For the past couple of years I’ve been thinking about going to a writers conference. Ironically, the cheapest for me to go to would be the Kachemak Bay writers conference in Homer Alaska. http://writersconference.homer.alaska.edu/schedule.htm (I think this would be a dream spot for a writers conference for a lot of folks). It’ll still costs a lot though. My story is speculative fiction and only about 60% complete. If I work my rear off until spring, I could have a complete draft. As an aspiring writer, is it worth my time and money to go to one of these things? I don’t know.
On Writing Dragons 
I’ve never been to a writer’s conference, but I have been to three academic conferences in the Arts and Humanities — presenting papers at two — and have never regretted the time or the expense. The value in attending conferences is really in talking about your work, face to face, with people who share some of your interests and some of your experiences of trying to make a go of the incredibly impractical business of being a writer (or an academic, for that matter). So, if you can afford it, I say go. Worst case, you get to take in some beautiful scenery and a collect a few dozen mosquito bites. Best case, you connect with people who can help you improve your work, and for whom you can do the same.
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Excellent perspective. I think, perhaps i will go.
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