10 Things I Love About Writers Conferences

Alton Gansky, Me, and Eva Marie Everson

Winning awards is always nice. Having your work critiqued by a professional in the industry is a great benefit. Finding an editor or an agent who says "Yes" is the best feeling in the world for a writer. But there is so much more to be said about writers conferences. Especially as a Christian author.

Here are 10 Other Things I Love About Writers Conferences:

1. The opportunity to worship with like-minded people. Come on, we all know that writers are an odd lot. Put Jesus in the midst of them, and you can hear the angels sing.

2. Daily Devotions. As a writer, it's easy to get a big head. Especially if your work is praised, you get rave reviews, or you win a Christy award. It's humbling to be reminded each morning at conference that we do this for the glory of God, not the glory of self.

3. Fellowship. When you're surrounded by hundreds of people who do what you do, who you have so much in common with, it's a great time to make new friends. And who doesn't like clicking that "Add Friend" button on Facebook? Come on! Join the crowd. Who knows? Maybe, like me, you'll find new lifelong prayer warriors, BFFs, and mentors.

4. Meeting my roommate. Okay, this can be a bit nerve-wracking if you're an introvert, like most writers. You may know the person's name, if you're lucky, and now you're sharing a room with them - or maybe even a bed. Who does that? Especially in today's world. I have. And I've loved every one. We've spent hours into the night talking about life, family, and books. Maybe I'm crazy, but I love getting to know my roommates.

5. Dinnertime. Maybe this doesn't happen at all conferences, but the ones I've gone to allow you to eat with faculty. Some of the conversations have been terrifying and would make great story fodder, while others have been incredibly funny and my liver has gotten its annual workout. Just don't make someone laugh with food or drink in their mouth, or you may be wearing it.

6. Wisdom. There is a ton of knowledge present at these conferences. The faculty come prepared to teach it, and I come prepared to receive it. What's even better is when you can dig a little deeper and find those nuggets of wisdom. Asking questions, getting answers. Taking it to the next level. Finding out not only what to do, but how to do it. I love finding that wisdom each faculty member has.

7. Aha! Moments. With all of those writerly brains around, there should be plenty of Aha! moments at conference. Aha! I've found my "brand." Aha! I know what my novel needs to take it to the next level. Aha! That's what social network I should focus on. Aha! I never thought of that before. Aha! That's God's hand in my career - right there.

8. The Registration Desk. (Maybe I should have listed this one first.) "What?" you say. But have you ever stopped and looked around? Felt the electricity in the air? Seen the smiling faces as we begin to gather? It's the first place we come together. It's the first moment in our week/weekend together. It's the first in a series of next steps on our journey. It's the place long-distance friends spot each other across the room for the first time in a year. Love the registration desk.

9. The Journey. Whether I'm driving or flying to get to conference, I love the journey. I love spending a few final moments in prayer. I love the opportunity to brainstorm. I love that I am on my way. I love the expectancy of what God has in store for the time of the conference. I love anticipating the hugs and smiles of friends I've grown to love over the internet for the last twelve months. I love taking time to enjoy the journey. And on the way home? I love the time alone to reflect on the week before returning home, to husband, kids, and everyday life again. It gives me time to figure out what I need to do next and to anticipate the hugs and kisses and excitement upon my return home.

10. The Vacation. As a writer, we work alone a lot. We do the same routine day in and day out, working toward word counts or chapters or finished novels. Or maybe writing is our second job and it's the one we really love and wish we could do full time. Or maybe we are a wife and/or mother first and spend late into the night hours pouring words over pages after pouring life into hearts all day. For me, conferences are a vacation. They are a break from everyday life. They are fun. They are exciting. Like a theme park. Like a roller coaster. You never know which way your career path is going to turn next. And that, to me, is thrilling.

What do you love about conferences? Maybe you're not even a writer. I'm sure many of these points could apply to just about any conference. What would you add to the list?

10 Things to Do When Your Muse Takes a Vacation

Writer's Block. Many will argue it doesn't exist. Others say it does. There are some days when your muse decides to go on vacation. {Tweet This}

So what does a writer do when the blank screen glares back at them?

Here are 10 suggestions:

1. Edit. Or rewrite. Pull up material you've already written and take it to the next level.

2. Research. Google. Go to the library. Take a day trip. Find out that information you need to know for your story to be true-to-life. Maybe the answer will give your muse the nudge it needs.

3. Take a break. Sometimes our mind just needs rest. I know that after a few weeks of non-stop writing and editing, my brain shuts down. I need a day off. You too? Take one.

4. Go someplace else to write. I stare at the same wall all week. There are plenty other places I could go to write: The park. The library. Outside. (My favorite:) The coffee house. Why am I still here staring at this wall?

5. Do another type of research. Market research. Head to the book store or amazon and search for titles similar to yours. Find out who your competition is. Find out how they are promoting their books. Find out what readers want. Read reviews of other books similar to yours and learn what not to do, what turns your readers off. This will help with your proposal, your marketing campaign, and your writing.

6. READ. Read books similar to yours. Read books about writing. Read for fun. Writers should always read.

7. Do something creative...but don't write. I love puzzles (especially 1,000 piece puzzles). I love to take pictures. I love to design graphics for my blog posts. I love to make jewelry. What do you love to do besides writing? Do that for a day or an afternoon.

8. Make a story board. Pinterest is great for this. Find pictures of your characters, the setting of your story, the foods your characters like to eat, the cars they drive. Put them all into one place. Then, when you're ready to go back and write again, you have a visual aid/stimulant.

9. Do a third type of research. Go someplace people are: The mall. The airport. The gym. Your kid's school. Pay attention to other people's body language. Eavesdrop on a conversation or two. Learn how people talk to one another so you can write great realistic dialogue.

10.Exercise. After all, we sit with our butts in our chairs most days. If your body's anything like mine, it's screaming for activity. Or it's sending signals that if you eat one more snickerdoodle or drink one more latte you're not going to love your waistline. {Check out this abs workout.} Take a walk. Take a hike. Go fishing. Visit the gym. Get active.

BONUS:

11. Or, you can do what writers will tell you to do. WRITE. Make your word count. Write for your dedicated daily amount of time. Even if it's sh**ty writing, at least you have something to work on when your muse returns from its vacation.