GENREALITY

From The Writers Conference Guide:  Getting The Most Of Your Time & Money

Every conference is a little different and every writer is going to approach their conference strategies from a different perspective based on their personal goals. The quality of your conference experience is in your hands, not the speakers, conference organizers, or other attendees. It’s important to go into each conference with a positive attitude and an open mind. Understand that your needs, desires and expectations will be different from every other professional attending the conference.

Expect to be Overwhelmed

No matter how well you planned and prepared for the conference, the moment you step foot into the conference center or hotel, the energy transmitted by that many creative souls is powerful and overwhelming. Make sure you have a plan on how to overcome this feeling. Slow your walking pace down and breathe deeply. This will help to calm you and gives you a chance to absorb the atmosphere.

You will need to go to the registration desk and sign in when you first arrive. The lobby is generally packed with other writers. The excitement is palpable. It can also be intimidating to the newbie conference goer.  Understand everyone else there is feeling or has felt exactly the same way.

The best way to combat this feeling is to take things slowly. Don’t rush the registration process. If you’re concerned about the information you are getting, or don’t understand the process for editor and agent appointments, or anything else, ask. That is what the volunteers are there for. Also, remember volunteers do so that they can meet other writers. They really want to help you.

Expect to Feel out of place

This seems like an odd expectation when you will be in the company of other writers, but often we all feel like a fish out of water when we are either stepping outside of our comfort zone (being social when we are introverted) or doing something new for the very first time. This is normal and will soon fade away the moment you say hello to the person either standing in front of you or behind you in line at the Registration desk.

Again, remember to breathe and to take things slowly. The best thing you can do is linger in the lobby for a while. Make a new friend. Sit down in one of the chairs and go through your packet.  The only way to feel comfortable is to stay in the environment. Eventually, you will feel right at home.

Expect to be Both Energized and Exhausted

Extroverted people tend to get their energy from crowds. Introverted people tend to be exhausted by crowds. If you’re an extrovert, you will assimilate into this environment quickly. If you’re an introvert, it’s important to push yourself to say hello to every conference person you sit or stand next to. You’ll be amazed at how invigorating this can be once you get used to it. A major part of conferences is networking with other authors. You can’t do this if you don’t put out the effort.

In order to help with the exhaustion, drink plenty of water. Often we aren’t as tired as we think, but are dehydrated.

If you’re pitching, really try not to focus on the pitch. Stress won’t help with the feelings of exhaustion and being overwhelmed. We discuss pitching the next section, but editors and agents are people just like you and they are there for one reason…to hear about your story. The more relaxed you are, the more energy you will have, the better the experience.

Expect to Learn

A big mistake many writers make is to focus on the editor or agent pitch and not the valuable information you can get from a conference. While networking is crucial, attending the workshops helps make for an invaluable experience. We’ve often see writers not attend workshops. They either spend all their time in their room writing or in the hallways practicing their pitches or just hanging out with friends. All of these aspects are important, but you’re missing out a wealth of information that could give help you move your career to the next level.

Later we’ll discuss how to pick the workshops you’ll attend, but it’s important to attend them, both craft and industry. The conference isn’t all about pitching, or all about networking, but a combination of elements that make up your future as a professional author. The moment you begin to think there is nothing left for you to learn is the moment your career and your writing become stagnant.

Every workshop is a chance to learn. A chance to meet someone who either you can help, or can help you. And it’s an opportunity to make long term connections.

Expect to be Disappointed

But then turn it around. How many times have you attended a class or workshop only to be disappointed it wasn’t what you expected? Before you get up and leave, try to change your mindset. You expected A, but your getting B. Can B help you? And did you say hello to the person sitting next to you? Sometimes our expectations get in the way of having a great conference experience. We need to learn to adapt and change to our surroundings in order to get the most out of it. When you’re feeling disappointed in a workshop, ask yourself what it is that is really bothering you. Often it is those things we need to focus on.

Sometimes we hear one simple sentence and it changes our world. Be open to new and different ways of looking at things. Focus on what the speaker is saying, not what you wanted to hear. The hardest part about being disappointed is often it isn’t because of the speaker or topic, but because of our own preconceived notions.

Perhaps the best thing to do when walking into a workshop is to have no expectations and open your mind to something new. However, if in the end, the workshop just doesn’t get any better, and there was another one at the same time you had been contemplating going to, it is okay to sneak out and into the other workshop.

Expect to be Confused

We’ve often gone to one workshop and then an hour later go to one where the information given is in conflict with what we just heard. Whether this be in a craft workshop or an industry workshop it is often a source of stress for the new writer or newly published author. Whom do you believe? It’s difficult to decide right then and there when perhaps both make sense.

We suggest you take notes during every workshop. Put a check mark next to those things that make you feel strongly one way or the other. If you are hearing conflicting information, write down the opposing points of view. Ask for clarification, without being snarky. You don’t have to say so and so said this and now you’re saying that.

You can also use the conflicting information as a way to strike up conversations with other writers either at the conference, or back home, as long as it is done positively and isn’t putting down the speaker.

When it comes to craft workshops, every writer has his or her own process. Some are plot driven, others character driven. There are plotters and there are pantsers. There really is no right or wrong way to write a book. There is also no right or wrong way to get published, to promote, or anything in between. Your path as a writer is different from everyone else’s. What works for one writer in promotion might not fit your niche or even your goals. Hearing two different points of view can help you understand your path, your goals, your needs and ultimately lead you down the path of success.

Expect the Big Name Speakers to be Busy

At every major conference, there are the big name speakers, keynote presenters and NY Times Best-Selling Authors that are the “draw”. While we are often star stuck by those writers we aspire to be like, many other writers wanting to get their picture taken, etc often surround them. These presenters enjoy being at the conference and appreciate you taking the time to be there, listen to them, support them and they in return enjoy sharing their experience and expertise, through their keynote or workshop, but remember their goals for being at the conference are probably very different. There is a very good chance they are on deadline and must finish the book.

We recommend to you that once you leave your room, you are not allowed to go back and hide, or even write. You are there to meet other writers, take workshops, and socialize with industry professionals, so why does networking with the big names seem a bit different?

Our perspective is that there is a wealth of experience at conferences and the newly published author is the next best-seller. We’re not suggesting ignoring the bigger names, what we are saying is there is talent all around you. Take advantage of the fountain of knowledge that you are being presented with. Don’t think a workshop given by a new author on promotion has nothing to offer you. If you want to know about promotion, hearing how a newly published author does it over an author who has the backing and powerhouse of a marketing team from a major publisher might be a better fit. Hearing how to revise from someone who just went through their first revision for their first contact might be a better fit than someone who can do it in their sleep.

Expect to Make Connections

Not all writers are introverts, but many of us are, therefore we tend to keep to ourselves. If we go in with the mindset that we are there to network and meet other authors, editors and agents, then often we will. The conference is about the business of writing on all levels. You are a part of that business. Make yourself known.

The key with making connections is the follow up after the conference.

Expect to Have a Good Conference

Attitude is everything. If you walk into a conference thinking it’s going to suck, then it will suck. Have a positive attitude and present yourself positively. A good vibe from a person goes a long way. Make yourself available. Do everything in your power to meet all of your conference goals.

In the end, the conference is about you and your career. These are basic expectations and as you become a conference expert, your expectations will grow and change as you grow and change. It is good to write out expectations before you go to the conference with the understanding that the overall experience is totally up to you.

Expect to Have a Good Time

Attitude is everything.  It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

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3. How To Pick and Choose a Writers Conference