{"id":17953,"date":"2017-11-06T01:00:59","date_gmt":"2017-11-06T09:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=17953"},"modified":"2017-11-05T12:55:51","modified_gmt":"2017-11-05T20:55:51","slug":"conference-versus-workshop-one-best-catharine-bramkamp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2017\/11\/06\/conference-versus-workshop-one-best-catharine-bramkamp\/","title":{"rendered":"Conference Versus Workshop: Which one is Best for You? by Catharine Bramkamp"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Conference\"Let\u2019s welcome back monthly columnist\u00a0Catharine Bramkamp<\/a>\u00a0as she shares with us about \u201cConference Versus Workshop: Which one is Best for You?\u201d<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

You probably are quite aware of the difference between a writers conference,<\/strong> a writers workshop (some call it boot camp), and a writer\u2019s retreat. The three represent varying levels of commitment, information, and space for actual writing.<\/p>\n

Retreats<\/h2>\n

Retreats<\/strong> are created for writers to escape their everyday lives and have peace and quiet to work on their projects. There is often no interaction with other writers. It\u2019s about you, an idea, and a blank computer screen.<\/p>\n

Workshop<\/h2>\n

Workshops can be a single day or a few days and often include instruction, a workshop leader, and a built-in critique group.<\/p>\n

The workshop leader will offer pre-information so you know what to expect and what to write. You need to write and you need to follow along with the ideas and the goals so everyone is organized and literally on the same page.<\/p>\n

\"workshop\"Writers bring their organized work to the workshop and are ready to share.<\/strong> A good workshop is like a week-long critique group. And this group is at your disposal because there is nothing else to distract them. This is a chance to work through plot points, dialogue, and narrative structure. Workshop members are also deep into their work and will be sensitive and helpful to you and your project.<\/p>\n

Ideally the workshop is held in an interesting or beautiful location. Once there, you will then be forced to ignore the views (or the bars) in favor of writing. But when you are completely burned out, a nature walk, short hike, or swim are exactly what you need.<\/p>\n

Conference<\/h2>\n

Conferences are more outwardly focused.<\/strong>\u00a0Conference feature a smorgasbord of classes and talks featuring (but not limited to) agents, publishers, social media experts, poets, and already famous authors. These fine people deliver hours of good information that you need a month long retreat just to assimilate.<\/p>\n

Full circle.<\/h2>\n

Conferences<\/strong> often are held in fabulous, interesting or beautiful places, not so much to tempt the conference attendee, but to tempt the speakers. It ends up being a win-win. You get to spend a couple days in a beautiful place, and the speakers are forced to take five transfers just to reach the hotel.<\/p>\n

If you are looking for the latest,<\/strong> greatest information about the publishing and writing business, a conference is one of the best places to learn.<\/strong> Conferences also deliver chance encounters with agents and editors, and offer opportunities to ask experts your burning questions. A one-day or two-day conference will give you most of what you need to forge on for the next year, or until the next conference.<\/p>\n

Conferences are prime environments for networking.<\/strong> But not with who you think. Newer writers believe that the best people to meet and greet are agents. Period. Not so. The best connections you can make at a conference is with the woman sitting next to you. Strike up a conversation, exchange cards. The fellow writer in that hard plastic chair may not only become your new best writing friend, but a strong ally when you launch your book. The phrase, I knew her when<\/em>, is a powerful thing.<\/p>\n

And just to confuse what you just read,<\/strong> some conferences are featuring workshops and critique sessions. You may be able to do both in the same place during the same weekend.<\/p>\n

Conference How-To<\/h2>\n