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Preparing and Anticipating

Tawny Weber's picture
Submitted by Tawny Weber on Fri, 2007-07-06 07:23.

I'm gearing up for the RWA National confernce next week and starting to get excited. I haven't started packing yet, but have been spending a lot of time getting my promo materials ready. Up until today, my focus has mostly been on getting that done. Then it came time to get the suitcases out of storage. Whoohooo- it's almost conference time.

I love conference. To me, it's like a carnival, vacation and reunion, all rolled together with a great career and educational opportunity. I get to see some of my best friends, absorb fabulous writing energy and get inspired by many of the greats in my field I get to see my editor and get equally inspired, and attend fab workshops.

And as much as I love going, there are definitely downsides. I'm always wiped out when I come back. On average, it takes me 2 weeks to recover and get back into my writing routine (can't afford that this year, I hae a deadline LOL). Its not a cheap experience, and there are always aspects that make me nervous--this year its presenting at two seperate workshops. I've never done any form of public speaking before, so this is gonna be... interesting, lets say.

To me, its a wonderful way to connect, recharge and renew. Of course, so is a long walk on the beach, an evening spent cuddling with hubby on the couch, or a trip to the mountains with my family. They all renew and inspire me in different ways.

How about everyone else? Would you love conference or hate it? Do you have an event you do regularly that is equally stressful and fabulous?

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Hey Tawny

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Fri, 2007-07-06 13:30.

I'm always glad to see my friends go so they can bring me back all the news, LOL, but I have to admit, unless pushed, I will probably not attend Nationals in the near future. Smaller conferences, maybe, but my reluctance is for the reasons you mention -- I'm just not one for all the chaos, and adding expense and exhaustion to it sort of doesn't work for me. I don't like being rushed about, or talking to people in short bursts, or too much craziness and crowds. I suspect if I did go to a conference I'd probably stay in my room and work, and just attend a few events, which would hardly make it worth the money. I know, I'm weird.

I tend to enjoy seeing people one on one or in small groups, and I am more likely to go out of my way to travel, like I did to Toronto, to see people, than to try conferences. I probably wouldn't do workshops, my teaching days are over. What has sounded appealing to me about conferences is the sort of odd things you can do -- like visiting a firing range or meeting with FBI experts, though a the end of the day even then, I think, hey, I can do that here and not spend the money. ;)

I get inspiration from travel, for sure, but for that I need to get out and see things, do stuff, not stay inside a hotel for days. Like when I went to Florida, and we went to a little town called Tarpon Springs, I had a book form in my mind that will become a Superromance proposal by the end of the summer. Or I feel renewed and refreshed by time away from writing, even just doing quilting, etc but like most of us, I absolutely can't write if I am exhausted, so I'm not sure how conducive a conference would be to my writing.

I love to travel, and I love meeting book people, and I imagine at some point I may go to a conference, though for now I'm happy not to. Who knows, if I ever go, maybe I'll love it, but until then, I'll wait for all of you brave souls to come back and tell me how it went. ;)

Sam

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Bummed

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sat, 2007-07-07 02:04.

Sam, I am honestly bummed you won't be at National. It'd be great to see you there :-)

I understand what you're saying about the time and money involved. It definitely rates the con column. But the Pro's are just as long-especially some of the fun stuff like the eHarlquin pajama party and such.

My first year in RWA, I didn't want to go and really didn't see a point in it. My second, third and fourth, I was a GH finalist, so was semi-obligated to go.. and by the third I was addicted. Mostly though, I'll be honest, is to see my friends. Thanks to the internet, we're able to communicate and get close to people all over the country-and world. But that face time is wonderful. We've tried putting together little retreats and suck, but its just so hard to justify the travel and expense to the family outside of conference LOL.

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Hey Tawny

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Sun, 2007-07-08 14:12.

We'll meet up sooner or later. DH says he might be able to swing business in SF next year, and maybe if he can do that and we can make it kind of a vacation and get out and do stuff, I might try to come to some of it, though I don't think I could do the whole thing. I am thinking about NINC in March, and maybe NEC. We'll see. What you say is what I hear from most people, that it's primarily social, and you know, Mike wouldn't argue if I wanted to go, but I am a little bit of a fuddy duddy I think, and things like meeting my editor in our pyjamas just doesn't speak to me, LOL. ;)

I agree, meeting people in person is wonderful, and hopefully we'll all manage that at some point, either RWA or something else. :)

Sam

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It'll happen

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sun, 2007-07-08 18:52.

There's always PASIC in NY again - I'm definitey going to the next conference :-)

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yes

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Sun, 2007-07-08 22:40.

Me, too -- this is one I have already committed not to miss. I love PASIC, and there are some CNYers in there, so I am definitely going. I'll go to almost anything in NYC, LOL :)

Sam

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Public Speaking

Submitted by goddessani on Fri, 2007-07-06 15:08.
I don't have to present at large conferences and it's only to people who already know (and love? lol) me but I still hate speaking before large groups. We have 2 monthly meetings at my company: one for all the people in the office and another for all the people out of the office. I have to present reports, reminders, etc, at both. And I'm always nervous before doing so. But once I start speaking, all my nerves fly out the window. In addition, my company manages some condos and I'm secretary of the board. So a couple of times a year I have to speak in front of the board of directors. These are people I don't know as I only see them a few times a year. Same thing: nervous before and then just fine. I think the THOUGHT of doing it is much worse than the actual doing. When you're in the middle of it all, you're too involved to be nervous. Good luck! ani
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Anticipation

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sat, 2007-07-07 02:00.

You're so right, Ani- Isn't the thought of doing almost ANYTHING a lot bigger than the reality? Scarily so, sometimes. We're hell on ourselves, turning little things into HUGE things.

A friend told me public speaking, done well, requires you to be nervous beforehand. She compared it to a plane taking off - alot of energy and nerves to get it off the ground, but once you're out there you just soar. (being the consumate smartass, I added... "or crash and burn")

Thanks for the good luck wishes :-)

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I love National too for

Submitted by Jude (not verified) on Fri, 2007-07-06 20:51.
I love National too for getting together with new friends and old. Have fun! jude
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Me too!

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sat, 2007-07-07 01:58.

I hear you, Jude :-) National is wild fun, and it really is all about the people. Each year I make a few new friends, which simply adds to the enjoyment.

I'd love to say hi if we run into each other :-)

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chatting with friends

Submitted by euripides on Sat, 2007-07-07 00:19.
lots of them. That's what you are doing when you are talking to a large crowd. You wouldn't be intimidated talking to any one of them individually, so don't be intimidated by the group. I usually pick out one person at a time to talk to for a moment, rather than seeing them as an amorphous mass. Each one is a sympathetic friend, who holds you in high esteem and is glad to hear whatever you have to say. If you have to blow your nose, forget your train of thought, or have a bit of spinach on your front tooth, the'll be relieved to know that you are as fallible as they are. The main thing is to have some 'spare' things to talk about in case you run way under time - I find I always talk a bit too fast and my timing is always out compared to my rehearsal, or with hands-on stuff, sometimes the students will rip through an exercise and I have to come up with something extra to do. I am so looking forward to our conference. A whole weekend immersed in thinking and listening and talking about writing, I can't wait. Not to mention parties and dinners and a luxury hotel room all to myself!
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GREAT advice!

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sat, 2007-07-07 01:56.

Thanks :-)

I will have a few friends in the audience, that will help. I think thats why I'm not so nervous about the workshop with my editor and the authors (our own Jamie Sobrato, and Joanne Rock) -- I feel a lot more comfortable with the subject, yes. But there will be a lot of people I know in the audience.

and aren't the parties and dinners and hotel part of conference FABULOUS?! Definitely my favorite part LOL.

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Anticiaption

Submitted by Debbie on Sat, 2007-07-07 20:13.
Tawny, I do believe it is the anticipation that has you in knots. I really enjoy public speaking so I hope you have a good time on my behalf. I am so close to Dallas, but cannot make it....I would love to go to an RWA conference one day and meet all of you wonderful authors. This past week, I landed on the hospital, while on my vacation and I think being seperated from my dh home in Vegas and my kids here at moms was really one of the more challenging things I have had to face. So, buck up and get some sexy hero implanted in your minds eye and then just talk, talk, and talk.....I'd love to be there listening. Debbie
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DEBBIE!!

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sun, 2007-07-08 18:57.

Are you okay??? You're out of the hospital now, right? HUGS! I hope everything is okay.

I get stressed when I'm away from hubby and my girls, too. Its not that I need them with me all the time... just that I know they won't take as good care of themselves as I would of them LOLOLOL.

If you're close enough to Dallas, the Literacy signing is Wedsnesday evening from 5-7 and open to the public... you could stop in :-)

Will having friends hold up pictures of Johnny Depp count as my sexy hero? LOL

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better, thanks

Submitted by Debbie on Mon, 2007-07-09 16:41.
I am better, thanks for asking. Johnny Depp totally counts! I am now with my kids, but boy am I ever missing my hubby.....Another month away...I sure hope that man appreciates me. I guess I am not as close to Dallas as I thought, they are having a big MAry KAy convention there soon and I will be missing it also. We are leaving Sat for Miss. Hope it will be better to me than Arkansas has been. Tawny, I really will keep you in my thoughts and well wishes. You ALL have become like my own mini-family here on LIAEC--and one day I hope we can all meet! So, take a deep breathe and talk just to Johnny! :) Debbie
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Deep breathing over Johnny

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Tue, 2007-07-10 10:18.

I can so do that LOL.

Thanks, Debbie!!! You rock :-)

So glad you're back with your kids, and hope the month till the hubby reunion flies by for you!!

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Hi Tawny

Submitted by Mads on Sun, 2007-07-08 05:22.
Good Luck on your speeches at the conference. Take a deep breath and remember that you have friends who are supporting you all the way. You'll do fine. I'm sure of it. As for stressful events in my life, I'm the local Democratic Party representative. Lots of public appearances and lots of year round stress, especially during election time. I love the job though. I get to meet so many different people from all walks of life. I also get to meet a lot of very high profile candidates before they are elected. It can be fun but, it's also a lot of hard work that never seems to end. I'd love to go to a RWA conference. I love speaking and working with the public and what better way than to speak at a conference full of people who love the same things that I do (Books). Good Luck and know that you have my support all the way. Hugs, Mads:)
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Thanks, Mads

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Sun, 2007-07-08 18:55.

I'll keep your words in mind. I totally appreciate the support -and hope you can hit an RWA National conference some day!

And wow on the stresses of your job. Totally intense sounding. It sounds like you thrive on the energy and do great with it, though :-) GO you!

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Have a great time Tawny!

Submitted by Cathie (not verified) on Mon, 2007-07-09 19:12.
Have a great time Tawny! You'll do fab!! I've never been to a conference but can't wait til Pittsburgh cuz I think I can handle the 3 hour drive, so I hope to go and meet you!
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Next year

Submitted by Samantha Hunter on Mon, 2007-07-09 19:44.

I thought next year was San Fran? If not, Pitt is doable for me, too...

sam

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2008 National Conference

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Tue, 2007-07-10 10:16.

is in San Francisco (my own back yard). It's gonna rock :-) C'mon Sam... the Golden Gate, Fishermans Wharf, Cable Cars... so much to see, so much to do LOL

Okay -I'm off everyone... I need to be up to catch the plane in 3 hours, and I still haven't gone to bed.

Have a GREAT week!!!

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Thanks, Cathie

Submitted by Tawny Weber on Tue, 2007-07-10 10:17.

I'm not sure when it's there, but I'll probably be at it. Its an addiction, this conference thing. LOL

Thanks for all the votes of confidence. I appreciate the warm fuzzies!!!

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