How to survive (and thrive) at a writing conference
Note: I wrote this conference survival guide for the fall issue of WriteOn!, the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association’s quarterly publication. I’m currently the Guiding Scribe for WFWA and will be the closing keynote speaker at their 10th Anniversary conference in September. If you’re attending, be sure to say hi!
It’s been nearly two decades since my first writing conference, but I can still remember walking into that Midtown Manhattan hotel and feeling like I was finally a real writer. Though I was already making a living as a journalist, being among hundreds of my peers at the American Society of Journalists and Authors’ annual event changed the way I saw myself. For three days, I attended a marathon of panels and sessions, sweated my way through speed-dating-style pitch events, and met amazing writers and editors (often in line for the bathroom), some of whom are still friends to this day. And when I left, I was exhausted … and elated. Because I had gone pro—and found my people.
Since then, I’ve been to dozens of conferences—some geared toward authors, others for entrepreneurs, coaches, or people in the health and wellness industry. And I can say with certainty that being in the company of fellow writers is uniquely wonderful. No matter what our backgrounds or the types of stories we write, we understand what it is to spend your life creating worlds out of words.
Even so, going from a fairly solitary writer life to on-all-day-with-all-these-humans mode can be overwhelming. It’s easy to get FOMO (fear of missing out) at conferences, too, because you may want to meet everyone and do everything—when that’s just not possible. Then there’s the anxiety. Will I stick my foot in my mouth? What if I forget my pitch? Are meals going to feel like high school all over, with the “cool kids” sitting together and ignoring everyone else?
Fortunately, these issues and fears are normal—and surmountable. Whether you’re an event veteran or a first timer, here’s how to make the most of WFWA’s 10th anniversary conference, or any writing conference you attend.
Set an intention. What do you want to get out of your experience? Deciding in advance will ease stress and help you make better choices. My intention for events and conferences is usually to foster authentic connections. For me, connection feels good and keeps me out of my head—probably because I’m focusing on others, rather than myself. Don’t have an intention in mind? Some possibilities include showing up as your bestselling self, taking your career to the next level, or being inspired by your community.
Know that less is usually more. One of the most effective ways to combat overwhelm is to be selective. Otherwise, you may end up feeling like you’re trying to drink from a firehose. In addition to determining which sessions are most important to me, I don’t try to jot down every single thing that speakers share—only the big “ahas.” And if I didn’t connect with someone that I’d hoped to, I follow up with an email or decide that it wasn’t meant to be this time.
Schedule downtime. Even non-introverted writers are typically used to stretches of time alone; it’s what our work requires of us. Conferences, on the other hand, can lead to sensory overload—which is why they can feel so draining. One way to keep from overdoing it? Instead of telling yourself, “Well, I’ll rest at some point,” actually schedule several breaks, naps, or writing sessions throughout the day. (Use an alarm on your phone if you’re worried about following through.) Your brain and body will thank you.
Consider lending a hand. Numerous studies show that helping others increases contentment and happiness. It boosts productivity and health, too. But there’s another reason to consider chipping in: it puts you in the middle of the action, which can go a long way toward easing social anxiety. Volunteering is great, but you don’t even have to help in an official capacity to reap the benefits. Spot a writer who looks like she could use some company? Go introduce yourself. Notice that a conference organizer seems frazzled? Grab her a bottle of water or ask if there’s something else you can do to lighten her load.
Remember: writers are the best people to hang out with—so have fun!