 15 TIPS ON HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF A WRITERS CONFERENCE I have been a part of about forty writers conferences. Why? Because of relationships. Our lives as Christians begin with a relationship to Jesus Christ and He uses relationships to help us develop in our walk with Him and in our ministry to others. I'm praying that GCWC will be a pivotal point in your life and writing, not because of the gorgeous setting or even the skilled teaching, but because of the relationships you will deepen and form there. I want to share with you some personal thoughts on how you can make this the best week of your writing career.
1. Look for Professional Writers. When you're poring over the brochure, check out the professional writers that will be serving on the faculty and staff. These people all had beginnings as writers. During the conference, listen to their stories and seek their counsel. They can encourage you. They can also help you determine whether or not your manuscript is ready to be shown to an editor or help you better focus your idea before you meet with an editor. Look for those professional writers who write in your area of interest and plan to make an appointment with at least one. 2. Check out the Publishing Houses and Periodicals Represented. A little bit of market research can go a long way to better prepare you to make the most of the contacts available at the conference. Study the "Editorial Needs" synopses that I've provided. Collect sample copies of the periodicals. Look for them at Christian bookstores and church libraries. Ask friends and family members for their copies. Or write to the publisher and ask for a writer's sample copy and writer's guidelines. Be sure to include appropriate-sized self-addressed stamped envelope for their reply. Consult a writers' market guide for more information on the publishing houses and periodicals that interest you. The Writers' Market Guide published by Writers' Digest Books is available in most bookstores and libraries. The Christian Writers' Market Guide published by Harold Shaw Publishers is available by contacting its author Sally Stuart, 1647 SW Pheasant Dr., Aloha, OR 97006; (503) 642-9844; or e-mail: STUARTCWMG@aol.com. This market guide is a "must have" and a comprehensive tool for any one wanting to market manuscripts to Christian publishers. 3. Collect Guidelines and Freebies. Free sample publications, book catalogs, and writer's guidelines will be available at the conference. Collect them all and plan to review those of particular interest to you before meeting with the editor or representative. Freebies and stops at the bookstore are why you might want to carry a tote bag. 4. Plan Ahead. Take time to go over the scheduled topics. Make some tentative choices, selecting the speakers and subject matter that coincide with your interests. Don't fret if you don't know what or how to plan. Contacts at the conference can help you decide. 5. Take Writing Samples. Be sure to take several copies of your published or unpublished writing samples for professional writers and editors to read at the conference. This may be the most daunting aspect of the conference for you. You are not alone! We've all been there. If you desire to minister to others through your writing, you'll need to share it. How can your craft grow unless you expose it to the light of constructive consideration? Take your best writing samples - typed, no first drafts. Be sure you have self-addressed envelopes (appropriate size for your manuscript) with postage just in case editors want to take a manuscript with them. 6. Come with Questions. Write down any specific questions you need answered. If your questions are not covered in the sessions you attend, ask faculty and staff members. That's part of why we'll be there. You won't know what you don't find out. 7. Participate. Don't fall for the "You don't fit in here" lie that Satan so enjoys perpetuating. Life is a process. The ministry, work, and art of writing is no different. Ask the Lord to direct your participation and then follow His lead. Take advantage of critique opportunities. Refer to the letter and brochure for information on the Paid Critiques and the evening critique groups. These can be great sessions for fellowship and for learned lessons. Plan to take advantage of the group and individual appointments available to you. Don't forget the evening prayer fellowships. Instead of dwelling on how much you don't know, or on how much you think you may know, go with a teachable spirit. My faculty and staff (and me) go to learn as well as to teach. According to Philippians 1:6, none of us have "arrived." We're all in process. Writing and publishing is an adventure. Where it will lead you, I don't know. That's what makes it an adventure! 8. Talk to Editors. Good editors (including all on my faculty) are people who understand the value of teamwork. These folks are attending the conference out of a respect for the written word, a love for the Lord, and a heart for helping writers develop their craft. Get to know them whether or not you have a manuscript to show at this particular conference. It doesn't matter if you're writing for (or plan to write for) their particular publication or house. 9. Meet Other Attendees. Don't be shy. Forge new friendships. Writing is most often a solitary act. Truth is, most non-writers can't relate to our idiosyncrasies (uniqueness). This conference can link you with writer friends with whom you can correspond and share encouragement. You may even find or form a writers group that could meet some of your needs. 10. Pace Yourself. Writers' conferences can and should be a lot of fun, packed with usable information, and motivating. They can also be overwhelming. Slipping free time into the program for "down time" is part of my antidote for that. A lot of people will say that you need to go, go, go and make the most of the conference by participating in everything, every day. I disagree. Be sensitive to your own needs and the Lord's leading, especially if He prompts you to "be still" before Him. If at any time you find that you haven't had the time and energy to speak with Him and listen to Him, you need to release part of the program. Permission granted! 11. Bring an Open Heart. Sad thing about agendas - they can stifle spontaneity and creativity, causing us to miss serendipity. Be prepared for redirection. Any exciting adventure offers the gift of discovery. It may be writing in a genre (area) you hadn't considered, to an audience you hadn't intended, or in a format you hadn't planned (article versus book or short story versus novel . . .). Surrender your expectations and watch God work -- first in you, then in your writing. Talk about a heart-pounding adventure! 12. Take Supplies. You may want to take business cards. These can be a handy tool for building relationships with other writers and with editors. A tote bag can also be invaluable at a conference. It can store your notebook, Bible, manuscripts, freebies, books and other supplies. We will be doing a lot of sitting. Would you be more comfortable if you brought a small pillow or cushion for the seat? The conference center bookstore will have extra writing and reading supplies available - paper, pencils, pens, highlighters. . . . 13. Take Thank-You Notes or Note Cards. You'll have ministry opportunities while at the conference. Ask the Lord to show you how you might also give as you receive His blessings during the conference. One way is to write and deliver an encouraging note to thank those on the faculty and staff who bless you. A note of appreciation will bless them and spur them on in their service at the conference. Most of these folks will return to a metastasized work load because of the time they've given to us. Let's bless them for their sacrifice. Stationery and note cards will also be available in the conference bookstore. 14. Prepare to Follow Up. The real work begins when the conference ends. Numerous editors have told me that a large percentage of conferees never follow through on their promise to deliver a manuscript or book proposal. Consider realistically any deadlines you discuss with an editor. After the conference, send letters to the editors with whom you spoke about your projects, reminding them of your discussion and letting them know when to expect to see your manuscript. Then, send the work you promised. 15. Be in Fervent Prayer. God is your most important contact, the relationship of highest value. Earnestly pray for yourself and all others involved in the conference. Now you're ready to begin the adventure.
I look
forward to seeing you at GCWC!
Help
us get the word out,
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