Meet Marlene Bagnull: Write His Answer Conference Director

If you've ever wanted to write a book, but were not sure how to start or what to do once you type the words "The End", hanging out with other writers can make all the difference. I've found this in my own life. I've done writing courses, and borrowed all the books from the writing section of the library (pop over here to read more about how I got started writing), but it's the conversations - even the conversations you eavesdrop - where you learn the breadth of practical advice writers need to navigate the publishing industry! This is one of the reasons I attend writers conferences, and teach at them too. 
This month, I'll be teaching several classes and sharing a keynote at the Write His Answer Online Christian Writers Conference, and I was interested to reach out to Marlene Bagnull, the conference director, to learn more about her heart for this particular event. Marlene has spent literally decades in this role, pouring her heart into equipping and building up other writers. She's something of an inspiration!

Penny: Why do you think writers benefit from attending writers' conferences, either online or in person? 
Marlene: My pastor sent me to my first Christian writers’ conference. It changed my life. I quickly discovered there was a lot I needed to know if I hoped to ever publish the book I felt God had called me to write. The five-day conference was an intense and necessary learning experience.
​While I encourage writers to build a library of writing craft books, they can’t compare with sitting in a classroom, either in person or online, and learning what works and what doesn’t from authors, editors, and agents. The knowledge they share can cut years off the learning curve. 
Just as important as learning the craft of writing and marketing are the relationships with other writers. We need a writing family! We also need the help of professionals who often come alongside to open doors.

Penny: Why did you start the Write His Answer conference, and what makes it stand out from other conferences writers could attend?
Marlene: I live in the USA, and over 40 years ago, there were only a handful of Christian writers’ conferences on the East Coast. I saw a need for an affordable one-day event, never dreaming it would grow into a 3-1/2 day conference in Philly and then a second 3-1/2 day conference in Colorado. After 61 in-person conferences, Covid caused us to go virtual conference in 2022. I’m so glad we did. We’re reaching writers who cannot leave home or afford the cost of an in-person conference.
Since we are no longer limited by the number of physical rooms available, we’re able to offer more than our past in-person conferences - more classes, plus 50 round tables and 27 critique groups. Writers can also grow their writing family through our Monday night Write His Answer Fellowship and two critique groups on Zoom.
The Write His Answer Conference stands out from other conferences because of our growing focus on cultural issues through our keynotes, an issues track, and this year Rhonda Robinson’s continuing session on “Called to Clarity: Writing Biblical Truth for a Confused Culture.” We also highlight special ministries throughout the conference.

"Covid caused us to go virtual conference in 2022. I’m so glad we did. We’re reaching writers who cannot leave home or afford the cost of an in-person conference."
- Marlene Bagnull

​Penny: Who is this year's Write His Answer Online Writers Conference for and what do you hope they take away from the event? 
Marlene: Because the cost is less than an in-person conference, we attract a lot of beginning writers. But because we have a faculty of 75 and 9 learning labs, 9 continuing sessions, and 54 workshops, we are able to provide classes for writers at all levels. Since we’ve gone virtual, we’ve found more advanced and published writers are registering.
My prayer is that beyond learning tons, writers will also hear from the Lord.  There’s a lot of prayer and worship in the program too. My friend Marty Goetz, a Jewish believer in Jesus and modern-day psalmist, will be with us live on Wednesday evening to lead us in worship. During the other keynote sessions, we will come into Yahweh’s presence through Marty’s videos. 
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Penny: Where can people register, or get more information?
Marlene: Go to our website, https://conference.writehisanswer.com and be sure to click on the “Full Menu.”
This year's conference runs from June 17 to 20, and those registered have the option of purchasing access to the recordings (there are a LOT of classes available!) so even if you can't attend everything live, it's all available for you.