For an aspiring author, writing conferences are amazing. You connect with other writers, you talk about writing, you share ideas about your stories, you get feedback... you are suddenly normal. People understand you. And you understand them. You are all talking the same lingo.
At the same time, you are talking with other people. I don't know about you, but to me it seems the more artistic you are, the more introverted you tend to be. The thought of being on my own, in a roomful of strangers that I have never talked to before, fills me with panic. What am I doing?! What am I thinking, going to something like this?!
Am I crazy?
Well, probably. At the same time, the tiny bold bit of me is going, "Omigosh, I can't wait!" Most of me is excited, but there's that bit right in the middle of my stomach that is absolutely quivering with terror.
So, any tips or advice for a newbie conference-goer? All comments are welcome. What did you bring to your conference (if you attended one)? What do you recommend? How did you relax?
All right, enough of this spruik. (Do you like that word? :-) I'll let you all go back to your merrymaking.
God bless!
Cat
Spruik \ sprook
Verb
1.To make or give a speech, especially extensively; spiel.
I'm glad you shared how you feel when your in conferences. I feel the same in large groups. But that is the introvert in me! I think most introverts feel the same. Try to have fun. Have a bag of candy or fav snack food, water and your fav drink. Your smart phone so you can play a game so you can zone out and text someone, who knows what your doing and how your maybe feeling, all day long. I tend to sit in the back at first-so I can escape :) Then if I find myself having fun I move closer to the front. Are you going with someone? Bringing a friend always helps. Now you know my secrets.
ReplyDeleteCovina, nope. I'm going all by my onesie. Scares me!
DeleteI'm going to try to be friendly, as outgoing as possible, and I'll more than likely end up in the back of the room. :)
Thanks!
I can't help you there...I'm *never* nervous in a big crowd of people. Lol. Just kidding.
ReplyDeleteI have no tips though. Just, I hope it's awesome and you have a great time!
I'm certainly going to try. **shiver**
DeleteNothing like a room full of introverts pretending to be extroverts. Seriously, that's what cracks me up about writers conferences. Take a deep breath, don't hide in the corner, talk to whoever you happen to be standing next to, and absorb as much as you can. I don't know if this one does, but if it has a newbie mixer at the beginning, I'd go, lets you hook up with another newbie so you won't feel so alone.
ReplyDeleteComfortable shoes, clothes I felt pretty in, my favorite Nancy Drew totebag with pens and a notebook, and tylenol & tums just in case.
LOL! That's true. I'm going to definitely absorb all that I can, and if there's a newbie mixer, I'm going to it.
DeleteForgot to add - make sure to have fun.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! :)
DeleteAs Angelia says, you will be surrounded by other introverts! Prepare a couple of questions to ask them, to put them at their ease... And be prepared to answer these, 'cause you'll surely be asked them over and over:
ReplyDeleteWhat do you write?
How long have you been writing?
Is this your first conference?
Have you been published?
What are you working on right now?
The cool thing is that it's not like trying to make small talk at a social gathering; there's a focus, and everyone there is excited about her/his writing. You may even make some new friends... and I bet you end up having fun, too.
One more day--woo hoo!
Thanks, Kate. :)
Delete