tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post6610680487107581441..comments2024-01-27T20:54:06.726-08:00Comments on Once Written, Twice Shy: Conference Jitters for a Shy WriterRebecca J. Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13905246522578561864noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-89170187750330283132010-05-29T06:13:17.583-07:002010-05-29T06:13:17.583-07:00Vivi, thanks for sharing your story. I know exactl...Vivi, thanks for sharing your story. I know exactly what you're talking about here because I can be a wreck at conferences, too. Like Diana, I have to psyche myself up. I'm so afraid of saying something idiotic, though! I know I should just relax a little. I'm sure lots of people feel the same way.Vanessa Barneveldhttp://www.vanessabarneveld.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-19902274805620908302010-05-28T20:08:23.815-07:002010-05-28T20:08:23.815-07:00I'm the person who talks to you while we wait ...I'm the person who talks to you while we wait in the grocery line, but when it comes to writer conferences my tongue ties in knots. Why is that?<br /><br />I feel a lot like you do, Vivi.Autumn Jordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14168172253998245307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-8498611757701753082010-05-28T16:04:35.513-07:002010-05-28T16:04:35.513-07:00I'd be a nervous wreck as well! I'm not fa...I'd be a nervous wreck as well! I'm not far enough along in the process yet to make going to a conference worthwhile - but I hope one day to get to one. Or more. :)Jemi Fraserhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02214408467456320167noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-17092368133643222342010-05-28T13:29:17.589-07:002010-05-28T13:29:17.589-07:00You were there at my Janet Evanovich moment at las...You were there at my Janet Evanovich moment at last year's National convention. I seriously carried one of her books with me from home, and yes, had it with me. Took all my courage to ask for an autograph. What a dork.KELLY FITZPATRICKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04738502576190460531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-26810521273303734182010-05-28T13:00:23.335-07:002010-05-28T13:00:23.335-07:00It's all in the preparation, I really have to ...It's all in the preparation, I really have to psyche myself to be in a group of people, though fellow writers are easier, cuz they're as weird as me. (ok, maybe not really but close) Having a few questions ready like Laurie said is good. But that picturing naked thing, that's a little too much for my imagination. I'd rather picture them in pink polka-dot underwear. :)Diana Laynehttp://www.dianalayne.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-46452377885016071342010-05-28T12:19:06.876-07:002010-05-28T12:19:06.876-07:00Jeannie - LOL. Yeah, I'm soooo glamorous. ;)
...Jeannie - LOL. Yeah, I'm soooo glamorous. ;)<br /><br />Laurie, that's a great tactic! My next conference I'm totally writing ice-breakers on my palms. <br /><br />Hi Marianne! Good thing those Kindles are flame-proof. ;) You're lucky to be outgoing! You're going to shine at RWA in July.Vivi Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00502615009474830083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-53452556842446587822010-05-28T10:07:36.505-07:002010-05-28T10:07:36.505-07:00Great post Vivi-I admire your bravery! And the &qu...Great post Vivi-I admire your bravery! And the "picture everyone else naked" part is always most excellent for a relaxing giggle! I'm attending my first RWA meeting in July as well, but I'm more outgoing, which means I'll likely make a total ass out of myself-lol! Also nice to put a face with your name. Your book sounds absolutely ***steamy***! I hope it doesn't cause my Kindle to burst into flames! Best to you, MarianneMarianne Strnadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10248182479776022425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-18422285210595171062010-05-28T08:47:39.902-07:002010-05-28T08:47:39.902-07:00Hi Vivi,
Great post! I liked how you talked about ...Hi Vivi,<br />Great post! I liked how you talked about fighting your flight instinct. That's exactly how it feels sometimes. <br /><br />I treat socializing like this as a game. I plan ahead of time and come armed with a few "generic," small-talk type questions that would pertain to anyone. It helps break the ice. Then I really listen and ask follow up questions, trying not to think about how nervous I am.Laurie Londonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07953540926553154310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-23272601576377452092010-05-28T08:20:47.828-07:002010-05-28T08:20:47.828-07:00I get that way too! I'm really afraid of gushi...I get that way too! I'm really afraid of gushing so I say nothing and probably come off as a total ice queen to the authors I love. It's kind of like when you like a boy on the playground, you gotta play it cool...don't let him know...<br /><br />I'm getting better at socializing at conference though. Mainly because it's one of the few times I get to go out and see actual people! The "glamorous" writing persona helps too. :)Jeannie Linhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12714068387571203896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-75788103543220106482010-05-28T07:35:22.928-07:002010-05-28T07:35:22.928-07:00Lisa - You'll do great at Nationals. I went to...Lisa - You'll do great at Nationals. I went to my first in DC last year and whoa, baby, it was overwhelming but an absolutely amazing experience.<br /><br />Elisa - Even with my glasses on I've mistakenly chatted with some big names only to run in fear when I realize they are Rockstar Authors. Look at it this way - One day people will be tongue-tied around us, right? :)<br /><br />Becky - Thank you so much for having me here today! Introverts unite! ;)Vivi Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00502615009474830083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-2298140971535996772010-05-28T06:57:38.790-07:002010-05-28T06:57:38.790-07:00Thanks, Vivi!! Ah, the perils of being an introver...Thanks, Vivi!! Ah, the perils of being an introvert (and I think most writers are on the introverted side) dropped down in a milieu that demands extroversion. And the presence of beloved authors and Industry Power Players definitely makes it worse.<br /><br />At Nationals last year, I had a very nice and friendly conversation with Stephanie Laurens while we shared an elevator and then looked for the same conference room. I had my glasses off, so I didn't REALIZE it was Stephanie Laurens until almost the very end, and then my throat closed up on me and I couldn't say another coherent thing. Sigh.Elisahttp://elisabeatty.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-64509286835702781582010-05-28T06:46:34.505-07:002010-05-28T06:46:34.505-07:00Awesome post! I'm going to my first conferenc...Awesome post! I'm going to my first conference in July, RWA National, and though I'm excited, I'm also terrified.Elisa Danehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10681641110829000372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2295513765923392477.post-45758561593170267042010-05-28T06:17:54.081-07:002010-05-28T06:17:54.081-07:00Vivi, thanks so much for visiting with us today. I...Vivi, thanks so much for visiting with us today. I hope you're at my next conference--I'll know that at least one other person is feeling exactly like I am. Although, like you said in your post, a lot of writers are just like us.Rebecca J. Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13905246522578561864noreply@blogger.com