Writers conferences are a must ...

In early March, I attended my first writers conference––The Florida Christian Writers Conference held at Lake Yale Conference Center in Leesburg, Florida––and caught conference fever.

Sequestered away from the dog-eat-dog fray of the world outside, I entered a community of vibrant Christians who not only loved books and writing as much as I do, but also cared deeply for others and for the Lord. Quite frankly, I know of no other assemblage where such unique vibes can be found.

The Christian fellowship, fantastic speakers, and uplifting worship would have been sufficient reason to attend, but the additional benefits to my writing craft and career were phenomenal. Opportunities abound whether you are a newbie beginner, listed on the New York Times best seller list, or somewhere in between. You can attend classes taught by masters of the craft, discuss your work and ideas one-on-one with agents and editors, receive help for an ailing manuscript from freelance writers, submit proposals to agents and/or editors for their critique, and build friendships that can last a lifetime.

It was a terrific experience, and one I intend to repeat next year. There are many conferences scheduled in different geographic areas throughout the year. If you have a chance to attend any one of them, grab the opportunity. It could be the door-opener you can't afford to miss.