I'm in convention planning mode this summer. Actually, I have been working the past two years with a small group of writers in my state authors group to plan our annual convention. The convention will be in early October so this summer we have upped the pace a bit.
I have been thinking about the advantages of attending a conference or convention for writers. There are several that get mentioned. We have an opportunity to hear speakers who are experienced in the field. We gain knowledge of specific parts of writing. We find new marketing possibilities. We are able to ask questions in workshops. We pick up all kinds of printed material geared to writing.
One of the side benefits of a conference is being in a sea of writers. If you're that green person in the image above, you are surrounded with people who do what you do. They write. You're among a group who understands your writing problems. They've been there, too. These people know the heartache of rejection, too. Some of them also know what being published does for a writer's soul.
The break times, the lunches and banquet dinners all give you an opportunity to schmooze with other writers. I am a complete extrovert and have no problem talking to people I do not know so it's easy for me to strike up a conversation with others when I go to a conference.
For more introverted writers, that's not a piece of cake. They wait to be approached rather than reaching out to someone, even those sitting inches away. Those writers need to work on being able to talk with other writers. A great deal can be learned by conversing with other writers, hearing their experiences and opinions.
We also make connections for later get-togethers. Or we find people who write the same type of things we do. They are good resources for places to submit, editors who they enjoy working with and ones that are difficult, too. We cannot get that information if we don't connect with people.
I've heard some mighty interesting conversations around a dinner table for 8 at an evening banquet. All of the people eating and talking are not always in agreement but they manage to disagree in a civil tone. Hopefully, someone at the table will notice those who are listening but not participating in the conversation and will draw them in with a question. Remember that those quiet people have a lot to offer but need to be helped to do so sometimes.
If you attend a conference or convention on a regular basis, you get to know other regulars. I've had good conversations with other writers I've come to know on a coffee break or even while washing hands at a sink in a Ladies Room.
Some writers are fearful of engaging one of the workshop speakers in conversation outside of the workshop itself. Don't be! Nearly all of those experienced writers who speak at conventions are happy to talk with other writers, fine with answering questions. The one thing they do not like is to have a writer waving a manuscript and asking them to please read it and give them suggestions for where it might be submitted for publication. Think what it would be like if 20 writers did that? Don't take up their time by telling them in detail what your story is about. General questions about writing are fine but don't expect a one on one critique on a coffee break. It comes down to using common sense.
Before the convention is finished, share email addresses and/or phone numbers with writers you've met whom you would like to stay connected to once you've all gone home. The beauty of today's world is the technology that allows us to reach out to others so easily.
Take advantage of that sea of writers that surrounds you the next time you attend a writing conference. We all have something to offer to the others.
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