 2004, Heather has three daughters and is passionate about showing teens and young adults they can find hope in God’s plan for their lives – even through the darkest times. To connect more, you can find her on Instagram or online.
The Conversation
Good advice, Heather!