How to Survive PPWC Without Becoming a Zombie - Plus Bonus Tips!

(Below this post on surviving PPWC, you'll find tips from PPW members!)

By Tena Stetler

Good news is that I recently read Colorado is one of the few states most likely to survive a Zombie Apocalypse. Better news is that it is possible to survive the conference and not become a zombie. First, you want to get as much rest as possible in the weeks leading up to the conference because sleep is a fleeting thing during the conference. There are old friends to catch up with, new friends to connect with, and so many workshops to attend your head will spin.

Second, make sure to pack high protein snacks and drink lots, and I mean lots, of water. If you are from out of town, this is especially important; you’re now residing at over 6,000 feet in elevation. One glass of wine can have quite an effect on you, so suck down that H2O. You can use those frequent bathroom trips to work on your pitch or figure out which workshop to attend next.

Is this your first conference? Take deep breaths and plunge in, but make sure you come up for air and relax from time to time - it can be a bit overwhelming. Download your workshop sheets as early as possible, and review them carefully, so you can plan what you want to attend and check for any conflicts ahead of time. There could be last minute changes, so check the packet you receive at sign in for the up-to-date schedule. If you are pitching, work on that logline and practice talking about your book to everyone that will listen in the weeks prior to the conference. Participating in the Read and Critique? Polish that first page, double-spaced, and have several copies ready (remember to bring them). You won’t remember everything you learn at the conference, but you will remember the friendships you make. Most of all, have a wonderful time, it is a great adventure. One you’ll want to experience year after year.

Remember that editors and agents are all people just like us. They are attending the conference in hopes of finding that new idea and fresh voice that you have perfected in your novel. Don’t let nerves get the best of you. Be creative and use your imagination when conjuring up the agent or editor’s appearance in your mind. But stifle the giggle when you make that pitch or read your page. 

For those of us who have attended a few conferences, help out the newbies. You'll recognize them by the glazed eyes, rapid breathing, and panicked expression. I know you still carry memories of your first conference.

Finally, just soak it all in. Too soon it will be all over and your zombie-like characteristics may emerge Sunday night. Until then, do what you can to keep all your parts attached. Have Fun.   

About the Author: By day, Tena Stetler is an Office and IT Manager for an electrical contractor. When the sun disappears behind the Majestic Rocky Mountains, she can be found at her computer surrounded by vampires, demons, witches, and other paranormal creatures as she writes Paranormal Romance and Cozy Mysteries. She’s also written articles for a variety of magazines about traveling with pets, and raising and training parrots. She shares her life with her husband, two parrots, a dog, and a 40-year-old box turtle. When not sitting behind a computer, she enjoys hiking, camping, kayaking, and whitewater rafting.

Thank you, Tena! Now, we've got some additional bonus tips for attending conferences. We asked members on our Yahoo! Loop for their advice, and this is some of what we got:

For low-landers with little experience in high altitudes, you need to accept that the hotel is at 6400 ft (well over Denver's "mile high" claims) and the humidity is typically low.  As a result, alcohol will pack a double punch because you'll already by partially dehydrated due to the low humidity and the fact that there is less oxygen in the air at altitude.  Drink half as much alcohol as you normally would in a comparable social situation.  When it's time to go to bed, turn on the hot water in the shower for about 10 minutes and leave the bathroom door open.  You'll add some much needed moisture to the room and you'll find it easier to get to sleep.    

~Laura Hayden-- who faces this same problem each year, dealing with the altitude

DRINK WATER!!! Drink at least 3 bottles of water from the time you wake until you go to bed for the first two days you are in Colorado (more if your bladder can handle it). If you drink any alcohol....drink more water.

TAKE IT EASY. Don't plan on a 10 mile hike your first day here, and don't play 18 holes of golf. A friend of mine played 18 holes the first day he was here and spent the next 3 days in bed. A nice easy walk on a flat surface (like cruising around the conference) is great. Breath the mountain air....it is amazing!  

DRINK MORE WATER! Really!  :-)

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of fun!
I can't wait to meet everyone!!

~Kathie Scrimgeour

Drink water for three or four days BEFORE you come.  Then keep it up.  It's all about hemoglobin...

~Jax Hunter

Shy people: Arm yourselves with the most wonderful phrase anyone ever invented.  

     "What do YOU write?"

You can even approach people you've never met!

Come with open ears and open mind.  You might hear three different speakers say three different things about anything from how to publish to how to develop your ideas to how to create characters or worlds or sentences.  All of them have something to teach, even if it is only that every writer is different and every career is different.  Somewhere there will be a spark that's just right for you.  Real Writers are constantly learning.

~Carol Berg

Out going people: Don't monologue. Give everyone at your table a chance to talk to that author, agent or editor. Use your outgoing personality to encourage more shy folks to talk about their stories.

~A. Stopani

Make the most of your conference experience by networking.  Don’t simply cling to the familiar.  Make it a goal to get to know your fellow writers as well as the industry professionals.  You’re attending to learn, to make those contacts, so treat it as business.  And have fun.

~Donnell Ann Bell, www.donnellannbell.com

Listen, Listen

You’ll be surrounded by people with myriad experiences, most good, a few not so much – but even those will be helpful in the long run.

Say Howdy to everyone you see with a STAFF badge. They are all there for YOU. Pick a couple of panel discussions, and you can get the experience of several panelists, and a number of experienced people in the audience. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Look for some of the fun stuff. Weapons workshops, pitch practice, etc.

Did I mention Listen?

Oh yeah, this one can’t be said enough --- HYDRATE! And take in the beautiful country surrounding Colorado Springs.

~Ron Heimbecher

I've been attending and/or teaching at PPWC for 17 years.  I have suggestions.

Bring:
pillow - if you are picky about the one you use
antihistamine - if sleeping is an issue with all the excitement
lotion - dry air in CO

Drink tons of water - especially if you drink - high altitude has knocked some visitors out.

Take social chances. Push through shyness. Stretch those boundaries. Schmooze outside of pitches and workshops...it is when much of the action happens. I've gotten 3 different agents whom I didn't formally pitch to by simply talking casually with them.

Buy the recordings if you have to miss some sessions because of an agent appointment or parallel workshop. Then you can listen to them as you take your long walks.

Bring different lengths of work you'll pitch. Typically they won't take anything from you to lug home, but I know at least one author who was asked for a full at the conference and picked up by that agent before conference was over-literally the agent read the work over the conference.

Put on your smile and allow for a day of rest after the conference. You'll need that rest; the energy at PPWC is so intense, relaxation may be hard to come by.

And say hi to Shannon while there!  :) 

~Karen Lin, www.karenalbrightlin.com

:: The first time I attended PPWC, I drove out from Kansas City, alone, knowing no one. We writers tend to be loners anyway, but we're MUCH more comfortable with our own kind--other writers. Remember that you're not alone, that others face the same introvert issues you do, and remind yourself that we're ALL in the same boat! The people you'll meet are "just like you." And this particular conference is the friendliest ever.

:: Volunteer. My first break in the "ice" (my personal ice, no one else's) came when I I got up the nerve to talk to Dawn Smit about an idea I had for the annual writing contest, which I'd entered 2-3 times. And as she and I talked, I realized there are other things, some of them little things, that the conference workers could use help with. So I stepped up. I now volunteer every year as a moderator, which I enjoy tremendously. And it feels good to be a contributor in some small way.

:: For meals, sit at tables where you see people--including speakers--that you're interested in talking to. Even if you can't get up the nerve to talk to a famous author directly, there will be people at the table who can and will, and before you know it, you'll just be one of the writers, full of questions, curiosity, and awe!

:: Take lots of notes--and write legibly! Take advantage of every opportunity to meet people and pick their brains. Or buy the conference recordings of the sessions, so you won't lose anything. 

:: Relax. enjoy the events, learn everything you can, and remember that you're with friends. I've become convinced that, at least at PPWC, everyone is a friend of everyone else attending. 

:: Come back next year. And the year after. And the one after that. From my first bumbling, uncertain conference I made friends, and I'll be attending my 8th? 9th? PPWC this month. And I look forward to seeing the friends that I only see once a year, at this event.

~Marti Verlander, http://www.MarthaGilstrap.com

Finally, J.T. Evans, president of PPW, posted some great conference tips at his blog in the following 2 posts:

Five Tips for Making the Most of Conference, and
Five More Tips for Making the Most of Conference

Got business cards? Know how to avoid Con Crud? Are you aware of the 3-2-1 Rule? No? J.T. mentions these and more in the above posts.

Thanks for visiting! We'll see you at Pikes Peak Writers Conference 2014!

Compiled By Shannon Lawrence

Five Things to Remember While Attending PPWC

By Anne Marie

I attended my second Pikes Peak Writers Conference last year. Aside from the fact that there was only one of me and I couldn’t go to all the sessions, I had a fantastic time. The faculty was funny, knowledgeable, and inspiring. The Staff was helpful and kind. My critique partner (Hi, Jen!) attended with me, and we came away with so many ideas on how to improve our novels. We’re more than excited to start revisions! However, Jen’s from sea level, so I thought I’d share my top five things to remember while in Colorado.

1. Wear sunscreen if you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time. A person can get burned fairly quickly here. We were sitting outside for lunch and within about 15 minutes both of us were showing signs of sunburn. I really should have taken my own advice.
2. Bring sunglasses. Again, being so close to the sun with a thin atmosphere, it’s bright. Protect those beautiful eyes!
3. Drink lots of water. I could go into an awesome science lesson here, but basically, the higher the altitude, the less oxygen, the more dehydrated you’re going to get. The Marriott provides a wide selection of naturally flavored waters (the orange was my favorite). 
4. Colorado Springs sits at a little over 6,000 feet above sea level. That means you could experience Altitude Sickness. Signs include: dizziness, nausea, vomiting, trouble breathing, and weakness. This usually clears up in about 24 hours as your body adjusts to the lower levels of oxygen. Drinking alcohol increases these symptoms. The bar is a great place to mingle but doesn’t require you to buy a drink to hang out there.
5. Wear layers. Colorado has experienced 70's in January and 30's in June. The conference rooms can be chilly, too. Attendees dress between business casual and jeans Friday. Wear whatever you're comfortable in.

Last year was an amazing experience filled with more knowledge and expertise than my brain could handle in four days. I’ll be back this year. Hope to see you there too!

About the Author:  Anne attended the University of Colorado for a BA in English Literature, where she fell in love with folklore and myths from around the world. She adores languages, great white sharks, and the impossible. Her work usually includes one of those three things. She currently lives in Aurora, Colorado with Brody Beagle. Her most recent short story, La Dame à La Licorne, was published by Euterpe YA, an imprint of Musa Publsihing. Buy it from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Musa Publishing.

Countdown to the Conference - Four Months to Go!

By MB Partlow, PPWC Programming Director

Time to make the resolutions!

All the holiday hubbub is nearly over, and then it will be time to look forward to the new year and the upcoming Conference. Sure, you've got plenty of time, but you've also got plenty you could do to make this your best conference ever.

1. I will not pitch an unfinished manuscript. Pitching a manuscript that isn't done wastes your time and that of the agent or editor you're pitching to. What if they ask you to send it, and you have to explain that it's not done? They're excited about it right now. If you have to finish writing, send it through your critique group, proof it and rewrite it, that sense of immediacy is gone.

2. I will make an informed decision about who to pitch to. Go the websites of the agents and editors. Familiarize yourself with their clients, what they like, what they don't like. Search for articles or interviews about them. Find out if they Twitter or blog and follow them.

3. I will learn about the faculty before the Conference. Faculty authors are listed on the website. You don't have to read every single word by every author, but know who writes what. You might even discover a new favorite. I discovered Robert Crais at a PPWC several years ago, and I haven't missed one of his books since.

4. I will start (or continue) hanging out with writers. Wait, what? Writers are the best possible people in the world to hang out with. Pikes Peak Writers offers you lots of chances to get together with writerly folk in a variety of informal settings. PPW Night at Poor Richard's downtown, Open Critiques, monthly Write Brain sessions--all free. Stay tuned to the website for details, and make it a point to meet some new people before the Conference.  

5. I will read my work out loud, even if the thought makes me cringe in horror. Conference has some awesome Read and Critique opportunities, and most of them involve being able to stand up and read your first page out loud. Besides, nothing will find and highlight clunky dialogue faster than hearing it spoken. If the thought of reading to nobody bothers you, read to your cat, your children, your neighbor or the mouse living under your sink. Better to get the nervous cracks and squeaks out in the privacy of your own home than in front of an agent.

6. I will practice my logline until I can say it in my sleep. Ah, the logline. That one sentence that sums up your book. Refer to #5, above. If you write a beautifully crafted, perfectly grammatical sentence of 58 words for a logline, you'll never be able to get it out without stumbling, fumbling or spitting on yourself just a little. If you're having trouble boiling it down to one sentence, see #4, above. Writers would rather work on anyone's logline than their own, and they will often have marvelous insights and stupendous ideas.

7. I will write. All the pretty plots in the world will amount to nothing if you don't write them down. Commit to your writing. Practice it daily. Just as you only have to brush the teeth you want to keep, remember that you only have to practice the writing skills that you wish to keep (or improve). Squeeze in ten minutes here and there. Don't set yourself up to fail--you can scribble a few lines in a small spiral notebook or on the back of a Starbucks napkin. You don't need a luxuriously appointed throne room of an office to create. You can write without your iPod, your iPad, your laptop, your "writing mix" on iTunes and two dozen precisely sharpened #2 pencils lined up at your side. Write outside the box. Write on the box.

8. I will be kind to myself. I can't speak for anyone else, but my inner critic is the size of Godzilla and has a voice like Gilbert Gottfried, only louder. You have to gag your inner critic and tap into your inner Little Engine That Could. When I attended my first conference, I hadn't written a single word of fiction. Ditto the second conference. I just knew that I desperately wanted to, and with every conference I attended, I was more certain that I could. Surrounding yourself with people who speak your language, who share your dreams, is the best thing you can do for yourself as a writer.

9. I will buck the trends. If you're drawn to writing Young Adult fantasy, then by all means, have at it. But if you really want to write a blackly comic science fiction novel, don't force your square self into a round hole. If the thought of making your work over into a different genre makes you want to fall on your own pen knife, then don't do it. You don't have to write about sparkly vampires, angsty teens, domineering lovers or cozy little old postmasters solving mysteries. Your muse is, well, yours.

10. I will watch too much TV, I won't floss enough, I'll lie about my weight, I'll eat too much ice cream, drink too much beer, laugh a little too much and too loud, and make a joke out of virtually anything that bothers me. What, I had to guarantee myself some success, didn't I?

MB Partlow, 2013 Programming Director for the Pikes Peak Writers Conference, is hard at work getting fantastic speakers and participants for the conference.  You can reach her at programming@pikespeakwriters.com or find more information on the 2013 Pikes Peak Writers Conference at pikespeakwriters.com.

Top Five Conference Myths by F.T.Bradley

It’s almost time for Pikes Peak Writers Conference! Conferences are exciting, and for writers, they’re a great chance to meet other publishing professionals, learn more about the business, and make some new friends. It’s a way to show you are serious about this writing thing, even if your mother/best friend/fill-in-the-blank tells you it’s a waste of time. You’re a writer. Back off, non-believers.

            Since I have a dozen or so conferences under my belt now, I thought I’d share my mistakes, and some conference myths I bought into. So you don’t have to go there.

Myth 5: My pitch needs to be perfect

My first pitch session went like this: I was pitching a women’s suspense I’d written to a nice young editor with Bantam Dell. Man, was I nervous. I practiced for a week, and then the day leading up to my actual sit-down appointment. When I sat down, I pretty much froze. It’s the nightmare pitch scenario, right? So this sweet editor asked me about my favorite books, we talked, and then I told her about my project. She requested the manuscript—despite my terrible pitch.

Reality: you need to know what your book is about, but don’t get too hung up over a rehearsed line. Answer this question: what’s your book about? Relax. Unless you’re a Hollywood scriptwriter, your pitching skills don’t have to be perfect. Just be nice, and show your passion for your story. Research the person you’re pitching to, so you can talk about favorite books in case things go south.

Myth 4: I should get as much face time as possible with these important agents/editors

Conferences mean lunches and banquets, so you usually get to sit with an agent/editor/famous author. Awesome opportunity to pitch, right? I used to think so.

You want to know the truth? The way to get the most from any time with a publishing insider is to shut up, and listen. Gather information, let them share their expertise. Ask a question or two, but don’t monopolize someone’s time, whether it’s at a dinner table, during a panel session, or at the bar for drinks.

 

Don’t start every sentence with, “In my book, my character Johnny…” It does the opposite of what you want—that in-your-face selling just turns people off. Listen instead. Then after the conference, you can still send this person a query, referencing your conversation. They’ll appreciate you remembering something they said rather than your pushy pitch, trust me.

Myth 3: I need to wear professional attire

True story: I was getting ready to pick up a NY editor from the airport, and wore my comfy jeans, sneakers and a black sweatshirt. I’m a casual person, what can I say. My husband frowns. “Shouldn’t you look a little more, you know, professional?” I studied my clothes, wondering if he had a point, and changed, just to be safe. So I found my editor in the arrival hall, and she was wearing…

You guessed it: jeans and sneakers. Now, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t look nice. But don’t think you’re interviewing for a job here, even if you kind of are. You’re a writer. Wear what you want, because the truth behind this myth?

The writing is all anyone cares about. Honestly.

Myth 2: I should pitch to anyone I can, no matter what their bio says. You never know, right?

After my slightly-botched-but-successful pitching session with the editor, I was on a pitch-high. And it became a bit of a competitive thing to tell other attendees how many requests for pages you’d gotten, so I pitched to a few more agents.

Bad idea. If someone is looking for science fiction and you wrote a romance, why pitch it? Not only are you wasting everyone’s time, you come off looking like an amateur.

Be professional, first and foremost. You want a good agent, not just any agent.

Myth 1: I will find my perfect agent at this conference, and (s)he will sign me on the spot.

No one will admit this out loud, but we all secretly hope that we’ll rewrite debut author history. You dream that you’ll shake that agent’s hand, and (s)he’ll ask for the whole manuscript (because you are that awesome), read it that day, and will sign you as a client before the whole event is over (again, because you are that awesome). Writers everywhere will tell your story in awe, because you are—well, you get the idea.

The truth? The odds of you signing with an agent at a conference are slim; it happens, but not often. And it will certainly not go down that fast. The good news is that there are hundreds of agents out there, waiting to land the next big thing—which is you, of course, because you truly are that awesome. That’s no myth.

Conferences are great opportunities to learn to think of your novel as a product, look at yourself as a professional, and make connections with other people who love books and writing. Don’t hang all your hopes on one pitch. Instead, listen and learn from that person sitting across the table.

Here’s a final bit of advice from the one who made all the conference mistakes, in case you’re still listening.

Connect with your peers.

Those other writers at the dinner table, the people you meet on the elevator on your way to a pitch appointment? They’re the real gems of a conference. Sure, the agents, editors, and famous authors are cool, but they meet hundreds of you over a weekend, thousands in a year, no doubt. You won’t be friending them on Facebook.

Your fellow writers are your strongest allies, the people who get what you’re doing because they’re doing it too. They’re your believers when everyone else says you should probably try accounting instead.

Guess what? When your debut hits the shelves—and it will, because you are that awesome—they’ll be high-fiving you in the halls, and showing up at your book signings. Take some advice from a conference veteran: make a friend, and keep in touch. Oh, and wear something comfortable.

About the Writer:  F.T. Bradley is the author of Double Vision (Harper Children's, Fall 2012), the first in the middle-grade adventure series featuring Lincoln Baker and Benjamin Green. Find out more at www.ftbradley.com.

Her husband's Air Force career has F.T. and their two daughters moving all around the world, but for the moment the family lives on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.