Dublin Writers Festival Preparation
This blog may seem overly-simple but it is meant to be a friendly reminder of some of the things you should do before, during and after you attend the Dublin Writers’ Festival to make your attendance more enjoyable.
Session Selection
We suggest you start preparing long before you get there; as in, like now. Start by jotting down your current writing goals and interests. This should include what you’re working on at the moment, what’s coming up and things that you’re generally interested in. This will help you select which sessions you might want to attend.
For example, if you’re just starting a novel you might want to list sessions dealing with outlining your work, developing your story arc and creating character profiles. In the near future, you’ll likely move on to developing and enhancing scenes, dialogue and characters.
Finally, list things that might have nothing to do with your current projects but that you’re interested in learning about. Such things might be: screen writing, creating your own covers or marketing your books.
These lists can then help guide you to which sessions you definitely want to attend. Once you’ve identified these key sessions, look over the other sessions being presented to pick out other things you might want to attend.
Inevitably, you’ll end up having to be in several places at once and have to decide which sessions are more important to you.
Sign In
When you sign in:
Obtain a name tag, lanyard or whatever form of ID is being used.
Request a festival and hotel map or, if available, print them off the festival website before you go.
Locate and mark the rooms where each of your sessions will be.
Locate the nearest restrooms for each session.
If you want to take pictures or record a session, make sure it’s okay to do so. Also check with the presenter of each session to make sure you have their permission.
Ask if handing out business cards is acceptable.
Sessions
Arrive early, or at least on time, especially if you have unique seating needs due to mobility, hearing or sight difficulties. If you use a cane, walker, wheelchair, or scooter, select a seat where you can stow your walking aide nearby but out of the way.
Most presenters will tell you if it’s okay to ask questions during the session or if they want you to hold your questions till the end. If they don’t, ask which they would prefer.
What to bring or wear
- Pens, pencils and paper along with a pad or notebook
- Laptop or tablet computer
- Business cards
- Jacket or sweater
- Comfortable clothes and shoes for sitting and walking
- Water
- Throat lozenges such as Ricola, Tic-Tacks or cough drops
Networking
- Attend the parties and networking sessions each day of the festival
- Don’t be afraid to give out business cards (when allowed)
Personal Comfort
- Drink plenty of water
- Go for walks between sessions
- Eat well, but limit carbs
Be polite and helpful
- Robyn and I have covered a good part of the world in our travels and have found the people of Ireland to be some of the most welcoming, helpful and polite people we have run across. While in Ireland, follow their example. Be friendly, polite, and help others when you can.
- Whatever you do, be polite to speakers and presenters. They are there because they want to help writers grow and to share what they know. If you disagree with something being said, jot it down and approach them at the end of the session.
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Relax, Enjoy, Have Fun, and Learn
Some things to do in Dublin related to writing
Dublin Writers’ Museum
Tons of bookshops
Chester Beatty Library tour (Part of the festival on Friday morning)
Trinity College Library
And lest we forget – Irish pubs
To quote a sign in an Irish pub in Hanmer Springs. New Zealand:
“Alcohol – Because no great story started with someone eating a salad”
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Bob Boze lives in the South Bay area of San Diego and his writing partner, Robyn Bennett, lives in Blenheim on New Zealand’s South Island. Both are published romance and non-fiction authors, editors, speakers and bloggers. Together they have over twelve published works and are collaborating on several more novels, short stories, articles and other works.
Bob and Robyn also offer a variety of writer and business services through their business website, Writing Allsorts. To learn more about them, their published works and the services they offer, go to https://writingallsorts.com/
