The Killer Nashville International Writers Conference is a blessing. I have attended several, including the one last August, and always came away a better writer. It is a blessing to all writers, regardless of their skill level, from beginners with just an idea, or best sellers to help others navigate the quirky world of publishing. In addition to master classes, major author interviews, and a chance to talk to editors/agents/publishers, there are dozens of panels, which are fun to be on and attend, covering all areas of writing. I served on five panels: “Adding Romance to Your Story,” “Creating Believable Villains,” “Crossing Genres: Combining Without Getting Muddy,” “Making the Most of Setting and Location,” and “Using Emotion to Appeal to Your Readers.” Also, they trusted me to provide one of the keynote speeches at the Killer Nashville Awards Show, where I spoke about the need to “just tell the story!” and not get caught up in too much self-examination.
Another cool thing is that the writers at KN support and encourage each other. Egos and accomplishments are checked at the door as we all enter into the purpose of the conference - becoming better at our craft. The driving force for this conference, which has existed since 2006, is the Founder, promoter, and participant - Clay Stafford. He admits that he sees KN as his ministry to writers who want to just get better. I am grateful to Clay for all the help and encouragement to me and my writing career, and I am confident there are many, many more who share my gratitude. So, well done, Clay Stafford! You're the best!
