Making Time for Perspective and Play: Writers Workshops and Conferences

By Lori Rader-Day, Guest Blogger for the Femmes Fatales.

It's my pleasure to welcome award-winning author Lori Rader-Day, who won the Mary Higgins Clark Award and Anthony Award for her mysteries, The Black Hour  and Little Pretty Things. If you haven't read these novels, order them as soon as you finish Lori's blog. Today, Lori answers the question that plagues so many writers: Which conferences are best for me? -- Elaine Viets

 

 

As I write this guest post (thanks Elaine, for having me!), I’m packing for Midwest Writers Workshop in Muncie, Indiana. Muncie and I have a long history, so I don’t mind going back there for any reason. They have Pizza King, for one thing. Also, the conference is held on the campus of Ball State University where I earned two degrees, worked for five years, taught in two departments, and, essentially, became a grown up.

And now I go back to play.

That’s what these conferences are for me. Sure, they’re work, too. I can’t number the hours I have spent preparing for the workshops and panels I’ve done there and will do this week. Three to four days of social output takes its toll on this introvert. But in the mean time, I get to be what I always wanted to be. How many people get to say that?

This conference is my origin story. I went there before I knew much about writing and I went again once I had learned a little more and gotten more focused. In 2008, in a program held by the MWW in Angola, Indiana, I was put into the mystery group of a workshop before I knew I was a mystery writer. MWW was one step ahead of me, showing me the way. Lighting the way with torches, really, so that I couldn’t miss the path.

Now when I go, I’m one of the faculty. Going back to Muncie is returning home, and seeing how well home does without you while you’re gone. It’s humbling. “Going to church” is what another longtime faculty member, Matthew Clemens, calls it. It is that. It is going back to school, one last time.

If you’re looking to get to be what you always wanted to be, consider coming out to play at a conference sometime soon. Meet writers who have figured out a few things and are willing to share. Connect with other writers at the same stage you are, who constitute your peer group, your moral support, your beta readers-to-be. Spend time in a place where everyone you meet is someone who loves just what you do. It’s an amazing feeling to be among other writers. This kind of church is also good for the soul.

Those are my shoes on the campus of Ball State University, ready for the Midwest Writers Workshop.

Here are some suggested conferences for writerly learning and camaraderie:

Magna Cum Murder

This conference is also put on by Ball State University but now held in downtown Indianapolis, a very friendly and drivable city. The content is all mystery, all the time, but more about finding new authors to read than hands-on content. Other places you can listen in on mystery writer conversation: Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, Malice Domestic, Murder and Mayhem in Milwaukee, and (starting in 2017, co-directed by yours truly) Murder and Mayhem in Chicago. 

PHOTO: Lori at Boucheron Long Beach, screaming bloody murder with (from left) Jamie Freveletti, Sara Paretsky, Femme Dana Cameron, Clare O'Donahue, Lori, and Jess Lourey.

Yale Writers’ Workshop

All genres, hands-on workshops. This New Haven, Connecticut, workshop has a long, three-week option and a one-extended-weekend option. Don’t be intimidated; the program is for people just like you. You will need to have some pages polished to apply. Save costs by staying in student housing and really return to school.

New England Crime Bake/Sleuthfest

These two separate conferences are held by Mystery Writers of America chapters on the East Coast (Boston) and in Florida (Boca Raton) respectively. Mystery and crime genre-focused, but with a hands-on workshop approach, taught by some heavy hitters in the genre.

 

PHOTO: At Bouchercon Raleigh, from left: Lynne Raimondo, James Ziskin, Susan Froetschel, Susannah Calkins.

Colorado Gold Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Conference

A favorite among many of my friends, Colorado Gold features visiting speakers and teachers in a variety of genres. While definitely a good fit for those still seeking craft help, pitch sessions with agents and editors are available at extra cost.

PHOTO: Lori meets Spencer Quinn. She also loves his Chet books.

Check out all the writing workshops and conferences for all genres (so so many) at Poets and Writers’ website. Or check your local library, bookstore, or university for offerings and resources they can suggest. The goal is to find the like-minded souls who can encourage you when the words won’t come and cheerlead for you when they do. Writing gets a bad rap as a solitary pursuit. It is not. You need your friends. A little time away gives you perspective, so that you can return to your manuscript energized with ideas and the support you’ll need to finish.

Besides, being a grown up is highly overrated.

Comments

[Art Taylor]

Nice round-up here, Lori! And I still need to check out more fully the plans for Murder and Mayhem in Chicago!

[Paula Gail Benson]

Lori, your class at the Yale Writers' Workshop was a phenomenal experience. So happy to hear about the Murder and Mayhem coming to Chicago. Best wishes with all your workshops and your writing!

[Lori]

Thanks, Art! It's going to be a fun day, if you're in the Chitown area!

[Lori]

Thanks, Paula! I really enjoyed your recap of it. I think you may talk a few people into going!

[Shannon Baker]

Thanks for the mention of Colorado Gold! I haven't missed a con there in over 20 years. They taught me to write and, like you with Ball State, I get to be on the faculty now.

[Karen Duvall]

The Colorado Gold Conference is the best conference in the country, in my opinion. Also, I need to clarify that pitch appointments with agents and editors at this conference is FREE with your registration, so you do NOT have to pay extra. You just need to choose who you want to pitch to when you register. There are agent/editor critique workshops that do cost extra, but those are writing workshops, not pitches.

[Charlaine Harris]

The greatest things about being on panels or teaching at conferences is that you get so charged up from talking to writers-in-the-making.

[Lori]

Shannon, I haven't been but I'm going next year, I believe. Can't wait!

[Lori]

Kathy--oops. Thanks for the correction. NOTED!

[Lori]

Charlaine-- I agree! I still get charged up from talking to other writers at all stages. Some of my Yale students had such impressively ambitious stories planned, it made me want to be a little better.

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

So great! (I love Peter Abrahams, too..)

Yale! Milwaukee! I'd love to go... And Colorado Gold--wow. That sound great, too. Thank you for the scoop.

ANd see you at BOuchercon!

[Elaine Viets]

Thanks for an effective run-down, Lori. You nailed it.

[Lori]

Hank---shhhhh, that's his super secret LITERARY name. :)