Participating in My Debut Literary Conference Experience
Goin' to Literature Conferences: An Unforgettable Journey
Why so many writing classes harp on attending literature conferences? Well, I always had my reservations, but this year I finally attended one, and lemme tell ya, it was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Day one was a washing machine of emotions. The train ride to Provo? Stressful and nerve-wracking. But the family I stayed with? Absolutely wonderful! The anxiety and nerves, though? They were off the charts. I didn't know what to expect, and I was genuinely scared out of my wits.
But it was a rollercoaster of classes that opened my eyes to a magical world of literature that extended far beyond mere information absorption. True, I was still keeping my distance, but it didn't take long to realize there was much more going on. People were actively interacting, responding to panelists, and simply engaging with each other. It was nothing short of a revelation!
It wasn't until the third class that I finally made my first contact. I was sitting as far away from people as possible, trying to blend in the background, when this girl walked in with her tablet. Without hesitation, she plopped down next to me, introduced herself, and asked me about my writing.
Now, let me tell ya, it'd been a while since someone genuinely cared about what I write. Normally, I'd get that glazed-over "yeah, sure, when you get published" response and that was that. But this girl? We bonded over projects and classes, exchanged info, and I made my first real connection.
So, Lesson One: Networking is about human connection, not just virtual connections. It's about being real.
The second day was filled with enlightening talks with some amazing authors in attendance. One of them shared how conferences were the secret to building a network. The more conferences you go to, the more people you can connect with.
I ran into an old colleague in the lobby between sessions and he introduced me to a well-known blogger in the writer's world. Turns out, he knew my blog! I'd always thought I was just talking into the void out there in cyberspace, but this chance encounter showed me that Lesson Two: Blogging matters.
Yep, moths flit through the night, but when you have that bright porch light on, people flock to it. I'm not saying my blog is a massive hit or anything, but I never thought I'd meet someone who was reading my blog, much less someone who knew it!
Throughout the weekend, I had the chance to meet and chat with many talented authors. At first, I was afraid, thinking about how I'd be in the same league as published professionals. But once I got over that hurdle, I saw them for who they truly were—real people with diverse backgrounds, families, and passions. But they were also incredibly friendly, supportive, and welcoming to newcomers. Some even asked for my blog info!
Attending Life, The Universe, and Everything taught me more about the writing community than I ever could have learned anywhere else. For those of you who are students, take advantage of the free admission and make it a part of your journey.
For everyone else, remember that attending conferences and networking will pay off in the long run. Go out there, meet new people, and don't forget to come find me at the next conference!
Ace. OUT!
Ps: Just remember, no one's really "in the same league"—we're all just people sharing our stories and trying to make a mark. So let's support each other and make some beautiful complications together!
With the realized importance of networking, I decided that expanding my horizons beyond writing classes was necessary. Diving into home-and-garden seminars also proved beneficial, revealing that personal-growth and learning are interconnected, not limited to education-and-self-development. Attending various conferences helped me appreciate the diverse avenues where lifestyle can intersect and grow, leading to a deeper understanding of my path. Furthermore, nurturing my blog as a platform for learning and sharing became essential, reinforcing the significance of personal-growth not only in literature but also in the home-and-garden realm.
