Fill Your Creative Writing Bag! by Elizabeth Alsobrooks

 

Many writers, whether aspiring, new, or seasoned authors, seek a little inspiration at some point. One of the most obvious but not necessarily well-utilized sources of inspiration is other writers. Some writers do join writing and/or critique groups, but even those can lose their luster if they’re not taken out of their comfortable niche and polished.

A surefire way to add some sparkle to your creative writing bag is to attend a writing event. Book fairs are often free, wonderful places to network, browse, listen to panels and find great reads, but be aware that their main focus is often marketing and sales. That’s why most folks only attend for a single day. Depending on the size of the book fair, there is often so much to see over acres of booths and displays you might feel overwhelmed and rushed, unable to get into all too few crowded, popular sessions.

On the other hand, there’s something about a writing conference, something about that small group discussion, the panel of known and unknown authors sharing their creative journeys and real-world advice, the chance to learn and even practice new writing techniques with a diverse range of friendly, like-minded strangers that makes you look at your own work with new insight. Most writing conferences have a range of workshops and opportunities for learning, often spread out over several days, even a week, that allow you to fill your schedule with a variety of meaningful experiences just right for you own personal needs and interests.

That sounds great, but they’re so expensive and traveling itself is so cost prohibitive right now, you say? Even the harshest skeptic can’t scoff at a free, virtual International workshop. Here’s just one in July, 2022: greatwriting.org.uk  You can find more online.

If, on the other hand, the sky and globe are the limit, why not travel to France to attend a Paris Café Writing event? Paris Café Writing | Web site for Paris Cafe Writing workshops.

Looking for some warm weather in an American city? How about visiting California to attend Writer Digest’s Novel Writing Conference in October? Writer's Digest Novel Writing Conference (writersdigestconference.com)

You can also explore conventions. They specialize in specific genres, such as the wonderful convention they have here in November, TusCon. It’s a small (300-500 people) Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Convention. They are small and diverse, and even have screen writers, movie makers, artists, celebrities, cosplay fashion, science presentations, and a shared love of the written word, especially in sci-fi and fantasy.

So, if you are lucky enough to have a small critique group, perhaps it would be fun to encourage them to attend a special writing event with you. Some of the most fun I’ve had is attending writing events with friends.