It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It's conference season again! I've been to many conferences and have learned so very much, I can see myself attending them for a lifetime. Bethany is a conference virgin...until today! We are attending LDStoryMakers Conference where our friend Elana Johnson will be presenting, along with Krista Marino of Delacorte Press, Nephele Tempest of The Knight Agency, Laura Rennert of Andrea Brown Agency, and many others. (So exciting!)

Here's a pic of the gals I'll be hanging with today -from L to R, me, Bethany, Angie, and Elana. =)

Angie Lofthouse posted something fantastic on her blog and has given me permission to share it with you:

Angie's Writing Conference Survival Guide

I've been to several writing conferences lately, so I feel qualified to post this handy, dandy survival guide. Please note, this is my personal survival guide. Your survival may require something different.

Before the Conference:

1. Arrange for childcare. Practice believing that even though there are about ten major family events going on this weekend, the family will not fall apart in your absence. Your hubby's an amazing, capable guy. Your kids are independent. You gave up co-dependency years ago. Really. Your recovering, remember? It'll be fine.

2. Decide what to wear. Shopping may be required at this point.

3. Get a good night's sleep, especially since you'll have to get up at an hour you normally consider indecent.

4. When you get up at that indecent hour, don't forget to pray. 'Nuff said.

At the Conference:

What to bring:

A backpack (it's easy to carry around)

A notebook for taking notes

The notebook with your novel in it (who knows, you may get to write)

Copies of the chapter for the Bootcamp critique group

Lots of pens

Snacks

Water

Gum

Advil

Cash

Self-confidence

What to do:

1. Remember why you are there. You are there to have fun, to meet new people, to reconnect with writing friends, to get excited about writing.

2. Remember what you are not there to do. You are not there to compare yourself to others. You are not there to feel like a dork. You are not there to have people pay attention to you.

3. Listen to your body. Have a snack when you need it. Take a break when you need it. Try to stay relaxed. Use relaxation techniques if necessary. This will hopefully minimize the sheer exhaustion at the end of the day.

4. Forget about yourself and look for ways to make other people happy. It's not about you anyway.

5. Be happy. Remember you are awesome, 'cuz you are.

Thanks, Angie!

What conferences have you been to that you loved? Do you think they are worth the investment of time and money?

~Suzette~