Four Reasons I Attend an Annual Writing Conference (And You Should Too) by Linda Shenton Matchett

My husband and I don’t live check-to-check, but we also don’t have lots of extra money. However, one thing I include in my annual budget is the Crimebake Mystery Writer’s Conference. Held in Boston on Veterans Day Weekend, it is two and a half days of education, exhortation, and encouragement.

And I wouldn’t miss it for the world.

This year I attended for the tenth time, and I learned just as much as I did during my first conference. How is that possible? It’s in no small part because of the planning put in by the Committee. Within days of the conference, a survey is sent to participants. Two weeks later another survey is sent, just in case participants ignored the first email. Tenacious about getting feedback, the committee uses survey results to create a conference targeted to the needs and wants of their audience. Brilliant!

So, what did I take away from this year’s Crimebake? The same things I do each year, just at a different level: craft, validation, connections, and inspiration. Let me explain:

Despite the fact that I was a freelancer for over ten years and I have seven books published, there are still concepts I can learn about the craft itself. During the first few conferences I attended, I picked up tips about story arc, character development, and hooks. This year, I learned about the nuances of creating suspense and techniques to prevent the “muddle in the middle” of my manuscript. In addition, workshops about publicity and marketing and a session about career strategies gave my business knowledge a boost.

Writing is a solitary pursuit. Every morning before I go to my day job, I hide out in my office to make up stories about imaginary friends. Banging away at the keyboard, I often second-guess my work. Are the characters believable? Are the situations realistic? Or is it all drivel, and I have no idea what I’m doing? The good news is that information I heard during conference sessions validated what I’m doing. I’m on the right track.

Unlike many writers who are introverts and tremble at the thought of attending a large-scale event, I’m an extrovert and love to meet people. I typically introduce myself to my tablemates and ask them to talk about their writing journey. One of my favorite experiences this year was the author breakfast on Sunday. I picked a random table, and it turned out that Paula Munier was our “celebrity.” With laughter and grace, she talked about what it was like to be an author having been a literary agent for nearly thirty years. Apparently the shoe was on the other foot, and her agent was telling her things she had told her clients. Paula encouraged and celebrated each one of us. Other ways I made connections was to volunteer to do behind-the-scenes tasks. I stuffed attendee bags, worked the registration table, and coordinated the game at the SinCNE chapter table. Serving on the SinCNE chapter board has also provided connections I wouldn’t otherwise have made such as meeting the SinC’s national president. Very exciting!

Perhaps best of all, the weekend gave me a full dose of inspiration. Sometimes juggling my writing with a full time job can be overwhelming. Sacrificing time with my husband or not pursuing my hobbies can be frustrating, and constantly thinking about some aspect of my author career can be tiring. But I love to write; it feeds my soul in a way nothing else does. Haround with published and not-yet-published authors was just what the doctor ordered. Sharing dreams, successes, and setbacks with others who understand and have walked my shoes reignited my passion. I came away from the conference ready to jump back into my manuscript.

There is no doubt in my mind that I’m an author of multiple books because of my diligence in attending Crimebake. Can you get published without attending a writing conference? Possibly. But will your writing career be as fulfilling? Probably not.

I urge you to find an affordable, professionally-run conference. Then mark your calendar and start putting aside money from each paycheck to make it happen. You’ll be glad you did.

Linda Shenton Matchett is an author, journalist, blogger, and history geek. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, a stone’s throw from Fort McHenry, Linda has lived in historical places most of her life. She is a volunteer docent at the Wright Museum of WWII and a trustee for her local public library. Active in her church Linda serves as treasurer, usher, and choir member. She is a member of ACFW, RWA, and SinC. The author of several romance novellas, her debut mystery novel, Under Fire, was released in July, 2017 by eLectio Publishing. Visit her at www.LindaShentonMatchett.com.