Comments on: Chicago redux: unexpected learning

By: bethan

bethan — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:18:29 +0000

Thanks Kate! I think you’re right about being out of your comfort zone – it’s the only way you ever progress, though it might be tough at the time.

You’ve been great whenever I’ve seen you on a panel, and I’d never have guessed that you weren’t too keen on them! I agree that practice is key – and I guess standing for election gives you lots of practice!

And that’s an interesting idea about having family at conferences… Do you think I could persuade my in-laws to move to Vancouver in time for SLA2014? I can definitely see advantages in that!

By: bethan

bethan — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:00:25 +0000

ooh, fabby! Have downloaded that, and will have a read

By: katefromuk

katefromuk — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:12:40 +0000

Really enjoyed reading this Beth. Agree with Jo about how magnificent it is that you’ve got a book written and published. A book signing is the icing on the cake!

As someone who heard your on the fly session at leadership orientation I didn’t perceive it to be a cut down version and you delivered it as eloquently as ever. Sometimes it helps to be out of your comfort zone!

I wasn’t able to attend your panel event, but I’m sure it was great. You have a lot of insightful things to say. Like you I’ve not been too keen on panel sessions but am getting happier with them thanks to standing for election this year. Maybe it’s just a question of practice and talking about something you care passionately about.

You’ve raised some interesting comments on bringing husbands to conference. It does make you feel torn between doing the conference experience and thinking about holidaying. I’ve found it works best in a city where family live so then your partner has some other people to chill out with and you don’t feel guilty for immersing yourself in conference.

By: Jo Alcock

Jo Alcock — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 10:13:39 +0000

I find time alone necessary for reflection and also good to encourage me to meet new people.

First book partner has written (though I’m told apparently it is technically a novella) is available from http://cjwalley.com/interstate-juggernaut. He seems to have really caught the bug and is writing another at the moment.

By: bethan

bethan — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:56:31 +0000

Aww, thanks Sarah! Really glad you enjoyed it It definitely was hard to go off to conference and leave J behind – even though I knew he’d be fine and would find plenty of stuff to do, I still felt a bit like I was abandoning him. He survived!

Had a great time with you all at conference, and looking forward to seeing you again

By: Sarah Wolfenden

Sarah Wolfenden — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 20:56:09 +0000

You were brilliant on the panel – one of my best bits. I’m also proud to own a signed copy of your book. I’m not sure I could have had my husband along as I would have felt too guilty for leaving him.
I look forward to seeing you at future SLA Europe events.

By: bethan

bethan — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:33:05 +0000

It’s really interesting to hear that you like being on your own at conferences – I’ve never really been alone at SLA, as I’ve always had SLA Europe people around. I could be alone if I wanted to, but there’s always someone I know to go have a coffee with. That makes me think – how much of the confidence that I feel I’ve gained from going to conferences is actually just from knowing more people, and not feeling as alone and friendless? I do notice that the more people I know at a conference, the fewer new people I meet…

Thanks for book boost! It is such a good feeling, but the whole process is so overwhelming it’s hard to step back and realise what you’ve achieved. Excellent that your partner’s writing fiction! That’s fab – you’ll have to let us know where we can read it

By: bethan

bethan — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:25:26 +0000

Thanks Ned! I’m sure you’ll run with it by producing really professional and well-designed cards with that info on, in the right size & font to stick in the back of your badge-holder…

By: Jo Alcock

Jo Alcock — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:53:39 +0000

Thanks for sharing your experience, particularly about not being fully immersed because your husband was there. I had planned to turn ALA into a holiday this year but chose not to; partly for financial reasons and partly because of the immersion aspect. I actually really like being on my own at conferences – it takes me out of my comfort zone but in a good way as it makes me open to more opportunities for doing cool things. It’s good to hear your experiences though, this confirms what I had concerns about. I think in an ideal world I’d experience the conference on my own and then do the holiday thing afterwards.

Also yay for book signing (and remember, you had some more at LIS DREaM too!). It’s a massive achievement to get the book written and published – my partner has recently written some fiction and I’m so proud of the fact that he’s done it and got it out there. Obviously if people love your book then it’s even better, but going through the process of writing a book and publishing it is something to be incredibly proud of

By: Ned Potter

Ned Potter — Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:36 +0000

Oooh, that ‘writing on the back of the badge’ thing is pure gold!

Great post as ever.