Focus on the Essentials: Attend a Conference

Seasoned writers have a secret they tell everyone. Lean close and I’ll whisper their most discussed riddle. Writing conferences are essential to writing success.

Here are five major reasons why successful writers continue to attend writing gatherings and conferences:

• To See the Real World. The more successful the writer, the less sunshine. Many writers haven’t talked to a real person for a day or two, or even a few decades. Gatherings allow the writer to keep up their social skills.
• Renewed Passion. Even writers need a break. And why not? Everyone else gets one. School classes last fifty minutes and then a short recess. At work, every few hours we are paid to spend fifteen minutes gossiping in the break room. God Himself commanded breaks. Why? We need breaks to reorganize our brain and reset our bodies. Joining fellow writers for a few hours is the refreshment our soul needs.
• Update on Industry News. In a New York publisher, eight people meet in a high rise. The CEO’s 30-year-old grandson wants to read more sci-fi, and so she commands the VP and other execs to acquire space operas. And just like that, the industry changed. A gathering of writers will spread the news and gossip far more quickly than online, plus it has the nuances of gauging the sharer’s reactions.
• No Person is an Island. Mainly because…well, we’re people and not a land structure. We need friends to commiserate about the writing life. The science backing this is everywhere. After the gathering, go home to the solitude you crave and look up the studies.
• Skill Refresher. I’ve been writing for a while and am happy with my career, but my goodness, some of the writing skills these kids have these days keep me on my toes. Sure, they need a few tips from the veterans like us, but overall, talking with them in person challenges us to continue honing our writing skills.

Join us for the Fall Gathering in October and reach the writing potential God has for you! What other reasons do you have for attending The Gathering?

Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of all ICW Members.