Wednesday, July 10, 2013

RNA Conference...what to pack by Liz Fenwick

Liz Fenwick shares her packing list...

The event I look forward to and in fact move heaven and earth (or at least my family's schedules) to attend is almost here. The RNA's annual conference. It is time for me as a writer and therefore very special time. It is a time to be with like minds (here read other crazy people who live in a make believe world in the heads for much of the time) and to laugh. I need to put my liver in training this week for over the course of the RNA Conference I will consume more wine in a weekend that I do in a month or maybe longer....

With all these things in mind here is my essential packing list for the conference...

Paracetamol - (see reference to wine drinking above)
Beroca - for the extra energy and hangover recovery
Real coffee and a cafiterre (a real caffeine hit or five is need to power through packed days)
Tea bags (see above) and herbal ones too
Milk (not for me but for the above two items)
Snacks (the tea & coffee breaks between sessions come with biscuits, but I find I need more for all the thinking and hangover recovery)
Hair dryer
Towel although one is normally provided 
Shoes (special pair for the gala, practical for the sessions and walking around)
Cool loose tops and trousers (for day time wear...assuming this heat continues through the weekend)
Frock something a bit special for the gala
Notebook and pens for me this will be a large lined soft Moleskin to take notes in the sessions and to capture all the amazing ideas that will bubble to the surface during the weekend
Wine for drinking in the kitchen with friends
Glasses and a mug ...there will be some there but never enough
Camera
Flip flops or slippers (the floors of the communal kitchens can be dodgy)
Business cards

I think that's about it it. What else would you add to the list?

Liz's latest book is A Cornish Affair




Running out on your wedding day never goes down well. When the pressure of her forthcoming marriage becomes too much, Jude bolts from the church, leaving a good man at the altar, her mother in a fury, and the guests with enough gossip to last a year.
Guilty and ashamed, Jude flees to Pengarrock, a crumbling cliff-top mansion in Cornwall, where she takes a job cataloguing the Trevillion family's extensive library. The house is a welcome escape for Jude, full of history and secrets, but when its new owner arrives, it's clear that Pengarrock is not beloved by everyone.
As Jude falls under the spell of the house, she learns of a family riddle stemming from a terrible tragedy centuries before, hinting at a lost treasure. And when Pengarrock is put up for sale, it seems that time is running out for the house and for Jude.

7 comments:

Lesley Cookman said...

I'm doing exactly the same - and agonising over whether to take the laptop. As I'm going by train I don't really want to. I shall also take some sneaky scotch for a little nightcap...

Unknown said...

Sneaky Scotch sounds like a brilliant idea Lesley. I'll have my lap top with me as I'll work on the train to an fro!
lx

lynneconnolly said...

Underwear? Just sayin'!
I have a roll-up toiletry bag that is essential.
And jewellery.
And my laptop bag with the tablet (doubles as an ereader) and extra power. I don't use notebooks for much, and I don't write notes up. If you saw my handwriting, you'd know why! Every one of my electronic devices is linked to the others, so I can make notes on my laptop or tablet, and they'll be uploaded to everything else. If the ban on laptops in classes is still in force, I'll have to fight with the tablet and its onscreen keyboard.

Unknown said...

Your technological ability are amazing Lynne!
lx

Unknown said...

That's really useful. Thanks Liz, it's my first time. And Lesley, though my agent Ajay says I should lay off the scotch. Will leave the frock and heels
at home though.

Unknown said...

Are you sure about leaving the frock and heals at home Robert??? ;-)

lx

Rosie Dean Musings said...

I'm with you on all of the above - except I'd substitute gin, tonic and fruit smoothies for the wine. Smoothies being an essential Vit C hit and detoxifier for the aforementioned gin.

Also my iPod is an essential for music in the 'me' time and for meditation at the start of the day.