Another thing that us writers think about is, going to writer’s conference. I have been to many, some near, some far. These are a mixture of fun and learning and networking and just plain old seeing your writer buddies.

Some conferences I’ve been to, I’ve spent time with people I’ve come to know well online, and it’s great to see them once a year. Of course, these aren’t cheap, or for the squeamish. Not only is there the cost of travel, there is the cost of staying at a five-star hotel, as the hotel must be big enough to both house and feed all the conferees and staff – which usually numbers between 500 and 1000 pepole.  Also, the hotel needs to have meeting rooms to hold classes for all those people.

The next one of those conferences I’m going to is the same, but also different. Mostly, this one is so much more affordable, as most of the workshop teachers agreed to do it on a volunteer basis in order to make it affordable for people to attend who don’t have the money or don’t have enough money.  Such a conference is the Creative Ink Festival which is in Burnaby BC on March 29 – 31, 2019. They also have a page on Facebook if you want to check it out.

I’ll be teaching a workshop on Scene and Sequel at this one, if you just happen to be a writer and want to attend.  I’m really looking forward to the great workshops, as well as rubbing elbows with other writers who are there for the same reason.

I love to attend writers’ conferences, both for fun and learning, making it a working vacation. Oh, and also a tax deduction.