If you attended a writing conference recently, you may have come out with different ideas on what to get out of a conference than when you went in. I know my own expectations seemed to change by the moment. Yesterday I attended the Oregon Christian Writers One Day Conference in Eugene, and although I’ve attended and taught at a lot of these things, I paid close attention to my expectations.
Writing Tip for Today: Goals I set at writing conferences when I arrive always morph throughout the day. I start out to be a dragon slayer and end up only conquering the surging masses around me, eager to connect with that person too. Perhaps other conferees (at any conference) might be dealing with these same issues:

• Connections, connections, connections. Many conferee preconference goals are to be able to meet with an agent or editor, a famous or bestselling author or someone in the industry who can give a leg up. Worthy goal. At yesterday’s affair, the agent appointment sheet was full, the keynoter (Jim Rubart) mobbed after the talk and gauging from the noise level during lunch, connections were indeed being made. Networking is always my main goal at any writing event.
• Postconference debriefing: OK, so you met with that person you set out to impress. Maybe you’re on Cloud 9 after the agent requested some part of your work. Be realistic and don’t press. It may take up to 8 weeks for that person to evaluate your material. Or maybe you tried in vain to sit next to the keynoter at lunch, but that one pushy writer who always shows up got there first. You’re disappointed. Sometimes your goal for connection ends up being a case of the agent/editor/author staring at you glassy-eyed after answering umpteen questions ahead of yours, especially that one pushy writer who shoved her query letter in his face and monopolized most of the time he/she could spare. What do you do then?
• Reimagine the Goals: It’s frustrating to be the writer who gets the “I’m sorry, but the next workshop is starting” line. Yet all is not lost. Ask for the connection’s business card. Buy a copy of their book and ask he/she to autograph. Post-conference, email or visit the blog of the person you hoped to connect with. Most agents/editors and authors I know are kind and generous toward those looking to connect. When networking, try to remember that this person is a human being, with pressures coming from all angles AND that one pushy writer bugging him/her at every turn. Treat those you wish to connect with respectfully and you’re more likely to make a lasting impression.