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Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again and shares her anticipation for this year’s writers conference!

2017 Conference

It’s been almost a year since my first Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference. I’ve made great strides (okay, baby steps) with my writing. It feels terrific!

Right away I joined Wordsowers and began to attend their monthly meetings at the Swanson Library in Omaha. I can’t always make it (the last Thursday of each month, 6:00 to 7:45) but when I do, I leave inspired and happy.

At the meetings I heard about the critique group that meets once a month. I’ve only been able to go once so far, but in that session I learned so much! They showed me how to format manuscripts to be taken seriously by editors. They showed me how awesome it feels to be surrounded by successful people who want to help you succeed.

I’ve used what I learned at the conference to submit poetry and articles to magazines, with a few successes. It’s nice to have some of the poems in my binder collection be seen by readers beyond my own family.

I’ve discovered how to be patient through the long wait for responses to submissions. A writer just keeps working and submitting. “You can’t sell what you don’t submit” is true! And rejection letters truly are just one submission closer to success.

Now I have new ideas and questions (and business cards!) to take to the 2017 Conference. I can’t wait to hear the new speakers and meet more writers. I know the 2017 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference will inspire me to take the next steps in my writing.

If you have signed up for our conference, what are you most looking forward to?

 

Look for more next week from Janet about her first conference experience.

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

 

Today, new Wordsower, Janet Sobczyk shares about her experience meeting with speakers. 

Conference attendee in a one-on-one meeting with author Cheryl St. John.

At the 2016 Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference I met three of the speakers. Each made a lasting impression.

First, Lee Warren at his book table. He’s a journalist, author, editor, and member of Wordsowers Christian Writers. I attended his workshop, and purchased his instructional materials for writers. But the time spent at his table wasn’t about his experiences. He asked about my projects and advised what to do next. He suggested I sign up for a one-on-one session with the keynote speaker, which I wouldn’t have dreamt of doing. He told me exactly how to prepare for that meeting. So I did!

The keynote speaker was Troy Griepentrog, a senior associate editor for Focus on the Family. I approached the meeting just the way Lee directed me, and we had a wonderful conversation. He assured me there is a need for articles about the topics I suggested. He encouraged me to send a query email, and promised to forward it to the proper editor.

The third speaker I met was Sally Jadlow, a published author and poet who teaches creative writing.  She edited (and praised!) a poem I brought, and asked what other writing I’ve done. I admitted I’ve only had a few published articles, but two poems and a creative non-fiction piece had won writing contests. She exclaimed, “You’re an award-winning writer! You need to say that whenever you write a bio for submissions.”

I walked away from each meeting with more confidence and knowledge. Thank you, Wordsowers Christian Writers, for inviting such awesome speakers!

What apprehensions (or advice) do you have about meeting with conference speakers?

Click HERE to get more information about our 2017 conference and to register now.

 

 

 

Next week, Janet shares about her anticipation for this year’s conference. 

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.

 

Today, Janet Sobczyk joins us again to share about her first experience at a Wordsowers Writers Conference.

Wordsowers Writers Conference 2016

The 2016 WCW Conference changed my entire outlook on writing. Over the span of two days last April I was transformed, in my own mind, from “someone who likes to write” into a Writer and a Poet.  I grew to understand that’s who I am,  even if it’s not what I do full-time.

I was surprised to find that people I met at the conference were actually interested in my ideas and took them seriously. They convinced me to take myself seriously, and to pursue those ideas.

One of the speakers pointed out that many people feel they cannot call themselves writers until they have published a book or are writing full time. But really, it’s not just about being published. It’s about having the interest, ability, ideas, and calling to write. Getting published is the icing on the cake!

The speakers all presented very effectively; it was a joy to learn from them. They also were available not only at their book tables, but for one-on-one sessions with attendees.  Agents and editors were available to critique manuscripts (some for a fee, others for free). They told me what next steps I should take toward making my writing marketable.

The experience left me with solid goals and a clearer vision for my writing. The Wordsowers Christian Writers Conference truly opened new paths for me.

If you like to write, even if you’re not yet a “published author,” make plans to come. You’ll be glad you did!

What perspectives would you like to change about your writing?

 

Next week, Janet shares her experience talking with conference speakers. 

Janet Sobczyk (pronounced Sub-check) is a new member of Wordsowers Christian Writers Group and is looking forward to the April 2017 Conference. She is a writer/poet in Omaha, NE as well as a substitute teacher, and a trainer for Boys Town’s “Common Sense Parenting.” Connect with Janet on her BLOG filled with poems, stories, and photos about motherhood, pets, faith, and more.