By Edie Melson @EdieMelson
Practical wisdom for getting the most from your conference experience
Writing conferences can be life-changing. They can also be overwhelming, intimidating, exhausting, and sometimes even disappointing—especially if we arrive with the wrong expectations or without a plan.
Whether this is your first conference or your fifteenth, a little preparation and perspective can make the difference between simply attending an event and truly benefiting from it.
If you’re heading to a conference this year, here are some practical ways to make the most of the experience.
(for in-depth bios, visit the FAQ Page of the Blue Ridge Conference Website)
Edie Melson—Director of the conference
Edwina Perkins—Co-director of the conference
Lynette Eason—Co-director of the conference
DiAnn Mills—Conference Advisor
Linda Goldfarb—Conference Emcee and Creator/Director/Host of Your Best Writing Life podcast
Before you pack your suitcase or print your business cards, take a moment to ask yourself a simple but powerful question:
Every writer’s answer will be different. Some attend to pitch a completed manuscript. Others come to learn the craft. Some are there to connect with like-minded creatives. Others need encouragement, clarity, or direction.
Your “why” will shape your decisions throughout the conference:
Without a clear purpose, it’s easy to drift through the event and leave feeling disappointed—even if the conference offered exactly what you needed.
So, before you go, define your goal. Write it down. Pray over it. Then let the Holy Spirit guide your experience.
One of the biggest mistakes writers make is arriving at a conference with unrealistic expectations.
A conference is not:
What a conference is:
Sometimes the most valuable outcome of a conference isn’t the appointment you were hoping for. It might be:
If you come expecting one specific outcome, you might miss the many other gifts God has waiting for you.
[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Make the Most of a Writing Conference: Practical Tips to Help Writers Prepare and Succeed by @EdieMelson on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]
Before the conference begins, spend time preparing.
Look over:
Identify:
Preparation reduces stress. It also helps you make wise decisions once you’re there.
Instead of wandering through the conference hoping something good happens, you’ll be moving with intention.
It can be tempting to skip general sessions in favor of extra downtime. But the large group sessions are often the spiritual and emotional anchor of the conference—and also where ALL the important announcements (like class changes, room changes, etc.) are made.
They:
Even if you’re tired, these sessions often carry the message you didn’t know you needed.
Make them a priority.
Conferences are full. Full schedules. Full conversations. Full days. And often, very full brains.
You don’t have to attend every class, every meal, and every conversation.
In fact, you shouldn’t.
Build small pockets of breathing room into your schedule:
These quiet moments allow you to process what you’re learning and keep your energy steady throughout the event.
A well-rested writer is far more receptive than an exhausted one.
Many conferences offer short, free appointments with faculty, editors, or agents. These can be some of the most valuable moments of the entire event.
Use them wisely.
You don’t always have to pitch. These meetings can also be used to:
Come prepared:
Fifteen focused minutes can provide clarity that saves you months—or even years—of confusion.
It’s easy to focus on one specific appointment or one particular editor or agent. But this kind of tunnel vision can lead to disappointment.
Instead:
God’s plan for your writing journey may not look like the one you imagined. Often, the connection that ends up being most important is not the one you planned for.
Stay flexible. Stay open.
Every conference has them.
These are the God moments.
They may not look dramatic or flashy. Sometimes they’re quiet, personal, and deeply meaningful.
Pay attention.
Notice them.
Give thanks for them.
And celebrate them, even if they don’t look like the success you originally imagined.
Every conference has its own personality and rhythm. Taking a little time to understand the etiquette can help you feel more comfortable and confident.
Some simple guidelines:
Editors, agents, and faculty members are not just professionals. They’re people who love writers and want to help. Treat them with the same grace and courtesy you’d offer anyone else.
A respectful, gracious presence often leaves a stronger impression than the perfect pitch.
If there’s one truth to carry into a conference, it’s this:
God is not surprised by your writing journey.
He called you.
He gifted you.
He opened the door for you to attend this conference.
You don’t have to:
Your job is simply to:
God will handle the rest.
Are you attending the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference this year? What’s your “why” for going? Or if you’ve attended one before, what advice would you give to a first-time attendee?
Share your thoughts in the comment section below. Your experience may be exactly the encouragement another writer needs today.
WEEK 1: Preparing for the Conference: Practical Tips to Help Writers Prepare and Succeed
Week 2: Preparing Spiritually for a Writers’ Conference
WEEK 3: Six Tips to Prepare for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
WEEK 4: Paid Mentoring – Preparing the Writer for The Blue Ridge Conference
WEEK 5: Paid Faculty Critiques at BRMCWC
WEEK 7: Preparing For The Conference: The Elevator Pitch
Week 8: Preparing For The Conference: The One Sheet
WEEK 9: Preparing For The Conference: The Fifteen Minute Appointment
WEEK 10: Preparing For The Conference: The Proposal
Edie uses the truths God has taught her as an author, photographer, and blogger to encourage others. She’s learned to embrace the ultimate contradiction of being an organized creative. As a sought-after speaker, she’s empowered and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others call on God’s strength during challenging times, often using creativity to empower this connection. She also knows the necessity of Soul Care and leads retreats, conferences, and workshops on ways to use creativity to help strengthen our connection with God.
She and husband Kirk have been married 43+ years with three grown sons and four grandchildren. They live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and can often be found with their big black dog hiking the mountains. Connect with her through EdieMelson.com and on social media.
