Last week I signed up for the Surrey International Writers Conference. Sign up opened on Wednesday June 1 and they’re already more than
half sold out. It’s going to be a big conference this year.
This is the first
time I’ll be going and I’m terrified and excited all at once. In fact, this will be my first conference
ever. In addition to all the workshops I’ll get to attend, I’ll get to do a
blue pencil and an agent pitch. I’ll also get to meet a lot of on-line friends.
I’m trying to prepare, to be the most professional I can be
and to make the most of this experience, I’m also hoping to just have fun. I
tend to get uptight and worried at places like this. Always fearful I’ll say or
do the wrong thing, that I’ll get lost, offend someone, just do it wrong. I’m
trying to get rid of worry, in part by preparation, in part by just accepting the
fact that nothing is perfect, including myself. I also try to remember that
sometimes things that don’t go according to plan turn out to be the best.
Have any of you been to a conference? How did you prepare?
What tips can you share?
Are you interested in coming to Surrey? I’d love to meet
you!
I was nervous before my first one too, but once I got there I realized I was among kindred spirits and then I relaxed and had an awesome time.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to that one, but it sounds awesome. Lots of great opportunities for you and that's so cool you'll get to meet blogger friends.
ReplyDeleteIt does sound amazing, I've been wanting to go for years.
DeleteSqueeee back at you! It will be my second contest and I get to see you again, not to mention a ton of our other Forum buddies!
ReplyDeleteHi! Long time no hear!
ReplyDeleteJumping back in with both feet and it is good too see familiar faces!
As ZanMarie said "Squeee back at you!" Hope you have a blast at the conference. I've never been to one! Let us know all the details!
Have fun!
Hey! Thanks, I do plan to have a lot of fun. In between worrying of course.
DeleteWow, that looks like it's going to be a fantastic experience! I've never been to a writer's conference before but I'm sure you'll love it. Can't wait to hear about it.
ReplyDeleteIt's my first time and I'm a little giddy.
DeleteCarol Garvin goes ever other year. She loves it. I've wanted to attend, but it's never happened. Have a super wonderful time, Sara. Hope it doesn't rain the entire time you're there. It would be nice to at least get out for awhile and see part of Surrey and maybe Vancouver.
ReplyDeleteSorry you won't be there. Hopefully I'll get to meet you another time.
DeleteWoohoo! Looking forward to meeting you in person. It's a whirlwind and lots of fun. You'll be too busy to fret over things. :0)
ReplyDeleteSqueee!
DeleteScore!!! So glad you get to go to your first conference!!! Tell us how it goes and lots of pics!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure I'll do follow up posts and post everything I did wrong so others won't make my mistakes.
DeleteYou're going too?? Aww, I'm envious of all of you... I looked up the flights, but it's at least two connections for me to get there, nothing direct, and I can't really justify leaving the family for a week to go off by myself :-(
ReplyDeleteI'll have to host a writers' retreat here! Just need a sponsor...
So sad you can't make it. I've always wanted to go on a retreat. Find a sponsor and I'll be there!
DeleteYay! I'm wishing you the BEST TIME EVER! I don't get out to conferences because either I'm just that lame or just that poor. (Probably the latter. Too many kids eating up our pennies, eh?)
ReplyDeleteI'm way to poor to go but I'm going anyway. Maybe I'll sell off the youngest kid...
Delete