Tools to Bring to a Writers’ Conference

by Angella Foret Diehl, OCW Webmaster

As the OCW Web master and one of the organization’s “resident geeks,” you’ll typically see me tooling around conferences with a wheeled suitcase. No, I didn’t spend the night in my car, anticipating the terrific workshops and keynote speaker!

The suitcase is packed with things that help make a conference run more smoothly: a laptop computer, extra cords and mice, flash drives, a projector, a surge protector, etc. I also keep a small printer in my car “just in case.”

As a conferee, you won’t need many of those gadgets to learn about the craft and business of writing from OCW’s finest. But here are a few that can help!

*Laptop computer – The price of small laptops (often called “netbooks”) has come down; as of this writing in spring 2010, you can purchase one for less than $200! If you type faster than you write and like checking your e-mail on break, consider a laptop small enough to fit in your purse or OCW tote bag.

*Digital camera – I remember the time I met James Scott Bell at a conference. How I wished I’d had my camera with me that day (at least the bookstore had copies of his books to sign)! Like computers, cameras are coming down in size and price.

*Flash drive – If you’re teaching workshop or leading any sort of presentation, I highly recommend backing up all of your information onto a flash drive and bringing it with you. It definitely saves headaches to have the information just in case! You can get a flash drive at most major retailers for less than $10.

Really, you could get carried away with the tech gadgets and end up like me, toting a 50-pound bag around a conference. Let’s not forget these low-tech gadgets that are an absolute must for any conference!

*Notebook and writing utensils – of course, you’ll remember those! Try to bring a notebook you feel comfortable writing in (a very small memo-style notebook poses a cramp-worthy danger after the fourth page of notes) and at least three or four of your favorite pencils or pens (you’ll inevitably lose at least one).

*Business cards – a cheap and easy way to network with other writers. VistaPrint.com offers free business cards (you pay shipping), or you can make your own with your computer and printer using business card paper from a local supply store. You don’t need anything fancy as long as your name and contact information (phone, e-mail, etc.) are on the card.

*A tote bag – I can’t stress this enough: You need something to carry all the stuff home from the conference. Books and freebies from the bookstore, notes from workshops, bookmarks, business cards from other authors – you never know! Just in case you forget (or you want to look super-stylish), we have OCW totes for sale in the bookstore.

*A teachable spirit – you can have every high- and low-tech gadget known to man but, without a teachable spirit, they are useless. “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17 NIV). So bring those open ears and prepare to hear the words of your brothers and sisters in Christ.