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Getting Ready for the Conference

Hitting the Trail

Getting Ready for a Writers Conference

by Ron Benson and Lee Warren

Only days separate you from an exhilarating, possibly life-altering experience, a trek into the new and unknown landscape of CLASS Christian Writers Conference. What should you do to prepare?

Here's Our Best Tip: If you are new to writers conferences, sign up for On-Ramp. It's designed to get you up and running on Wednesday before the rigors of the rest of the week begin. If you haven't registered for On-Ramp yet-get your name on the list. Sure-it will mean coming to the conference one day early, but the class is free. FREE!

Besides On-Ramp, here's what we recommend to prepare. Whether you're a rookie or an old veteran of the trail, you'll want to gather some things for the conference, and you'll need to start now.

Gather Your Belongings.  Think the usual-clothes, toiletries, meds, etc. But also gather the things you will need to get the most from CCWC. Sometimes having your favorite pen, a picture of your spouse, or a moleskin for recording frequent mind-storms provides some security and comfort. Here are some more things to think about bringing, and some hints:

  • Bible, notebook, pens/pencils, yada, yada, yada.
  • Notebook computer if feasible.
  • Extra money to purchase resources to equip you in your writing career.
  • A large enough suitcase to pack resources you pick up and/or purchase.
  • A small, empty backpack to make trekking around the grounds easier.
  • A water bottle will be advantageous.
  • Check the weather reports for Albiquiu so you bring appropriate clothes. (I just checked it - partly cloudy and 59º at 1:30 p.m.) Think comfort.
  • Don't forget your camera! Have you seen this place?

Gather Your Materials. If you bring anything, make it a little of the best stuff you've ever written. You don't need a hundred copies-just a couple will do. You don't need the entire 1,546 pages of your epic novel-just a one-sheet or a sample chapter will be more than enough. Our advice:

  • Most of the time an editor, agent, or advisor will only need to see a page of your work. If they're interested they might ask for more, but will probably tell you to send it. They have to pay for extra checked luggage just like you, so they probably aren't looking to carry home a full-length manuscript from every attendee.
  • If you want help with a manuscript or a proposal from the excellent team of professional writers at CCWC, you may want to pack a few pages.
  • Business cards are another story - bring a bunch. You'll want to scatter them like confetti.


Gather Your Encouragers. Right now-weeks before the conference begins-enlist a group of people who will pray for you. Tell them you need encouragement. Ask for their help to give you confidence and hope. Sure, it's hard to ask for it, and maybe you think you shouldn't have to ask. Do it anyway. Bring along any notes they write, get their phone numbers in your cell. Half-way through the conference, when the bottom drops out of your expectations and you're ready to check out of the whole "I-wanna-be-a-writer" thing, you'll need to read those notes and make a few quick courage calls.


Gather Your Thoughts. A writers conference can be intimidating. Take some time to pray for your conference week. Every day, set a moment or two aside to picture yourself at the conference, being confident and malleable, absorbing a carnival of new thoughts, great advice, and motivational gunpowder. Ask God to be working in you to get you ready for the challenge.


Gather Your Expectations. Everyone has an idea of what to expect. Disappointment results when those expectations are unrealistic and unmet. Here's some wisdom about preparing your agenda:

  • Look over the website and read everything you can about the faculty.
  • Have a plan regarding who you want to speak with.
  • Be willing to throw your plan out the window as God leads.
  • Look over the website and read about the various continuing classes and electives.
  • Make a plan regarding which ones you want to take.
  • Be willing to throw your plan out the window as God leads.
  • Think more about pitching ideas than pitching one pet project.
  • Consider not what an editor can do for you, but what you can do for an editor.
  • Look over the website and plan to take advantage of the expertise of professional writers. 

Gather Your Steam - You'll be up in the mountains and you'll be walking a lot. You'll be road-weary from traveling and you'll be stressed. It's important to be ready. Our tips:

  • Come well rested. You won't sleep much once you get here.
  • Consider coming in a day early to get some rest.
  • Start now to get in a little exercise to ramp up your endurance. Do some walking, jogging, gyming, or swimming so your body will not be the first to reject your hard-won endeavors!

Writers conferences can be a summit climb, but they're worth it when you make it to the pinnacle. We urge you to get ready for a real mountaintop experience with God.

 

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