Topic: Writing Ramblings
How much would you be willing to pay for a writer's conference that allowed you to attend workshops on everything from Faith in Fiction to Writing Sex? What if it included being able to meet and mingle with eleven publishers that represented every genre this is? Wait, there's more! How about if they threw in over sixty--yes sixty!--week-long forums where you could get hands-on experience in various writing areas and all your questions answered? We're talking character building, writing your bio, comedy, world building, website creation and cheap or free book promotion--just to name a small number.
Okay--we have over sixty WEEK-LONG classes and direct contact with publishers--let's add some more. How about thirty-five hour-long chats where you get a chance for even greater understanding of the subject matter? How much do you think all this would be worth if you also had a chance to tons of handouts and the transcripts from all the various one-hour classes--a well as the ability to access all sixty week-long forums and have the information to peruse as many times as you wished?
Okay, I know what you are thinking--Joyce has either gone completely delusional or is giving us a glimpse of a fantasy novel. Neither--this actually exists and I've been able to attend three years now--without spending a penny or leaving the comfort of my home--no hotel bills or food expenses, no pet sitters or childcare required.
For the third October in a row, the Internet has been the home of The Muse Online Writing Conference--and it has steadily grown. I finish the week exhausted from all the activity--but a good exhaustion it is. I spend the following months going over all the material, letting the information sink in and aid me in my writing career. I have made contacts and made friends.
The Muse Conference has all I described above--and every year there is more--and it is offered at no cost to those who attend (although I have no doubt any donations would be more than welcome!). This conference was the brainchild of Lea Schizas, an incredible woman who puts endless time and energy into bringing everything together and seeing that it runs smoothly. Where she finds all the energy is a mystery to all--we just know she has more than earned all our love, respect and thanks. Why does she do it? Maybe she'll stop by and leave a comment telling us why. All I know for sure is she sure gives all the rest of us a wonderful role model to look up to.
Watch here for your chance to sign up for next year's Muse Online Conference--I can guarantee you will never miss another one willingly!!
