Conference: Free Time

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!

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