Are you doing the “write things” to grow yourself as a writer?

If you want to improve your writing, RMFW is the place to do it, with free workshops in the Denver area and Western Slope, bestselling author Jeffrey Deaver’s half-day workshop in April, an annual education event in May (which this year features two workshops with Kristen Lamb), the Colorado Gold conference in September (a long weekend jam-packed with workshops, pitches, contest, coaching, banquets and awards, and more workshops), and wonderful monthly online classes with great topics, great teachers, and a great price.

Most writers fall in the introvert category, just like me. Making yourself get out and attend these events, at which you might have to actually interact with people, can be daunting. Remember that unless, or if even if, you’re a mega-selling/bestselling author, there’s always something out there for you to learn.

I’ve attended literally hundreds of writing workshops, and at least 50% had a title similar to one I’d already attended. But what I’ve learned is that no matter if the workshops sound identical, if it’s taught by someone else, you will learn something you’ve never heard before. There will ALWAYS be new tidbits of information that will make you a better writer, marketer, editor, submitter…

Now is the time to register for the Deaver event if you’re considering it. It will almost certainly sell out based on registrations to date. We’re also getting registrations for the Lamb workshops already, and it’s still 3 months out.

If you want to submit to the Colorado Gold contest, you need to be making plans for that now. Do you have a completed manuscript? Will you have your WIP done, edited, synopsis’d (??) They’re still looking for judges for Gold as well, which is a great way to give back to RMFW, enjoy some great reads, and help your fellow writers.

You can nominate writers for the WOTY and IWOTY (Writers of the Year) through March 15. We all know great writers – check out the requirements and NOMINATE!

You can still submit proposals for presentations at Gold. Yeah, that means you have to stand up in front of other writers and talk, coherently even. But since I started doing presentations, I’ve found my self-confidence has skyrocketed (I’m hovering at least 2 inches off the ground compared to about 2 feet under). It’s helped me not only personally, but with my day/paying job as well.

I’ve heard a lot of “but I can’t afford it.” Think about giving up those daily Starbucks, or swear off online shopping for a couple months, or wait until that new movie comes out on Netflix and INVEST that money in your writing career, at least if you really do want it to be a career. Even if you don’t, hanging out with other writers at these events is an amazing motivator and offers so much encouragement, it’s worth its weight (bet you could see this coming) IN GOLD!

So, do the right things to write better and help other writers! And, as always, WRITE ON!