Writer's Convention Survival Guide

Here's a list of tips and tricks for surviving a writer's convention that I have collated, as a way to help prepare any new convention goers. (But also as a way to remind myself for next time!)

• Always make time for BarCon

BarCon, PubCon, DrinkCon, NotCon, whatever nickname it gets, make time for hanging out in the bar. (It may be a cafe, pub, or something else.)

Drinking or not, a casual setting and some light refreshments make a great combo for social lubrication.

Wherever the general socialising is happening, make time to be there, mingle, and enjoy the atmosphere. 

You will already be equipped with conversation starter questions: 

• Where are you from?

• What do you like to write?

• Are you working on anything in particular now?

• Which panels/talks have you been to today?

• Are there any panels you are looking forward to?

Strike up a conversation and see what happens!

I appreciate that if you are not inclined toward alcoholic beverages, you may not want to hang out with other folks who are. My advice is then to hang around during the day, find folks to have lunch with, or go on a coffee/tea run. Just allow time for socialising outside the official events on the program.

• Go to panels on topics you are unfamiliar with

This may seem obvious, but it extends to going to panels that might normally fall outside your area of interest. It can be incredibly refreshing to learn something new, and it might even give you interesting ideas for your own projects. 

• Workshops are great - but they require more energy.

Workshops are a great way to get a more intensive development experience - some workshops will have practical aspects, and you may even walk out with a fledgling story!

Others will challenge you to think more deeply about aspects of your story and allow you to ask curly questions of clever instructors. 

But they do require more effort and energy on your part, so while there may be many excellent ones, it is worth being a little selective to preserve your own energy levels and avoid burning out.

• Drink water, pack snacks.

You will be spending your days listening to interesting people, talking to new friends, and thinking about a whole range of new or old ideas. Staying hydrated will help you survive that without collapsing, and will also fend off an awful headache. 

Snacks are good because the programs can be very full, and you may find yourself scrambling for meals between events. Having wholesome, satiating snacks will keep you going. 

• Find time to rest, during and after the convention.

I have learned to take at least one extra day of leave to recover from a convention. It’s just necessary to allow my body and mind to return to its usual equilibrium. It is also helpful in giving me time to reflect on the convention and really appreciate the experience.

It may seem silly or woo woo, but it's not easy for the mind to fully absorb new information when it's in a state of stress (excitement and adrenaline are forms of stress on the body, just we usually like them better). Giving yourself some time and space to rest after a big event gives you a better chance to really benefit from the experience. 

For the same reason, rest during the convention is important - it may be in smaller doses so you don’t miss out on anything important to you, but it may mean stepping out of a panel that doesn't tickle your interest as much for a short walk in the park.

• Don’t just talk about writing/your projects

At a convention for writers, it is an easy icebreaker to start with questions about writing, projects, or aspirations.

They are not the only topics, and everyone you meet is a multifaceted, complex individual. Ask them about their work, interesting places they’ve travelled, or their family (just don’t be weird about it) - try to be sensitive to people’s hesitation to approach topics, and pick something else if necessary. 

I suggest talking about things other than writing, because you often make better and more memorable connections when you discover you share a common interest or fandom. 

• Go to award ceremonies and book launches

Even if you are not in the running or launching anything, go and support other writers.

Awards are a quick and dirty way to find out what is new and exciting in a given field. You might even get to meet the winning author! (or perhaps you met them in the bar and didn’t even realise!)

Launching a book is hard, and writers appreciate all the support that you can offer. It doesn’t matter if the work is ‘your thing’ or not - being there shows you are supporting other writers, and one day when you launch a book, other writers will be there to support you. 

FYI - You don’t have to buy the book, but it's really nice if you do - and you just met the author, so you could ask them to sign it for you!

• Expect to be tired, enjoy the whole thing anyway!

I hope this quick and dirty list is helpful, and I hope to see you at the next convention!

Until then,

Sheri