OMG RWA Nationals are only….20 days away!! I’m so not ready. Not even a little. I need to go shopping and coordinate with Wylie (she’s my bunk mate, god help her), and figure out all the other little details that my OCD will drive me nuts about.
ARGAAAAA!!
Okay, I’m better now…
This is my first conference ever, for anything like this. Hell, other than professional training conferences (which really aren’t overly exciting), this will be my first time going to something for fun. The chance to hear speakers, meet with other writers, maybe get to pitch to an editor…amazing.
So those of you who have done this before…what do I need to do to get ready??
Help!
Don’t ask me, I’m still running back and forth going “Let me out, Let me out, Let me out.”
I have NO idea what I am wearing! None.
All I have bought lately has to do with the umpteen weddings.
I have nothing for Frisco. NOTHING.
ACCCCKKKKKK!
I’ve never been to anything like this at all. I’ll be the most uncoordinated person there is.
Okay – you don’t have to get really dressy during the day, but the evenings – well, considering one night is formal, yes, you need to get prissied up. Realize there are going to be a LOT of free books given away so be prepared to have extra luggage space – hard considering they charge for luggage nowadays. Or have them shipped back and be prepared to pay a tariff (US ppl don’t have to worry about that)
Have you ever pitched face-to-face before? Practice it. A lot! Get Amy and Wylie and every one else you meet to help you – and quiz them too. It’s totally different doing it in person than to a mirror or your DH. Especially when they ask a question you weren’t expecting.
If you’re an introvert, try to come out of your shell and talk to people – I noticed a couple of my friends barely met anyone while I talked to everyone. The people in line as you’re at the literary signing, the people beside you in the workshops, at the coffee shops. You’ll never know who will be sitting beside you – I met some TERRIFIC big name writers *cough* Cathy Maxwell, Pamela Morsi, Beverly Jenkins just to name a few*cough* who were so giving of their advice as we shared a couch and soothed our tired feet.
If it’s your first time time at Nationals they hand out a ribbon saying ”first timer’ – make sure you get one, I didn’t and by the time I realized it they were out. But I saw others who did and heard how PAN members would go out of their way to talk to them and make them feel comfortable.
Oh, I think I may have gotten a couple of blog topics out of this, LOL.
Oh Leah I love you!! I’ll have to make sure I get the ribbon and I’ve also started working on my pitch.
Guess what we’re doing in the car on Saturday Amy…
And me talking to people soooooo isn”t a problem. The real issue will be getting me to shut up!
HUGS!!
OK – wait. You’re going to Nationals? Me too!! We will have to see if we can meet for a drink or something. Are you staying at the conference hotel? If you want to you can email me a cell # privately or I can send you mine if you prefer, and we can text each other with a room # or something. OMG! That’s so cool.
Leah gave great advice. My first conference I knew NO ONE. I went to so many workshops I overstimulated myself. So that’s one bit of advice – pace yourself. LOL
Absorb all of that energy! It’s wonderful – exciting to be with so many like-minded people.
Bring a spare pair of legs. Seriously.
As for the books, you can always ship them to me and I’ll hand-deliver them to the EC conference in September. It’s a long time to tempt me with books and let my cleaning lady move them around, though. But it’s an option.
Michelle!!! Yes I’m going and I would LOVE to meet up with you. I’ll send you an email with my details!
Karen, I seriously will probably do the same thing and go into over driv on the conference presentations. People will probably have to give me a smack to settle me down. Though you will get to see my snoopy dance in person…
Susan, I may take you up on that! We’ll have to see how many I take…
Holy Hannah! Twenty days. No wonder hubby is muttering about packing. I’d better start moving a little faster!
Oooh, another piece of advice – buy a copy of the recordings while you’re there (I believe you get them cheaper that way). They’ll ship them to you a couple weeks later. That way if you have to choose between a workshop and a booksigning, you know that you’ll be able to listen to the workshop when you get home and still get that autographed copy of the author you really really really love. The disks come in really handy – I’m still listening to mine – there’s so much good stuff out there. I’m planning on buying them when they put them online to buy.
I’ve never gone before, but from what I’ve heard, bringing comfortable shoes is key.
Hope you have fun!!
We shall pre-blab about the con-fab
I’m panicking too…. only because I’ve got SO MUCH ON MY FREAKING PLATE between now and then. The newsletter, the 2 contests, my course assignment, the KIDS!!, the in-laws arriving, the shopping for clothes (I have NOTHING conference worthy) and last but not least – WRITING!!
ACK!!! More meds please
Drink some chamomile for starters. You need to relax. You don’t want to go to RWA looking like a crazy lady.
Pace yourself. It is a LONG three days, and I’m always hung over by the last day, whether I’ve had a drop to drink Saturday night or not. (I usually have had a drop…or two…but not this year
).
Don’t worry too much about clothes. Dressed up casual for the day time is fine. I’ve worn my fancy jeans with the iron line down the front and a dressy tank top before and not felt under dressed (I do wear high hells at all times, however, because that is the way I roll. I never get to wear heels at home and I must indulge my shoe fetish for four days. Besides, I’m a former New Yorker, so my feet are used to the abuse). Even the last night is a toss up. Some people super prom dressy, some people in a nice suit. Just wear whatever makes you feel confident and pretty.
And hand at the bar. That’s where all the editors and agents are, lol.
Can’t wait to meet you in person!! I’ll be the one with a basketball under my shirt!
Anna
OMG you guys all completely rock!! I have my list of things I need to do (Wylie I need to give you a call, hon) and I’ll be working on my pitch today.
I can wait to meet everyone in person.