by Chip MacGregor

As you begin preparing for this year’s Willamette Writers Conference, I’d like to suggest you keep ten words in mind…

• READ. Don’t just show up and wonder who the speakers are. Read the blog of the keynote speakers. Read the books of the workshop teachers. That way, when you get to hear them, you’ll already have a context for their information.

• RESEARCH. If you’ve signed up to meet with an agent or editor, check out their bio, see what they’ve acquired, and get a feel for the sort of books they like. By doing that, you’ll be much more apt to talk with someone who is a fit for you and your work.

• ORGANIZE. Before you show up at the conference, look at the schedule and figure out what sessions you’ll be going to, which ones you’ll miss (so that you can share notes later), and when you can take a break to see friends.

• PRACTICE. When you sit down across from me in order to tell me about your book, it shouldn’t be an off-the-cuff conversation. Practice what you want to say, how you want to describe your work, and what your hook is so that you’ll grab me.

• GOALS. Ask yourself what your goals are for this year’s conference. Don’t just go with bland hopes. Plan to attend with some specific, measurable goals in mind. Write them down beforehand, so that you can evaluate yourself and your experience after you’re back home.

• PROJECT. Come to the conference with a book you’re writing firmly in your mind. That way, when you’re listening to a speaker, you can apply the information to the project you’re writing. Even if you later decide to write something else, the fact that you’ve put the techniques into practice will help you improve.

• NOTE. Don’t just sit there in workshops and nod at the things you agree with. Take notes. Write down action items. Keep track of the ideas you like, along with thoughts for using them on your next project. If you make a note, you are six times more likely to follow up with the information you’ve heard.

• NETWORK. Every experienced conferee will tell you that the opportunity to connect with other writers is one of the best aspects of the conference. So don’t sit in your room by yourself — join in! Eat with others. Introduce yourself. Smile a lot. Chat up people in line. Tell people about your writing, then listen to what they are working on. Talk with others at the bar or in the lobby. Publishing is a small industry, and this conference happens to be jammed with people who work in it.

• LEARN. To learn is to change, so expect the conference to change you. Walk into every session expecting to learn something new. You don’t know everything, so go expecting to gain new knowledge and skills. With that attitude, you won’t walk out the hotel doors the same writer who walked in.

• SEND. You’re going to buy a bunch of books. (You may not think so, but you will.) So don’t punish yourself by dragging home a couple 50-lb suitcases and a 45-lb carry-on. Instead, purchase your books, stick them into a USPS flat rate box, and ship them home. Easier on your back. Easier when packing. And they’ll be a fresh motivator a few days after you’re home from the conference and caught up on your sleep. (“Oh, look! A bunch of books written by my new friends! I loved hearing this author talk at the conference…”)

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Chip MacGregor is the featured speaker at our May 5th, 2015 Willamette Writers member meeting. His insights and knowledge of the world of writing and publishing have been invaluable for our members.