Writers Conference 1102: Eight Things to Do after the Conference

by Lilka Raphael @LilkaRaphael

Writers conferences always stoke my passion for writing. However, the information overload makes my head spin. Consequently, I have learned to do a few things that enhance the experience once I return home. 

Here are my top tips for what to do once the conference is over. 

1. Write it down. Take notes on your notes. Get all those ideas and what ifs documented before they dissipate. Outline your next steps. Do you need to restructure, add, or delete? Should you divide your work into two or more projects? Did you receive any suggestions that will make your work timely or relevant? 

2. Calm down. Take time to relax so that your thoughts can settle. A writing career takes time. And more time. Do not pressure yourself to do everything you learned immediately. An agent that requested a follow up rarely expects a manuscript the next day. Gather your thoughts and develop a systematic plan of action that is reasonable. What resources do you need to acquire? Prioritize the suggestions you want to implement. Still, do not allow the euphoria of the conference to generate unrealistic expectations for yourself.

3. Revise your social media. Conferences can provide great updates on the latest media trends. We want to leave a great impression when the people we have met visit our sites. If our content is dated, visitors may quickly lose interest. Even a quick post regarding the conference can provide great content. 

4. Refine your work. I receive thoughtful, targeted advice when I attend conferences. A simple suggestion can be profound. Some of the best advice I received was to change a title. As a pharmacist, the term therapy is common for me. However, I learned that it could upset others who are not in healthcare. A quick change made the title more appealing to a broader audience. The investment to attend a conference is lost when we do not implement what we learn.

5. Follow up. I have sat in more classes than I can count and listened to faculty voice frustration over writers who never submitted as requested. I have also excitedly returned home only to stare at a keyboard terrified to forward my work. However, a failure to follow up defeats the point of attending. Conferences provide direct interaction with the best in the business. Do not allow fear to squander an opportunity. An agent’s lack of interest does not mean that your manuscript is terrible. Business decisions do not always reflect the quality of your work.

6. Register for another conference. This isn’t always possible, but if you can swing it, I highly recommend it. The more conferences you attend, the better you become at making the investment pay off. You become savvy regarding the professionals to approach and what classes best suit you. I suggest attending a large conference with a variety of informative resources in addition to a smaller one that may allow more time for networking. Attending multiple conferences may also allow you to follow up with professionals you have met previously. Conferences in different geographic regions will allow you to meet professionals who can provide alternate viewpoints on your work. I attend conferences with a dear friend. Not only is this enjoyable, but it also minimizes our expenses.

7. Keep writing. Do not allow disappointment or the intricacies of publishing to dissuade you from pursuing your passion. None of the effort you invest will bear fruit if you do not keep at it. The more you write, the better you become. Like any art or profession, it requires discipline to become proficient.

8. Finally, keep the faith. Rejection is not the end. There are more bestsellers than I can list that were rejected by agents and publishers. Success is the offspring of failure, and failure is relative. Do not view rejection as an end but rather a not now. We are eager to bloom but not always ready to do so. 

God gives us talents to share with others. It may take longer than we imagine, but our words will reach their audience at the appointed time. We write to inspire, encourage, comfort, and entertain. Write amidst frustration. Our words matter. It is up to us to distribute them wisely.

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 KJV

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A Florida native, Lilka Finley Raphael has been a licensed pharmacist for over thirty years. Her passions for writing, gardening, and photography prompted her to share her experiences and life lessons on her blogs B Is for Blessed and God, autism, & me. You can learn more about her at lilkaraphael.com

Lilka’s greatest achievements are her two adult sons who have flown the nest. Happily married for thirty-two years, she lives east of Atlanta with her husband, Rod. They now share their home with two German Shepherds—Holly and Ivy—and one naughty kitty, Moxie.