Fandom: December Talking Meme: Conventions

[escritoireazul]

2014 Master List

melsheartsthings: Talk to me about your convention experiences and what worked and what didn't.

Conventions aren't a big part of my fannish life. I went to Wiscon for a few years (30, 31, and 32), and to the WriterCon that took place in 2009. (I actually had to go back to nikitangel's archive to even get the convention name right.) I also worked a few smaller local conventions back in the early 2000s, when I was a part of a start up gaming company.

I like the idea of conventions a lot; I like shared experiences and the joy of discussing things I love with people who love them, too. I had a wonderful time at Wiscon and WriterCon. But I'm not much of a people person. I dislike crowds, I am bad at networking, and I know I come across as cold and standoffish with new people a lot of the time.

The three years I went to Wiscon, I stayed off site with friends (cabell the first year and nikitangel the other two years). When I go back, I'll be staying in the host hotel. I think that will help a lot; staying off site meant I didn't easily have a quiet place to go when I needed a break. (No, the quiet room doesn't work for me. It still has people.) My plan is to go back next year, for Wiscon 40, and have a reunion with my writing group, but if the job situation doesn't work out soon, that will have to come off the table.

I like being on panels a lot, and I mostly attend panels, very few paper readings or book readings. I like the parties to the extent that I like to hang out with my friends, but as I said, I'm not great at working a room, and I often feel like I'm penalized for that, even at Wiscon. I love things like the karaoke party and the new people dinner. I like being able to take a break to explore the city, or simply lounge around the pool or hang out in someone's room while we decompress a bit. I love talking to people about their projects, and meeting small press representatives, and all the media available. I love taking the physical schedule and highlighting all the places I want to be, and second choices, and figuring out when and where to meet people. I love random games in the con suite, and fun conversations in the hallways, and the energy that fills the place. There are shitty parts to conventions just like everywhere else (I've personally run into fat hate, racism, and homophobia), but there's also that feeling of being surrounded by my people, and I miss that. I hope I get to go back soon.

In short: best convention would be packed full of activities and people, and involve a private room where I can go be alone at the point where everything is too much and I'm about to snap. Then back to chaos.

Comments

[likeadeuce]

I hope you do make it to WisCon 40 -- would love to meet up in person. I have found staying in the con hotel helpful b/c I can go nap whenever!

[escritoireazul]

That would be awesome. Fingers crossed this stupid Chicago job comes through so I can go!

That is exactly why I want to start staying at the con hotel; naps and quiet time whenever I want.