Thursday Review—Why Southwest Christian Writers Studio

I've had a lot of people ask me what makes this conference, beyond it's amazing setting at the Glorieta conference center in northern New Mexico, so special.

And I have a one word answer—craft.

This conference is all about improving your craft.

But aren’t they all? Well, yes…and no.

A lot of them have good instruction about craft, but few of them offer you the opportunity to practice. And they offer some serious temptation to get things out of order. Let me explain.

In this business it’s possible, even probable—depending on the subject matter, to get published while you’re still a new writer. But, and this is important, to make it in this business—to have any kind of longevity as a writer, you have to get better at writing.

And you’ll never do that pitching ideas to editors and agents. You have to spend time, put in the hours of practice, to become a craftsman. There is no substitute for slowing down, sitting at the feet of those who’ve become professional writers and learning.

Glorieta Conference Center Prayer Garden

Yes, you can learn from some great books out there, and you should. But in addition, it’s important to spend some actual time with writers who are ahead of you on the path. These folks know the ins and outs of the business. They’ve been there and can offer advice and wisdom about your specific journey. And that’s what Southwest has been designed to do.

This isn’t a series of 15 minute appointments, but a week long mentoring experience. But an old-fashioned time of hitting the keys (whether or not they’re on a modern keyboard) and there is no substitute for that.

We've taken five specific areas of writing, limited the overall size of the conference, and pulled in the experts. It’s set up for you to concentrate on two tracks, and stay with the same instructor all week. You have class time—and you have time to practice what you’re learning and get valuable feedback from the teachers. It’s an opportunity for in depth study and personal interaction with folks who are where you want to be.

So take a minute to visit our site and meet your mentors. At Southwest you won’t have a chance to pitch an agent or sell an article…but you will find the path to longevity, excellence and mastery.

What have been some of your experiences with writing conferences?  Do you have a favorite? Do you attend more than one a year? What do you look for?

Don’t forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Top Ten Reasons to Attend a Writers Conference!

This time of year writing conferences are gearing up, the faculty has been chosen and the websites are humming, ready to take your reservations. So why attend a writer's conference? Is there anything to be gained? I believe the answer is a resounding, YES. 

Personally, I've been attending large conferences for years. And as my experience level has increased so have the benefits from attending. Here are my top ten reasons to attend a writer’s conference this year.

10. Relationships. Writing is all about relationships – your relationship with the reader, with the editor and with other writers.

9. Loneliness. Writing is a lonely business. We need time to socialize with others who get this crazy passion we have with words.

8. Confirmation. We all face doubts as to whether or not we really are a writer. A conference is the best place to confirm that calling and receive support from our peers.

7. Misery loves company. If you have spent any time at all as a writer, you know all about rejection. It helps to hear other people talk about their experiences and realize we all face the same thing.

6. The classes. Where else can you spend hours at a stretch learning about all the different aspects of writing?

5. Late night brainstorming sessions. Many of us keep odd hours as writers, where else can you find others ready to share a cup of coffee and discuss an idea at 2am?

4. Meet your neighbor. Okay, I admit, this one’s personal for me. But I had to go to a writer’s conference to meet my writing buddy Vonda Skelton – who lives less than 3 minutes away!

3. Hang out with the stars. We all have writers we admire and a conference where they are on staff is the perfect place to get to know them.

2. Sharpen that pitch. If you want to pitch an idea, a conference is the perfect place to try it out on other professionals before you send it to the editor.

1. Network, Network, Network. Like I said, writing is all about relationships and its human nature for an editor to prefer someone he’s met to someone he doesn’t know.

So where should you start in your search for a conference? I can recommend quite a few, from experience and reputation. The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference and The Southwest Christian Writers Studio for a start. Next week I’ll post about how to choose a conference that’s a good fit for you.

In the meantime, I'm taking your suggestions. What conferences have you enjoyed the most? 

Don't forget to join the conversation!

Blessings,

Edie

Thursday Review—Southwest Christian Writers Studio

Today I want to welcome Linda Mitchell. She and I met at the Southwest Christian Writers Studio and I was instantly impressed with her level of knowledge and professionalism. Linda also serves on the faculty of the Florida Christian Writers Conference.

When I mentioned to a friend that I had chosen to attend the Southwest Christian Writers Studio in Glorieta, New Mexico, he asked, "Why this conference?"The answer was a no brainer for me, "I want something different and I think this conference has it." Like most writers, I'm on a tight budget so I put a lot of thought into what I wanted from a conference and into deciding which one would best meet my goals.

I expected a great director…after all, Alton Gansky has written over 30 books, operates Gansky Communications, and in conjunction with Lifeway, directs the successful Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in North Carolina. What I didn't expect was his fun sense of humor and his desire to make certain I not only gained knowledge about the craft of writing but had a blast doing it.

I expected a lovely location…after all Glorieta is in the mountains of New Mexico. What I didn't expect was the closeness I felt to God in the prayer garden or the personal message in His lavish display of beauty.

I expected a talented faculty willing to guide me in efforts to improve my craft. What I didn't expect was their generosity and graciousness in meeting me where I was in my writing journey and then coming alongside to walk with me and offer suggestions targeted to my individual needs.

I expected a lot but I received more. I came for ice cream and got a banana split, piled high with whipped cream, covered in chocolate, and topped with a cherry… I scarfed down every bite.

• Michelle Adams and Edie Melson teamed up to offer a megawatt, fast-paced workshop on making money in the freelance world. I left with so much info it was leaking out my ears and with enough hand-outs to bump my suitcase over the weight limit. 
• Alton Gansky's track on Writing an Unforgettable Nonfiction Book was to writers what a GPS is to directionally challenged travelers. He taught from his experience as an award winning author but willingly recalibrated when any one of us took a side road with a question or a need.
• Chip MacGregor shared his extensive knowledge and expertise, but the best was when he offered "What do you want to know?" and gave us a glimpse into the mind of a brilliant agent, editor, and writer. This workshop alone was worth the price of the conference.

I was impressed with the accessibility of faculty and their genuine heart for writers. From award winning author Jack Cavanaugh to Emmy winning producer Cecil Stokes, they were available at meals, after hours, and for individual consultation.

SWCWS fostered camaraderie, created an atmosphere of encouragement, and provided an opportunity for creative minds to meet and shoot some sparks. I arrived alone and knowing no one—violin music please—but by Thursday night when we piled in cars to visit Santa Fe I had new friends with similar life maps. When I headed home on Friday I felt inspired and equipped to better serve God with the talents he has given me. Expectations met. Ice cream anyone?

Thursday Review - Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference

I've been attending the Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference for 9 years now. This year, May 16-19, I got to meet many of you in my classes or through 15 minute appointments. Although Blue Ridge isn't the first writers conference I've attended, it's definitely one of my favorites. Today I'll share why.

Warning, Grammar Note: Many of you have asked me why there isn't an apostrophe in "Writers" in the above conference title. It's because the writers attending don't possess the conference - they don't own it. The word is plural, not possessive.

Blue Ridge is one of the bigger Christian writers conferences so it has plenty to offer, no matter what level you're at in your career. The director, Alton Gansky, goes to great lengths to insure there are classes on everything from memoirs to marketing, all sprinkled with truths from God's Word. This year there were approx 40 faculty members and almost 370 attendees. It made for some heady worship times in the general sessions and lots of smaller God moments.

If you're anywhere on the eastern side of the continent, then attending Blue Ridge is almost a no brainer. This year there were several agents and book editors taking appointments. There were also several magazines and devotion markets represented. All of these are opportunities for the attendees to get their work seen and in some cases, contracted.

For those who find themselves on the western side of the continent, Al has a new conference this year - Southwest Christian Writers Studio - October 19-22, 2010. This is a more exclusive conference, taking only the first 100 who register. Knowing what Al has done with Blue Ridge, I don't hesitate to also recommend this conference.

Stop by and tell me what you thought of Blue Ridge this year, whether you were a new attendee or one who's been going for years.
Don't forget to join the conversation!
Blessings,
Edie