Ready for Camp?

Writers conference season is upon us, and I have all the feels. I’m excited about seeing old friends, nervous about pitching my work, and salivating at the thought of the food (especially the Blue Ridge Macaroons, which I have written about in this space before).

Here’s my theory: going to a writers conference is a lot like going to summer camp.

For a variety of reasons, I never went to camp as a child, but I have lived the experience through these adult events. I have drawn some parallels between camps and conferences, so here’s what you can look forward to:

1. You make “fast friends” in a short amount of time. It’s amazing how deep the relationships get in a matter of days. I have made lifelong friends and prayer partners at various events, and I’m anxious to see who I will meet next.
2. You have plenty of activity time. At writers conferences, we do not make friendship bracelets and birdhouses (Wouldn’t that be interesting, though?), but we do bond over shared classes, learning new things about our craft.
3. You share meals together. I have never drunk “bug juice” at a writers conference, but tater tots do make the menu occasionally (just like camp). Even so, there is something special about “breaking bread” together, when we share stories, writing advice, and lots of great food (especially the aforementioned macaroons).
4. You don’t sleep much. Not only are you in a new environment, but you are around like-minded people 24/7 for several days, making you want to spend as much time together as possible. Sleep is what the week after a conference or camp is for.

I could probably draw many more comparisons, but these are the highlights. I hope to see you at a conference/camp soon; step up and say “howdy” if you see me at one. We currently don’t have a secret handshake, but maybe we can work on that.

At least we don’t wear matching t-shirts. Oh, wait a minute . . .  

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb.