Have You Considered Attending a Writers Conference?

Thursday, March 16th, 2017     by Debra DuPree Williams     Start the Conversation

By Debra DuPree Williams @ddupreewilliams

I never thought I’d attend a writers conference—especially at my age. These are some of the doubts that plagued me:

  • What could I possibly have to say that anyone would want to read?
  • Am I even a writer? 
  • What if I go and embarrass myself?
  • What am I supposed to wear?
  • What should I bring?
  • What am I even doing here?
If you’re feeling doubts about your own calling, you’re not alone. When I first attended the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference in 2014, I knew nothing and no one. I sat in the back row. Even worship was different for me as I come from a tradition of hymns and a rather high-church service. I felt like a fish out of water, or a Presbyterian in a pool of Baptists. Now I  raise my hands with everyone else, and it feels like I should have been doing this all of my life.


Check-In Point for Conferences At Ridgecrest

I quickly learned that this was a place of love, joy, acceptance, and growth not only as a writer, but as a Christian. By week’s end, I’d made new friends and formed what would become lasting relationships with some of the most well-known Christian authors and teachers out there.
If you are considering attending a conference, let me urge you to do so. You have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Here are some things I have learned in the past few years:

Don’t worry. Just hand all of this over to God and let Him lead you where He wants you to go. You are writing to advance His Kingdom. You really can’t take a misstep at a conference. And so what if you do? There will always be someone there to pick you up. They will even pray with you and for you.

What do I wear? On the sidebar on Edie Melson’s blog, The Write Conversation, is posted a list of questions and answers about what to expect at a writers conference. It includes tips about how to dress among many others. I would say, casual Sunday for the most part. Dress tastefully and comfortably. Wear comfy shoes for sure. You will be doing a lot of walking, and if your conference is in the mountains, as the ones I have attended, you will be climbing up and down steps a few times each day.


Be friendly. I don’t normally have trouble talking to strangers, but I was a bit intimidated at my first conference. And for nothing. One thing I learned early on was that all the people there are in your corner. They want you to succeed, for when you do, so does God. And believe me when I tell you, you are going to form lasting friendships.

Do bring business cards. I had some at the first conference. They had my photo, my name, my city, and my email. That was about it. But at least people could get in touch with me. By the way, bring a lot of cards, on good, thick card-stock. You will exchange cards with everyone. You are going to want to remember these people and they will want to remember you.

Go to the conference’s website. See who is on the faculty and what classes are being taught. If there is a map, try to figure out the basic layout of your campus.

Don’t forget your computer. Most people have those little ones these days. Two years ago, I only had my big laptop. I lugged that thing from the fourth floor down a million steps and back up again, countless times every day. I still don’t have a small enough netbook or Apple. I guess I’m going to have some powerful muscles one day. But if you operate on just a pencil and a notebook, that’s okay too, and a lot lighter than my big ole laptop!

Is there an age limit? The first year I attended BRMCWC, the oldest person there was ninety-six years old and he was still writing and publishing devotions.  I’m not sure of the age of the youngest, but at the Novel Retreat, one young lady was seventeen or so. And she was about to be published, if she hadn’t already been. Don’t let your age keep you from coming. You have something to say that only you can say. No one looks at life the way you do. No one has your voice to say it.

The Cross at Ridgecrest Visible for Miles

Come prepared to be blessed.  I have only attended conferences at Ridgecrest—BRMCWC and the Blue Ridge Autumn in the Mountains Novelist Retreat, led by Yvonne Lehman. I can tell you that attending these conferences has been one of the biggest blessings of my life. Not just in the knowledge gained or the friendships made, but by the outpouring of The Holy Spirit upon me. You can feel His presence everywhere you go. Be sure to stroll through the prayer garden if this is the campus you visit. Sit on the porch in one of the rockers and soak up some sun while talking to the Son.


Final Reminder.  Don’t forget to go to Edie Melson’s blog site, The Write Conversation. By the way, in case you didn’t know it, she’s the director of the Blue Ridge Conference. She’s also a social media guru. Scroll down on the left hand side, very near the bottom, beneath her books and her many awards, and you will find Get Ready For a Writers Conference. Be sure to read that. Come with a positive attitude and pray for the experience you will have there. Pray for the faculty and the attendees. Pray for the staff. Did you know that they pray for you prior to the conference? Come with an open heart and an open mind and you will be blessed. I guarantee it!

Now it’s your turn. What suggestions do you have about attending writing conferences?

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