What a conference! Eye-opening master classes and fascinating workshops that enlightened, entertained, and answered unasked questions. Exciting keynote addresses from wildly successful authors and, of course, the unequaled stimulation and joy of sharing knowledge and experiences with special friends.
Pure fun!
I came home pumped up with energy, new ideas, and a swirling need to get busy with all aspects of writing. I heard marketing news from agents and editors. An agent requested a partial of one of my women’s fiction novels, a story close to my heart. I carefully crafted my query and reviewed my partial, and I now possess “hope in the mail.”
On the self-publishing front, successful indie authors shared their social media successes and indie powerhouse Marie Force shared her marketing secrets. I have a slew of new ideas for marketing my own indie novels.
But now the house is quiet, and the exciting conference “surf” has slowed to a trickle. Why have I slipped into the doldrums?
I thought it was just me, but then I saw Kurt G. Schumacher’s post on the RMFW loop about “con drop.” Thank you, Kurt, for introducing me to the term.
Conferences produce a great deal of excitement—the educational offerings, the inspirational speeches and stories, and the unusually high level of socialization most of our writers don’t normally experience. But from the amazing highs can come amazing lows, like…
Con Crud. This is our response to all the germs to which we’re exposed from hanging with a few hundred people in close quarters for days in a row. Ways to avoid contracting it are:
- hand sanitizers
- immune-boosting herbs/medicinals before, during, and after
- managing stress (yes, even good stress can tax your immune system) with good nutrition, adequate sleep, and meditation/exercise before, during, and after the conference.
Con Drop. It’s the crash after the high, the stepping off the roller coaster, stomach queasy and brain dizzy from all the frenetic activity.
The cure? Be aware of these phenomena, and take it easy. Treat yourself to a half hour in the hammock, a relaxing session in the hot tub, or even a massage or manicure. Know that it’s temporary and you’ll be back to yourself in a day or two.
Thanks to all who shared hugs and encouragement with me during the conference. Now, as they say, Go forth and write!!!
Read more about Con Drop here.
Thanks so much for the shout-out and link to my post on Con Prep, Con Drop, and Con Crud! 🙂 I hoe your drop treated you gently 😉
Hope. Clearly, I mean I HOPE your drop treated you gently. lol
Thank you, Venessa! Your article covered the topic in much more depth. Thank you for sharing!
I can so relate to the “post conference blues” phenomenon. All that excitement and energy and then you have to re-enter the real world (although someone drained, if you’re basically an introvert. It was great to see you and my fingers are crossed for you on your women’s fiction submission. Cheers!
It was great seeing you, too, and catching up. No news yet, Mary, but thank you for the good wishes!! I’m rubbing my wishing stone for you, too. May your writing and marketing go smoothly this fall!
Thanks for sharing these insightful and fun comments. Personally, I rely on coffee: it’s cheaper than therapy and you don’t need an appointment.
You’re welcome! I’m savoring my morning coffee right now, d.p., and I agree, it’s uplifting — so long as it includes Creme Brulee coffee creamer, LOL.