*an updated post from the archives*

Writing is a private affair. It's a locked-in-a-closet, introspective exercise most often engaged in by textbook introverts who dream in colour, compose better than they speak, and birth their darlings upon pages only to weep over their death-by-edit later.

To take the writing creature and plop her down in a crowd of like-minded beings is to invite anxiety and excitement and fear and hope and a whole plethora of other emotions.

This Friday, along with a lovely friend and fellow member of Writer's Jam, I will be hitting the long road to Ottawa, journeying hour upon hour to participate in a one day Writer's Conference.

Because of the distance we will spend two glorious nights away, tucked neatly into a charming French hotel, across the Ottawa river, minutes from the conference location.

Perhaps it's strange, to dedicate an entire weekend to such an endeavor, but I look at it as an investment into my passion and I will do it without apology, with many pee and coffee breaks, while happily embracing the adventure of it all.

I'm really excited!

{I'm also really sick. I've basically been bedridden since Saturday. Today I woke up with absolutely no voice. The only sound I can make is a barking cough that feels as bad as it sounds. I'm like a sweaty, phlegmy creature from the deep. I have horrid bags under my eyes and I've been wearing the same hoodie since Friday night. Needless to say, I'm not at my best. I miss feeling pretty. And I really need to get over this before we leave on Friday—the flu is not something you want to pack for a conference!}

This will be my fourth writer's conference experience and I have learned a little bit in the area of preparation. Let me share with you The Four 'Don't Forget Them' Things. {and by four I mean about one hundred, but bear with me}:

Something to wear: 

Once you have registered for your conference you should receive a package detailing things like schedule and accommodations and yes, how to dress. Mine states 'Business Casual' to which I say, "phhhhhttttttt!"

Of course, this should be self-explanatory but, because I lack corporate confidence*, for me it is not. I googled 'Business Casual'. Once again, "phhhhhhtttttttttt!" Not that I have anything against it. It's just not who I am {remember?} I wear jeans to work. I try to picture myself in a pants suit and all I feel is sad.

My advice to you? Pack the clothing you feel comfortable in—that you feel your best self in. Whether you actually believe it or not, giving off an air of confidence will do wonders when you're sitting in your meetings with editors and agents.

At a prior conference I had a meeting with an agent {a darling southern gentleman in a ten-gallon hat} and I asked his advice on making myself attractive to an agent. After complimenting me on my firm handshake he said, "I must say, you've already made yourself quite attractive!" Guess what I was wearing? Jeans! He said nothing about wearing a blazer.

Pack nice clothes that can be mixed and matched into various comfortable outfits. And layers—you might be moving between buildings and rooms, from air-conditioning to outdoors to non-air-conditioned spaces {hooray for cardigans!}

Be sensible with your shoes. In a continuing class last year I sat beside a beautiful editor in three inch heels. She looked amazing and put together and super professional but all I could think was, 'her poor, poor feet!'


Have your pitch ready. There will be many opportunities to share what you're working on. Share it confidently {gulp!} Remember that you've been dedicating much of your time to this endeavor and it's okay for the passion you feel for your project to shine through! Be ready to share it with editors, agents, publishers, and other writers.

Bring a one-sheet. If you want. I labored over this for an earlier conference and I didn't hand out a single one. I think this could be a valuable tool if you have already established yourself in the field of writing. If you're more like me and all you can say is 'well, I write and blog and I'm working on some stuff...' maybe leave it for another time.

I am an old-fashioned soul when it comes to taking notes. I love the scratching of the pen, the frantic scribbling of great thought and the turning of filled pages. I will arrive at the conference center with a large spiral notebook and an arsenal of pens and pencils. I will also bring my laptop and/or tablet for possible blogging or writing during down-time, and my cell phone so I can keep in touch with the people I love—which means I must remember all the various charging cords and a bag to carry them all in.

* corporate |ˈkôrp(ə)rət| confidence |ˈkänfədəns; -fəˌdens|
noun

one who navigates a professional field with self-assurance and poise

corporate |ˈkôrp(ə)rət| dingbat |ˈdi ng ˌbat|

1. one who navigates a professional field with awkward small-talk and self-deprecating 'humor' while wearing flip-flops and jeans.   2. me