If you've never been to a major writing conference, it's difficult to prepare yourself for what lies ahead. Whether the conference lasts a weekend or longer, you're probably wondering how you'll spend all of your free time. Perhaps a little sight-seeing? Or a leisurely tour of the hotel? Maybe a few hours by the pool in the afternoon?
Here's what I learned.
There is no free time.
Okay, maybe I exaggerated, but seriously, there won't be much time for you to unwind. Sure, it looks as if there's plenty of time to take the workshops, relax at lunch, and twiddle away the evenings, but conferences have a way of sucking you like a magnet to the other writers in the hotel.
I thought I'd go to a museum for a few hours, maybe see a few sights one night. Wrong!
The hotel buzzed with an energy I knew and loved--creative excitement. I didn't want to miss a minute. And even if I'd wanted to, the conference itself soaked up so much of my energy, I simply was too tired.
A few days in, though, all of the workshops and new people drained me. I needed to get away from the hotel, away from the swirling information in my head, away from it all. My girlfriend and I found a little restaurant near the hotel where we chatted for hours. It felt so good to just sit, talk, and absorb.
Listen to your mind and body. If your head is spinning, give it a break. If your body is exhausted, sit and have an ice cold soda for an hour. Don't worry about missing out on a workshop, or declining an invitation to join a group of writers if you desperately need to be alone.
You'll enjoy the conference if you pay attention to what you need. You won't enjoy it if you cram everything in even though you're exhausted. And don't plan on doing much sight-seeing. You won't have time.
Happy Writing!
I don't plan on leaving the conference! LOL
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to my first and only conference I was pregnant, so there was a free time in the afternoons (or maybe it was something else, I don't know) but I took naps. It was nice and gave me good energy for the afternoon classes and evening sessions.
I so wish I could be there. Enjoy all. Sounds like great advice to take it easy.
ReplyDeleteJessica: Wow! That must have been tiring, being pregnant and attending your first conference. Good for you--taking naps!
ReplyDeleteTabitha: I know, I'd love to meet all of the fellow bloggers who are attending the upcoming conferences. Maybe next year...
Thanks for stopping by!
So true. It can be exhausting. I usualy cut out early one night, hold up in my room and just decompress. And, I always foot the extra to have a private room. And that's my two cents :D
ReplyDeleteGreat advice, Jill. Free time is at a minimum, but it is so important to take a few minutes every day to decompress and rest to hold onto your sanity.
ReplyDeleteJill, you are so right on the mark!! There just isn't really much down time, other than for bathroom breaks from my few experiences. They really pack it all in.
ReplyDeleteI'd add that most conferences have the sessions taped, so you can always purchase the tape of the sessions you miss or couldn't attend, so don't fret. There's always ways to stretch out the experience and keep learning!!
Yeah, I kind of noticed that looking at the schedule for the ACFW conference. lol... So, I purposely did not sign up for the pizza party put on by My Book Therapy. Maybe I can garner a bit of relaxation. :)
ReplyDeleteI've attended several other conferences (non-writing) and would agree with this advice. You are so good! :D
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
You're so right. It feels like trying to get a sip from a fire hydrant, there's so much information and energy and socializing going on.
ReplyDeleteI was rushed off my feet at my first conference. Still overwhelmed at my second, and by the third, I learned that getting a little time alone was essential. I skipped a couple things so I could 'detox' from all the people and activities and remember why I was there.
Good advice! I'd be so tempted to cram EVERYTHING in.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice! Thanks for sharing all your tips. They are very helpful!
ReplyDeleteTess: Great advice. I did have a roomie and would share a room again with her in a heartbeat. We just get along really well, and every night felt like a slumber party!
ReplyDeleteConnie: It's the only way to hold onto sanity, isn't it. That and having dinner with friends at Irish pubs :)!
Eileen: Good point. Workshop cd's are a great way to get more out of a conference. And you can do it at your own pace.
Ralene: Turning down pizza? Say it isn't so! No, really, I think it's a good idea. We just can't do everything offered.
Wendy: I haven't attended many, so it's good to know the lack of free time applies for most conferences!
Erica: "Sip from a fire-hydrant"--perfect! That's it exactly!
Lisa and Laura: Yep. Me too. I can't stand to miss anything.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
LazyWriter: You're very welcome!
ReplyDeleteGood advice. If I ever get up enough courage to go to a conference I am definitely going to go back over all your posts on the topic.
ReplyDeleteit doesn't look like i'll have any free time at the ACFW conference. like NONE. every hour is consumed with something, it seems!
ReplyDeleteI was exhausted at the last one I went to and saught (sp sorry) out refuge in a downstairs cafe. Hey, I'm only human ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's pretty tight. Eventually you learn that if you want to see the sights you have to either drive/fly in a day or two early or stay a day or two late.
ReplyDeleteYour counsel is right on, Jill. In the pre-conference info for the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference I've been privileged to attend the past two years, attendees are advised to arrive rested. We're told that our time there will be intense, that we will most likely survive on less sleep than normal and that it's important to take breaks when needed.
ReplyDeleteI return home from a conference exhausted but encouraged and eager to get back to work. I hope everyone attending ACFW next month has a blast. I look forward to the day I'm able to attend.
Cindy: I hope someday we can attend one together--wouldn't that be fun? :)
ReplyDeleteJeannie: NONE. That pretty much wraps it up! You'll have so much fun, you won't care!
T.Anne: I totally understand. We hiked five blocks uphill to Starbucks a few mornings just to get grounded and caffeinated.
Stephanie: Great advice! An extra day would make the difference between seeing even one site instead of zero!
Keli: Intense. Sums up conferences in one word, don't you think? How wonderful you returned energized!
Thanks for stopping by!
Great advice, Jill! I really don't know what to expect, but I'm guessing that I'll probably lie awake at night too, thinking of everything and everyone I've experienced. Then I'll be even more wiped out during the day!
ReplyDeleteTaking a break is always a good idea when your mind is full. It's when you don't want to miss anything that it is tempting to skip the time out. Good advice for those lucky conference goers.
ReplyDeleteQuestion: I attended a small conference last year and am planning on going again this year. Here's my dilemma. I value my downtime. Hey, hubby's home with the kids and I get a hotel room to myself, whoohoo.
ReplyDeleteThe conference is held in another building away from the hotel. I would love to meet some other conference attendees that are staying at the hotel, but I don't want to bop into the morning breakfast room and holler "Anyone attending the WOTS conference?" I'm afraid that might scare them and possibly get me booted out of the hotel.
Last year, the reception after the first day's workshops was nice. However, the conference will only take 200 participants plus their speakers and other staff. It seems that the few people I could get to chat lived within the vicinty and were pretty content to keep to themselves. I just want to meet a few people to have breakfast and lunch with and hear what they've gotten from the workshops. But how?
Last year, I just picked a lunch table and asked if I could join. The ladies let me. But they were very quiet even though I kept trying to ask questions about them. How do I break the ice?
Sorry for the long comment, but I'm so happy that you are blogging about attending conferences.
Jody: You're going to have so much fun! And you probably won't be wiped out until you get home!
ReplyDeleteNancy: Oh, we shouldn't skip the time out, should we? Never!
DianeJ: Boy, that is a dilemma. I actually love the thought of you shouting "Hey anyone at the WOTS conference!" And I'd want it video-taped. :)
I'm going to check in on this a little bit more and e-mail you later, if this is okay. I have some ideas, but want to research it a bit more first.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hi Jill,
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you wrote. I also think it's good to have a strategy for using one's time and energy well at a conference. I realized this (unfortunately) two days into the conference, and wished I had thought more about it before I arrived. I found myself checking in (with myself!): What do I most want to accomplish during this conference? Find out about the craft of writing? Learn about publishing (who doesn't?) Stalk a fave editor or agent? Meet other writers? Snag lots of FREE books?Just thinking through the answers to those types of questions a couple of days before the conference would have helped me stay focused on what I wanted to achieve. That's my plan for next time. Patrice
Sounds like super exhausting fun! I hope everyone going has a blast and gets out of it what they hope to.
ReplyDeletePatrice: Welcome! Terrific advice. Have a plan before we go to conference.
ReplyDeleteHeather: I love the term "super exhausting fun" because that's it in a nutshell!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
I used to go to CBAs for many years. It was the same way--you had to pace yourself and do what you could. Sit when you can and enjoy what you can.
ReplyDeleteThis post made me very excited! I love hotels and excited creativity!!
ReplyDeleteI love that sign! Great advice, as always. :)
ReplyDeleteTerri: Man, you have it figured out--pace ourselves--right on!
ReplyDeleteKatie: I know you do ;) and I do too!
Danyelle: I want that sign. It's funny!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Excellent advice, Jill. I found the same experience; I was so wound up, I had a hard time sleeping! But it was worth it all; I met so many wonderful people and learned a ton of useful things.
ReplyDeleteJeanette: Sleeping is for after the conference, right? Ha!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Wonderful blog, Jill! I'm headed to ACFW Denver next month and it's my first conference:) Hearing about it from you first hand makes it even more exciting and I feel more prepared. Thanks for sharing your love of reading and writing here.
ReplyDeleteLaura: Welcome! I know you're going to have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Hi Jill -
ReplyDeleteWhile I won't be at ACFW, I did attend Philly. Your advice applies to any conference. If you're getting overtired, take that break.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Susan: Yes--give those feet a rest, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by!