I am not here to tell you how to become a better writer; I am really just soliciting advice.  I don’t know how to use commas, I have a tendency to write in the passive voice, and I am not sure if I should have used a semi-colon in the first sentence or if I should have just reworded the sentence so I didn’t have to worry about it being wrong in the first place.

Being informally trained in writing, I constantly worry about my writing style (if I have one yet) and am still freaked out that people are actually reading what I write although I am quickly getting over it.  I’ve had several articles published in both print and online publications now, but have gotten very little in terms of feedback on my writing and I am craving some.

All of my writing experience up until a year ago was of a technical nature.  I can whip up a methods section for a research study just like that, but when it comes to narrative, I am lost.  A couple of years ago I signed up for a community narrative writing class, but I was so fearful of criticism and having anyone read my work that I bailed after only one class.

Lately I’ve taken to rereading some of my favorite books and copying the most memorable passages into a notebook.  I am trying to read like a writer and figure out what it is about their way with words that keeps me reading.  I’ve also thought about signing up for that same writing class again – it seemed like it was going to be a good one.

For years I have thought about attending the Confluence Literary Festival in Moab and this year I finally signed up. I am attending a writer’s workshop with adventure travel writer, Craig Childs and can hardly contain my excitement.  I have never attended a writing workshop and have no idea what to expect, but hell I can’t think of a better way to throw myself out there.

What do you do to become a better writer? All suggestions and ideas appreciated.

[Photo courtesy of Nic McPhee]

The second annual Confluence Literary Festival is happening October 20-25 in Moab, Utah.  The festival is a celebration of writing and reading in the West and this year’s theme is Eating the West.  October is a beautiful time to visit Moab and get awed and inspired by attending author readings, presentations, and discussions during the weekend celebration.  See the website for the details and the latest information about events.

The Confluence Writing Contest

The guidelines for this year’s writing contest are quite simple, a one-page story about food.  The winner of the contest receives free entry to the 2010 Confluence Intensive Writing Workshop and a $100 gift certificate to Arches Books in Moab, Utah.  Entries must be received by October 1,2009 along with an entry form and a $15 fee.

In Kelly James-Enger’s Six Figure Freelancing, she recommends writer’s conferences as an excellent way to network with editors and other writers, market yourself, and get stoked about writing.  In searching for potential conferences I came across the Creative Conference 2009, a conference targeted to those interested in writing (and photography) for outdoor sports magazines.

The 2009 Creative Conference takes place October 9-11 in Boulder, Colorado and is put on by members of the Womens Adventure Magazine
staff and other outdoor magazines.  The conference give you the opportunity to learn how to pitch articles to magazines and the web from top editors and writers.  The ‘Nuts and Bolts’ workshop covers such topics as query letters, putting together a top-notch portfolio, and how to market.  On the final day of the conference, attendees get the opportunity to meet one-on-one with editors from top outdoor sports magazines such as Backpacker, Women’s Adventure, and Climbing Magazine.

Conference participants are also invited to submit work for a contest to be considered for publication in Women’s Adventure Magazine.  All entries will receive written critiques from the editors.  Registration information and writing contest details are found at www.creativeconferences.com.  See you there!