Lisa Lickel's
Top Five Things to Love About Conferences
1. Networking
2. Teachable Moments Abound in Every Arena
3. Book Fairs
4. Food
5. Autographs
The weekend of September 23-25 wasn’t only for the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference, but also Wisconsin Writers Association, which met in Stevens Point. While I claim being one of those Introverts, I recognize that meet and greet is a necessary part of the writing and publishing business and it’s slowly coming a little more easily. I was given the opportunity to teach a workshop on a topic that was new to me – editing vs. critiquing, so while I prepared to teach with great handouts, the reality of fifty minutes goes by too way fast, and I was woefully under-prepared for the amount of participants. Lesson for me: focus more tightly next time! I enjoyed the book fair more this time around and had fun talking to people who stopped by my table. Lesson for me: when I stop worrying about what I’m going to say or if I sound nosy and focus on other people, I have more fun. I loved meeting the poet laureate of Wisconsin and buying an early signed Christmas present for my hubby. The hotel served great food, and that always seems to loosen up the crowd.
How about you? What do you like about conferences? Let’s share our favorite moments.
I have never been to a conference. I realize that in my future, I will need/want to attend one, but right now, it scares me to death. I just recently attended a writers group here in mid TN (my first) and I was so overwhelmed and out of my league. I can only imagine what I would be like if I was at a huge conference like the ACFW!! To meet all those big, multiple-published authors that I've read would be entirely out of my comfort zone and send me skittering into a corner somewhere!
ReplyDeleteThought provoking question, Lisa. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Hi Amanda,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing YOUR thoughts. Just wanted to let you know there are so many wonderful Christian writing conferences out there, many are smaller and still have top writers, workshops and speakers. I'm sure you'll find just the right one for you when you're ready.