I often write at conferences and conventions to balance my creative life with my role as a panelist. These events are full of energy and filled with sessions, workshops, and conversations that can spark new ideas. However, they can be overwhelming if I don’t set aside moments to slow down. Putting words together helps me to relax from all the networking and socializing, and it provides a means to understand the experience while I’m in it.
Over time, I’ve learned that even during a busy convention schedule, it’s possible to keep the words flowing. All it takes is a little planning and the willingness to make the most of the minor breaks in your day. Read on for ten tips and strategies you can try to maintain your daily word count at the next event you attend.
1. Set a Daily Minimum Goal.
Conferences are busy, and it’s easy for writing to slip by the wayside. Setting a small daily goal helps you stay connected to your work. Pick a number that seems realistic, like two hundred or three hundred words. That’s just a page in your notebook or a short scene on your laptop.
The goal shouldn’t be to match your usual word count. Instead, focus on building momentum and reminding yourself that writing still belongs in your day. Meeting that small target can give you a sense of success even when your schedule is packed. By the end of the event, those brief sessions will add up to real progress without adding stress.
2. Use Writing Sprints.
Conference schedules are full, but there are always small gaps in the day. The time spent waiting for a panel to start, sitting between meals, or taking a short break can all become writing opportunities. Try using these moments for fifteen- or twenty-minute, low-pressure writing sprints, where you write as quickly as you can without stopping to edit.
You don’t need to produce polished pages, and even a few sentences can spark an idea or move your project forward. These quick bursts also keep your creativity sharp, which makes it easier to return to your work once you’re back home.
3. Write in Transit.
Travel time is built-in writing time if you plan for it. Long flights, train rides, or even a short bus trip to the convention center can give you uninterrupted minutes to focus. Instead of scrolling on your phone or zoning out, pull out your notebook or open a document, and add a few paragraphs.
These sessions don’t need to be long to matter. A page written on the plane or a few lines drafted in a rideshare can build into something useful by the end of the trip. Transit becomes less of a chore and more of a chance to sneak in words before the day’s events begin. Plus, it keeps your mindset focused on your writing and your business outside of the conference, which can make the event a more enriching experience as a whole.
4. Carry a Compact Writing Kit.
Every writer has a preferred way of capturing ideas. Some like the sensation of pen and paper, whether it’s a small spiral notebook or a favorite fountain pen that makes writing feel special. Others prefer digital tools such as a tablet or a lightweight laptop that can hold longer drafts. Even your phone can work if you pair it with a portable keyboard, which makes typing faster and more comfortable.
Consider not only the tools you use in your daily writing life but also those you prefer for taking notes at a conference for speed and portability. The key is choosing tools that make you want to write. If you enjoy the process, you’ll be more likely to pull them out during the day.
Pro Tip: I carry a small writing kit with me wherever I go. For poetry, I keep a notebook and a fountain pen tucked into my bag so I can jot down lines whenever inspiration strikes. For prose, I rely on my laptop, which stays in the quiet of my hotel room. This way I have two different spaces for my creativity: one that’s quick and mobile, and one that’s focused and private.
5. Find Writing Havens.
Even a quick break can become productive if you can find a quiet spot. Conferences are full of noise and movement, so look for out-of-the-way spaces throughout the day where you can return later for some focused writing time.
A change of scenery helps your brain shift into creative mode. Your chosen spot doesn’t need to be silent; just by keeping away from the bustle, you can concentrate on words without distraction. And if you can’t find a space that isn’t distracting, there’s always the quiet of your hotel room to help tune out the noise and tune back into your story.
Pro Tip: For those attending Author Nation in Las Vegas, consider hotel business centers, tucked-away lobbies, nearby coffee shops, or even a quiet corner off the Strip as potential writing havens.
6. Limit Social Media During the Event.
It’s tempting to check social media between panels, but scrolling often eats into the time you could spend writing and pulls your thoughts away from your work. Try saving posts, photos, and updates for downtime at night or between travels.
When you redirect scrolling time into writing time, it can help you make genuine progress on your projects. Even ten minutes spent jotting ideas or drafting paragraphs can seem more productive than another scroll through your feed.
When your attention isn’t split, both your networking and your writing can benefit. Treat these platforms as tools, not distractions, and you’ll leave the conference with more connections and more words on the page.
7. Pair Writing with Meals or Coffee Breaks.
Meals and coffee breaks don’t have to be just for eating or socializing. Bring your notebook or laptop along, especially if you’re dining solo, and turn these moments into writing time.
Using mealtime to work on your work in progress helps you maintain momentum without taking away from panels or social events. It’s a simple way to weave creative work into the natural pauses in your day.
8. Use Voice-to-Text Apps.
Voice-to-text apps can be a lifesaver when you can’t sit down with a notebook or laptop. Dictate ideas, dialogue, or descriptions while walking between panels, waiting in line, or even on the shuttle. Later, you can review your recordings and turn them into polished paragraphs. Using your voice allows you to generate raw material fast, especially on busy days when traditional writing time is limited. By speaking your ideas aloud, you can keep your creativity moving even when your hands are full or your schedule is tight.
9. Keep a Running ‘Conference Journal.’
A conference journal is a simple way to turn your experience at an event into words on the page. Record thoughts from panels, interesting conversations, or moments that spark inspiration. Even quick notes and ideas count toward your word count and creative output. Later, these entries can grow into poems, essays, or story details. Plus, by reflecting on your day, you help process new ideas and remember connections you might otherwise forget.
By letting your word count include story notes and ideas, you keep moving toward your writing goals at the conference while creating content you can shape into your draft at home.
Pro Tip: Before your conference, set up a dedicated notebook with a simple system to keep everything organized. Leave the first few pages for an index, then divide the rest into three sections: lecture notes, story-related writing, and a daily log for contacts and tasks. Start each page with the date and a quick header so you can find material later, and jot word counts at the bottom to track progress. Use tabs or page markers if needed, but keep your system flexible so the notebook bends to your needs. It helps to pre-number all your pages before you leave, so you will always have a page number to refer to as you create your index during the event.
10. Batch Networking and Writing.
Balancing social time and writing can be tricky, but scheduling blocks for each helps. Set aside specific periods of time for panels, meet-and-greets, or meals with other attendees, and reserve separate blocks for writing.
This approach lets you be present at every activity. When it’s time to network, you can engage without guilt. When it’s time to write, you can focus without distractions. Both blocks of time will be stronger because of your focus.
Batching also protects your energy. When you switch between socializing and writing, it can be draining, but dedicated blocks of time will create a rhythm that supports both your creative work and your connections. Give each activity its own space, and you will leave the conference with meaningful interactions and fresh words on the page.
Pro Tip: If you crave connection while still keeping your word count in motion, consider joining a writing sprint with other attendees. These focused bursts can turn drafting into a shared experience, giving you both additional words and new friends. Check around; most writing conferences have a room or designated location where writers can join sprints.
Final Thoughts
Writing at conferences is possible with intention, planning, and flexibility. Bring a writing kit, set small daily goals, and carve out micro-moments of focus to allow creativity to flourish even amid the busiest of schedules. Don’t forget to balance social interaction with private writing time to help stay present in conversations while still making progress on your projects.
At the same time, remember that conferences are demanding by nature. Not hitting your usual writing goals during this time is fine. You’re still being productive by networking and growing in other areas of your writing career. Those gains are just as valuable as new words on the page.
By approaching your conference days with a plan, you leave not only with new connections but also with fresh words on the page. Writing doesn’t have to take a back seat. It can be part of the experience, adding another layer of inspiration to take home and build upon.
—Wendy Van Camp
