I Wish I Were...

Where I live there is a girl's camp/ scout camp song called "I Wish I Were a Little Bar of Soap".  That tune was in my head this morning with new lyrics.  I realize some of you may have no idea what the tune is, but i thought I'd share it anyways:

Oh I wish I were a little ballpoint pen (ballpoint pen)
Oh I wish I were a little ballpoint pen (ballpoint pen)
I'd go to conference, conference, conference in Tamara Passey's pocket
Oh I wish I were a little ballpoint pen (ballpoint pen)


Yes I really do wish I could hitch a ride in Tamara or Lisa's pocket to go to LDS Storymakers Writer's Conference.  I have never been able to attend this conference as it is usually out of the question financially.  But I would love to go someday.  Sometimes writer's conferences feel like a catch 22.  You need to attend them to be able to write, publish,and sell great books but I would need to write, publish, and sell great books to be able to attend.  *Sigh*  But do not dispair, there are many choices out there that could fit into your budget and time schedule.  First of all, there are online writer's conferences.  There is WriteOnCon and The Muse Online Writer's Conference.  Both of these conferences have great authors, agents, and editors teaching you about the tricks of the trade using technology to bring right to your computer!!  And The Muse conference has pitch sessions where you pitch to an agent or editor in a chat room and you don't even have to get dressed up!  One year, I hitched a ride to Provo, UT and stayed with a friend so I could attend Life, The Universe, and Everything at BYU which is mostly a free conference.  It was definitely worth it!!  I have personally attended ANWA's annual writer's conference for the past 3 years because it is reasonably priced and located near where I live.  You would be surprised how many writer's conferences there are near you if you just google for them.  But if you don't live in a big city like me there are still other ways to get the inspiration, knowledge, and networking you need to keep writing.  Libraries are a great source when it comes to writer's workshops, author readings, and writer's groups.  I also enjoy going to bookstores for book signings.  Usually the writer's are more than happy to talk about their writing process.  Plus seeing them living the dream is a big inspiration.  And if you are the only person to show up for their book signing then you just made a friend that is a writer.  Thank them via email for talking with you to keep the lines of communication open, just don't take advantage of it.  Use it wisely!  I recently to my 14 yr old daughter to Aprilynne Pike's book signing and we were lucky enough to also have Lisa McMann there as well.  And in the audience was author Kaleb Nation who, at the ripe old age of 22, has two published middle-grade novels. 

So if you are at home moping around because you can't attend LDS Storymaker's Writer's Conference, then STOP!  Use your computer to look up all the writer's events in your area and commit to attend one.  And then, of course, post in the comments what event you will be attending.  That way if someone else reading this is in your area, they could decide to come as well!