I spent this past weekend (May 1-3) at the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation, Inc., conference in Oklahoma City. This was my fourth trip to this conference, and each time it has been worthwhile.
What I learned at OWFI 2014 is probably different from what others experienced, because we all attended different sessions and we are all at different points in our writing. As you can see from the numbered bullets below, I concentrated as much on learning about marketing this year as on writing.
Here are the thirty gems I mined from the conference. Each gem is followed by the name of the speaker who said it.
On writing—how and why we write
1. A good novel reminds you of what matters in life. (Eloisa James)
2. Books give us permission to experience strong emotions. (Eloisa James)
3. You should cry when you write about your characters crying and giggle when they laugh. (Eloisa James)
4. A good story trumps great (i.e., literary) writing every time (Jerry Simmons)
5. To add depth to your writing, try adding sensory details without the sense of sight. (David Morrell)
6. Put your most vivid emotions on the page—your own fears and griefs and dreams. Best sellers are born from strong emotions. (Eloisa James)
7. Each scene and chapter of your book needs to end so your readers will turn the page (Mary-Theresa Hussey)
8. Second drafts are where you question the inspiration you felt when you wrote the first draft. (David Morrell)
9. Historical fiction takes your readers to an era and sits them down in it. (Jan Morrill)
10. Content is king. More content increases your chances of success—so produce. (Jerry Simmons)
11. You have to own your own gift. No one else will. (Eloisa James)
On marketing and marketing tools
12. Think of what you do as a business (Jerry Simmons)
13. There are two parts to being a successful writer today—writing and marketing. (Jerry Simmons)
14. Be 50% a writer and 50% a business person, and the business person comes first. (Eloisa James)
15. The marketing is up to you. (Darlene Shortridge)
16. In today’s publishing world, we are all small publishers. (Eloisa James)
17. When querying, you need to be able to tell the agent/editor, “my book will appeal to fans of [famous author’s name],” and explain why. (Susan Brower)
18. No single marketing template works for every book. (Jerry Simmons)
19. Failure in marketing is inevitable. (Jerry Simmons)
20. As writers, we are competing with other forms of entertainment, such as social media, gaming, and streaming video. (Eloisa James)
21. The single biggest mistake authors make in marketing their book is being inconsistent. (Jerry Simmons)
22. Using social media well requires that you post smarter, not more. Ask for interaction with your readers. (Heather Davis)
23. Don’t just reach your readers. Interact with them (Eloisa James)
24. To find your readers, search for message boards, forums, book clubs, and other places online where your audience is likely to congregate. Then start interactions, don’t just say “buy my book.” (Amanda Luedeke)
On reaching for success
25. Identify your top three writing goals and also the priorities in your life (such as family) that are non-negotiable. Put those first, but be flexible. (Heather Davis)
26. There is no better time for writers than right now. (David Morrell)
27. You are 100% responsible for your own success. (Darlene Shortridge)
28. Don’t give up on your dream. Don’t stand in the way of your own success. (Andrew Kaufman)
29. What is standing between you and success? Make up whatever excuse you have to for yourself, so you can overcome that obstacle. (Eloisa James)
30. When you become successful, don’t forget why you write—it’s the journey that’s important, not the success. (Andrew Kaufman)
What have you learned from a recent conference you attended?
I’ve never attended a writers conference. Thanks for sharing all the great bits of advice!
Mark, glad you found it helpful.
Thanks for reading.
Theresa
These are wonderful tips! Thanks for sharing them.
Deborah,
Glad you enjoyed it.
Theresa
I didn’t get to attend all of the workshops I wanted to, so these highlights are fantastic. Thanks for sharing them, and thanks for attending my workshop!
I enjoyed it, Jan. Many thanks.
Theresa
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This is great stuff, Theresa. I really appreciate you sharing this with us. I’ve yet to attend a conference, I’d like to though.
I like #5 from the first section. I need to work on that.
Thanks again!
Thanks, Jill. I agree with you on #5 — it’s hard to remember to tap all the senses.
Hope you get to a conference some time. They are very energizing.
Theresa
Theresa, it’s disturbing to me that people are being told to be business people before writers. Is the goal to write a book and make money or to write a good book?
Good comment, Luanne.
Speakers focused on different aspects during the conference, but all agreed the book had to be good or no amount of marketing would work to sell it. I probably should have made that point in my list.
But you won’t sell even a good book without marketing, was the corollary.
Thanks for raising the issue,
Theresa
And it’s really hard work to write a really good book. I don’t understand why people don’t want to do that. There are so many easier ways of making a living.
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