I'm going (in 9 days) to Romantic Times Convention in Kansas City. Before this year, I had been to two conventions. One in New Jersey, a fiction writers convention, and one in New York City when RWA was there.
This year, I drove to San Antonio and went to The Naughty Sleepover. It was fabulous. I see the values of conventions. You learn a lot, meet people doing what you're doing, and also find out what hte readers are thinking.
But here is the deal with me and conventions. I get really, really nervous.
So first of all, I will be getting up really, really early to get there. Its going to take me two planes. I'm a really bad flyer but since I'm doing it sans children I can always take something if I need it. If everything goes as it should, I'll get to the hotel about lunch time.
Then if I can immediately check in, I'll go to my room. Where I am going to feel like hiding for the entire convention. I tried to do this at the Naughty Sleepover but since it was a small convention I thought someone might notice and forced myself out of the room. It was a good thing I did, I had a great time.
I will have all sorts of reasons for why I am hiding in my room. I want to write. I'm tired. I'm ____ (fill in the blank)
Why? You might ask? Because I get really scared. You see there's a reason I sit behind a computer and tell stories. I'm shy and I have a difficult time putting myself out there. Oh, sometimes I can fake it but to believe me when I say my heart is racing when I do.
When I relax and know you, I'm very relaxed. I've been told I'm a pretty good friend. But make no mistake if you see me at RT. I'm nervous. And I'm thinking about going back to my room.
I can totally relate. Felt the same way at a writer's event this past weekend. Wish I was able to go to RT to meet you. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteYeppers. I remember you leaving NY RWA before it was over. I would hide in my room with the A/C on the whole time if I could. I always feel like I'm latching on to people. I seem like I'm outgoing usually. But it's a cover up. I'm totally not.
ReplyDeletePS: At NJ RWA, I left what turned out to be a great party (or so I was told) to go back to the room and watch the Yanks get slaughtered in a play-off game. Derek Jeter broke his ankle. Good times.
ReplyDeleteActually, I'm shy....I confess it I'm shy..
ReplyDeleteI'll stop singing now.
Can't you guess neath this confident air is a mask that I wear cause I'm shy.
I had to finish it. Now I'll stop singing. But it seemed pertinent.
Oddly I'm very shy with people I don't know, or very outgoing. Never now which me will show up. I would be shy at a convention unless someone gets me drunk, then I'll be silly as can be and will probably sing.
A lot.
You know you can always call me. If you don't have my cell let me know and I'll give it to you. We should be at the hotel mid-afternoon on Tuesday. Feel free to glom on at any time.
ReplyDeleteMost writers are introverts. As you said, there's a reason we sit behind computers and tell stories.
Nobody would have known you were nervous in San Antonio. I don't do well in crowds,either, but as I go to more cons the percentage of people I know grows and I get better.I'm glad you're gettng out there and especially glad you went to San Antonio so I could meet you in person. I'm sure you'll be a wonderful at RT. As Cassandra said...most of us are like that. You're in good company. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this. I feel the same way and have yet to attend a convention. While no one who knows me would call me shy, I'm a true introvert who finds socializing exhausting (ditto for travel). It's good to hear the pay off is worth it!
ReplyDelete