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Writer's pictureMolly McTernan

Going To My First Writing Conference



 

Precisely seven days ago, I was experiencing one of the best weekends of my life.

In early April, my mom and I last-minute decided that we were going to attend the C. S. Lewis Writing Conference in Colorado. She and I heard about it through our favorite modern authors (it so happened that both were attending!) and God really had everything fall into place.


Just three weeks later, we were packing our bags and headed to the airport! There ended up being some flooding in our area and our flight got quite delayed, but even so it all worked out for the good. Though we might have been a little sleep deprived, we arrived at the Glen Eyrie castle on time for day one!


From the moment I walked through those wooden doors, I felt at home. From the moment I walked up those carpeted stairs, I felt expectant. From the moment I walked into the main hall and started recognizing my writing friends, I felt loved.


The C. S. Lewis Writing Conference made such a positive impact on me and I walked away with more than I could have dreamed of receiving. Below, I would like to briefly share some personal reflections with you:


Go talk to the person.


All throughout the weekend, I felt like I was making amazing connections. From speaking to authors I look up to like Nadine Brandes and Steve Laube, and sitting next to people only to find out that they were creators of a study I used when I was younger, or my friend's Spanish teacher, the community at this conference was wonderful.

What it took was making the move to talk to someone, but that isn't always easy or a natural instinct. My encouragement for you today is to step outside of your comfort zone and speak to that person - it just might make their day and you never know what will come of a conversation.


You need both community and solitude.


When I first heard this talked about, it felt like a lightbulb went off in my head. As writers, I feel like people either take the extreme view that we should spend our time alone, or that we should be with others 24/7. The truth is, you need balance. The best way I can sum this up is to quote the amazing Lauren Hildebrand, a writing instructor who also attended:


The journey is worth it even if it only touches one person, and it's okay if that one person is sometimes you.

I hope that you enjoyed this post and that you got something from it! Now I'd like to hear from you: What are you thoughts on my reflections? Have you ever been to a writing conference?

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11 comentários


lanawoizeschke
lanawoizeschke
16 de mai.

This sounds like it was an amazing experience, Molly! Praise God!! <3

I love your takeaways. They can definitely apply to my own life. Thanks for sharing them :)


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Molly McTernan
Molly McTernan
16 de mai.
Respondendo a

It truly, truly was! Thank you for reading and commenting, Alannah <3

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Karissa Chmil
Karissa Chmil
12 de mai.

Mmm, love this, Molly. And I'm still so happy that you were able to go. :D

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Molly McTernan
Molly McTernan
12 de mai.
Respondendo a

❤️ Thank you, Karissa - it was so amazing.

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belegthebrave
11 de mai.

"Go Talk to the Person". . . You read my mind, Molly!! There is someone in my life I've reeaally wanted to go talk to for ages, but I'm a bit nervous about it. What if the conversation is awkward? What if the person doesn't want to talk? What if they judge me harshly or think I'm weird?? I'm generally not shy of people but this is someone I that I would care a lot about what they think of me. Any advice? 😅 You seem to be pretty wise. XDD


Also, it's awesome that you got that experience!! God's timing always works out.

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belegthebrave
24 de mai.
Respondendo a

Thanks so much, Molly!!!

(Also, I did something else brave yesterday, which I don't think I'd even think about doing before you gave me this advice! We were at a performance and I actually got enough courage to go and have a conversation with one of the very talented performers. And what's best is that I think the person I talked to felt really appreciated afterward, not just as a performer (which all the audience members appreciates), but as an individual and as a person, you know. It really just makes me smile. I think the more I "go talk to the person," the less nerve-wracking it gets. And thanks so much to you again! I feel so grateful …

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bella
11 de mai.

Aww I love these reflections Molly!! <hugs> It was truly amazing spending that weekend with you, and I do hope we meet again at future conferences! 😉 😘

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Molly McTernan
Molly McTernan
11 de mai.
Respondendo a

Oh, Bella, I'd love to see you again. This weekend was amazing!

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