The Writing Conference: The Wild Idea That Actually Happened

WAWC 2024 was an idea that grew into something much bigger than we imagined.

In a way, it began with the first writers’ dinner some fifteen years ago.

Writing is by definition a lonely occupation, just you and your pen or computer, almost impossible to do in the company of others. 

Anabaptist writers in the West are especially alone. It’s not uncommon to be the only writer in your congregation or, depending where you live, the only Mennonite author within a hundred miles. Sometimes you feel like Elijah: "I, even I only, am left." Depending what controversial subjects you choose to write about, you feel like the rest of the verse applies to you as well: ". . . and they seek my life, to take it away."

Yet, connection is vital, and there’s nothing as replenishing as a group of writers getting together to talk about editors, queries, publishing, and all the writerly angst that no one else understands.

One August, I found out that half a dozen writer friends were planning to attend the annual Western Fellowship Teachers’ Institute just ten minutes away at Lake Creek Mennonite School. [It seems that in the Mennonite world, teaching and writing often overlap.] My sister-in-law Laura and I decided to organize a writers’ dinner one evening during WFTI.

It was going to be at Laura’s house, but then her family got sick, so we hosted it here. That led to an annual event that eventually included a wide variety of Mennonite writers, including ones that weren’t here for the teachers’ institute but were traveling through at just the right time.

Eventually, we got the wild idea for a writing conference, and in 2019, about 25 of us gathered for the first Western Anabaptist Writers' Conference at Pioneer Christian Academy. Mary Hake helped a lot, and Jon and Jane Kropf, and Laura the reliable sister-in-law.

At the time, we discussed doing it again because we all felt it had been a success. I thought we should form a committee and do it officially and right. But before that could happen, Covid hit, making gatherings much more difficult, and Paul was severely injured in a fall, followed by a long recovery. A writing conference was the last thing on our minds.

However, in 2022 and 2023, we again hosted writers’ dinners and both times people asked about another conference. “If you host it, we will come,” they promised.

All right then. Impulsively, I said would spearhead it again, and we'd see what happened. In the months to come, I'd ask myself what I was thinking. The truth was, I didn't think it through, I just dove in and did it, which is sometimes the best way to actually get things done.

Jane Kropf said she’s not at the stage of life to be in charge, but she’d be happy to help with ideas, so I went to her house one day with a notebook and pen, and she and I and her son Hudson brainstormed for an hour. I left with pages of notes and a basic outline for the day.

Liesel Kropf and Hannah Hozen helped with registration

Jane's niece Abby King arranged the flowers.

Jane and her family made the decorations.

Shamelessly, I recruited help, and one person after another said YES. Laura said she and John could take care of registration, having done it many times for WFTI. Mary Hake, who knows more about the publishing world than almost anyone I know, offered to teach a workshop on editing, take care of the books-and-handouts table, and meet with writers one-on-one to go over their articles. Jon and Jane said they’d set up and decorate. Faith Sommers from California offered to grill chicken for everyone and also offered her daughters to cook lunch and keep the coffee fresh and hot.

The chipotle bowl lunch was a hit.

Jane’s son Riley’s friend Elisei offered to design a website. 
My friend Donna from Eugene designed flyers and schedules. David Krabill from church, who had zero personal investment in the conference, supervised a team of young men who took care of sound and recording.

Jane suggested inviting Ernest Witmer from Pennsylvania, who had been her pastor in northern Minnesota years ago, to be the main speaker. Not only was he willing to come, but he and his wife Yvonne consented to leading a workshop together. Laura also reeled in a big fish, an editor from CAM Books named Alvin Mast who was willing to come and talk to authors individually about their projects.

Alvin Mast's workshop

The biggest glitch we encountered was not being able to use our church. We had hoped the damage from a fire last fall would be repaired in time, but an ice storm delayed the work on it. However, Lake Creek Mennonite School was available, so we switched venues at almost the last minute.

As the day approached, Laura kept messaging me. 39 registered! 45! Over 50!! Eventually, to our complete astonishment, we had 65 people on the list, including volunteers. People were actually taking our crazy idea seriously!

The week of the conference arrived. Paul the reliable husband shuttled people to and from the airport, monitored my stress levels, took me to the US Chef store to buy a carload of groceries, and printed probably 500 papers.

Paul also announced and organized.

Mrs. Smucker welcomed everyone

Hannah the neighbor baked cookies for us, and two nieces, Leah and Judy Smucker, came over and baked dozens of cinnamon rolls and cupcakes.

Friends with no connection to the conference felt led to pray for us.

The night before, a lively bunch of young people set up tables and chairs in the gym and chairs in the classrooms. They hauled in supplies for me, spread tablecloths, and arranged bouquets and other decorations, all without any noticeable decrease in their energy levels.

Riley was one of the energetic ones. 

The day arrived. We never got an exact count, but I think we had at least 70 people who came, as a few children came with parents and a few registered at the door. They came from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and California, fully realizing my dreams of gathering Anabaptist writers from all over the West to connect and learn.

Ernest Witmer talked about living and writing our stories with honesty and authenticity. The workshop leaders taught, the cooks cooked amazing food, and somehow all the different moving parts meshed into a successful day. I had even remembered to order an extra cartridge for my printer, which we hauled to the Lake Creek office. Sure enough, the printer ran out of ink halfway through the day, and I hadn't even forgotten the ink cartridge at home, which felt like the Holy Spirit was guiding our every step.

Liesel and Riley handed out donated books in the drawings.

Hudson Kropf led a workshop on poetry, Mary Hake taught self-editing, and Laura gave tips on telling others' stories. I taught about handling rejection and also on navigating the publishing process. Alvin Mast told how to publish with CAM, and Ernest and Yvonne led a workshop on processing grief though writing. Sharilyn Martin taught a popular and well-received workshop on writing for children, and Rose Miller led a discussion on what's needed and missing in Mennonite writing. Rose's conclusions will soon appear in a blog post of their own.

Ernest and Yvonne

Hudson led the singing and taught a poetry workshop.

Sharilyn Martin's class on writing for children

Many people thanked us for making this happen. They loved being in the company of other Western Mennonite writers. Who knew there were so many of us?!

We are so deeply grateful to God and to everyone who made this conference possible.

We now have an Official Committee and will soon start on plans for the next conference. I think it’s a given that we’ll do this again. The question is, should we host it every year or every other year?

Either way, if you're a writer in the West, you should be there.

Mary Hake is on the right, taking care of the book table.

Laura's books for sale.

The Hozen family was a huge help. Here Mrs. Hozen gives her photographer son a "Mom" look.

I was happy to see my friend Julie Nevue.

We all enjoyed the fellowship.