Writers Conferences: What's the Point?

Most often writers are solitary animals, typing like madmen about make-believe worlds in their little hidey holes. But there is a strange ritual that occurs each fall when writerly mammals all over the globe migrate into a large cluster known as the ACFW Conference. This week I'll be packing my bags and joining the herd, so it seems rather fitting to focus on writer's conferences here at Writer Off the Leash.

Question:
What's up with these events anyway? Why invest time that could be used for writing, or money that could be spent on super cute shoes, to gather in a hotel that's probably going to be freezing cold because hotels are always freezing cold?

Answer:
- networking with editors and agents
- learning new marketing skills
- honing the ol' writing craft
- encouragement from/for other writers on the journey
- learn how other writers juggle life and writing
- rub shoulders with famous authors
- meet with your critique partners face to face instead of via cyberspace
- it's a tax write off

The list goes on. The reasons a writer goes to a conference are as varied as the mismatched socks you find lurking in the dryer (which is a whole separate Fun Friday possibility). There's no way you're going to accomplish them all, so... To make your conference experience feel like a victory instead of an overwhelming waste of time and moolah, it's important to attend with a single goal in mind.

Newsflash from Realityville: Landing a six figure contract is NOT a goal. Hate to rain on your parade, but landing a contract of any type is probably not going to happen. Be realistic.

So, what's my goal as I toodle off to Indianapolis? I want to discover one new way to improve my writing. That's it. That simple. And if I do, you can bet I'll be sharing it here next week, so stay tuned!