It’s been compared to drinking from a firehose. It’s been called “graduate school in a week.” It’s intense, in-depth, and incomparable. It’s also a remarkable amount of fun.
It’s the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference. Five days that can change your life and your career. You will leave enthused, engaged, and encouraged.
Of course, if you’ve been there, you already know this. If you haven’t been, think seriously how important these five days can be to your writing, your personal network, and your future.
But how do you deal with the firehose, the aftermath of “graduate school in a week”? Enthusiasm is bordered by exhaustion. The overwhelming amount of information you’ll receive, the gang of friends you’ll make all weigh on your mind as you want to get home and get to writing.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#writerslife”]Aftermath of a #Writing Conference – tips from @RamonaRichards on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]
If you can only decide where and how to start.
The key to turning a successful conference into a productive aftermath lies in two things: preparation and focus. Yep—the secret (although it’s not really all that much a secret) to recovering FROM the conference is planning FOR the conference.
I’m not going to re-invent the wheel here. There are several great blogs on preparing for a conference, some on this blog. Check these out:
https://www.blueridgeconference.com/prepare-writers-conference-7-tips/
Also make sure that part of your planning is deciding on which classes and folks you want to talk to BEFORE you get to the conference. That way, you know who to stop in the food line, grab a table with, or follow to the bathroom.
https://www.blueridgeconference.com/2019-classes/
What I do want to share are a few tips on processing the aftermath, which may, in fact, help you plan for the conference.
How do you drink from a firehose? With careful planning. One sip at a time.
Ramona Richards is the associate publisher for Iron Stream Media, the parent company of New Hope Publishers, Iron Stream Kidz, and Ascender Books. She has been an in-house editor for Abingdon Press, Thomas Nelson, Rutledge Hill Press, and Idealsmagazine, and has freelanced for a dozen other publishers. The author of nine novels, three books of devotions, and numerous magazine articles, she is a frequent speaker for women’s and writers’ groups, and has presented at numerous conferences across the country. Her latest book, Murder in the Family,will be released in October from Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.
Website: Ramonarichards.com
Facebook: ramonapope.richards
Twitter: @RamonaRichards
Instagram: ramonapoperichards
The Conversation
Ramona, Great advice. My first class at a writers conference was with Cec Murphy. I didn’t know the definition of a protagonist. I’m was a new non-fiction writer. I knew it was a basic term, but I asked during the class, anyway. Cec was graceful and kind. He said, “see, there are writers of every level of learning here.” I laughed at myself and allowed others to laugh with me. Humor is a great part of the conference. Now, I’m writing my first fiction novel and still learning about character development, plot twists, and pacing.
Thanks, Cherrilyn. I’m glad you’re continuing to grown and learn. And Cec is a remarkable teacher. Just adore him.
Thanks for the shout out (and link), Ramona!