Putting the 'Oppilant' in 'Opportunity' since 2001

[taste_is_sweet]

(Yes, "oppilant" is a real word. I totally looked it up.) And edited because I can't believe I spelled 'losing' with two 'O's. What the hell, brain?

I've been told in no uncertain terms by the lovely woman I pay to bitch at that I may be losing out on opportunities because I'm terrified I'm reluctant to move out of my comfort zone.

Since I pay her to tell me these things, I can only assume she has my best interests at heart and is probably right. Therefore o, best-beloveds, I've decided that this year I need to get off my frightened little ass and go to a writers' conference.

What am I frightened about (I know you're not asking, but I'm telling you anyway)? That would be rejection, my friends. Plain and simple. I've posted about this before, because I'm nothing if not redundant consistent, but I didn't realize just how terrified I am of rejection until I contemplated being rejected in person by other writers I don't know.

Seriously, nauseous with terror just from looking at a couple upcoming conferences in Texas. All I can think of is going to these panels hosted by beautiful writers (that's not even a joke--they all look so pretty and thin in their pictures) who are way more successful than me and then I'll say something or offer something, or just, something...and there'll be crickets. The metaphor for the deadly silence just before the hapless comic taps the microphone and asks, "is this thing on?"

But, I'm going to be brave and do it anyway. However, it'd be a lot easier to be brave if I wasn't alone. So, is anyone else out there planning on going to a writers' conference, who would like some company? Even if it's outside of Texas, if it's not too far I could probably manage to go. And I can be extremely encouraging to other people, if necessary. It's just me I have trouble with. I'd love to meet more people on my FList, too.

If not, well. I was thinking of going to the Writers League of Texas Agents and Editors conference in June. If you happen to be there, I'll be the plain, geeky older woman in the back. But my tee-shirt will be awesome.

Comments

[firesign10.livejournal.com]

I would SO love to go with you to a conference! I think we could have a great time :-D

Sadly, I live in Connecticut.

:-(

I will offer moral support all the way though!!

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I think you'd be a total hoot to hang out with. :D Hey, are there any conferences in Connecticut? I AM POSSIBLY MOBILE.

[sgamadison.livejournal.com]

I'd love to go to a writer's conference--it just isn't in the cards this year. I should have gone to one last year, but I spent my available time off and money going to something else as my writerly persona. I'm glad I went, but I should have gone to to a writing conference instead :-(

If it is any consolation, however, LOTS of writers seem to feel the way you do about rejection and whatnot. We were all probably the kids that got bullied on the playground. ;-) So don't let that stop you!

Depending on *where* DSP has their annual conference next year, I'm going to try my best to go. I'm hoping it will be on the east coast in 2015. If it is, we should go together!

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

All right, I'll see if I can put that on my calendar. Hopefully I'll have another thing published/going to be published by DSP by then...

I'd love to meet you in person, and everyone at DSP seems so friendly, that sounds like a great plan. :D

[umadoshi.livejournal.com]

That sounds like a really good move, and potentially awesome. *^^*

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I suppose at worst I can be proud that I went...

[brumeier.livejournal.com]

Wow, you are soooo brave! I've come pretty far from my comfort zone in recent years, but that's a biggie. I know you can do it!

Wish I could be there to cheer you along in person. You're such an awesome writer, and an even better person, and I bet there wouldn't be a single cricket chirping at you. And if there was, I'd step on it! LOL!

I don't understand how normal, everyday people DON'T have a fear of rejection. That's what makes being a fan fic author so amazing. Despite that fear, that niggling certainty that THIS time no-one is going to like what I wrote, I post it anyway and hope for the best.

Bravery comes in all sizes, I guess.

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Bravery also takes practice, because I still get worried about fanfiction sometimes...

I'd love to meet up with you at a writers' conference. Or anywhere, really. But hey, Boston! :D

[brumeier.livejournal.com]

BOSTON! Bring it on, baby!

I think we should always be a little worried about our writing, because otherwise we'd be insufferable egomaniacs who could be writing crap and not caring about it. ::grins::

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

BOSTON!!!! ::barks::

I dunno, the 'not caring' part sounds kind of cool, actually...

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

I REALLY want to go to a writer's conference, and I would SO jump at a chance to go with someone else, but I simply can't afford it right now, alas. *sigh* I have to buckle down with finances and that means no travel for awhile *grumps*

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Ach. I'm sorry to hear that. You are such a sweet, optimistic person, I'm sure it'd be great to go to a conference with you! Maybe next year?

[sholio]

*hugs* Best of luck! You ARE brave, and I think you'll rock it. :)

Sadly I'm stuck in Alaska, or else I would love to go with you.

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

I'd love to go with you, too! I'm sorry Alaska is so far. And cold...

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Aaawww, wish this had come up last year when I did go to a writers' con for the first time! I would have asked if you wanted to go together! It was the annual LGBTQ writers' con in New Orleans, and I was there to give a reading of some of my Fraser/Kowalski due South fic as the first fanfic writer ever invited to read at that con.

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

That is so awesome! Why were you invited? And can I read the fanfic that got you invited? (Or was it your oeuvre?) I wasn't even thinking about conferences last year, which is definitely too bad since New Orleans is right next door. (Of course this is Texas, so 'next door' is a ten-hour drive.)

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

I submitted some of my fanfic to the con and then they invited me to attend as a reader.

Here's the pieces of fic I submitted :

Love Will Be the Death of Me http://archiveofourown.org/works/825566

What It's Like to be Smiling in Open Air
http://archiveofourown.org/works/595410

Getting Buried in Buffalo Jump http://archiveofourown.org/works/396192

(Warnings : First of the above is a death!fic and third is an apocalypse!fic.)

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I'm pretty sure I read the Buffalo Jump one, but I'll happily read it again. (Okay, maybe not happily, since it's a death fic, but I will read it.)

Can anyone submit writing? Where are they? If you have the URL I'd love to check it out.

[ride-4ever.livejournal.com]

Here's the URL : http://sasfest.org/ for the annual New Orleans "Saints & Sinners Literary Festival" for GLBTQ writers. This year's festival is May 15 - 18.

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[draycevixen.livejournal.com]

I have two professional conferences to attend this year (boo!) so that's my conference time taken care of but you should REALLY consider going anyway. REALLY.

Writers really are like that old joke about herding cats and you'll quickly find you're not even close to being the geekiest geek in the room.

I shall cheer you on! \o/

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetheart. I hope you enjoy your work conferences!

It's not being the geekiest I worry about, it's just being not as good as anyone else, basically. But that's kind of perpetual with me.

[amalthia]

Wish I could go to the conference with you. Alas, I'm in Alaska...It takes courage to move out of a comfort zone. I struggle with this often.

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

Hey, do you know sholio? She's in Alaska too. :)

I appreciate the sympathy and understanding for sure. I hate even having a comfort zone to move out of, especially that it's so scary.

[amalthia]

I've met Sholio, she's in Fairbanks and I'm in Anchorage. Sometimes, when she comes to town we meet up. She's great. :) She's also one of the few people I know that likes hiking and talking fandom. It's awesome.

I have yet to visit Fairbanks in the five years I've been living here...

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

It's very cool that you have an online friend who can also come visit. And I suppose its lucky that you both like hiking, considering where you live. ;)

[blythechild.livejournal.com]

I have a hard enough time going to TICAF (comic book/graphic novel/illustration conference for artists) each year but sorta treat it like taking a necessary dose of medicine. I don't find that conferences, in general, are very helpful to career aspirations, BUT they are very inspiring, and if nothing else, it should kick your writing into a higher gear afterwards ;)

[taste-is-sweet.livejournal.com]

I'm hoping that I might at least get inspired, yeah. :)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels kind of medicinally about it. Thank you.