Writer Mama Riffs on Raising A Writing Career Alongside Your Kids

Special thanks to Jeff Ayers, Rita Rosenkranz and Pam Binder.

Yes, it’s true! Barnes and Noble sold out of copies of Writer Mama at the PNWA Conference this weekend. Only three copies remained for the post-dinner author signing. I would like to always have such problems.

My presentation, Chutes and Ladders, Healthy Habits of Productive Writers went well too. I felt relaxed and focused (despite the full moon messing with my sleep) and participants were attentive and participated. I always enjoy bumping into people in the halls during the rest of the conference.

So, I’m really happy (and tired) this Monday morning.

The irony of traveling to writing conferences is that they typically happen on the weekend. Then you are back in the saddle on Monday morning, usually feeling elated by all you’ve learned, all the folks you’ve met, and all the excitement.

But at the same time like you’ve been run over by a truck from all the same.

Speaking of trucks. I took a rental car up to Seattle because we own one car. The rental company ran out of cars before I got there. So instead of driving a nice little compact car like I got last time, they gave me a giant boat-of-car. I could have fit an entire circus troupe in this thing. It was like steering a boat on the highway!

My biggest challenge was staying between the lines and making sure that no one hit, scratched, or otherwise marred the pristine black paint job over the course of forty-eight hours.

Seriously, it was a bit stressful. But no one did. Thank goodness.

More about what I came home to in the next post. I have mucho action-steps to take this morning. And I’m sure you do too. Especially if you attended the conference. Time to put all that good advice to work!

I’ll also post some photos soon…

Have a great Monday, everyone!

The delivery truck just arrived with my new biz cards for the PNWA Conference. Yahoo! Three cheers for Vista Print!

Here’s a list of all the things I carry so that I can be prepared at a conference or event:

1. biz cards
2. Writer Mama cover blow up
3. WM post cards
4. a updated one-page flyer of upcoming WM events
5. a sign-up clipboard for both of my e-zines

And when I’m presenting, I add:

1. my trusty iBook with video cable and remote control (to change slides)
2. My Powerpoint presentation
3. interactive handouts for attendees (I like them to get something out of it for them)

And for this presentation, CHUTES AND LADDERS, I also need:

1. an extra easel to display the game board
2. the game board
3. sticky squares to get the board to stand up
4. a sample handout (a handout with SAMPLE written across the top)

For signings, I need:

1. a couple of fine-point SHARPIES
2. extra books for if/when supplies run out
3. a smile
4. food in my tummy (I’m hypoglycemic so I carry almonds)

Okay, this is a fairly unique situation. I’ve never needed to bring this much with me before. But hopefully, it gives you an idea.

So much for traveling light!