Are Writing Conferences Worth It?

So, you’re an aspiring writer, and you’re considering going to a writing conference. Is it worth it? What should you keep in mind?

1. Do I need to attend conferences to become a professional writer?
No, you don’t. Conferences cost money, and sometimes you just don’t have it. What you do need is grit, a willingness to learn, a broad knowledge of the literature you’re trying to write and an awareness of how the industry works. It also helps to have a supportive group of fellow writers, who share your dreams, will give you constructive feedback on your work and will cry and/or celebrate with you when required. Attending a writing conference or joining a professional group, like SCBWI, can help with many, but not all of those things. If you are looking to learn more about the industry and to join a supportive community of writers, then attending a conference can be a great first step.

2. Will I get an agent or sell a book at a conference?
Maybe, but probably not. You are there to learn and make connections. Be open, ask questions and don’t be afraid to talk to the industry professionals attending the conference. They are regular people just like you. Learn how to give and receive feedback. Many conferences provide an opportunity for attendees to receive manuscript critiques from agents or editors. Don’t stress out. This is a learning opportunity. Make sure to listen and give yourself time to process any critiques before responding or dismissing feedback. Defending your work at first is totally natural, but try not to do it out loud, especially in your one-on-one with an editor or agent  Be open to making changes. Feedback that sounds wrong at first may end up enhancing your story if applied in the right way. Of course, the opposite remains true as well. Not every piece of advice that you receive from a critique partner or professional will improve your work. By joining a regular critique group, you can learn how to parse out which pieces of feedback to apply and which to ignore.


3. Will it be worth my time and money?

In my experience, yes. I always come away inspired and energized to work. I have made excellent friends through my affiliation with SCBWI, and I can’t imagine going on my writing journey without them. Plus, you will get to meet amazing people like these (goose not included):

To learn more about SCBWI, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, visit https://www.scbwi.org/ or https://oklahoma.scbwi.org/ for the Oklahoma chapter.

Successful Critique Groups

As a writer, it can be difficult to gauge how your words will impact readers. This is where critique groups come in. Critique groups can be a great way to get reader feedback before sending your manuscript out into the big, bad world. Here are some tips to make your critique group great.

When you’re the one providing the critique:

1. Focus on first impressions. Put yourself in the shoes of a reader, encountering this manuscript for the first time.

·       How do the words on the page impact you?

·       Do you feel grounded in the character and setting?

·       Do you connect with the character enough to want to keep reading?

·       What emotions are you experiencing as you read?

These first impressions are so important, because, especially starting out, it’s hard for writers to know how their words will affect readers. You may have intended your latest scene to be a tearjerker, but does it fall flat or come off cheesy? As a critique partner, you are the test group, and your honest emotional responses have value to the author.

2. Avoid playing doctor. Your job is to serve as a test subject, not a doctor. Share when and how the story isn’t working for you as a reader, but avoid phrases like, “Here’s how I would have written that.” Remember, this isn’t your story, and the purpose of the exercise isn’t to reshape everyone else’s stories into your own. You can certainly pass along strategies that have worked for you in the past or share tips, if solicited, but the best gift you can give are your first impressions.

3. Sandwich maker. Be honest, but kind and constructive. Sandwich your discussion of what’s not working for you inside truthful, positive feedback.

4. Read widely. The best way to become better at critiquing is to read widely. You’ll get a sense of what works and why. Bonus: this will make you a better writer too!

When you’re the one receiving the critique:

1. Listen. In my critique groups, we have a rule that, when you’re receiving feedback, you can listen, but not respond or defend. Remember, we’re aiming for first impressions. If someone completely misunderstands your story, that doesn’t automatically make them an idiot. In fact, they are providing you with valuable insight, i.e. your words are not translating to readers in the way you intended. Rather than arguing, absorb their feedback and see how you can revise so that your words successfully convey the story that’s trapped in your head.

2. Possibilities, not requirements. Over time, you will learn how to identify and apply only feedback that is useful to you. In the early days, you may feel the urge to incorporate every piece of feedback you receive, even when it conflicts with other feedback or your gut feeling. Learn from this mistake. The purpose of a critique group is to show you how well, or poorly, your story translates to readers and to help you become better at conveying meaning as you learn and grow. Feedback should open your eyes to new story possibilities, but never be seen as a requirement.

How to Give and Take Critiques

Giving Writing Critiques

The Request

Most writers know how this goes. A friend or acquaintance calls or pops by with a request: Can you read my manuscript and let me know what you think? 

There's a lot of excitement behind these words, along with a healthy dash of fear and vulnerability. Not to mention a little innocence or lack of awareness about just what they are asking.

The Commitment

If the manuscript is for a novel, that's a serious time commitment, much more than for say, a short story or children's book. 

What's more, if you are to do justice by the request, you should consider several vital issues (see below).

The Issues and the Plan

1. When reading a friend's work, you must consider how you will handle things if the story or the writing is terrible. I know this sounds awful and jaded, but honestly, this is an issue you must prepare yourself for. We all write junk sometimes, especially in the early years of writing. Prepare yourself so you won't be appalled. You may find yourself surprisingly pleased.
2. Can you look for the good in the writing style and in the story, even if it doesn't yet meet your own exacting standards? Draw the writer's attention to those things, giving encouragement to someone who is likely just embarking on the path of writing and who is more a less a fledgling in learning craft.
3. You've learned a lot over the years as a writer. You have tons to offer from your 10,000 plus hours of studying craft, writing, and editing. In short, you are an expert. 
   
   But it's impossible to distill your knowledge into an elixir you can pour down a newbie's throat. Better to share small bits of wisdom, while pointing out the successes in the young writer's efforts. Don't give more criticism than they can reasonably receive.
4. Perhaps your foremost priority will be to ask the writer what they are looking for - story suggestions, serious critiques, grammar info or writing structure tips. Be careful not to commit to an in-depth edit unless you really have the time and are willing to do it.
5. Finally, dive in and enjoy the story. Remember how you felt sharing your first work with friends and family. Remember how you felt receiving your first critiques. Balance suggestions with a healthy does of praise. Of course, if the request comes from a long-time critique buddy, feel free to let the red ink flow, keeping in mind that a little encouragement can go a long, long way, even in long-time writers.

Receiving Writing Critiques

Not long ago, I submitted a novel manuscript to an editing contest. Five editors read the first 30 pages and returned the manuscript with their responses. This was an eye-opening experience for me. Here's what I learned:

1. You are the master of your story. Everyone else's opinions should be weighed and considered, but none of them are law.
2. If you have several people responding with the same suggestion, give it more serious consideration.
3. Even professional editors have different opinions. Of the five who edited my novel, three seemed fairly positive, offering a range of reasonable suggestions. One was absolutely in love with it and gave almost no advice. And one pretty much tore my story to shreds (not my favorite). 
   
4. When you receive edits, take some time after you read them to let yourself cool off (if needed). Recognize that the editor's intent is to help you improve, not to disparage your work, no matter how harsh their approach. Some people are just harsh. Dust yourself off and deal with it. There's plenty to learn.
5. Keep in mind that if your story seems broken, it's okay to set it aside and start something new. You can always come back later and breathe new life into it. And there's always a new writing adventure open to you. Just pick up your pen! Or pc, mac, phone, notebook....the possibilities are endless, but that's another post.

Happy writing and happy critiquing! What are some of your methods for critiquing others' work or for managing tough critiques of your own?

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