by Cindy Sproles @CindyDevoted

Though a few still hang on the horizon, most conferences have happened by the end of summer. We’ve worked hard to prepare. Submitted to contests, asked for one-on-one critiques, and special mentoring. All the I’s were dotted and the T’s crossed.

The doors swing open and we’re welcomed with open arms to each conference, workshop, zoom-erence, and retreat. Classes have been attended, notes taken, and then it’s over—time to go home.

After any conference I attend, by the time I get home, I’m ready to assume the fetal position and cover my head—time to recoup. Rest. Take in and absorb everything we learned throughout the process. However, for some reason, every note we jotted down no longer makes any sense. What happened?

[tweet_box design=”default” float=”none” inject=”#Writing #Writinglife #BRMCWC”]Winding Down and Gearing Up After a Writing Conference by @CindyDevoted on @BRMCWC[/tweet_box]

It’s easy to say that when a conference ends, it’s time to get to work. And as true as that is, it’s essential to take a little time to digest and reflect. Wind down. So, what do you do to wind down, and how on earth do you start to pick apart the pages of things you learned? There’s so much, and by the time you sit by your computer and start to write, things begin to slip away. This is where we need to learn to wind down and gear up. Seems contradictory. But it’s not. Here are some ways you can quickly process your post-conference information.

Rest

First and foremost, take a day to rest. Attending a conference not only uses your physical energy, but also your mental energy. Physically, you are probably walking several thousand steps a day, and some of those steps may be up stairs or long-g-g-g hills. I’ve logged some 20K steps in a day. You’re up early, to bed late, and that doesn’t even factor in the stress levels of getting to classes, meeting appointments, and networking. When you arrive home, kick off your shoes and put everything “writing” on hold for 24 hours. Allow yourself to refuel. Pushing straight into your writing work on a tired body and mind is an invitation for writer’s block, or, depending on your experience, walking away from the craft completely. Let your body relax and literally wind down. Conferences are wonderful, but they push us to our physical limits, especially if we’re well over college age and aren’t accustomed to rushing across campus to a class. Take a day, guilt-free, to sleep late, hang out in your PJs, or just become a veggie for the day. Your body needs to slow down and return to your daily routine.

Paid critiques and Mentoring

If you participated in paid critiques or one-on-one mentoring, pull those notes from your critiquer or mentor and read through them. First, let me say, it’s always a courageous thing to put your work out there for critique. Just letting a professional read your manuscript carries its own set of stress, but it’s important to remember that you asked for this help. That in and of itself is a fantastic step in your career. As you grow in the craft and attain a publishable level with your work, you’ll quickly see that it will be exposed to more than one set of eyes before publication. Each set brings along its own suggestions and thoughts. Remember these things as you start to filter through your critiqued notes. 1) Writing is subjective, so don’t carry your feelings on your sleeve. 2) Learn writing discernment. In other words, learn to filter out the things you can and cannot use. You can’t take every person’s suggestions wholeheartedly. You know your story, so pick and choose the information and suggestions given and use what is helpful for you. 3) It’s not personal. This suggestion is a biggy. You asked for critiques. It’s the work, not you, the writer, that is critiqued. Take a deep breath and sort through your critiques and mentoring. Take in all the suggestions, and then learn. What one critic suggested may not work for you in a specific scene. Hang on to that information, and remember that those who look at your work know what they are talking about. Save the information and use it later. The point of a critique or mentoring is to help you learn the guts of writing. You may not feel every suggestion fits your current work, but it will undoubtedly work for you later.

It’s not personal

Rejections or tough critiques are not personal. It’s difficult to remove the emotion from a rejection or critique, especially if it’s hard. More than likely, you are meeting an industry professional for the first time. They don’t know you, so they have no personal investment in being hard on you. There’s no reason for them to pick on you. Still, rejection and criticism are hard to swallow. Everyone who looks at your work knows you’ve spent hours, weeks, and months building your manuscript. These professionals are not in the business to discourage you. But, they do know the business of writing, and they do understand the level of standard it takes to move into publication. When they make a suggestion, it’s to help you, not harm you, and it’s essential you remember that. I like to think of it like this—A toddler doesn’t understand that if they stand on top of their toy basket, it will collapse. They have to be gently taught that if they step on a basket, it folds and falls from their weight. A parent will take their toddler’s hand and explain what can happen and how to prevent it. They don’t take the time to teach their toddler as a way to be vindictive. They do it to help their child avoid a crash in the future. It’s the same thing with writing. When you’re given suggestions, it’s not to blast you. Instead, it’s to show you how it can collapse and cause you to fall. It’s not personal. Remember why you paid for a critique—to get constructive feedback.

Revisit your notes and apply.

Finally, take time to revisit your notes. Listen to the MP3s that hopefully you purchased. Keep in mind that every writer is different in their approach to the craft. What works for one may not work for another, but the fact is, faculty members are most likely well-published and years into the business of writing. They see the changes in how edits are done via publishers. They understand how things trend both in the industry and in writing skills. What works in romance may not work in a cozy mystery, but the basics do not fluctuate. Keep in mind the genres that those faculty members work within and then use their hard-earned advice. Read your notes, take in what you learned, and then ponder how you can apply it to your work. Writing has basics that never change, but it has points that will always float. It’s up to you to stay abreast.

Now that you’re home from your conference, sort those business cards. Make yourself reminders of who will be awesome in your writing tribe, and then keep in touch with them. The day after the conference ends, you’ll be worn to a frazzle. Take time to unwind, and then get up, gear up, and begin to apply what you’ve learned.

Cindy K. Sproles is an author, speaker, and conference teacher. Having served for a number of years as a managing editor for Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas and Ironstream Media, Cindy now works as a mentor, coach, and freelance editor. She is the co-founder of Writing Right Author Mentoring Services with Lori Marett and the director of the Asheville Christian Writers Conference. Cindy is also the co-founder of Christian Devotions Ministries and www.christiandevotions.us, as well as www.inspireafire.com. Her devotions are in newspapers and magazines nationwide, and her novels have become award-winning, best-selling works. She is a popular speaker at conferences and a natural encourager. Cindy is a mountain girl, born and raised in the Appalachian mountains, where she and her husband still reside. She has raised four sons and now resorts to raising chickens where the pecking order is easier to manage. You can visit Cindy at www.cindysproles.com or www.wramsforwriters.com.