thinking thinks through, the Convention Iteration

[lagilman]

Interesting. logging onto LJ and seeing everyone's "Off to WorldCon!" posts. I thought I'd feel wistful, or.. well, something. Interestingly, what I feel mainly is relief.

Don't get me wrong -- WorldCon is always a lot of fun, and I'll miss seeing friends who will be there. But...

I started going to conventions back in 1978, as a Young Fan. And they were a blast. I didn't sleep, hung out with all the wrong-but-interesting-sorts, and in at least one case came home with mono, and in another case with a boyfriend (no, not the same conventions). And that lasted until 1990, when I attended my first convention as a Pro (editor).

And then, while conventions were still fun, they were also Work. I had to be On, and Polite, and Take Care of Other People (authors) and Get Work Done (networking), and generally came home wiped out. I can't speak to other publishing houses, but the companies I worked, you didn't get to take Monday off just because you'd been running on company business Friday through Sunday.

And then I was a Pro (writer) and I still had to be On and Polite, and Get Work Done (networking, hand-selling, etc), only I was now doing it on my own dime, which meant I had to cram more work into the work/fun equation to justify the expense. And although I could now take Monday off, after -- I still couldn't, because my boss is a bitch. *wry g*

So I sat down and took a long hard look at the reality of con-going.


Regional conventions:
Local conventions (ones I can drive to) are pretty easy-going. They're familiar to me, I'm familiar to them, I know many of the participants. It's often like old home week. So...less stress, less need to be On!... and yet, there is also less work-upside. I'm not likely to get myself into the hands of many new readers, and a lot of the people I see are people I could [and do] see without a convention, too. So a convention has to offer me something special (a really interesting panel opportunity, or a fabulous non-local pro guest, or a wide-ranging fan-attendance for me to interact with) for me to justify the time and funds.

Non-local conventions (ones I have to take a train or plane to) are a slightly better bet for me, because although they're more expensive, they have two additional benefits: 1. potential new readers who may not have heard me yammer on before and might be intrigued enough to pick up a book or stop by here, after and 2. local-to-that-area friends I don't get to see on a regular basis. I try to do at least one non-local regional convention each year (Hypericon in Tennessee, Armadillocon in Austin, etc). I'd do more, but without being a GoH, I just can't justify that much travel. Wish it were otherwise.

National conventions:
Worldcon, ComicCon, Dragon*Con, etc. Readers of this blog know that I. Hate. Crowds. But they're also where, if I plan properly, I-as-Writer can get the best exposure. So I try to do one National a year, grit my teeth and get on with it. And normally I have a great time, shill the hell out of myself in as low-key and enjoyable a manner possible, and try not to get too worn down. But I can only do one without damage, especially since they all seem to hit during the summer (dudes, we need an Autumn National!) Also, BEA, which is beyond exhausting and into insane, but isn't really a convention as such. And yeah, RWA. Next year in Washington, she swears.

And then there's WFC. WFC is technically a National, but it's also much smaller and more pro-based, and -- being blunt -- even when I was herding cats authors, far more relaxing to me than any other convention. I hate missing WFC, which is why I'm hauling myself all the way out to Calgary this year, despite an end-of-year schedule mash-up that looks to be deadly.

Summing it up: I really wish that I could go to conventions and hang out with people at the bar, and sit in on a panel or two, and go out to dinner, and just Have Fun. And to a certain extent I do all of that. But a convention is a working weekend for me, not a social one. Worse, it's a working weekend that takes away from my 'real' job -- writing -- and leaves me exhausted. Therefore I have to make every moment count, before my introverted self cries foul and goes to sit in a corner. That means making choices about where I can go, and what I just can't manage, in order to throw myself 100% into the conventions that I do attend, as is [to me, anyway] only fair and proper.

What I'm discovering tho, is that once I've made those choices, I can feel my muscles untwine, and the pressure melt off, and I can sit back and think "I'll miss seeing everyone. But it will be nice to NOT be there, too."

So y'all have fun at WorldCon. Have a single malt or a glass of wine for me. Attend and influence panels. Talk to strangers in the hallway. Hit the dealer's room hard and buy lots of books and sparklies and whatever else spreads the joy. Next year, schedule willing, in Montreal!

Comments

[ianrandalstrock.livejournal.com]

Hmm, personally, you make my absence from WorldCon feel much better; thanks. Professionally, I still think I should be there, but the expense account just can't justify it this year. I'm looking forward to Montreal...

[jonquil.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry. It must be difficult to be playing your role of Nice Professional Writer instead of just being anonymous and hanging as friends.

I also HATE CROWDS, which is why I've never repeated after my first Worldcon. I like WisCon because it's full of smart feminists, but even there I retreat to my room and my Internet a lot. (It was quite funny; at one moment I and my three roommates were all in the room, all on the Internet, and commenting on one another's Livejournals. We laughed and continued with our happy introversion.)

But I feel your pain. And I remember what a profound relief it was, in May, to say "I am NOT going to Costume-Con because it would be too draining."

[lagilman]

well, sometimes I get to be Snarky Professional Writer. That's fun, too.

[scarlettina.livejournal.com]

Even thinking about going to WorldCon made me tired this year, which is why I won't be at Denvention even though it's (relatively) close. Don't know if I'll be doing Montreal either.

Do what you can and want to do. The rest, forget about. You clearly know what your priorities are.

[delkytlar.livejournal.com]

Same here. I still love the hustle and bustle of the cons I do get to, but now that it's on my own dime, and I'm no longer repping any authors, major con travel is not in the budget. I spent this year's WorldCon & WFC money on our 15th anniversary trip to Jamaica. I expect to only be doing local cons and the Nebs for the next couple of years.

[lagilman]

It's actually not so much the money for me (since it IS business travel and therefore a tax deduction) as it is the combination of money + energy + time = wiped out.

[windrose.livejournal.com]

I wanted to do Worldcon, but just couldn't pull it off. Am still too tired to even think about a major con like that.

[dianora2.livejournal.com]

I hear you. I've pretty much given up on Worldcon. I get more done at WFC and have a better time. I leave for vacation this Sunday instead. *g*

Thoughts

[ysabetwordsmith.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed my fangirl days ... but I have more fun at a convention when I go as a pro. I love doing panels; unless it's a topic I'm attending to learn more, I'd rather be behind the table than in front of it. I love making a loop through the publisher parties to meet new people: seeking new markets for my work, seeking authors whose work I've reviewed, looking at the new books to see if any of those look promising, talking about who's buying what, etc. I love the serendipitous meetings with people who turn out to be all kinds of cool. And I try to be careful scheduling enough business and pleasure activities balanced against enough time for food and sleep so my body doesn't break down. It's a happy medium, when I can get it. We're too broke to attend any cons this year, and that's frustrating for me.

[mzipser.livejournal.com]

I totally understand your reasons, but we will miss getting a chance to see you - hardly had any time at Balticon. I'll force my self to have a single malt for you. No. Really. I'll have one ... well maybe two. My ghod, the things we do for friends.

-- Mike Z

[lagilman]

I feel how you suffer. Truly, I do.

[mevennen.livejournal.com]

I will do cons in this country, but Worldcon doesn't justify the expenditure for me (£1K minimum if you factor in airfare). Also, given the current economic climate - I'd rather go on holiday.

[lagilman]

Ouch. And you're coming from the stronger currency!

(I had a woman say to me yesterday "there are so many foreigners in the city these days!" in tones of dismay. I had to admit, my response was "let them come! And bring cash!")

[fibro-witch.livejournal.com]

I love cons, both big and small. I do so want to attend Worldcon, but the body disagreed. Instead I will be in hospital (stupid body)

Next year Montreal for SURE, I love the city, almost as much as my own.

[lagilman]

urk. Sympathies!

Montreal will be much fun. Like New Orleans, the convention is almost an afterthought.

[kalligraphy.livejournal.com]

I enjoy conventions, but lately lack of time has limited my ability to get away for a con. On top of that, a lot of friends have not showed up at various conventions in the past few years. Going to a convention and not seeing you and other friends because their work/personal life/economics/etc. have kept them away, makes much of the weekend much less enjoyable. We should pick a convention and have another malt con. Of course we have to get Tom to it, maltcon just doesn't have the same feel with one of the saints missing.

[lagilman]

Party at Tom's!

(in the winter, Tom. I'm not going back there in the summer. Nuh-uh....)

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

Regrettably, we're having to pass on WFC this year due to the costs of airfare from here to there, weighed versus what I'd stand to benefit from the trip. The answer thus being unsatisfying, Calgary's a wash for me. :( I'm better off staying at home and writing.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

***Glances around to make sure the tax folks are not looking***

You know, if you went to a reasonably priced event, without the intention of actually doing any work (just going to chat, hang out, and etc), I really don't think the folks at the Federal Department of Pocket Vacuums would be able to see the difference on your returns.. Pick an event where you are 'just a fan'...

Just a thought.. Stress relief is a big factor in lower medical bills too..

[lagilman]

I'm not sure I'm able to be 'just a fan' any more....

(I go to cooking expos for my fannish squee)

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

True, I suppose. Seems I end up working half the time anyway. Doing a non-literary con is a good event, I am bummed I am gonna miss the NYC Food Network Expo (on vacation).

[lagilman]

Gah, don't remind me. I got shut out of the two seminars I really want to attend, and decided the others weren't worth the $$. Next year I'll start planning earlier.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

There is a VERY VERY slim chance that I will get my hands on VIP tickets... My employer is a sponsor but I am WAY down the food chain. If I do, they are yours, since I will be in Orlando.

[lagilman]

*meeps*

:-D

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Just understand that very slim is in the mold of Kate Moss on a starvation diet...

[chickwriter.livejournal.com]

You utterly nailed my con-going decisions in one swell foop...post.

I loved cons as a fan, less so as a volunteer, but now that I'm a Pro, it's all work, work, work and way less of the socializing fun.

I'm totally with you on the crowds. I find that I'm a friendly introvert and the older I get, the more I need alone time. :)

Hope to see you at WFC (which I just registered for).

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

I understand your feelings about con attendance. I have felt the same way myself. I've been volunteering at one con enough now so that the benefits are better (a free trip to Las Vegas if I wanna volunteer at a trade show. they took us to see Penn & Teller)


btw, is it written down anywhere that writers must drink single malt?

[lagilman]

btw, is it written down anywhere that writers must drink single malt?

Not only is it not, it's not even written that a writer drink. Publishing just generally drives us to it.

When I started drinking single malt, in fact, it was considered a slightly unusual (uncommon) drink, period, much less for a woman to drink. I'm not sure why/when it got so trendy in the States....

[handlebar605.livejournal.com]

didn't that Hemingway fella drink single malt?

[lagilman]

My understanding was that Hemingway drank anything the bartender poured, but he had more of a fondness for mojitos than scotch....

[neko-san.livejournal.com]

Aw. I "found" you at a WorldCon a few years back; you were on a panel and were witty, intelligent, and amusing, so i "stalked" you around the con panels, then came home and bought your books.

But yeah, cons are crazy making. I hate crowds. I'm only going because my sweetie is going, and I'm allowing myself to be dragged along. And, I have pharmaceuticals. And, I'm just fan, not public figure, so yeah.

[burger-eater.livejournal.com]

I have never been to a con, but with a book coming out next spring (my first), I'm told I may be attending a couple local ones.

I've read a lot about what to expect but I'm terrible at crowds and I *really* terrible at events where everyone seems to already know everyone else. It makes me wish I'd tried a few a couple decades back.