I’ve used the words “What” and “Why” to unpack different terms from the MBT glossary like “Story Question” and “Dark Moment” and “Black Moment.”

Today I’m using “What” and “Why” to tackle the term “writers conference.” As a writer, you’ve either attended a conference or you want to so badly you’re saving up by digging loose change from between your couch cushions – as well as your closest friends’ couches. What are friends for, if not to donate spare change to a good cause?

So what is a writers conference?

What: 

A conference involves tossing a bunch of clothes into a suitcase the night before a way-too-early morning flight to attend workshops where we learn about craft, while deep-breathing through 15-minute editor and agent appointments, and finally meeting people we’ve only known as miniscule gravatars on Facebook and Twitter.

Why:

I’ll give you five reasons to attend a writers conference:

1. You’ve got to do something with that unspent wad of Benjamins in your bank account. Sorry, just a bit of humor there. Why aren’t you laughing? Like many other writers you’ve weighed the value of a writers conference against the cost and come up short, money-wise. Still, a conference is a smart investment. Start saving now to attend at least one local or national conference in 2013.
2. You want to move forward on the writing road, not backward. Workshops are taught by experienced authors, editors and agents. Take advantage of these pros – they want you to!
3. Ya gotta have friends! Ignore the adage “Writing = Tush in chair.” Walk away from your computer. Take a shower. Put on something besides your comfy, no-one-will-see-me clothes. Meet other writers face-to-shaven-or-made-up-face. Forget about tweeting or IMing. Virtual relationships are fun, but conferences let you hang out with people who “get” you.
4. Enjoy the Unexpected. Maybe you’ll see Jeff Gerke dressed up in costume at the ACFW awards banquet. Or maybe you’ll sit near Susan May Warren and Rachel Hauck’s table and figure out what they’re laughing about. Maybe you’ll meet your dream editor in the elevator and do a real in-the-elevator pitch! Or maybe you’ll share precious moments in prayer with another writer.
5. Focus on You. Make your writing a priority instead of leaving it dead-last on your To Do list. Do you want to go to the MBT Storycrafters Retreat in October? Do it! Your dream is worth the investment.

***

MBT’s Skills Coach, Beth K. Vogt provides her readers with a happily ever after woven through with humor, reality, and God’s lavish grace. Her inspirational contemporary romance novel, Wish You Were Here, debuted May 2012 (Howard Books.) Her second novel, Catch a Falling Star, releases May 2013. Beth is an established magazine writer and former editor of Connections, the leadership magazine for MOPS International. Visit with Beth at her website bethvogt.com.