The Write Conversation – Almost An Author

What Gives You Conference Confidence?

I want to thank everyone that read my first post of The Writerly Café, especially those who took the time to leave a comment. Comments provide us a two-way street of communication. They are our form of “chatter” that fills brick and mortar cafés. Comments build friendships and allows for exchanges of ideas.

This is evident from last month’s question:

Is writing your passion and if no one read your writing could you walk away? Most writers write foremost for the joy of writing and to ease the tug on their spirits to put words onto paper. I understand that tugging. I journal and blog because my words need an outlet! Do you agree, readers? Writing is a powerful form of self-expression. Most of you said that you would write if no one read your work.

Now, to change gears, so to speak. It is the season for writing conferences and I for one, could not be happier. I will be attended the BRMCWC (Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference) from May 22 until May 26. I have attended this conference for a good number of years. My writing has improved from the classes I’ve taken and from the encouragement leading professionals in our field have offered.

While preparing this column I thought back to my first conference experience. I was woefully unprepared and did not reap the potential rewards because of my lack of those preparations. Yes, I enjoyed the conference and took copious notes that I still refer to today but I could have gleaned so much more if I’d had CONFERENCE CONFIDENCE.

Conference Confidence comes from being prepared. I am blessed in knowing Edie Melson, director of BRMCWC, and from learning her great tips on preparing for the conference experience. Edie’s suggestions include an invaluable set-up of a conference notebook. I urge those who are first time attendees to read about conference preparations at Edie’s blog. Seasoned writers also benefit from Edie’s blog dedicated to helping writers at all stages of their careers hone their craft.

I learned early on to introduce myself to as many people, conference presenters and fellow attendees alike, and to offer them my business card.

I practiced my pitch and designed a one sheet for my fifteen-minute interviews thus allowing my confidence to rise with each encounter.

So, I throw these questions to you…do you have Conference Confidence, or do you feel lacking in this area? Let me say, I still shiver and quake when I meet some of the giants in our field and still get tongue tied at times. This is only natural. I do feel, however, preparation paves the way to a successful experience. What gives you conference confidence?

If you have any questions about conference preparations or comments that might help our café friends, please share in the comments sections.

Until our next gathering, thank you for pulling your chair up to the table once again.

3 Time-Saving Strategies To Up Your Writing Game

You may ask what the following three strategies have to do with creativity.

I think we can all agree that time is our greatest natural resource so when the minutes of our days can be saved, the hours will take care of themselves, freeing up our time and energy to put towards more creative endeavors.

Below are three practical but sometimes missed opportunities to make the most of our time.

Harness your time on social media. No one does this better than Edie Melson at The Write Conversation. Her post, 9 Time-Saving Tips for Social Media, touches on scheduling, promoting others (a key to social media success), and seven other ways to harness your most valuable resource, your time. (Edie is also the author of Connections, Social Media and Networking Techniques for Writers.)

Refuse to Cave to the Comparison Trap. Sylvia Path said, “The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt.” When other writers are gaining traction that sticks like glue while we’re still spinning our wheels it’s tempting to start second guessing our skills, sometimes to the point of questioning our very calling to writing. Michele Cushatt recently published a post, Enough, that speaks to the beauty of dropping our competitive guard in order to embrace a bigger and more meaningful picture in the world of writing. Comparing ourselves to others depletes our confidence, time, and energy. And who has time for that?

Take Advantage of In-Between Moments. Many successful authors became so while working at least one full-time job, raising a family, volunteering at church, etc. One of my favorite contributor’s on this subject is Brian Hutcheson of The Positive Writer. His post How To Become A Prolific Writer While Holding Down A Day Job is superb. You’ll rarely find me without a pen and tiny moleskin notebook in the front pocket of my purse. I know, I know. I can also use Notes on my iPhone, and I do, but there’s something about the scratching sound of a pen on paper that lights my fire.

Your turn! What’s one time-saving tip you can share with the rest of us?

Thanks for stopping by!

Cathy Baker // Cultivating Creativity
http://www.cathybaker.org