Last weekend, I taught and met with conferees one-on-one at a writing conference. I always learn at these conferences, even when serving on faculty. Not only do I learn about the craft of writing, but I gain insight into human nature. I see those with deep hurts, quirks, and a desire for self-expression. But I also learn life lessons that apply to all of us.
Be Prepared
Among those who had appointments with me, I saw a range of preparedness. Some presented me with a one-sheet, a single page with information about a proposed book. Others sat down, sighed, and said, “I don’t have any idea what I’m doing!”
Life Lesson: Be prepared, even when you are unsure.
Listen More, Talk Less
During the conference, I led a panel for intermediate writers. One conferee asked a question and received helpful answers from those on the panel. However, the conferee talked over some of the panelists, and continued to talk after a reasonable time frame for answering the question had passed. We gently suggested she save her questions for a one-on-one appointment.
Life Lesson: Listen more; talk less.
Benefits of Teachability
Teachability is key to learning. If you think you know more than those with experience, you’re not open to learning.
Life Lesson: Be open to learning despite what you think you already know.
Hurting Hearts
I’ve often heard the phrase, “There’s a hurting heart on every pew,” related to church attendees. The same can be said for writing conferees. So many have a variety of deep hurts, and desire to write those hurts. However, often their writing is for catharsis rather than to help readers. Many aren’t far enough along in processing pain, forgiving, and regaining forward motion to write in a manner that helps others.
Life Lesson: Once you’ve done the hard work of processing hurts, grief, or loss, then you are ready to help others. And this should be the goal—helping others to move beyond difficulty.
Connect and Reconnect
One of the joys of attending a writing conference is meeting new writers and reconnecting with those you know well or have connected with in the past.
Life Lesson: Avoid isolating yourself. Life events sometimes lead us down a solitary path. It’s easy to drift into a lifestyle of isolation. Instead, stay connected. We gain inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement through connection with others.
Follow Up
Acquisitions’ editors and agents often report that few conferees follow up with submissions after they’ve been given the go-ahead to send a book proposal, article, or manuscript. These writers have an open door yet fail to step through it.
Life Lesson: When opportunity presents itself, take advantage of the gift.
Put Learning into Practice
After gaining knowledge, do you put it into practice? Sometimes we don’t. We learn, but fail to integrate knowledge into our daily lives. However, learning that remains unused benefits no one. Learning incorporates growth and growth without utilization is worthless.
Life Lesson: Knowledge gained advances when put into practice.
Many of the conferees who attended the conference last weekend will use the information gained to move forward with their writing dreams. Others will place their notes and handouts in a drawer and fail to utilize what they learned.
The same is often true when we hear God’s voice. Some learn, grow, and obey: others ignore.
Don’t be like the in-the-drawer conferees. Pay attention to God’s voice, and also, to those who have wisdom in areas where you seek to learn. Benefit from life lessons.
“Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life—guard it well” (Proverbs 4:13 GNT).
“Open your heart to teaching, and your ears to words of much learning” (Proverbs 23:12 NLV).
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is an award-winning writer, blogger, and speaker. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotions published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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