One of my most favorite things to do as a writer is attend
the American Christian Fiction Writers conference held every year in September.
I’ve met so many of my writing friends at this conference, and I’ve learned a
great deal about the writing profession and how to be a better writer.
Whenever an aspiring writer asks me about how to get
started in writing, I tell them:
1. Join
a writing group/club in your area.
2. Find
a national organization to which you can belong
3. Attend
writing conferences and even one day workshops with a published author
4. Find
a critique group or a critique partner
5. Read
books on writing, especially about the genre of writing you do.
6. Write
One would think number 6 is a given if one wants to be a
writer, but I’ve met so many people who want to be writers, but they don’t
write. They have notes about the topic, and some ideas about what they want to
do, but they’ve tried to organize their thoughts and actually write their
story.
Even at the age of 77, I am still learning. That’s one of
the reasons I attend the ACFW conference. I want to learn more and be a better
writer. Being a part of a group at a conference or in a writing club near home,
an unpublished writer can learn so much about the world of writing. At
conferences writers have the opportunity to meet and interact with editors and
agents in attendance as well as pick the brain of other writers.
Christian writers care about each other and want to help
others to be good writers. Christian non-fiction has always sold in the stores
when the subject matter touches a place the reader needs in his or her life.
Christian fiction can do the same, but many times readers have to be convinced
Christian fiction is worth the time to read it. That being the case, it is up
to those established writers to stand up and make a difference with the best
possible writing they can produce.
I’m looking forward to seeing old friends and making new
ones at ACFW conference in Indianapolis, Indiana in September, but before that
I will be a part of the Texas Christian Writers Conference to be held next
Saturday, August 3, in Houston, Texas.
What are your favorite things to do as a writer?
8 comments:
Good post, I've use all of those when I'm asked about writing plus one more...reading books on writing. I recommend Stein on writing and Stephen King's book on writing.
Definitely, and that's what I meant by my statement about reading books on writing. I've read the one by Stein, but not King's. Also the self-editing book by King and Brown is good. I've used Brandilyn's book a lot.
I haven't read. Brown, I'll check it out!!
I enjoy learning about writing and doing research for whatever I'm currently working on. But what I like most is hanging out with other writers. I can't wait to see my pals at the ACFW Conference in September!
I'm looking forward to seeing you, too, Debby.
Wish I was going to be in Indianapolis this year but can't make it. I'll be looking forward to listening to the conference on MP3 when it's available. I guess that's the next best thing to being there. When you can't attend in person, which is the best, you can still learn and listen to the conference all year long. I'll miss you gals.
I have frequently quoted you, Martha, when I'm asked by budding authors what they need to do to get started. Thanks for a review of such wonderful advice.
Thanks, Darrel. Sometimes people change their minds when they find out how much is involved in writing. Either it's your passion and you write because you're compelled to or it's just something you think you might like to do.
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