International Conference Survival Tips - by The Conference Junkie

Time for another confession from the Conference Junkie.

It’s hard to type because I’m still shaky from the lingering caffeine/wine concoction in my blood stream that has replaced the normal plasma. My mind is dried out play-doh. I am a husk of a person. All this can only mean one thing for a Conference Junkie: The big crash after a big hit.

Well, 'HI' to you too, Donna

And not just any hit, but the hit-of-hits. As you know, the LA conference wrapped up at the beginning of this week. On Monday, approximately 1,300 kid-lit authors stumbled, blinking madly, out of the Hyatt and into the smog-colored SoCal sun (a.k.a The Real World). We were still experiencing the aftermath of the full conference high where day and night streamed into a constant haze. Exhaustion and mind-overload were balanced by coffee, booze, or a combination of the two. The whole world condensed into California level, Olympic I meeting room, waiting for the escalator, and the *Bux line.

Quick summary: Good times. Good times.

And how did this one Conference Junkie do? Fantastic. This year, I managed to remain ~7% human by the end and it makes me proud. See, while most conferences are two days max, LA is a four-day marathon. And last year, it almost wiped me out.

Buffoon or Baboon? Wait, don't answer that.

How did I manage such a crown achievement? By applying a number of techniques I learned as a result from 2010’s near-death-experience. Without further chatter – Here are my INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SURVIVAL TIPS:

• Don’t try to do everything. This year, I missed keynotes, breakouts, and parties (yikes). I didn’t get to talk with all my favorite people enough. I even took a nap one afternoon. Part of me feels guilty, however, it helped me be more aware and enjoy the moments I did attend.
• Make sure to eat. Many gave me this advice on my wedding day and it holds true for conferences too. It’s easy to get distracted and miss meals…but your brain (and soul) needs nibbles, if only to counteract the caffeine and booze.
• Find alone time. There are people everywhere. All the time. And they’re all of the same wavelength, so it’s easy to chat and chat and chat. The problem is: you are likely introverted (not to judge, I am too). Sure, we’re fun – check out the dancing pics – but introverts *need* quiet time to recharge the batteries. Don’t deny yourself.
• Dance at the party. Even if you look like a baboon or buffoon or some hybrid of the two (or super suave - like me, you'll have fun).
• Bring tissue. The carpets in the main ballroom need to be cleaned badly and they constantly made me all misty-eyed. Mind you: the almost-tears had NOTHING to do with the fact that…
• Judy Blume was so amazing that I couldn’t write the quotes down fast enough (like how she wants her tombstone to read: Are you there God? It's me, Judy.)
• Or that Libba Bray might be the funniest person on the planet (Quiet down, tongue).  
• Or I could listen to Gary Paulsen all day. (While he was describing running the Iditarod, he slipped in lines like ‘When I write, the hair on the back of my neck stands’).
• Or Laurie Halse Anderson being so inspirational that I had to restrain from clapping most of the time (paraphrased: the seed of creativity whirs within you; it must take root for the writer to truly be healthy and happy).

Katy feelin' the groove

Simple stuff, right? But powerful.

In conclusion…another hit – another LA - another year gone. Yes, I’m pooped (I think all The Muses are), but lived to tell the tale. So take this advice to heart, dear Readers, and you too shall live through LA in 2012! See ya there!

Speaking of heart – and because I am DYING to find out – if you picked up a HEART ME! I WRITE FOR KIDS button/bookmark at the conference, comment on this blog post. And remember, any comment on YA Muses will get you a chance to win an ARC of UNDER THE NEVER SKY.