by Cherrilynn Bisbano @BisbanoWrites

Conference season is upon us! I’m excited to attend Blue Ridge and hopefully a few others. Will you attend or does the lack finances keep you at home?

The first year God called me to write I attended four conferences. My family doesn’t make a lot of money. In fact, we were living paycheck to paycheck. I know many writers can relate. So how did God get me to all those events?

My first conference was the New England Christian Writers retreat. My friend Lori Roeleveld encouraged me to apply for a scholarship. I was surprised and honored when I received it. I met remarkable writers who still play a part in my writing career through encouragement, teaching, and prayer.

God didn’t hand me scholarships to all the conferences, but he enabled me to find ways to make extra income. I had to P.L.A.N. for each event. 

P- Pray:

Our Heavenly Father desires to hear from his children. He knows our desire to attend a conference. If God called us to write, he will make sure we get the education, contacts, and experience we need to complete the work he ordained for us. A conference may not me his will this year, but keep praying and don’t give up. 

L- List ways to make money:

Yard Sale– Most of us have items that clutter our home and collect dust. Sell them, and at the same time meet your neighbors. If you are published, have a few books on the yard sale table. Also, ask family and friends to donate to your cause with junk they don’t need or want.

Consignment– Jewelry, clothes, and furniture are sold at your local consignment store. Take your items to the local shop if they are too good for a yard sale. It may take time, but if you start now, you can build your conference bank account.

Get a part-time job– Summer and Christmas are great times to make extra money. It may not help you this year, but you’ll have more money next year to buy books, coffee, and a few critiques.

Pick up extra shifts– I’m blessed that my husband worked extra hours so I could attend the conferences. 

Save a year in advance– Fifty dollars a month adds up to $600. This could cover your food, lodging, and conference fee. 

Write– Send articles and blog posts to magazines that pay. Enter writing contests. Some give cash prizes and if you win, it looks great on your bio. The money will add up. 

A-Ask:

Don’t be shy.  When family and friends ask, “What do you want for your birthday or Christmas?” tell them you want money to add to your conference account. I jokingly ask my son, “What did you get me for Christmas?” He promptly replied, “You’re going to Blue Ridge in May aren’t you.”

 Don’t forget to ask your boss for the time off a year in advance. 

N- Never give up:

If you can’t go this year, save up for next year. 

Meanwhile, search the web, there are plenty of free writing websites where you can learn the trade. YouTube has great teaching videos. Listen to podcasts to sharpen your writing skills.

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are great places to find writing friends who understand you. Don’t forget to read this blog daily, many of the Blue Ridge faculty give great writing advice—and it’s free!

How do you P.L.A.N. to attend a conference? Please join the conversation in the comments below.

 Cherrilynn Bisbano is the founder of The Write Proposal book proposal services.

As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for writers with Writers Digest.

Cherrilynn is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, book proposals, and the Bible. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers.

She is a two-time winner of Flash Fiction Weekly. You can find her published in Southern Writers, More to Life (MTL), Christian Rep, Christian Voice, Refresh and other online magazines. Cherrilynn is a contributor to Selah-nominated Breaking the Chains, Heart Reno, and Chicken Soup for the Soul-Miracles books.