RWA Conference Top Ten Do’s
Jul 8th 2009
KimOn Writing!
Only 6 days until it’s time to load up the car and head out for the RWA conference in Washington DC. The Goddess party is planned, cute shoes have been packed and it is time for a crazy, fun, whirlwind week. Here are my top 10 conference DO’s.
1. Keep hand sanitizer in your bag. You shake a lot of hands and touch a lot of stuff. ‘Nuff said.
2. Don’t overpack. (really don’t be like Suzie and me) You have so much stuff to lug around; make it as easy on yourself as possible.
3. Take pictures! You’re going to want to remember this. Trust me, there are so many moments I regret not having a picture of.
4. Make time for your friends. Yes, this is a business week but its still about having fun and seeing long distance friends. While I talk to my best friends several times a week on the phone this is the only week we ever get to see each other. We’re going for sushi!
5. Make time for yourself. Most of us work in solitary environments. Suddenly being around 3000 other people and always having your happy face on can be emotionally tiring. Make time each day to go back to your room or to get out of the conference hotel alone. Even if its just for 30 minutes, it will help.
6. Relax! (if you’ve been around me at conference you know why I say this *G*)
7. Get out of the hotel occasionally. Last year Suzie and Karen Hawkins took me to the aquarium and the Hard Rock Cafe. It was one of the funnest parts of conference for me and the closest I got to the ocean. Still my fondest memory of San Fran.
8. Visit all the Goddesses at the literacy signing. You might snag a really cool Goddess button.
9. Be selective on the freebies you take. With luggage restrictions and the cost of shipping from the hotel; the cost for those free books can really add up. As I stand in line for each publisher open house I make a list of the authors/books I really want to read and I only take those.
10. HAVE FUN! Join us at The Goddess Blog party! Its Wednesday, July 15 from 8-10pm. This is directly after the Literacy Signing. You do not have to be attending the conference to attend the literacy signing or the Goddess Party. If you’d like to attend please just email me (kimscastillo at msn dot com) and let me know the easiest way to contact you on July 15 or stop by one of the Goddess tables at the literacy signing. We won’t know our location until we arrive at the hotel. So everyone will receive the secret Mt. Oly location then!
My husband and son are joining me this year and we’re having a family road trip. What’s your best road trip story? Any suggestions or tips for me on spending 9 hours in the car with my two favorite guys?
49 Comments »
49 Responses to “RWA Conference Top Ten Do’s”
evlqn on 08 Jul 2009 at 2:57 am #
Congratulations Kim,on the opportunity to go to the conference and the road trip.
When we would go travelling we couldn’t agree on musical tastes or rely on good radio reception, so we would take books on tape and listen to them. On our last trip as a family we listened to the entire Gunslinger series by Stephen King. I am not a big King fan but my dh and sons are. I did get them to listen to Morning Glory by LaVyrle Spencer though.
The best road trip we took our sons were around 5 &7 and we drove from LA to Portland, Or for my dh’s Gram’s 80th birthday party. That was the year Mt St. Helens blew so we had ash all over everything. After Portland we drove to Grand Island,Ne to see my folks for a few days. Daddy had to give us the tour of devastation from the tornadoes that had ripped through. We saw a lot of places that only had the foundations and fireplaces still standing. I always wanted to find out who had built those fireplaces and have them build me a house.
We went from Ne to Ft.Sill, Ok. to dh’s brothers house so we could visit without 100 of our closest relatives. And then to Az to my MIL’s and back to LA. We were gone for 22 days and put 4500 miles on our VW bug.
evlqn on 08 Jul 2009 at 3:04 am #
You have not lived until you have taken a trip cooped up with two active little boys. I am amazed we made it home alive! We found a turtle on the road between Vernon and Lubbock, Texas and the males in my family insisted that we keep it. “Vernon” lived for nearly two years before someone poisoned him, my sons were heartbroken. They would pull his tank next to their bunk bed so they could sleep with him.
LoriHandeland on 08 Jul 2009 at 5:43 am #
I have one word for long trips. Ipods.
Of course my little boys are now big boys. When they were little the word was DVDs. Unfortunately we didn’t have a DVD car then.
I always used to buy them brand new crayons, coloring books and stuff like that for trips. It amused them for a good long while.
Sabrina Jeffries on 08 Jul 2009 at 5:57 am #
Nine hours! You poor thing. No suggestions, I’m afraid, just lots of sympathy!
Kim, I bet you’re a lot like me at conference–you want to fit in every minute of fun so you burn the candle at both ends–get up too early and stay out too late. Gab for hours. Every year I promise myself not to do that, and every year I do.
I’m so excited about the freebies this year because I’m going by train and I can actually haul some home!
Lisa H on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:02 am #
Kim, I am so excited for you and the other goddesses going! It sounds like you know how to have a good time! My family just came back from Colonial Williamsburg (8 hour drive) and it was not bad. The teenagers slept, the almost-four-year-old watched DVDs and I read Judith McNaught’s “Paradise”. The drive did not seem bad at all.
We brought a cooler filled with drinks, and a bag of snacks too keep people happy and it seemed to work well.
Cail on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:09 am #
i’ll be doing the 6 hour drive to DC next tuesday. I can’t wait. For long car rides i get books on tape. i won’t be over packing, since I’ll only be down in DC for a few days, but I look forward to having a stack of books to bring back. I’ll probably have to print out my excel list to make sure i don’t get too many duplicates.
i’m really excited. i’ll see you guys at the Goddess Party. I’ll try to remember my button.
also, HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONNA!
Kim on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:16 am #
Kim, I bet you’re a lot like me at conference–you want to fit in every minute of fun so you burn the candle at both ends–get up too early and stay out too late. Gab for hours. Every year I promise myself not to do that, and every year I do.
I’m so excited about the freebies this year because I’m going by train and I can actually haul some home!
OMG, Sabrina, how did you know? That’s me to a T. In bed at 2 or 3 am and up by 7. And yes, this year I am resolved to be more relaxed and to only enjoy conference.
You have to tell me about the train. Originally a friend and I had planned on meeting up and sharing a bedroom on the train. It sounds like such fun.
Kim on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:19 am #
Ohh books on tape, what a great suggestion. I have the Harry Potters and Janet Evanovich’s I can take.
Evlqn-the turtle story is so cute. I can just picture your little boys snuggled up to an aquarium.
Lori-Anthony is taking his ipod! Gil and I are really musically compatible. We’re also taking our laptops and some movies to watch.
Lisa-How was Williamsburg? I’ve always wanted to go there. It sounds like so much fun. We’ve got the cooler ready!
Cail-Can’t wait to see you!
Happy birthday Donna!
Deb Marlowe on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:38 am #
Can’t wait to see you and all the Goddesses, Kim!
Yes, I second evlqn’s suggestion–books on tape! You could get a really good spooky or funny one, since you are all adultish and all! For my youngish guys, IPods and Gameboys are essential!
Karen Hawkins on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:42 am #
Happy Birthday, Donna! Hope you’re having a wonderful one!
About those books at RWA — I always mail myself a box of things to the conference, so I have a nice fresh box when I get to the hotel. Then, I find the closest post office and mail the free books from the conference at book rate, which is pretty cheap. Or, if there are just a few and it’s crowding my shoes, I’ll mail home my shoes in a flat rate box, which is only $7 or less.
When my kids were little, I’d prepare Play Packs. I’d use big zip locks and load them up — one with colored pencils, a sharpener and a coloring book; in another a puzzle; in another binoculars; in another a license plates of the states list and a marker; etc etc. They got one new pack each hour for the entire trip. Just changing out the packs were fun and made the trip pass.
PJ on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:58 am #
Great list, Kim! I hadn’t thought about the hand sanitizer.
Lots of good ideas from everyone for staying occupied during the drive too. I have the feeling Gannon and I will spend our 7 hr drive talking non-stop.
I know I’ve over-packed but no matter how many times I go through the clothes I can’t bring myself to pull anything out. I guess I’m just going to have to stay over-packed. One of the perks of driving.
My Goddess button is already in the bag (my tiara too) and I’m ready to party!
Looking forward to seeing everyone who will be in DC and wishing all of you could be there to party with us.
Kim on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:05 am #
Karen-those flat rate boxes are awesome. LOVE them.
PJ-oh yes, they have some spray that comes in a pen shaped container so its easy to tuck in pants or a purse. Gil doesn’t go anywhere without sanitizer. LOL. You and Gannon are going to have so much fun! Can’t wait to see you both.
Rachel Gibson on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:08 am #
I recommend xanax. A good xanax will knock you out for hours.
Freshechelle on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:16 am #
Two words of advice for any road trip: Cracker Barrel.
Have fun!
Lisa H on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:17 am #
Sniffle, sniffle…I want to go soooo bad!!!! Someone come pick me up!
Kim, Williamsburg was wonderful. I love the history, the men in breeches, and the feel of the area. We also took the kids to Busch Gardens and had a blast there. I went on a rollercoaster called the Griffith with my son. Look it up sometime, I don’t think I have ever prayed so hard! It was 97 degrees, we were a bit warm…
Kim on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:23 am #
LOL! Rachel you ended up in the spam filter but I rescued you.
Pesky on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:24 am #
Have a great time at RWA everyone that’s going!
Freshechelle on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:24 am #
Kim, you have to go to Colonial Williamsburg. It is about 3 hrs east of DC but worth it. And who knows, you might meet Thomas Jefferson or one of the other patriots the over-enthusiastic docents dress as.
I like to treat myself to staying in a colonial building when I go which makes it an nice quiet, un-hotel like experience. It’s the best recreated historical village in the US that I know of.
Karen Hawkins on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:33 am #
Oh my parents do Williamsburg all of the time! It’s SO cool, too. Fresh, I’d LOVE to stay in a colonial building — I didn’t know you could. My parents use their time share, so I haven’t had that experience and I wish I had!
Cail on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:39 am #
oh! I love Colonial Williamsburg too! It’s a really fun experience. We’ve got similar ones closer to us in the Northeast, but none come close to the awesomeness that is CW. It’s just like going to another world. When we went when I was little we tried so hard to get them to break character. Last time i went I was with two friends and right out of college. We ended up making friends with one of the guys who was on staff and met up with him for dinner after he got off work. It was kind of awesome.
Rachel Gibson on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:05 am #
I wondered where I went. Thanks Kim.
Claudia Dain on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:24 am #
Book on tape! Wonderful way to pass the hours in the car. It’s the way my family “did” Harry Potter.
Happy Birthday, Donna!
Jamie on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:38 am #
1) For the car there are books on tape like Claudia said. In fact, my Dad got us one that we got so into that when we stopped for something, we wanted to hear what was going to happen next in the story more than go to the stop we were going to.
2) Nothing like old fashioned car games. “I Spy With My Eye” — since the car is moving, you can’t say a certain item but do things in the car. “I’m Going to the RWA Convention and I’m bringing. . .” — the old alphabet memorizing game, which the first thing starts with A and the second with B. “Name That Tune!” — we loved doing this in the car. We would Da,Da,Da some of the lyrics and the winner would take their turn at trying to have someone else quess the song.
3) Take out the AAA book (or other travel book) and have everyone pick out ONE thing they really want to go to when in Washington. Let them pick out more than one, but vote on like at least three things to do and that will make them have something to look forward to.
4) If you have a DVD player in your car. Have each kid pick out a fave DVD & watch it on the way down. Tell them to bring a book, magazine and I-pod(MP3 player) and listen to it. Have fun!
LoriHandeland on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:46 am #
Rachel-SNORT!! You are my kind of woman.
evlqn on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:54 am #
Kim, Vernon’s habitat was actually a tear-down bin for car engines. My dh was a service manger at a VW shop and he brought a new home for the turtle.
My sister makes gift baskets and one that she does is a Rainy-Day/ Travel case. It is a cosmetic case filled with puzzles, games, coloring books and other entertainment type things for kids.
Stephanie J on 08 Jul 2009 at 9:36 am #
I wish I would have listened to the advice to get out of the hotel at last year’s conference. I didn’t… and while I still had a blast I managed to be in SF for almost a week and I never saw the Golden Gate Bridge. Mary hasn’t been to DC so we will be sure to get out this time.
No tips on the roadtrip here! The only one I did was for the move from MN to TX 9 years ago and I don’t recall the drive. I wonder about audio books… does anyone feel that they get too distracted from driving to fully enjoy the story? I guess this would only apply if you were the driver.
elsiehogarth on 08 Jul 2009 at 9:55 am #
Kim and all the Goddesses have a great time at RWA. Take lots of pictures and have fun.
I was in D.C, last week, and we did a lot of the touristy things like the Smithsonian (love all the museums), the Library of Congress, the different memorials but my favorite was the trip to Mount Vernon. There are a lot renovations to George Washington’s home especially it being interactive and having our first President in wax.
Suzanne Enoch on 08 Jul 2009 at 9:59 am #
I can attest to the fact that KarenH DOES mail extra shoes to the conference hotel. That way she can laugh at me for overpacking, AND have all the floor closet space. *g*
KimC on 08 Jul 2009 at 9:59 am #
I didn’t see the Golden Gate Bridge either
Does anyone have any must see sites or must eat at restaurants in DC to recommend? Gil and Anthony are hitting the Smithsonian and the Air and Space museum. I’m going to BLT steakhouse one night for dinner. Saturday we’re all going out for some touristy family time. Anything we need to see?
Oh and was anyone else happy as a clam that there are FOUR Five Guy burger & fries within 2 miles of the conference hotel? Loooovveee them.
KimC on 08 Jul 2009 at 10:12 am #
Okay my lovelies! I have to run to the post office and grab some lunch but I’ll be back soon!
nancyg on 08 Jul 2009 at 10:25 am #
* cracking knuckles * I am a road warrior. I’ve done car trips solo with my girls from Dallas, TX to Lake Tahoe, CA; San Diego; Buffalo, NY (SEVERAL times to visit in-laws)
Since I’m a stay-at-home mom, we take our time going up – 2-3 days. Mr. G flies in and meets us. I plot out our trip, then pick stopping points & activities for us to do along the way. Each girl gets a vote. We did the Louisville Slugger bat factory, skipped Louisiana Downs. National Corvette Museum, boat ride in underground caverns, Vatican Museum exhibition in Cleveland, Jim Beam bourbon distillery, etc.
We all have iPods, so each girl gets to plug hers in for an hour at a time & be the musical conductor. It’s a lot of fun! My oldest is Rat Pack & Beatles, middle one is Top 40, youngest is Hannah Montana & Jonas Brothes. They know all the words to 70’s & 80’s hits now courtesy of mom
Also – Brain Quest? They sell it at Barnes & Noble & is a book of ? by grade level/topic. It’s fun to see what each girl knows about American History, etc. They also bring their Game Boys, cell phones (texting), movies & TV shows on video iPods, & books. We’re on the road for about 10-12 hours a day.
nancyg on 08 Jul 2009 at 10:32 am #
Mr. G & I went up to DC a couple of years ago for a wedding. A bunch of the wedding guests stayed at the conference hotel & loved it.
LOTS to do in DC!! I’ve been up there several times as a kid. I know it’s hard to get out of the hotel – there’s SO much to do right at conference.
Must sees are National Air & Space Museum, Holocaust Museum is a place to go to, but I wouldn’t go back again – it’s very eye-opening & disturbing at the same time. If your family wants to go up to the top of the Washington Monument – get there early!! They start handing out tickets in the morning for times during the day & they go FAST!! The WWII and Vietnam Veterans memorial are very cool.
I *still* haven’t made it to the National Archives to see the Declaration/Constitution – every time I’ve gone, the line was around the block…
My daughter went on a trip in 8th grade with school & said the National Mint was very cool – seeing money being made
I went to the library & checked out a travel guide for the “must eat” restaurants, out of the way places. I’m a planner/plotter, lol.
dbrown3400 on 08 Jul 2009 at 11:25 am #
Everyone have a great time at the RWA Convention and the Goddess get-together. I’ll be with you in spirit.
Thanks for the birthday wishes. My granddaughter presented me with a rather large hand, foot, and finger painting. She’s almost 15mo which seems amazing.
Our most memorable road trip was when the girls and I drove from Princeton to Tulsa for a family reunion when they were 11 and 6. We packed up the car with a cooler, groceries, pillows, books, and some coloring books and headed out. The girls were always troopers on the road, not requiring many stops, so we generally ate when we stopped for gas with restaurants being a special treat. One motel we stopped at on the drive down had a portion shaped like an ark and there was a petting zoo. I think this was outside Indianapolis. We stopped in St. Louis on the way back which was unscheduled because I had wanted to make the trip in two days like I had coming up. But I figured we could stop somewhere and stretch the trip. Well, when I got really tired and wanted to stop in Western PA, there wasn’t a hotel to be found. That was true in the entire state all the way home. I finally just pulled off at a rest stop. cont.
Freshechelle on 08 Jul 2009 at 11:28 am #
Didn’t the very silent today Julia London used to live in DC? Surely she’d have some good suggestions. Guess I missed a few days, maybe she told us she was going off the grid.
Anyway, I was in DC in the spring for work and we had the Newseum all to ourselves for a dinner and a scavenger hunt. It’s a beautiful building but I didn’t get a change to really enjoy it or see what I really wanted to see: George Stephanopolous’s studio. As a political news junkie, I’d go for that. Bring your glasses, there’s a lot of reading involved. They have an interactive dealy where you can file your own news report on TV.
dbrown3400 on 08 Jul 2009 at 11:41 am #
cont.
We ended up driving a much longer trip in one stretch than intended. The most excruciating road trip was the drive from Florida to NJ with DD#2 and the baby when she was only six months old. The trip took 31 hours straight through. The baby was a doll. The problem was my daughter who was supposed to share with the driving. She kept getting drowsy behind the wheel, so I ended up driving most of the time. Never again. Next time we’ll plan a stop, although I don’t envision another trip to FL.
Madeline Hunter on 08 Jul 2009 at 1:35 pm #
My best tip for road trips with kids, especially little ones (although it doesn’t hurt with teens either)—separate them! Put the cooler between them. It gives each his own space and discourages the pokes and space hogging that lead to bickering. Also, they can set a pillow on the cooler and lean over for a nap. I have had friends use this advice and tell me later it was the first sane road trip they ever had.
I also would go to the dollar store and load up on cheap little toys. When things got really whiney, I would dole out a couple. It often got them over the hump.
Your advice on RWA was so good, Kim. I heartily second most of it, especially about being selective on the freebies, and on getting some time for yourself.
I’m looking forward to seeing everyone who is coming!
Madeline Hunter on 08 Jul 2009 at 1:41 pm #
RE: burning the candle at both ends story—
My very first RWA conference was like ten years ago. Little did I know what to expect. So I’m there getting my money’s worth, and Friday morning I woke up, staggered into the bathroom, flipped on the light, and almost died. I had turned into my mother! Honestly, those two days had aged me about twenty years and the face in the mirror looked just like her.
I made it a point to take a nap that day.
KimC on 08 Jul 2009 at 1:44 pm #
Madeline-that is excellent advice for little kids! OMG, I can just imagine the look on your face. LOL
Nancy-thanks! I just told my husband he could go to the mint and I think he swooned *G*
Miranda Neville on 08 Jul 2009 at 2:31 pm #
Hi Kim. All sounds like good advice. Of course, you have the car for all your freebies. Hope it’s a big one.
Madeline – sounds like you know how to party.
Meg on 08 Jul 2009 at 3:48 pm #
I am SO heartbroken!! I won’t be getting to DC until Thursday afternoon!! Unfortunately, I couldn’t take Wednesday off next week. Instead, I am turning it into a long weekend with the niece and nephew at the museums. Better luck next time.
Janae on 08 Jul 2009 at 4:27 pm #
I think most of the hints that I use when traveling with my children have been mentioned. Things to do in DC – hit the National Mall at night because it’s incredible at night; there’s a spy museum across the street from the National Portrait Gallery that my family loved; I think we got our tickets to see the Declaration and Constitution well in advance of the trip. Oh, and there’s a great Greek restaurant that’s down the street from the Capitol Building – if you’re facing the National Mall – head left.
Oh – drinks lots and lots of water because it’s going to be hot in DC (and no hangovers if you stayed hydrated); know where all the public restrooms are because, well, it’s always a good thing to know.
PJ on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:02 pm #
We were in DC last November and had a blast. Definitely tour the monuments. We took both day and night tours. Loved the one at night. Had an excellent guide! My favorite war memorials were WWII and Korea. The Korea memorial is especially beautiful at night. We went to the top of the Washington Monument but had to wait in line almost 2 hours. There are so many terrific things to do – just depends on your interests, really. We let the girls each pick one “must do” item. One chose the Bureau of Engraving and the other chose the National Archives. Both were very interesting. The Smithsonian museums are all good. We toured the Capitol, Library of Congress and White House but all those were scheduled in advance of the trip.
KimC on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:32 pm #
Oh Meg, I’m sorry we’re miss you.
Y’all are definitely making me lean towards no site seeing. I do not like lines. Especially ones that wrap around buildings and take 2 hours.
Anthony and I are trying to convince Gil to go see Harry Potter with us for a midnight showing *G*
Nicole Jordan on 08 Jul 2009 at 6:36 pm #
Yikes, nine hours! Don’t know how to manage that, but you ought to have a fabulous time in DC and at the conference. That’ll be worth the long haul.
Hope it goes great for you, Kim!
Gannon on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:17 pm #
Thank heaven for iPods and Nintendo DS on long road trips….and books, too. Of course, PJ and I will definitely spend the whole drive talking, talking, talking.
I have all of my clothes, shoes, etc. laid out on the bed in the guest room, but not packed yet. I’ll definitely pack some hand sanitizer, Kim. Great suggestion. I CANNOT wait to see everyone!
Fresh, my dh and the kids and I stayed in one of the colonial houses in Williamsburg years ago. It was great–I highly recommend it.
TinaLouiseF on 08 Jul 2009 at 7:22 pm #
Everyone have a wonderful trip.
Maybe if the conference was scheduled in the fall west of the Mississippi River I might be able to attend sometime.
Provided I do not spend my vacation money getting 2 root canals and crowns like this year. Plus a new transmission.
Laurie on 08 Jul 2009 at 8:43 pm #
Great tips, Kim! This will be my first RWA conference and I’m soaking up all the advice. I live about an hour and a half from DC – my mom is about a half an hour from the hotel – so I’m driving to Mom’s and taking the metro downtown. She or my brother will pick me up, so I can get all the goodies I can pack.
I take lots of roadtrips and I’ll second (or third, forth, fifth…) the audio book suggestion. Don’t know your son’s age but my dd enjoyed the Indian In the Cupboard series, as well as Harry Potter.
The most memorable trip was when my dd (then 13) and I went to Ireland, rented a car, and just drove around the country stopping wherever we desired. I drove (manual) and she read the map. We had a blast! Best trip ever!!
Great blog! I’m so excited to be going to the conference! Just one more week!!
KimC on 08 Jul 2009 at 9:48 pm #
Thanks so much for chatting today! And no matter where you’re going this summer be safe and have a great time. mwah.
Patricia Barraclough on 08 Jul 2009 at 11:07 pm #
Only 9 hours. That is a piece of cake. We take books on tape/CD to listen to. Lately, we have just talked. Our schedules are opposite and we really don’t get much quality time together. Our first trip this summer we will have our 11 year old grandson with us. He is not used to traveling like our children were, so I’m sure we will get a lot of ” are we there yet.” We will be on the road a week or so – TN to Mass. to upstate NY back to TN.
When our children were young, we had many wonderful trips. When we lived in Colorado, my aunt and nephew flew out to join us. We spent two weeks on the road in an RV. My aunt got the double bed, our two girls got the bed formed by the table and benches, our nephew got the sofa and my husband, our hyperactive 8 month old son and I had to sleep on the shelf area over the cab. You couldn’t even sit up and of course our son slept between us and was never still. We covered most of the Southwest and had a great trip, but were glad when it was over. There are lost of stories connected to that trip.
You don’t say how old your son is. No matter the age, have lots of things to keep him busy and bring food.