What if the other kids don't like me?
This week I will be traveling to SFWA's Nebula conference. My first big industry event, first time meeting a bunch of folks who are real authors. To say I've got a case of Imposter Syndrome is an understatement. Maybe the next time I attend I'll do so as a SFWA member, but this time I am Baby Nuwriter Q. Fishoutofwater. On the other hand, I am terribly excited to go. I'm excited to try dictating a new draft while I drive. I'm excited to have a private hotel room with a big desk where I can wake and do my Asimov Hour, then go use the treadmill in the fitness facilities, then walk to get my coffee, then meander over to the conference when it opens. I have such big plans! Superglad I upgraded from an Airbnb spare room to a hotel closer to the conference. I just hope the forecast changes. I see nothing but rain for the weekend, and I really wanted to walk all over the place! I'm crazy stressed right now. I think I've had too much caffeine lately. I started using the Keurig at work, and all the K-Cups are full caff. This is not good for Rekkabrain. I'm also antsy to pack even though it seems too early to pack. I'm also crazy stressed from the drama surrounding my recording equipment. If you haven't followed the adventure on my Asimov Hour, I'm now on my fifth through seventh microphones to use with my Zoom H1 recorder (which I also ordered a spare of in case it was the recorder)! I'm typing this on Monday, to avoid getting rushed Tuesday morning, and hopefully by now I've reported that it's all sorted out and I'm ready to go. I also feel unsettled because I'm between projects at the moment. I'm saving the new story's draft to begin in the car. I'm saving a re-read of Salvage for my return. I've got questions for the outline of Book 3 bouncing around my head but don't want to do more than take notes until Salvage is more settled. I have another Peridot story in mind that I suppose I could outline but nowomgthere'snotime. I tried to keep these things on the back burner but now I sort of feel like I have a direction and there are only two morning writing sessions left before I leave. So here's the plan for the next three mornings:
- Tuesday: Creative Writing. If the dictation equipment is all settled, I'll try taking a walk and dictating my creative writing that way, then use the rest of my Asimov Hour to transcribe and correct in DragonPad.
- Wednesday: Research the survival tips online again and see if any of the info sticks for the car ride.
- Thursday: Roll out of bed, coffee, quick shower, hit the road. 6 h 40 m – if I'm lucky. Draft along the way. Audio books if I finish. Drop off the car at the hotel parking garage, run through the rain to Nebula, try not to die of exhaustion on the first day.
- While in Pittsburgh, my morning writing time will be used to clean up/correct my Dragon transcription of nuDraft, and then potentially outline another story to draft on the way home.