Why I'm Now Crazy Insane About Going to Writer's Conferences

(There will be pictures littered throughout this post in no particular order or reason, so enjoy or ignore -- whatever you please.)

SO.

Some of you know that I went to a writer's conference this last weekend. I went to Realm Makers, a writing conference specifically for Christian speculative authors. 

In short, this was probably one of the best couple days of my life.

You've all heard the "top ten tips" for new writers and experienced writers. Writing article on top of writing article states the same advice over and over and over again: 

Go to a writing conference. 

Me: Hmm.. A writing conference. Sounds awesome, actually. Meeting with other writers and learning about writing... it's something I should look into... *proceeds to "look into" this very, very casually*

Myself: Pfft. Writing conferences. Yeah. They cost hundreds of dollars for a couple of days. You think it's worth it?

I: OH MY GOODNESS YES WRITING CONFERENCES I NEED TO GO TO ONE RIGHT 
NOW.

Before Realm Makers I placed myself in the "me" category. Now... The "I." 

You see, writing conferences are tough. Unless you're extremely lucky, the writing conference isn't going to be near you. Some people at Realm Makers drove fourteen hours or took multiple plane trips just to get to Missouri.

Um, insane. 

And another hard thing about conferences, is the money the conference alone costs. Realm Makers was actually reasonable compared to other conferences I've seen.  Don't get me wrong--any amount of money is a lot of money--but this conference was very reasonable.

I understand if traveling and money get in your way. It is a lot of money. But, if you start saving up now, little by little, you should be able to have enough money eventually and it's entirely worth it.

So back to what I was saying somewhere above this paragraph: "I'm the I me now." (Please just nod your heads and act like that made sense. Yes? Okay. Thanks.)

Why am I CRAZY INSANE about going to writer's conferences now? Here's why. 

Another awesome thing about Realm Makers: they have a costume dinner.

Why I'm now CRAZY INSANE about going to writer's conferences.

image from Pinterest -- not mine.

1. The Connections

Nowhere else than Realm Makers (and possibly other conferences. I wouldn't know since this was my first one.) can you sit at a table with Steve Laube, two Enclave authors, and a bunch of other fantasy/sci-fi writers. 

I'm fairly sure I stayed in composure and didn't start flailing and freaking out. There was squealing, but I tried to keep that quiet. 

I sat next to Anne Elisabeth Stengl's editor. (I'm a huge fan of her books if you didn't know, so that was another super exciting moment.) 

I met so many authors: Jill Williamson, Gillian Bronte Adams, Morgan Busse, Nadine Brandes, Robert Liparulo, and Just B. Jordan.

Jill and I! This actually wasn't at Realm Makers -- I saw her in the airport
and of course had to take a picture with her.

I talked with loads of other writers. They didn't care about my age. They didn't act like they were superior to me because of their added experience. Everyone was excited about meeting each other and making connections. I have so many new writer friends I can't wait to get to know.

2. Knowledge

So. Much. Information. 

*brain explodes*

I filled page after page after page of notes. Despite the hundreds of articles I've read on writing, there was new information that I could apply to my writing in the classes. All of them were really great and led by authors and professionals in the business I look up to. Personally, I don't think you can ever know enough about writing. There is so much out there to think about and absorb. 

I also learned knowledge just from the people I talked to. I learned about them, sure, but I also learned about insides of the publishing process and different techniques people use for editing and such. It was really cool to talk about all this stuff in person since I'm so used to "talking" to the person on a white computer screen. :p

Nadine and I on the last day with our matching epic T-Shirts.

3. Doors

I don't usually post GIFS, but this seemed like an appropriate
time because 1: it's a minion, and minions are adorable and 2:
there's a good chance many of you are confused by the door point
right now.

I'm not sure if this is an official quote or anything, but both of my parents talk about taking a hold of opportunity when it comes. 

When a door opens to an opportunity, step through that door; don't hesitate.

Opportunities were popping up everywhere this weekend for everyone, I hope. This point does tie in with number one -- the connections. The connections and the people you meet are really who open the door for you, so BE BOLD. 

I exchanged business cards with people. One lady offered to look over chapters of my novel for me and I offered the same for her. BOOM. Connection made. 

I met with an agent for one of my appointments. It actually went really well -- she would like to see the finished manuscript when I'm done. Nothing may come out of it, and that's okay. Other doors might appear through the connection we made, but right now I'm excited and encouraged and that's opening doors for me to becoming inspired again.

- - -

There are, of course, other reasons I love writer's conferences. The food was good (despite the strange lack of pizza...), there were sooooo many books, and my inner night owl was finally satisfied by the late (early?) 2 a.m. nights. It was really amazing and I want to see ALL of you there next year!

- - -

This is my "I don't want to stand here awkwardly so I'll
just strike an even more awkward pose."

This isn't the last post about Realm Makers -- I plan to do at least one, maybe two more. We'll see what happens and if you think this is remotely interesting. :p

- Katie Grace

There. Now you know why I'm crazy insane about writer's conferences and am hooked FOR LIFE. (I'm unsure if this is a blessing or a curse.) Are you Me, Myself, or I? Have you been to a writers' conference? 
And are you going to Realm Makers next year? (*cough* The only answer to this is yes.)