Have you ever thought about attending a writing conference or workshop, but wonder if it’s worth your time, money, and effort?
If you’ve asked yourself such questions, we’re here to say: Writing conferences can be wonderful experiences?
While (obviously) some conferences are better than others, the best offer some great benefits to their attendees.
Here are 10 reasons why writing conferences can be beneficial experiences to both aspiring and published writers:
1. You get practical instruction from professionals. Conferences provide sessions and talks on any number of topics, led by professionals in the industry or published writers themselves. Topics can run the gamut from novel writing to poetry to songwriting to feature writing–and everything in between.
2. You can meet with agents. Getting to know an agent is invaluable to your success as a published author. Many writing conferences offer sessions with established agents; they’ll look at your book manuscript or discuss your ideas, then offer practical advice.
3. You can pick other peoples’ brains. When you attend conferences with the aforementioned individuals–editors, publishers, agents, writers, authors–you can pick the brains of people who know what they’re talking about. You can get answers and insights in a way you can’t get any other way.
4. You learn about trends in the writing industry. Professionals who speak at writing conferences know what’s up in the writing industry. Need to know more about using social media? Need to know more about what trends are popular in novels today? You can get the scoop on everything that’s essential in today’s writing and publishing world.
5. You get to talk with other writers. You also get to meet plenty of other writers, whether they’re the speakers or they’re other conference attendees. There’s nothing like spending time with like-minded people.
6. You get to talk about your writing. Do you ever think that some people in your life get tired of hearing about your writing? At a writing conference that will not happen. You will have plenty of time and opportunity to talk about your writing–with people who are truly interested.
7. You can explore needed resources. A writing conference can provide you with a wealth of resources–whether it’s names of agents or editors who are looking for writers, websites that can be helpful, new avenues of publishing, books you should read, or writing groups you can become a part of.
8. You get inspired. There’s nothing like the feeling you get when you come away from a writing conference. You’re inspired! You’re ready to write!
9. You simply enjoy a getaway. Sometimes you just need to find some time to get away and focus on your own needs and dreams. A writing conference is the perfect combination of vacation and motivation.
10. You develop a plan. A good writing conference will leave you with a plan. You’ll come away knowing what you want to write, and you’ll have the resources and information to develop a plan to get started on your endeavors.
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