WHAT MAKES A GREAT WRITING CONFERENCE

What prompted this post is over the years I've attended many writing conferences ranging from great to mediocre. However, no matter, I always managed to learn something new at each of them. 

Plus for ten years I was the program chair for the Public Safety Writers Association's writing conference, so I do know what needs to be in a successful writing conference. 

# 1 is good presenters with interesting information for writers.  There also needs to be a variety of topics--something for the new writers, and something for the veteran writers.

Not too much down time so that the conference moves along and keeps everyone interested.

Recently I attended a writing conference that was a great disappointment. It was an all day conference with only two speakers. I won't go into detail about the speakers as what they had to say may have been of great interest to some of the people there. The biggest problem for me was the fact that there was huge amounts of time where nothing happened at all. Yes, you should have some time for networking, but over half of the conference time was unplanned.

For two great writing conferences, there's one coming soon, first Saturday in April is a one day writing workshop? http://www.sinccc.com/writers-in-actionperfecting-your-craf… It's in San Luis Obispo, California.

This is going to be an outstanding writing conference: There is something for the beginning writer as well as the most advanced: The keynote presentation will be given by Mara Purl--The Oyster and the Pearl, followed by Creating a Business Plan, Tight Writing, Getting the Details Right (Setting and Characters), Research, Collaboration and Editing. Only $50.

And of course, in July in Vegas is the Public Safety Writers Association;s writing conference which is particularly helpful to crime, mystery and thrilled writers. https://policewriter.com/

Marilyn