University of Central Arkansas C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference
Hosted annually in Conway, Arkansas, the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference honors the legacy of celebrated Arkansas poet C.D. Wright by uplifting women writers across all genres and experience levels. The event has become a cornerstone for emerging and established voices seeking community, courage, and creative momentum.
AUDIENCE: 250 women and men who write or support the writing community
LOCATION: Conway, Arkansas
CHALLENGE: Inspire confidence in writers facing industry barriers—such as gender bias and creative doubt—while creating meaningful opportunities for connection and collaboration in a competitive literary world.
CARA BROOKINS’ SOLUTION:
60-minute keynote: Rise and Resilience, a True Story
30-minute follow-up keynote discussion
Personalized book signing
Community dinner for deeper conversation
On-site AV check, slides, and rehearsal
At the heart of the C.D. Wright Women Writers Conference is the belief that storytelling holds transformative power. To open the 2023 event, organizers invited Cara Brookins to deliver her keynote, Rise and Resilience, a True Story, a raw and empowering narrative of survival, self-reliance, and the courage to keep writing your own story even when the world tries to silence it.
Cara’s keynote struck a chord with the 250 writers in attendance, many of whom were grappling with imposter syndrome, creative blocks, and the quiet struggles of pursuing literary careers. Her message offered both motivation and method: how to keep building despite fear, and how to use personal narrative as a foundation for powerful creative work.
Following the keynote, Cara stayed for a second session to dive deeper into audience questions, then continued the conversation during a dinner that allowed for informal dialogue and relationship building. A personalized book signing added a lasting takeaway for attendees, many of whom left feeling newly inspired and connected.
With a blend of technical preparation and heartfelt delivery, Cara’s presence helped turn the event into more than just a conference, it became a spark point for resilience in the literary community.
