You and a friend or two, maybe by yourself are going to a book and writer convention solely for readers and writers both. You finally get to go! Though not to do a panel but as a novice writer and reader who always wanted to go. The convention is four days at a convention hall and your hotel is right next to the convention hall, cafe, and diner. There is also a shop not too far either.
So, a day before you head to your convention/retreat, what are you packing as a writer?
What are you bringing in your writer bag? Also, what would you like to be at the convention?
Get creative and have fun with this scenario! Another question is; what are you going to be doing on the first days based on what you want at the convention?
First of all, I’m hoping any or all of my favorite writers are there: Madeline Miller, Donna Tartt, Susanna Clarke, Emily St. John Mandel, Erin Morgenstern maybe, TJ Klune, possibly others. I don’t really want to talk to them, but I’d definitely want to listen to them. And in this scenario I’m filthy stinking rich or I wouldn’t be able to go in the first place, so I’m going to buy their latest books and merchandise. (*＾-‘) 乃
Then I absolutely have to wander around the convention hall listening for any new gossip about Neil Gaiman or any other scandalous author. I mean, these are the people who would know things! (♯^.^ღ)
I’m not doing a full four days for a convention lol that’s too much.
I’m going to the talks & panels obvi—maybe choose a mix of new/ debut authors & established ones. I’ll go to a couple of workshops too. And performances! I love a performance. There better be performances there.
I don’t really care about merch. I’ll check out the artists’ alley though. If there’s a book I really really want, then I’ll buy it.
Oh and if there’s a party/ afterparty I WILL be there. I don’t care if there are no tickets, I don’t care if it’s invite-only. I’ll weasel my way in. That’s probably my first priority lol.
What will I take? My tote-bag-of-wonders that I take everywhere. (It’s got my ID, pills, water, charger, a backup charger, gum, cigs, lighter, a backup lighter, notebook, pen, pencil, sticky tabs, the book I’m reading at any given time, library card, iPad, headphones, socks, sunnies, a spare shirt, beanie, cologne, nail polish, lip balm, poppers).
Welp, in real life I’ve never gone to a convention of any kind so I have no idea what I’d need to bring with me. Let’s assume I’m bringing a robot butler to carry everything and that I’ll bring everything I’d ordinarily use to write in case I’m suddenly inspired by all the writerly stuff going on around me. So: a laptop, note paper, pens, headphones, kindle, and plenty of Benzedrine and liquor. (>‿◠)
I would probably not go all four days, more so one or two depending on the scheduled events
Assuming its similar to the comiccons with the added benefit of being in a nearby hotel, I’d bring a few things in a purse: water, money, ID, a snack or two, phone, and a small notebook with a pen.
Id look up the schedule before going to see which talks or Q&As I want to see, plus any fun events. I’d wander around the artist alleys and booths, maybe buy one or two things that interest me.
Maybe a writer convention is less hectic and tiring than comic cons usually one day is enough for me to see everything (save for events that only happen on specific days)
Aside from Q&As or talks from writers I like, writing workshops or panels could be cool to see ^.^
I went to an anime convention for three days back in the day, which was over the weekend. Anime conventions are crazy then again who is to say that a writer/book convention isn’t it’s own set of crazy. And yes tiring is just what conventions are about for most people.
Apart of me still wants to do that. I haven’t done it in a while due to not being medicated and dealing with my hectic life.
Obviously, bringing a big empty suitcase for all the books I’m gonna buy. Also usual travel necessities. I’ll also bring my laptop just in case I feel like writing, but I probably wouldn’t.
To be? Comfortable XD Even when thinking up a fun scenario, comfort comes first. I’m going to wear comfy travel clothes.
I would love if I could get a chance to tell Shannon Hale that she inspired me to become a writer. I’m sure she gets it all the time, but she’s made a difference in my life and I want to tell it to her.
So, the schedule… what shall I do?
First day, convention. All day. I’ve never been to a reader-writer convention EVER in my life, so I’m going to go all in. First day is when all the stuff is most likely fully available. I want to grab everything before it runs out.
Second day, depends on what they’re doing, I might pop in and out and buy more merch.
Third day, exploring the area, and spending the rest of the day near or in the hotel just hanging out.
Fourth day, I’ll be getting ready to leave already, but also maybe pop in if they have some final day thing going on.
usually one day is enough for me to see everything (save for events that only happen on specific days)