Write2Ignite

Last September, I made the drive to South Carolina full of anticipation. My first writers conference! Dreams swirled in my head. I would meet other writers…talk about books and characters…maybe catch the attention of a publisher…talk about writing and books some more…

I’ll admit, I was nervous. I’d probably say something stupid or spill a drink or get lost. Maybe someone would tell me point-blank that my story ideas were plain trash.

Well, let me be up front and say that I do not regret going. Write2Ignite challenged me to ask myself: Why do I write? What do I want to leave my readers with? Am I prepared to do the work that it takes to get my own writing published?

I learned a lot. I listened a lot. I talked a lot. Everyone I met with had a story. They told me about their own writing journey, their published works, their story ideas. And all our conversations were full of God–what He has done in our lives and in our writing.

I especially loved being told (in a writer’s conference!) to do my absolute best and leave the results to God; to seek Him first and bring all my writing concerns to Him in prayer.  As the popular verse in 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” God has given us these gifts, these stories, and we must do our best to learn the craft and write them well and not for ourselves, but for His glory.

While I haven’t been to other writing conferences, I can still honestly say I would recommend going to Write2Ignite. It’s run well, and the staff and speakers are friendly and encouraging. I rarely was confused about where to go and what was going on, and my whole trip went smoothly. One of the highlights was the mealtimes–getting to sit and talk to other writers and readers while getting unlimited cookies from the cafeteria!

I look forward to returning to Write2Ignite!

Helena George grew up in a house with books in every room, and acquired a taste for reading at an early age. She is currently finishing up her YA fantasy trilogy and blogs under the pen name Julian Daventry at http://juliandaventrymemories.blogspot.com/ When she’s not busy working or crafting stories, Helena fixes pasture fencing, pretends to be a runner, and rides her three horses.