Broadleaf Writers Conference Recap

Why a gathering of writers is this introvert's favorite kind of party

This summer I went to a birthday party for a friend. On my way, I was nervous. I would know the birthday girl and perhaps one other person there. The rest of the guests? No clue.

But I adjusted my side pony (I mean, I wasn’t going to skip an 80s party) and headed over.

During the party, I got to spend time catching up with our mutual friend and then did the rounds of introductions and trying to find commonality with strangers I’d never see again and whew, for this introvert, it was a lot.

Several months later, I can’t tell you who I met or very much about them. Not because they were boring, we had some interesting conversations, but our connections were superficial at best.

Fast forward to this past weekend at the Broadleaf Writers Conference.

The connections I made this weekend were immediate, deep, and many I know will last beyond the magic of the weekend.

Why?

Shared purpose.

We are writers.

We walked into this space with a shared vulnerability. We all work on this very internal process–putting words on a page to tell a story that means something to us–that we then put out into the world for someone else to ingest and view with their own lens.

That is no easy thing.

We also came to this space with a common goal: to learn. From the presenters and panelists, from the agents and critiques, from simple hallway/lunch/dinner conversations with fellow attendees about their process, struggles, and wins.

I learned so much from picking the brains of the agents and publishers there (how non-fiction is changing (platform, platform, platform!) and various agent query in-box strategies (guys, they are inundated, don’t be offended at the long waits, they are trying!)).

I learned about research and world building and character building from some amazing panelists. I learned how some well-accomplished writers created their dual timeline stories and the challenges and tactics they employ to ensure the reader experience is seamless.

I learned what so many writers are working on, their goals, their struggles, and how, as a coach, I can best provide support.

I learned the power in how far I had come. I attended this conference in 2018 as a baby writer. And while I will always have things to learn, I attended this year as a presenter and mentor and agented who was on the side of giving advice and help to other writers. It was completely strange and empowering.

I am a writer who is still learning and a coach who is still growing, and in spaces like these, we can find the kinds of communities to do both.

My OG writing buddy and critique partner, Kristine Rudolph, who introduced me to this amazing community back in 2018!

After the conference, how do you keep that magic alive?

You stay in touch. You follow one another on Instagram or Substack. You buy each other's books. You attend each other's events. You get brave and ask that writer you chatted with at lunch who is also writing in your genre if they’ll be your beta reader. You reach out and ask questions. You go back to your notes and strive to make your writing stronger.

When writers come together, it’s not just another party where we leave and maybe have a fun anecdote.

We leave changed a little.

In how we approach our stories. In the network of writing colleagues we are creating. In resources we can now tap when we need help.

We leave fuller, inspired, motivated, and hopefully empowered to return to the page and DO. THE. THING.

Zachary Steele created Broadleaf when he couldn’t find the kind of writing community that resonated with him. So he made one.

If you can’t find a community near you, consider creating one.

Start small, grow slowly.

Find those who share your purpose.

Offer each other support. Learn from one another. Be open and accepting and curious.

Finding your people doesn’t have to mean traveling to a conference (although if it’s possible for you, I do encourage it). There are tons of writing communities out there. Google writing communities in your local area. Check for local meet-ups or ask at your local, independent bookstore or library. Attend author events, classes, and workshops. Look for online communities.

Create the party you want to attend and make sure when the new kid arrives not knowing anyone, you save them a seat and simply ask: “What are you working on?”

Then watch the magic happen.