How to Survive a Writers' Conference in Style: Vol. 4

So far in our series we’ve discussed hair, make up, clothing and touched on how author branding ties into all of these things.  So, I think it’s time we discussed my favorite part of going to a writers’ conference: shoes!  Most people would recommend that you wear comfortable shoes to a conference.  Something like these:

Please, don’t listen to these people.  Comfortable shoes are for wearing to the grocery store on a Saturday afternoon not for a writers’ conference.  Writers, by job description, sit alone at a computer all day.  We don’t have the opportunity to socialize often, so when we do we need to take advantage of that time.  Conferences are for networking with other writers—lots of other writers.  To make the most of your trip the one thing you want to be more than anything is memorable! So be flashy! Match your shoes along with your wardrobe to your writing as McGovy discussed in the last post.  So let’s step out of that comfortable writer zone with something like these:

Or these:

Or even these:

You may be saying, but my feet will hurt! Yes.  Yes, they will.  But that’s what I’m here to help you with today.  I spent 14 years of my life as a ballet dancer.  If there is one thing standing on your toes in ridiculously tight point shoes teaches you, it’s how to deal with aching feet.  

Here are a few of my dancer secrets you can use at your next writers’ conference:

1.   .  This may seem obvious to some but when you get a pedicure before attending the conference cut your nails back short.  The French manicure you have on your toes may be really cute, but you’ll regret the slight length of it when you’ve been in heels all day.
2.     .     Stretch in the morning in your hotel room before you put your shoes on.  This will keep you from getting leg cramps.
3.       Take a tennis ball with you in your suitcase.  At the end of a long day at the conference place the tennis ball under one foot at a time, apply some pressure and use it to stretch out your arch.  It helps—a lot. 
4.       If you can, slip away to the hot tub area of your hotel for a few minutes.  Soak those toes.  Bring your writer friends and a drink.  You’ll have a great time and your feet will thank you.
5.       Foot numbing spray! This is the secret to my 6” heel success.  Numbing spray can be purchased at any drug store on the isle with the bandages.  I highly recommend this product.  Spray your feet before you strap on your fabulous shoes in the morning and enjoy numbness all day while you walk around the conference.
6.       Bring blister bandages.  There’s nothing worse than a nagging blister when you’re wanting to party with your writer friends.  Your feet may be numb all day but that doesn’t mean you aren’t doing damage.  So protect those toes from further injury!

If you follow these simple steps, you too can be memorable at a writers’ conference in your fabulous shoes!  Have fun and don’t trip and fall.  Want to talk shoes? Please comment, I’d love to chat.

How To Survive A Writers Conference in Style - Vol. 3

CLOTHING

Let’s talk clothes.  Writing Conference clothes. 

When EMichels and I first decided we’d do a blog series on conference survival, we were all “…and clothes! Yay, we can do a post about clothes!”  The excitement was contagious, but then we had to decide what we’d say.

*Cue crickets*

The fact is, clothing is very individual – as it should be.  Everyone has their own style and it may change depending on the event or day of the week.  We aren’t fashion experts and we certainly aren’t going to tell anyone how they should dress.  This post is merely an attempt at helping you carry out a look you want, IF you want a look.

If you do, then here’s my one basic, fail safe rule and a few examples on how to make a look work.

Fashion Rule: Always give thought to what you’re going to wear and the message you intend to send.

I’m not saying you should plan out every outfit, including the Saturday trip to Wal-Mart. For me that consists of khaki shorts, t-shirt, little to no make-up, and flip flops. But I’ve still given it some thought. I thought: I want to be comfy. I’m a mommy on her weekly grocery trip with her toddler son. It’s Saturday, I’m casual and I’m not trying to impress anyone.

And that’s exactly the message I send.

I do not want to send this message at a writer’s conference. No one wants to project harried or overly casual, over-worked or fraying at the edges to a room of agents, editors, and other writers.  I think we all prefer for our better qualities to shine through at writer events.

So, the first thing you do is decide the message you want to send while networking at a writer’s conference.  Are you neat and down to business in your slacks and classic cardigan? Are you simple and chic in black? Are you powerful, motivated, and a bit of fun with your business suit and pop of color a la fuchsia scarf and statement jewelry?

These looks send messages. If the message is strong enough, it makes you memorable.

Let’s say you write quirky Steampunk novels that run high octane on the erotic meter.  If I were you, I wouldn’t wear a cardigan and pearls to a writer’s conference. I’d work my brand and go with a few pieces of Steampunk inspired jewelry and the occasional article of clothing. I’m not talking full costume – save that for Dragon Con (Woo Hoo!) – but a few signature pieces, like a type of blouse or boots. Last year I saw a gorgeous forest green corset on a writer.  She wore it over some type of blouse so as to not be too risqué for a conference.  She looked amazing and I still remember her and her outfit.  That’s a good thing!

Another example is a writer of women’s fiction, heavy on the literature, low on the fluff.  Her writing is serious and she wants to be taken seriously.  If I’m her, I’d choose flattering skirts and dresses, heels or heeled boots, reserved colors with a touch of flash (ie. Animal print or a swath of color) that hints at my creativity and sense of humor.

If I’m the M Shelf member that writes paranormal (not too dark, not too light) with humor, grit, and a sensual flare – I’d go for black mixed with bold colors. Red, Blue, a bit of sparkle and shine, tempered by urban mettle that reflects the writing. Leather boots, chunky metal jewelry, rockin’ hair.

If I’m the M Shelf member that writes sexy, sassy historical – I’d go for flirtatious and fun. Think pink with lots of skirts or dresses, plenty of flow and flowers, heavy on the sparkle and jewelry, with hair that takes up some space.

Finally, in order to carry out these looks when you go shopping (and not revert back to regular day to day attire), may I suggest Pinterest?  I knew the look I wanted, I knew the look EMichels wanted.  Over a few months I pinned outfits that said “McGovy” or “EMichels” to me. 

All of these random bits of inspiration were saved in one easy to find place, so when I hit the store it was easy to reference.  I didn’t want to buy something I’d wear to my 9 to 5, but that’s a tough habit to break.  Looking at the article of clothing in my hand and seeing if it fit with the looks on my page was an easy way to weed out the work clothes.  It also reminded me of the look I was going for when I was caught between two dresses! (Yes, I WILL be magical midnight princess at the Maggie’s party and that’s that!)

Good luck with your style, both in writing and every day.  Whatever it is, you should feel good about it and yourself. Now go work that look!

How to Survive a Writers’ Conference in Style: Vol. 2

Applying your game face…

Here on the M Shelf, we’re counting down the days until we attend our favorite regional writers’ conference: Moonlight and Magnolias in Atlanta, GA.  Last week we discussed conference hair with McGovy.  Now that our hair is fluffed, curled and sprayed within an inch of its life, it’s time to put our faces on as my mother used to say.  Game faces?  Well, if you’re going to a writers’ conference to pitch your book and network with other writers—which you are—then yes!  And don’t we all want our game faces to be pretty?  Let’s chat about it.

Colors:

I’m somewhat of an expert at mixing paint.  In college I took a class called Theory of Color where all we did was mix colors of paint on little squares of paper for an entire semester.  I thought it was pointless busy work at the time, however as a result I now understand how the color wheel works and what really happens when colors are mixed.  What does this have to do with putting on your game face at a conference?  Everything!  Applying makeup is the delicate art of mixing paint—only on your face.

1.)  If you mix red and green together, you get neutral. 

2.)  If you mix purple and yellow together, you get neutral.

All skin tones fall within the center of the color wheel.  What does this mean?  Colored concealer is a writer’s best friend at a conference.  Nobody wants to have a giant zit on display just beneath the dark circles hanging under their eyes, right?  Blemishes and splotchy red marks will instantly disappear with the use of a dot of green concealer.  This is because red and green make what? Neutral.  Dark circles under your eyes from partying too hard with your writer friends last night can be quickly hidden with a smear of yellow concealer.  Why is this?  Because purple and yellow mix together to make neutral.  This will give your skin a smoother, non-clumpy appearance once you achieve your final look.

What’s your look?

Your color scheme should blend well with your hair, eye color and clothing.  Because of all of these factors it’s necessary to keep in mind the proper season your coloring falls within.  See charts below.  If you use your coloring as a guide, your conference style will come together with ease.

Tips and Tricks:

Days at a conference are long days that last well into the evening.  So, your lipstick needs to last right alongside your hair and feet. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your lip color last without worry?  Try this: Put lip liner on all over your lips as if it’s lipstick.  Blot.  Apply lipstick over the top of this layer, using it like a base to hold the lipstick in place.  You’ll be amazed how long it lasts.

So, you have your writers’ conference game face on.  You’re ready to conquer a few workshops.  But, now it’s time for the keynote speech.  Some famous author delivers the most compelling and gut wrenching speech you’ve ever heard.  There isn’t a dry eye in the room, but now you’re puffy eyed for the rest of the conference.  Not if you use this tip! Bring 2 metal spoons with you from home and throw them in the itty bitty freezer in your hotel room.  When the keynote speech ends, slip away for 10 minutes.  Press the frozen spoons to your eyes and any puffiness will go away within a few minutes.  Reapply mascara and rejoin the conference looking like you never shed a tear.  (No, McGovy, I will not need this tip this year because I will not cry at all and you will owe me a drink!)

I hope with your game face on and your lipstick attached for life, you’ll have the confidence you need to make the most of your writers’ conference.  Want to discuss your conference look?  We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.

Supply List:

Green concealer

Yellow concealer

Lip liner and lipstick

Metal spoons

Water to stay hydrated amid all the drinks

A wash cloth, hand towel and pillow case from home to avoid any allergic reactions in the hotel