The Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference begins May 9th. So many of my writer friends are going that my emails, Facebook and Twitter feeds buzz with all the preparations.
I AM SO JEALOUS!!!
(And yes, that was me yelling).
OK.
I’m better now.
I am.
And I have a plan.
Just because I can’t go, doesn’t mean I can’t use my time wisely. So for my friends who, like me, will be hanging out at home this year, I offer you my Blue Ridge from Home Conference Schedule. Feel free to modify it for your own use.
The week before: Purchase a new outfit and get a pedicure . . . priorities people!
Monday – Go for a drive. It takes me approximately two hours to get to Ridgecrest. As tempted as I will be to drive up there, I will instead drive to my local Starbucks and purchase my favorite writing beverage – a tall, decaf four pump mocha.
In case you don’t know, that’s a mocha with EXTRA chocolate. I’m going to be down in the dumps and in Lynn’s Logic, chocolate makes everything better. Therefore, extra chocolate makes things extra better.
Tuesday – Focus on Fiction. I write fiction. I love fiction. So I’ll spend some time perusing the writing advice available on the websites and blogs of the faculty members.
Tuesday night – Watch a comedy. Vonda Skelton will be speaking at Blue Ridge and the schedule says it’s Faculty Talent Night. Everyone will be laughing. Might as well join in the fun.
Wednesday – Focus on Nonfiction. Same as Tuesday except specifically searching out the faculty members who are teaching non-fiction classes.
Thursday – Submit something. Now this one is tricky for me. I’m a little busy these days. But I think by the time Blue Ridge rolls around, I could have a devotion or two ready to submit for publication. (Famous last words).
Thursday night – Go out to eat. The banquet will be Thursday night. If I’m going to be in the spirit of things, I think this is an important step!
Friday – Focus on Social Networking. Everyone will be saying their goodbyes, sharing business cards and promising to keep in touch. So I’ll be sending friend requests and following more writers on Twitter and adding more blogs to my blogroll. And I’ll be sure to update my own blog!
Now, as is true for all conference schedules, this schedule is subject to change. I’d love to hear your suggestions for ways to attend BRMCWC from home.
Anyone care to join me? It’s not too late to sign up!
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Lynn Huggins Blackburn Believes In The Power Of Stories, Especially Those That Remind Us That True Love Exists.
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Me, me, me!!! I'm sad too. It's like all my friends are having a reunion without me. And my SISTER is going this year (her first time), and I can't join her.
I liked your ideas. Hopefully I can get hubs on board. At least Charity. If you want to take a drive, you could always come here! Maybe we could all get together for banquet night.
Thanks for the inspiration. I'll be trying to get myself ready for ACFW in September. Let's get stuff DONE!
I'm in!!
Thanks for the great spin on disappointment! I am not able to make it but hope to have a productive month leading up to my weekend getaway to write, write, write.
Jeanne
I love this, Lynn! Makes me want to stay home! I hate traveling (I like being new places, I just hate getting there!) What a great spirit you have and role model you are!
Right there with you, Lynn. Thought it wasn't going to bother me, but the closer it gets, the more I wish I could be there. Especially when I see new classes pop up.
Just have to remember that God knows what He's doing. Nothing catches Him by surprise. And may have to try that drink of yours from Starbuck's. 🙂
Well Lynn, I can go for a drive to your favorite Starbucks and we can talk about what a wonderful time we're having!
I'm not going either, but love this idea on how to focus your time. Enjoy your conference.
Thanks for the great responses everybody! If you have any suggestions for other things to do during the week, I'd love to hear them. I want to make it a productive and fun writing week!
Don't forget the "stay up late, talking to someone" part. Yawn. : o I'll have to find a willing friend or go on FB late. This is a great post! We went to Black Mountain last weekend since I knew I'd be missing the upcoming fun. Thanks, Lynn.
This is so great! We'll keep in touch from the conference as well. I'm going to be posting a public google document that's a daily newsletter during the conference and you all can access that. The link will go up on the Blue Ridge website.
Also – and this is important – follow the conference chatter by searching #brmcwc on Twitter. You can do this super easy by using TweetDeck (it's a free downloadable program). If you need more info just email me.
I so wish you all were going to be there!
I'm registering for the Blue Ridge from Home Conference!
Thanks for sharing this Lynn. I love the creativity and thought you put into this. Makes me feel better about not getting to go to the official conference.
I love the way you think, Lynn! I'm going to the conference for the first time this year. I'm excited. But when other conferences I can't attend roll around, I'll be sure to take your advice–especially the mocha with extra chocolate. 🙂
Lynn, you're so funny! I LOVE this idea! I'll especially be thinking of you Tuesday night, when (I hope) everybody's laughing. 🙂 Have fun, Blue-Ridge-From-Home conferees!
I'm thrilled that this idea has resonated with so many of you. It will be a lot of fun to know I'm not alone! And I'm excited about the daily newsletter and the twitter feed. Sounds like a great way to stay connected – even from home!
OK, I'm in! I know the logistics don't work for me to go to conference this year — have known for a while — and really thought I was OK with that. But, like Kenneth said, the closer it gets the more it bothers me. If I'm not careful, I'll be in a full-blown, official, feel sorry for myself funk by Monday. Not pretty!
The job is part of what's keeping me away, so I can't go for an extended drive on Monday (if I could, I might end up near Asheville! LOL). I'm definitely going to work hard to carve out dedicated writing time since I've had too little of that lately.
I'll have a mini conference at home one day. I bought a couple of Vonda's classes off her site a while back and still haven't been able to listen to them. I think next week will be the perfect time. I might have to pull out some CDs from other conferences for another listen, too.
I'm thrilled to hear that some (hopefully most!) of the workshops will be recorded this year. Now to hope those of us who are conferencing at home will be able to buy copies later!
Leigh