To Laptop or Not to Laptop? By Annette Dashofy

Later this week, I’ll be flying from my home in Pennsylvania to San Diego for Bouchercon World Mystery Convention. I’ve been to six of these over the years, but I’ve never been to San Diego. Bouchercon is huge with some of the biggest name authors on the planet. My panel this year includes C.J. Box! I expect a crowd. And they won’t be there for me! 

Anyway, I’ll also participate in a signing session and plan to do a lot of networking with other authors and readers. And one of my publishers. It’s a business trip, to be sure. 

But it’s San Diego!

I confess. With Bouchercon being as big as it is, I’m a very small fish in a very large ocean. I’m not complaining. It makes me feel less guilty for playing hooky. Frankly, with the expenses involved, I only attend this one when it’s located in a city I want to visit. 

Examples: Long Beach:

My first time at the Pacific Ocean

New Orleans: 

Travel buddy Martha Reed getting her bourbon fix

St. Pete:

The veranda at the Vinoy

 

Dallas:

Boot shopping

 San Diego. (Pictures yet to be taken) 

I plan to slip out and explore a bit of southern California (or what’s left of it after last weekend’s Hurriquake). 

Which brings me to my conundrum. Do I lug my laptop with me and sneak in some writing time? Or do I unplug? Partly. I will have my phone. 

I usually do bring my laptop with me to conferences. I have no expectations of massive wordcounts. But I like to keep my mind in the story so I don’t have as much catching up to do when I get home. 

I’ve been to conferences, big and small, where I’m in awe of authors who set up shop in the bar and work on their next book. Or who slip away, not to take in the sights, but to write. 

I don’t intend to retreat from the activities to write. I figure these events are part of my job as a writer, but a different part. Spending time with my readers. Chatting with bloggers and podcasters. However, I usually get some words on the page in the morning. After a cup of hotel-room coffee, but before breakfast. 

On the other hand… Do I want to lug my laptop through multiple airports while racing to make connecting flights? 

Lately, I’ve become more focused on comfort. Cute flats instead of heels at the convention. Stretchy pants with pockets for things like ID, credit cards, and cash for flights. Even super-casual slip-on shoes for TSA screenings. 

Ah, yes. The TSA screening. My biggest reason for leaving the laptop at home. I’m trying to minimize the stuff I have to drag out of my carry-on bag and stick in those bins for x-rays and then pack back into the bag afterwards. 

So my question to you, my fellow writers: Do you bring your laptops with you when you travel to fan or writing conventions? Or do you leave them home and focus on the convention experience? And readers, do you merge work with down time when you vacation? 

I’m still undecided, so I await your input!