What does it take to be a writer?
In my opinion, a love of words is all you really need.
Some people say you need a fancy MFA, or a degree in communications or journalism to hang on your wall, but here’s a secret. I have read some stuff from those types of people, and some of it has bored me to tears.
I’ve also read some stuff from a snowed in mother of a couple young children, whose highest education was a high school diploma (Hello Nora Roberts!) and have loved every syllable on the page.
So really, I think it comes down to you.
I think each of us has a story in us and a unique perspective to tell it. Having said that, I do think taking some classes—maybe a guided critique group or reading some books on structure, plot and setting is definitely a good idea. If you want to take your writing to the next level—whether you are writing for yourself or going for the professional route and trying to publish your work, writing conferences are completely invaluable.
Now for the “what you might not want to do there.”
Early on in my writing career. One of my best writing buddies was one of the higher up at a writers’ conference. She had recently moved into the big city, and I still lived about an hour and a half to the south, so we didn’t get the face-to-face chit-chat time that we used to, or the planning/plotting sessions for the triumphs and demises of our current WIP (work in progress) characters. To get in a little extra time with her, I headed to the conference early so we could catch up.
I can’t remember if she was actually the President of the organization, or the Vice President, either way I guess it doesn’t really matter for the sake of this story.
The point is they were a little short staffed the night I arrived, and she was stuck on duty. We decided that instead of wasting this opportunity, she would just sneak me into the VIP room that she had to oversee, and we could catch up there—I say sneak, as in the sense that it wasn’t an actual rule that I couldn’t be there. I could have probably donned a volunteer vest, and it would have been just fine. It was more that it was kind of ethically wrong for me to be there. It was a space designed so that the professionals in the industry, literary agents, editors, etc. could relax and not have to worry about some aspiring writer thrusting his or her latest and greatest into their face at every other turn.
When we arrived, the room was a buzz. A bunch of very affluent agents/ editors/ you name it, were milling about enjoying cocktail hour. These are the people in the business who have the power to make your career or keep it on the back burner. You basically have one shot at making a good first impression with them, which is exactly what I’d paid for… the next afternoon.
I had booked a 10-minute time slot to pitch my manuscript to, we will call him Agent McGee, who I had just realized, happened to be currently standing a mere 10 feet from me in this room.
My friend leaned in and asked me if I wanted an introduction. I quickly declined.
I mean, I’m no rocket scientist, but I’m pretty sure a good first impression would not be constituted by me accosting him in an area that is designed to keep people…well…such as myself, away from him. Not to mention, when I get nervous, I get AWKWARD!
I had worked up some delusion that if I met him prior to our “meeting” and if he said that magical three letter word, Yes, that I would always wonder if was a pity yes. Then what if he had trouble shopping the manuscript out? Wouldn’t that just confirm that it really was a pity yes? I mean, it definitely wouldn’t be because of a sluggish market, right?
And what about the No? If he said no, how could I possibly know that he wasn’t just mad about me “accosting” him in the VIP area? Or what if my story really did stink and I kept shopping it around anyway, wasting a bunch of time and looking like an idiot because I assumed he just said no out of anger?
We grabbed a couple of drinks out of the cooler, headed out to the balcony and took up residence in the generously overstuffed patio chairs that overlooked the wide expanse of the city. We figured out here would be a safe spot to catch up—away from all the hub bub, yet close enough that if there was a crisis that needed her attention, she could attend to it.
After a while the vibe in the room had started to dwindle down, people were starting to dissipate, and I figured I probably better be on my way. I hugged my friend goodbye and started circling my way out of the room. Well, unbeknownst to me Mr. Agent McGee was apparently circulating his way around the room the other way because just as I was reaching for the doorknob, I felt a hand on my arm.
I froze. Shit.
I turned and came face to face with McGee.
He stuck out his hand—the one that wasn’t on my arm, and said,” I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m Jonathan McGee.”
My eyes darted nervously around the room searching for my friend or any other means of escape. Not finding anything, I introduced myself as vaguely as I could and politely chatted with him while inching my way closer to the door.
Unfortunately for me, my friend saw me talking to him, assumed that I had changed my mind about the introduction and just as he was asking me what agency I worked for, *insert gigantic eyeroll here that I did not correct him sooner that I was not, in fact, an agent. I didn’t tell him I was, I just didn’t tell him I wasn’t. I was just being… vague.
She walked up and said, “Oh. I see you two have met. Did Lisa tell you she’s a writer—”
Now… there are all stages of writers, am I right? At this point, let’s keep in mind that I really was at the beginning stages. In fact, I had only decided to sit down with him because I had always heard, “you never pass up an opportunity.” …we will talk more about this later.
For now, back to the “all stages of writers—”
Unfortunately for me, he must’ve assumed that by writer, she meant that I was a well-established writer, because the look that came over his face when my friend finished her sentence with “—she’s actually pitching to you tomorrow.” Will be burned into my mind for all eternity.
The man couldn’t have appeared to be more confused. He literally took a step back from me like suddenly I was fire and he was in danger of melting. “You’re not even supposed to be in here.” He whispered.
I think I felt my insides begin to incinerate—leave it to me to make the situation awkward.
Then his face broke into an enormous shit-eating grin, and he simply walked out of the room.
WHAAAT the hell just happened?
And now I was supposed to sit down with him and pitch tomorrow afternoon? Was that even going to be possible? What if he banned me from the pitch? Could he have me kicked out of the conference? Why was he smiling? What did that mean?
I’ll save this part of the story for another time. How do you think it ended? Tell me what you think happened in the comments section below
The Wide World of Conferences
If you’re feeling like breaking into the world of conferences. Being from Oregon, I of course, recommend Willamette Writers. The conference is held annually in Portland, Oregon. This year it will be hybrid, meaning online and in person, from August 2nd – 6th, 2023. There are tons of masterclasses, workshops, agent and editor opportunities and many many networking possibilities which are completely invaluable no matter where you are in your writing career.
If you can’t make this one, there are some equally great conferences around the globe, some are even genre specific.
Thrillerfest in New York, May 30- June 3 at the Times Square Sheraton:
I have always wanted to check this one out! Michael Connelly is one of their special guests this year. I know that they’ve had Karin Slaughter in the past, I was truly sorry I missed out on that!
Killer Nashville International Writers’ Conference in Franklin, TN, August 17-20, 2023:
For all genres that incorporate the mystery, thriller, or suspense elements. Mingle with forensic experts, attend workshops, masterclasses, agent roundtables, manuscript critiques and more!
Imaginarium in Louisville, KY, July 14-16, 2023:
In its 10th year, Imaginarium is featuring more than 130 panels. As well as a film festival, a gaming tournament, and a Comicon Convention. All will be taking place during this three-day event. Pretty much if you can imagine it, you can experience it here!
Jackson Hole Writers Conference in Jackson, WY, June 22-24, 2023:
For more than 30 years, the industry’s top agents, editors and authors gather each June at the annual Jackson Hole Writers Conference. Writers can learn about the craft of writing, share ideas, attend keynotes and network with a vast array of authors, editors and peers.
ASJA Annual Conference (Virtual). June 13-15, 2023:
The American Society of Journalists and Authors. Featuring three keynote speakers, 36 sessions including three subject tracks; Journalism, books and content writing, 9 snack chats, 2 virtual happy hours and much more! Network and collaborate with the country’s most prestigious association of writers!
Just like us, conferences come in all shapes and sizes. At whichever conference you choose, I’m positive you will find one to fit the needs of where you are in your journey. From the people you meet, to the connections you make, there will be memories to last a lifetime.
Until next time, stay brash, stay bookish and as always, stay true to you!
