Top 3 Networking Tips

It was about nine years ago when I took my first step onto the grounds of a writers' conference. It was in those early moments of overcoming the butterflies and navigating through the itinerary, when the most valuable tool was given to me. I've tucked it into my writing tool belt and I pull it out as needed. And as a result, God has opened the most amazing doors.

Cheri Williams was my ambassador of networking. She taught me the beauty of blowing a few workshops off for the sake of grabbing some real one-on-one time with the industry professionals. She invited me to join her for the late-night pow-wows in the lounge, where published authors would talk shop and agents would spill some of the best industry secrets. She taught me how to mingle a little. And would you believe that this introvert had fun doing it?

Here are three tips I've learned through the process of trying this whole thing out.

Be Yourself
I realized over time that hanging out in the lounge and pursuing conversations for the duration of the conference fried me. And I learned that it's okay. By conference end, I've always needed a good block of time afterwards where I am not required to engage in any way. Good friends and family members have recognized my signals (all of which include my inability to speak). And they have been so gracious to give me the space I need in order to unwind.

Be Available
It is important for us to to put a plan in place, but if God plops somebody down in front of you, toss the agenda and see what may come of it. Some of my most career-boosting conversations were spontaneous. This has left plenty of room for God to move.

Be Bold
Have your eyes open to every opportunity and don't be afraid to try new things. Creativity is nurtured through discovery. A lot of times I don't know I will enjoy something until I try it.

And as so many of my new writing friends have taught me, make it more about what you can give, rather than what you can take. Ask God how you can add value to the other person, and get ready to see Him respond with a heap of blessing.

How has networking contributed to your success? Do you have any tools you'd like to add to my belt?

How to Make Time for Writing

Creativity adds color to an otherwise dreary day. It nurtures the soul and it is well worth pursuing. But so many distractions pull us away from this peaceful place with things like deadlines, driving errands and dinner choices. All the while, creative energy buzzes just below the surface, longing to brush some color onto the canvas or to place just the right phrase onto the page. This day and age does not lend itself well to the time and attention that’s needed in order to find expression. Creativity happens at a much slower pace than our world allows.

If life really is this busy (and experience has taught me that it is), then how does an artist ever get any work done? Whether I am hoping to try my hand at watercolor for the first time or I long to finish writing that novel I’ve kept tucked away in a bedside drawer, the entire process can feel insurmountable. But it doesn’t have to. I’d like to suggest a few simple steps that could help us quiet things.

The first step toward creative conquest is to make a decision. What is it you’d like to accomplish and why? Are you looking to prove yourself in some way or is this project more about personal growth and fulfillment? Perhaps you want to use your masterpiece to bring healing to another person. Or you might be surprised to find that the whole process healed the person you least expected—you.

After you’ve made the decision about what you’d like to create and why, you are going to have to clear a space for it. Where do you plan to work on things? And which part of the day or week have you designated? If this is important enough to you, then I suggest making yourself an appointment and treating it as such. Let others know that you will not be available during the designated time, but that you will be happy to help them when the egg timer goes off.

Now here’s the tricky part. After you’ve worked to create a space for your creativity to flourish with your colored pencils, cool-looking post-it notes and every dictionary and concordance known to man, and once your calendar is blocked off, you are going to need to guard it with your life. And the moment you’ve made your mind up about making a creative contribution to the world, the entire universe will work to keep you from fulfilling it. Why? Because it just does. Ask anybody who has created anything and they will tell you that it took a truckload of determination and hard work to get there. There are no shortcuts.

What about you? Is there something you aspire to create? And how have you been successful with quieting the noise?