Wet Noodle Posse

Thursday, July 24, 2008

What was your name again?

One thing I find really hard to do is remembering names and faces and putting the two together. It gets really old having to stare at people's chests to read their nametags, particularly if you need to put on eyeglasses to do so. It's even more embarrassing if it's someone you're supposed to know--like your editor. I've erred on the side of caution and greeted complete strangers like the best friends I thought they were. I've stared blankly at people I know really well online but whom I haven't seen for a year. Or an hour. Apologies to you all.

A bit of science. There's a specific area of the brain for remembering faces, just as there are specific areas of the brain for reading and speaking and so on. Approximately two percent of the population suffers from prosopagnosia, which is a total inability to recognize faces. People with the condition cannot recognize anyone, not even close friends and relatives--the arrangement of features just doesn't compute, and it's mind-boggling to think how you can overcome such a condition. Major researchers of the conditiion from Harvard and University College, London, have a site, faceblind.org, where you can take a test. I took it, and to my surprise came out as average. The faces they show you are all sort of strange, asexual hairless creatures, rather like Voldemort but better looking.

About halfway through the test I suddenly realized that they all had different eyebrows; and rather later on, that some of them could be female. Duh. So possibly I'm better at it than I thought--because gender, after all, is a big clue (except at Nationals where it's nearly all women).

With practice, I think you can remember faces better but you do have to be able to also remember names; there's no area of the brain for that, it all comes down to memory and practice. One technique is to try and take a mental snapshot or two of the person's face and expressions, (not what they're wearing!) and , if you can, tie it into their name. There are hundreds of sources online on how to remember names, but most suggest you try and use the person's name three times in the opening conversation to batter it into your brain; or get them to repeat their name to you. Get their biz card and write something about them on the back (after your conversation, not during; they might think that's a bit weird).

This article at buildyourmemory.com suggests the use of mnemonics to link names to faces. For instance, try playing with the name--breaking it down into syllables and what the individual words thus created suggest to you. Say I introduce you to my alter ego Jane Lockwood. The syllables are lock and wood; you can visualize both of them. (And, uh, remember Jane writes erotic romance, so you don't necessarily have to think about trees.)

The other method using mnemonics is to try and build an association--a visual image--of the person's name and a physical characteristic, and I must admit that one has me baffled, particularly if the person has a lavishly-syllabled middle European name, for instance. But it may be worth a try. If the person's last name is Duck and they have a flattish, protuberant nose, you're in luck (just try to stop calling him Bill unless it's his name).

Here's a list of web articles that you might find useful on how to remember names and what to do if you don't. Remember that if you sweat over it, you'll make it worse. If you go in to a room full of people worried that you're not going to remember names and setting yourself up to fail, you're not going to have fun or learn or be at your best.

Labels: national conference, remembering names

Monday, July 21, 2008

The Anti- What Not to Wear

This blog was originally scheduled for this past Tuesday (July 15), but had to be postponed.

Business cards, publicity folder, notes for agent/editor pitch…
These are all necessary items for any successful writer’s conference. But there’s one major thing not included on that list. And it’s a big one.

Your attire. Your wardrobe. Your threads.

Any worries about whether or not your closet has what it takes will be wiped away once you step inside the San Francisco Marriot for the RWA National Conference and take a glance at the variety of clothing styles.

Traditional business suit. Come on in and join the group.

Dress casual slacks, capris or skirt with a nice blouse. Welcome!

Trendy, hip haute couture. Entrévous.

Sweaty exercise clothes. Let me show you to the hotel gym, you never know who might be trudging away on the treadmill next to you, rocking to their I-pod.

Saturday evening’s Awards Ceremony will bring you much of the same. Casual church dresses intermixed with cocktail dresses sashaying by beaded, floor-length evening gowns.

Are you getting the gist of things? In a nutshell, dress to your comfort. Knowing that you will be mingling with a group of professional, creativity-driven, business-minded, fun-loving people.

I’ll warn you, most hotels and restaurants tend to be chilly. Better to have us cool, then sweating in our nice duds. I usually bring a sweater if I’m only wearing a blouse. If I’m sporting a jacket for the day, I make sure to have a shirt I’d feel comfortable wearing alone, in the event I find myself growing warm and decide to take off my jacket.

I don’t normally carry a purse around all day. I’ll pack one or two small ones for evening events, or in case I’m able to sneak away from the hotel to take in the San Francisco sights. But during the day, I utilize the welcome bag RWA provides upon registration/check-in. I do bring a small bag (makeup-bag size or a plain zip-lock) to carry a few personal items. Okay, so I’m a girly girl. I need my lip gloss or powder to freshen up during the day. I’ll drop in some minty gum as well to avoid embarrassing bad breath. You’ll probably also find a cereal bar or some nuts, something to perk up my stamina if I feel like I’m starting to fade mid-afternoon.

And then, we get to the biggies.

Shoes.

If you’re a Sex and the City fan, you know how important shoes are to a woman’s psyche. Well, some women anyway. And here’s the thing, sometimes I agree.

I search far and wide (okay, maybe only the stores at my local mall, I’m not that much of a shoe fiend, nor do my budget and time allow me to be, but that’s another story) for shoes that are comfortable, yet stylish. You will be on your feet a good portion of the day. Walking to presentations, waiting in line for the elevator, a special event or a signing, lugging your free books back up to your room, etc. I guarantee your feet will be sore by the end of the day, whether you’re in flats or heels. Once more, the idea is to dress to your comfort level. If you can hack the trendy Manolos, go for it! (And if you’re wearing Manolos, come find me so I can drool, okay?) If Lifestride pumps are more up your alley, I hear ya sister! If comfy flats match your outfit and make your feet send up a squeal of thanks, put those babies on!

Have you caught my drift yet?

At National you’ll find people wearing all sorts of different styles. Granted, very few will be in shorts and T-shirt (unless you’re at the gym or just coming in from touring the city). In general, the consensus is whatever you’re comfortable wearing when talking with your peers, professionals and those you admire within the publishing industry.

So, you’ve probably got just over a week before you leave for San Francisco. If you’re like me, you’ve started setting stuff aside little by little, adding to the pile as something new comes to mind. Or maybe you’re a last minute packer, confident tossing everything into the suitcase on your way out the door. Yikes, that makes me nervous just to type it. :-) Either way, I hope I’ve given you some reassurance that you don’t need to run out and buy a new wardrobe. Sorry, you can’t blame that new dress on me. But if you bought one, I’m sure you deserved it.

If you still have some questions, or want to add a thought or two, please chime in. The clock is ticking. Soon we’ll be walking through the Marriot doors, ready to soak in the best the romance industry has to offer!

Labels: fashion, national conference, RWA

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Look after your feet

... and they will look after you.

Back to the basics, down to the ground, if you like. If you have beautiful, skinny feet and can spend hours in high heels, then you don't need to read this. This is for the rest of us.

You will be walking around (San Francisco is a walking-public transport sort of city) and on your feet a lot at the conference. You may even, gasp, have to put on high heels at some point.

So how do you keep your little piggies happy?

Do not, ever, ever, ever, expect a pair of shoes that don't feel comfortable the moment you try them on to get better. Maybe I should amend that. Eventually--many blisters later after your feet have sculpted the inside of the shoes to their liking--they'll be okay. If in doubt, leave them at home.
Do bring a pair of slopping around shoes. I always bring what I refer to as the "dress flip-flops." They have a slight wedge and a surprising amount of support. Your slopping around shoes may be sandals or sneakers or even, amazingly, something that looks good.
Bring as many shoes as you think you'll need and don't be afraid to throw some away while you're there. (You'll need the space for books. Since my major shoe purchases are at Payless, it's no biggie.)
Put your feet up (discreetly) when you can.
Treat your feet to a nice soak or scrub at least once a day.
Have a pedicure before you fly out.
If you really, really hate the feel of shoes on bare feet, invest in some lowcut socks or hose. I have been told that you can tame elegant shoes on bare feet by slathering them (feet) in lotion. This sounds so vile I can hardly bear to think about it, which brings me to...

Smelly feet.

It can happen to the best of us.

Say you have a pair of really reeking shoes but you love them and must wear them at Nationals. You may be able to tame them by tying them firmly into a plastic bag with a couple of teabags (black tea, nothing fancy) or bicarbonate of soda inside the shoes. When the growling and writhing in the bag subside, open with caution. And don't make tea with those teabags.

You can even try placing a teabag into the shoes as you wear them, although bear in mind that the bags may break and you'll leave a trail of dampened tealeaves behind you.

Spray the offending shoes sparingly with a weak bleach solution (inside, and if it ruins your shoes, don't come crying to me. I have no professional qualifications). A "green" bathroom cleaner is pretty good.

Or--it's so obvious--get a foot deodorant. This stuff, Lavilin, is weird. It's bright blue-green, it smells funny, but it works and you only have to put it on every few days. You can buy it and other products (including some that make me grateful that my feet are only ugly and huge) at footsmart.com. Great selection of shoes there, too, for people who have horrible feet and/or difficult to find sizes.

I like this stuff too, made by Boots (the beloved British company, products available in the US at Target and at this site)--it's a foot and leg spritz with echinacea and feels delicious.

And if you're not totally grossed out, what footcare tips do you have?

Labels: foot care, national conference

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Conference Activities for Non-Joiners, Newbies, and Self-Promoters – Esri Rose

RWA’s annual National Conference is an opportunity to network, learn and promote. But what if you’re brand-new to the conference, don’t belong to any local chapters, or are a disorganized flake who didn’t get her act together beforehand? I’ve been all three and continue to be two (that’s easy to figure out, isn’t it?). Membership in the Wet Noodle Posse usually saves me from having to entertain myself at conferences, but I’m here to tell you that you can be the howlingest of lone wolves and still get your game on in San Francisco. Here’s how.

Become a Member of the Press

All you need to get people to talk to you are a blog or online photo account like Flickr, a notebook and/or digital video camera (best), and bits of paper telling people where they can see their photos and quotes after the conference.

“Hi, I’m Amanda Roofus of MakeMeMewl.com, and today I’m asking, What kind of underwear do your book heroes wear? Boxers, briefs, a hybrid, or commando? Patterned or white? Silk or cotton? Do you have an upcoming book I can tell readers about? Great. Here’s a card with my site’s web address. Make sure to check in after [or during] the conference.”

You also can ask serious questions, like: What’s the best money you’ve spent on promotion? The worst?

Advertise Your Status

There’s still time to order a HELP! I’m Shiny New. Could I maybe sit with you? button from CafePress (I made them just for you, with no mark-up). Romance writers are generally very kind and mentor-oriented, so give them a chance to help you. Even more, they love to be kind to potential readers, so wear something that lets them know whether you’re into fantasy, historical, inspirational, or whatever.

You can use this same technique to hook up with people who share your non-book hobbies. If you’re a knitter, Corgi-breeder, SCA member or whatever, wear a little flair that lets other members of your tribe find you. The more interests you share, the more fun you'll have!

Organize Something

There is a bulletin board at Conference. Before you go, find something fun to do in San Francisco, whether it’s karaoke, a meal at a quirky restaurant, some kind of tour, or a drag show. Make sure it has a reasonable price point, doesn’t need reservations, is in a safe area, doesn’t conflict with some huge Conference event, and is easy to get to. Now put up an eye-catching sign on that bulletin board. Free Friday Afternoon? Call Amanda Roofus at Room 123 if you want to have High Tea at Blah-Blah historic house. If you get a mob, close registration after the first 20 people and take down the sign. If no one calls, no one but you will know. If only one person comes, you’ll have made a really close friend. And it doesn’t matter if some chapter is doing the same thing. You might get even more people for something like that, because they missed out on a known quantity. Take pictures and blog about it afterwards. Hand out paper bits with your URL.

Offer to Volunteer

Yes, there are official volunteers, but there is always more work. Find yourself a staff member and say, “This is my very first conference, I’m at kind of a loose end, and I’m wondering if you need any help with anything.” If the first person says, “No” and doesn’t give you someone else to contact, ask someone doing something completely different, or locate a coordinator you can speak to. Make sure you’re dressed nicely when you ask, so if they have a sudden moderator hole they need to fill, they can slot you in. If you have a car, make sure to mention that. You can also try this with chapter people, especially if you find someone in a chapter that’s local to you. It's a good way to find out if you want to join them.

Compliment an Author

Especially a newish author, and especially just before mealtimes. “OMG, you’re Esri Rose! This is my first romance conference, but I read your elf romance and just wanted to tell you how much I adored it. Hey, is there a food court around here? I am so ignorant of how this all works.” (Alternatively: “Are tables reserved, or do I just sit anywhere?) This is guaranteed to get you an invitation to join the author for a meal.

Esri Rose will be signing copies of Bound to Love Her at the RWA Readers for Life literacy signing Wednesday evening. Stop by and get an ElvesAmongUs.com button!

Labels: authors, books, Conference, national conference, networking, romance, romance novels, RWA, writing

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Networking at Conference -- Really, it's not scary!

By Trish Milburn

For some people, the idea of networking at the RWA National Conference sends icy shards of fear through their heart. Honestly, there's no need for that. Networking is just a fancy word for talking to other people who like books and romance as much as you do. Here are some quick ways to flex your networking muscles at the conference.

1. Editor and Agent Appointments -- If you take a stroll through the waiting area for these appointments, you'd think you were in an anteroom for the gallows. Now I say this having had to take my share of Pepto Bismol before said interviews, but they really aren't bad experiences. To me, the anticipation beforehand is much worse. Once you're in front of the agent or editor, the time flies and most of the time it's a pleasant experience. And when else are you going to get one-on-one time with an industry professional without interruption (at least until your allotted time is up). Oh, and if it isn't a one-on-one but rather a group appointment, do not hog the time. If a group appointment is 25 minutes and there are five people, do the math. Each person gets four to five minutes, depending on if the editor or agent takes up some of the time by speaking at the beginning.

2. Workshops -- During workshops, you can meet and chat with the other attendees. You never know when you might meet a kindred spirit, a future critique partner, someone who might be in a position to help along your career down the road. Also, if the speakers are editors and agents, take notes and ask intelligent questions, ones that haven't been asked a gajillion times in workshops since the beginning of time. You also might have the opportunity to go up after the workshop and ask a question that helps them put a face with a name when your submission comes across their desk. This is an especially good way to meet them if you weren't able to get an appointment with them for a pitch.

3. Luncheons -- I know it's more comfortable to sit with people you know at the luncheons, and I'll admit to doing it myself, especially since I don't get to see many of my writing friends more than once a year. Still, if the opportunity presents itself, you might consider sitting at a table with strangers or with an industry professional. A word of caution -- now is not the time to try to pitch to him or her. They want to enjoy their lunch and downtime as much as you do. But you never know when he or she might ask you about your writing. And even if the topic doesn't come up, if you're a pleasant table companion, people tend to remember that.

4. The Bar -- No, you don't have to drink to enjoy the networking hotbed that is the hotel bar. I don't drink, but at every conference I spend many late nights in the bar talking to other writers and, occasionally, an editor or agent. Another word of caution -- since editors and agents are likely about, do not allow yourself to get stinking drunk and make a fool of yourself. Sadly, I've seen it happen.

5. Business Cards -- While they are not a necessity, it's nice to have a basic, professional business card on hand to exchange. This will mainly be done with other writers or perhaps members of the media if you're published, but again, you never know where it might lead. And with places like VistaPrint, where you can get nice business cards for only the price of shipping, it could be a wise investment.

6. Attitude -- Perhaps your biggest networking asset is your attitude. Don't be a diva. Don't be nasty or talk trash about fellow writers, publishing houses, editors, agents, anyone! Think about it. If you were an editor who overheard two writers talking, and one was professional and courteous while the other badmouthed someone in every aspect of the industry, who do you think she'd prefer to work with in the future?

7. Volunteer -- If you moderate a workshop or work the editor/agent appointment desk, this is another way to come into contact with industry professionals and published authors who could offer you good career advice at some point. If you didn't volunteer this year, keep it in mind for when the call goes out next year.

Remember, networking is just one aspect of the conference experience. If you're new to networking, try one of the above and make plans to add another at the next conference you attend. And have fun! Conference shouldn't be solid work. You're allowed to have a good time too.

See you in San Francisco!

Labels: national conference, networking