My First Christian Writer’s Conference

NOTE: This article is from an old blog Golden wrote on from 2017 to 2019. It was called Mama Wants an RV. The blog has since expired but the memories remain. Thanks for reading!

Original Post from May 19, 2018

I just returned from my first Christian writer’s conference held in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The Colorado Christian Writer’s Conference is held annually in Estes Park and it is well worth the trip.

I learned how to balance privacy and relationships portrayed in my writing, build a social media strategy, polish my manuscript, publish my own books, and most importantly, how to trust God in the process.

While my first Christian writer’s conference was like drinking through a fire hose, I left knowing I had accumulated many resources and insight for the future of my writing ministry. I’m thankful I only attended two of the four days, as the information from just two days filled my brain to capacity. This may have something to do with the fact that it was my first Christian writer’s conference experience, and the amount of information was overwhelming me.

Now I want to share some of what I learned with you. Who knows, maybe you too will be interested in attending your first Christian writer’s conference. Perhaps even in the Rocky Mountains!

Balancing Privacy and Relationships in Writing

This class was very important to me as an adoptive mom. I want to protect my children’s stories while encouraging families in the process. I believe there is great value in learning from other’s mistakes, and our story is full of them. At the same time, I don’t want to incur any shame or guilt on another person.

I was reminded that my motives must be driven by love. It must be my intention to bring good to others and protect them from harm. While writing can be very healing for me personally, I need to be careful on what I make public.

My words can be interpreted many ways so exercising caution is necessary. I should never blame others for the way I feel or act. I am responsible for these things. The biggest question I must ask is, “Do my words honor God.” He will guide me if I am off track.

Building a Social Media Strategy

This concept intimidates me. Even though I am quite tech savvy and understand fully the importance of marketing, I find myself hesitant to throw my life out there for everyone to see. This may come from my experiences as an adoptive parent. We are constantly wanting to protect our kids, and ourselves, from any more pain and heartache.

Regardless, I think it is the next step for me. Once I pick my top social media platform and establish a consistent message, I can move my message to other platforms and enhance my reach. I will also need to seek out those who share a similar message, and in the process, I may make some new friends.

Posting regularly will be required to keep my audience engaged. These can be short and sweet opinions, reviews, events, links, etc. I’m excited to share all that I learn in a day with others, especially adoptive families.

Polishing My Manuscript

I wrote my first book a year ago. It was a product of grief after our second son left our home for a while. I wrote a fiction novel to express some deep emotions I was experiencing during that traumatic season. Now I need to work at making it print worthy.

As I learn more about the craft of writing, I find myself excited to share stories and information. BTW – writing a book and maintaining blog use two different methods of writing. Once builds upon itself, while the other must sell itself in each individual post.

Identifying the pet words and lazy phrases I use may be a time-consuming task, but it will be worth it. I don’t want to bore others with excessive details or repetitive remarks. Speaker attributions must be kept to a minimum and are simply there to clearly identify the speaker.

Publishing My Own Book

Indie publishing has become an acceptable form of publishing books these days. Sites like CreateSpace make it easy to format a book and make it available online. It is a fast way of publishing too.

I’m excited to finish my first coloring book in the next couple months. This will be my first self-publishing project, so I will have to let you know how it goes. Since it is a coloring book, it will not need the same level of editing my novel will need.

Self-publishing means you build your own team: an editor, a cover designer, and a printer. You get final say in the way your book turns out and you are 100% responsible for the marketing and sales. This may sound intimidating, but these days you are responsible for promoting your book even if you chose a traditional publisher.

Trusting God in the Process

I’ve learned that God’s timing is most important in everything, and this is no different when it comes to writing for an audience. My first goal is to please Him in all that I do and say. I know He’s given me a gift and a desire to teach through my writing efforts. Writing is something I have enjoyed all my life, whether it has been journaling the day’s events, or writing a script presenting the gospel to kids overseas. I like sharing stories that God can use in people’s lives.

Since He knows who, what, when, where, why, and how this passion to write will come to fruition, I can trust it will be done. I will do my part, keep writing, connecting, and dreaming. The rest will come.

My First Christian Writer’s Conference

I came hungry and left full. I have a greater appreciate for authors and speakers, and all the preparation they put into what they do. Thank you. You are encouragement to us newbies in the field.

See you next year!

#adoptionwriting #dreams #writersconference