The Top 5 Things I Learned at a Writers’ Conference

Learn what the Pros know to boost your writing

In the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, a campy, casual retreat played host to a writers’ conference filled with nationally known authors, editors, and agents. The verdant early summer canopy provided welcome shade with abundant seating underneath to rest alone or chat in groups.

In my first year of attending, I was so nervous it was hard to keep the nausea in check. The first day of school in a new school district had nothing on my case of nerves. A kind, children’s author took pity on me, providing encouragement and advice. I would have missed out on a very meaningful meeting with an agent without her figurative hand holding during lunch. (Thanks again, Kristen!) I learned so much and even more the following year.

What a fantastic experience!

What I learned from the pros is indispensable. These bits of wisdom are smoothing the path to take me from a writer to a published author. Whether you are just beginning to write or a grizzled veteran, you need to know these five things.

1. Writing might be a solo pursuit, but publishing is a group effort.

Other eyes on your work are critical. Sometimes what seems crystal clear to the writer is muddy and confusing to the reader. Seek and listen to the feedback of experienced writer friends, critique partners, editors, and agents. They will all help improve your work more than you could do alone.

2. Some people think and talk about writing but aren’t doing much of it. Don’t be one of them.

For so many years of my life, I was one of them. I wrote for school and work, and only dreamed of writing for myself. My recent fiction writing adventure is hard but joyful work. If writing is worth your time to think about, talk about, and especially to spend the money and time to attend a writers’ conference, sharpen your pencil and get to work.

3. There is always someone who knows more. Pick their brain. Most are happy to share their knowledge.

There are people who know less than you do, too. Give them a leg up. Explaining what you’ve learned gives you a chance to deepen your own understanding and reinforce your neural pathways. You might learn or think of something new while teaching. I usually do.

4. It’s okay to start small. Stop waiting for everything to be perfect. Start!

This is one of my biggest stumbling blocks. I’m so easily distracted and perfectionist sometimes, I can’t finish one thing without jumping over to fix something else. Or I’m overwhelmed with all that needs to be done so that I can’t even get started.

The Great Wall of China is so massive, it’s visible from space. But, even it was built one block at a time. The same is true of every article, book, website, and writing career. Each built one word, paragraph, and project at a time.

My new mantra is, Doing and done are better than thinking about perfection.

5. Your only true competition is yourself.

The world is a competitive place and publishing is no different. However, I believe there are so many internal obstacles for the writer that the outside competition is no match for the inner hurdles.

My biggest challenge is guarding my writing time. Without a deadline, I flounder. Life is so busy, and occasionally pure bedlam, that the space I hold to write can get crowded with other things. Having a deadline, even if I make it for myself, keeps me chugging on.

So many people at the conference, folks I look up to, said they struggle with the same things I do. I found that a source of encouragement. However, it’s possible the folks involved with the Cascade Christian Writers (formerly the Oregon Christian Writers) are a more genuine lot than those you might meet at another conference. 😉

Are you an aspiring or novice writer? Are you thinking about attending a writers’ conference? Are you a seasoned writer but have never attended a conference in person? I highly recommend the experience, especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest and can join us at the next Cascade Christian Writers Conference in June 2024.

Have you attended a writers’ conference? How did your experience compare to mine? I’d love to hear what it was like for you.