This conference turned out to be everything I had hoped for…and more.  First a few facts:  Story Circle Network has 636 members in 47 circles nationally and internationally.  The organization was founded by Susan Wittig Albert in 1997.  Susan, along with president Lisa Shirah-Hiers and executive director Peggy Moody put on one of the well organized and beautifully run conferences that I have ever attended.  And, best of all, the event, which occurs every two years, is dedicated to women and women’s stories (storycirclenetwork.org).

Twenty-one workshops and panel presentations were offered along with a great keynote address by Heather Summerhayes Cariou (www.sixtyfiverosesthebook.com) and superb luncheon entertainment by jazz vocalist Dianne Donovan.  I attended the “Difficult Memories:  Finding Voice and Grace in the ‘Hard Stuff’” session by award-winning memoirist Susan Tweit (www.susantweit.com) and two sessions by renown family therapist Linda Joy Myers, who heads up the National Association of Memoir Writers (www.namw.org).

But perhaps the most informative session for me was “Lifewriting Online:  Blogging for the Faint of Heart” in which graphic designer and champion knitter Katherine Misegades (www.atimetoknit.com) gave us step-by-step instructions on how to set up a blog on either blogger/blogspot, wordpress, or typepad.  Then she walked us through the process of creating a blog that matched one’s personality and theme and discussed the intricate anatomy of a blog, including how to include photographs, illustrations, and audio files.

The conference volunteers hosted a book store, vendor’s room, publicity table, silent auction, an open mike night for storytelling and special interest chat groups over evening meals.Story Circle Network also offers Editorial Services and Online Writing Classes for Women.

I came away from two and a half days filled with ideas on how to better market my three memoirs and how to revise the current manuscript I’m working on.  I can never encourage other writers enough to attend conferences where they can meet and interact with kindred spirits.  The cost of the event, travel, lodging and meals is well worth what one can gain in knowledge and support.