Why Should I Attend a Writers' Conference? By David Kitz

Almost two weeks have passed since the Ottawa Christian Writers' Conference. In that time I have had time to reflect on why I thoroughly enjoy such gatherings. Here are seven reasons why attending such an event can be hugely beneficial to you.

1. Fellowship— Being a writer, specifically a writer on Christian topics or someone who writes from a Christian perspective, can be a lonely affair. Sometimes I feel like I'm a whale. Writing forces me to dive deep into my story or topic. I'm swimming in the depths for long periods. But whales and writers need to come to the surface at some point. It's wonderful when you can come up for air and be surrounded by other writers who share your passion and interests. There is genuine fellowship in that.

Writers need times of refreshing — Tay River, Perth, ON

2. Learning— I have been tinkering around in this business for many years now, but there is so much to learn. The truth is I know so little. I love learning from experts in their field. There's nothing like that 'eureka moment' when the light finally goes on in my thick skull. Often it takes more than one exposure to a concept to fully grasp it and then learn to apply it. That's why I love these learning opportunities.

3. Connect with Professionals—
Attending a writers' conference provides you with opportunities to connect with professionals who can advance your career. At Write Canada Conferences I have met with agents who have placed my manuscript in front of large American publishing houses. I have pitched my books and book proposals to acquisition editors. This allows you to learn the process and build relationships with industry insiders.

4. Networking— Where will you meet someone who can edit your work? Where will you find an illustrator for your children's book? Where can you chat with someone about the merits and pitfalls of self-publishing? The logical place to find such people is at a writers' conference.

Clarity for the Road Ahead  — near Calder, SK

5. Cross-pollination— Though we think of writing and writers as self-isolating, the truth is a lot of collaboration is required. This is particularly true for those who write books, but it's also true for article writers, editors and news reporters. Our ideas are sharpened and refined as we discuss them with others. 

6. A Supportive Community— When I am stuck or have a writing-related problem, I want a supportive community that I can turn to for advice and encouragement. You become part of that community by attending conferences and workshops where you meet like-minded people who share your passion for writing.

7. Inspiration— Let's face it, we need inspiration—that special something that fuels creativity. Inspiration can have many sources. Ultimately, Christian writers trace their inspiration back to the Lord. But I believe the Lord can use a writers' conference to put fuel in your tank and a fresh spark plug in your brain. 

Ottawa River — all photos by David Kitz

Whether you attend one of the regional conferences that are springing up across the country or the Write Canada National Conference in Toronto, there is much to be gained by attending such an event. God can open up new horizons for your writing.

David Kitz is an award-winning author and blogger. Visit http://www.davidkitz.ca/

Learn All You Can - Meyer

“Learn all you can from the mistakes of others. You won’t have time to make them all yourself.” – Alfred Sheinwold

I have often threatened to write a book about all the things you shouldn’t do to become a successful author. Yes, I do have enough material to fill a whole book!

At a recent book launch, I told my audience, largely composed of former writing students, of one thing that I had done that they should never do. Back when I first conceived of writing a series of books, I set myself a challenge: the last three words of one book would be the first three words of the next book. I did this (a) because I like a challenge, (b) because my books were being published out of sequence and I had some notion that a person would be able to “link” my books together in chronological order even if they couldn’t do that using a copyright date and (c) because I like a challenge.

As I teach, mentor and edit, I always strongly encourage writers to have a great “hook” at the beginning of their book. The first few words are what will draw the reader in or make them set the book down and pick up the next one on the shelf. After the first few words of a book, the second most important thing is the last few words of a book. I still remember the last line of a book I read as a child: The Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens: “It is a far far better thing I do than I have ever done. It is a far far better place I go than I have ever gone.”

I suppose part of the reason that I made so many mistakes, especially early on in my career, was that I was almost exclusively self-taught. I did have access to some books about writing from our very small local library but for the most part, it was a case of trial and error.

I had been writing in virtual isolation for six years before I attended my first writer’s conference. It was the first time I had ever met an editor, the first time I had met an agent, the first time I had rubbed shoulders with other authors. I was so blown away! And what amazed me the most was that I found out that what had taken me six long years to learn on my own, I could have learned in three days through the wonderful workshops and classes that were a part of the conference!

I was so excited by this that I gathered my courage up, went home, put together everything I had learned (the hard way) and began preparing writing classes so that other aspiring authors could learn about writing without having to go through the trial and error process that I had gone through.

So this is my message to all of you out there who may be thinking about writing or have started to write. Don’t struggle alone. Even if there are no writing classes or writer’s groups near where you live, there is an organization that is here for you. The Word Guild can be a support to you wherever you are in this very large country of ours.

Write! Canada is a conference held every year in June in southern Ontario. It’s a great time to learn from the mistakes - and successes - of other authors. For more information about Write! Canada and the other services that The Word Guild has for you, check out their site at http://www.thewordguild.com/.

Dorene Meyer
http://www.dorenemeyer.com/

Family History - Lawrence

I began working on my family history about 10 years ago. It is fascinating and each time I find a new piece of information, I am spurred on to search for more pieces of the puzzle. There is never a good place to break off from this endeavour, only a good place to proceed ever more vigorously on the journey back in time.

My plan, all along, has been to put the information I glean into a book or onto a CD so that my family can share in the knowledge I have found; for what is the use of the information if I do not share it with others? Two weeks ago, I finally completed my project. “Completed” is not really the correct word to use because there is so much more information yet to be found.

However, when it came to my attention that my great nieces and nephews did not know their cousins and, indeed, did not even know who they were in relation to themselves, I decided that now was the time to compile the work into a volume that family members could hold in their hands, in order to look at photographs of their ancestors and follow their way back through their parents, grandparents and beyond.

Soon, those of us who know even a little of our ancestry will no longer be in a position to pass on that knowledge to the younger generation and that is sad. The book that I have compiled is so much less than it could be but still much more than if I had done nothing.

The ancestry I have recorded reaches back almost 200 years. From four family heads, a member of our family can follow his or her descent into the present-day and see other members as they relate to them. The project is not complete but is there for others to pick up the thread.

My ancestors include those who were writers and editors, passing on their talents to me. It is my joy and pride to say that my grandfather, Edwin Davies, compiled and edited the History of the County of Brecknock by Theophilus Jones in the year 1898; that my father composed a piece of music for the classical guitar, A Country Dance, along with many articles about the guitar and banjo, which he played; that my brother was an editor and journalist for an English newspaper and his son after him.

There are other threads that can be followed back through our ancestry and forward on in present and emerging generations. I hope that someone will pick up what I have put together and continue searching into the annals of time, recording further back into our family history. Each one of our ancestors had his or her place in the backdrop of our present lives and I give thanks for each life lived to God’s glory and as a stepping stone to mine.