I’m on the conservative side of laying out money ahead of time, though. I haven’t attended a single conference, mostly because I think all the info and networking is easily found online, and I don’t think I’ve purchased any books on writing. I suppose you can count the cost of my laptop, printer ink, and paper.

I did spent $200 to commission some artwork for my blog, since I felt like an appropriate, professional setup was necessary for anyone considering my work. I also wanted to build up a bit of a web presence ahead of time.

Time to write and rewrite and then write some more, even before a manuscript saw the light of day.

The most money I ever made was when I did freelance for the business community for five years, but that almost cost me my sanity! Man, that was boring LOL

Maybe some people might not be confident and that is the reason that they don’t participate in these things,but I would bet it’s not the main reason.

Love the discussion though!

Frankly, I’m seeing these figures and gagging. $2,000? $20,000?? Even if I had the inclination to spend so much, I never could. No money trees around here, and I have a family to feed.

While I don’t doubt that conferences and workshops have a ton of value, I also think that you can go a long way with the free resources out there, and a lot of practice. I know my writing has improved (even though I undoubtedly have a long way to go), and I have never spent money on the above things. I’ve purchased two writing books, both used. So, I’ve spent maybe… $20 total?

I found some of the comments above slightly offensive. Not shelling out money does NOT mean that I’m somehow less serious about my writing! That’s an arrogant perspective(sorry, but that just shocked me!) And I certainly don’t think it means that I won’t one day be successful. I mean, I work my butt off. I absorb information like a sponge, and I set goals for myself to move forward. I am a member of a critique group. I troll the internet. I read. I WRITE. If you could buy the ability to write a book, everyone with money would do it.

No amount of money can replace hard work and an open mind.

Jim- I bet your presentation will be amazing! I’m sure everyone will learn so much. But I’ll just have to get the info another way (for now). Best of luck!!

1. No more than 9 lines per slide.

2. Use and follow the templates. They are your best friend.

3. Avoid animation (unless you want to be brave and try a simple strategy of getting each line to appear one at a time:go to “Animations,” click on each line and look at the top and click on how you want it to enter; e.g., fly in). Each line will then only show when you click it. Note of caution: Adding animation is addictive and done incorrectly will only lead to mockery.

4. Avoid reading the slides at all cost.

And to answer your first question: $1,000-$1,500 a year.

I really hope your hard work pays off soon. There is no better celebration than one long awaited – makes all the investment of baby sitters and time otherwise spent on actual dates worth it. This is from a mother of two kiddos, 3 and almost 1.