After years of attending writers' conferences, we've put together a list of essentials to throw in the suitcase. Making sure these items are in your bag will help ensure a successful conference!

• Pen and Paper Because relying solely on your laptop means you will arrive at the conference and be unable to find a power outlet or internet connection...ever.
• Umbrella Especially pack this if you've checked the weather forecast and it calls for sunny days the entire time you're there.
• Business Cards We forgot ours one time and spent the entire conference re-writing contact info on the backs of napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, random trash scuttling down the sidewalk, and the backs of other people's cards (we're sure they loved us putting their cards to good use).
• Laptop Not that you'll find five minutes to turn the thing on, but laptops are like security blankets. Knowing they're nearby and can be put to use at a moment's notice helps us sleep better at night.
• Snacks We cannot stress this enough. Do NOT assume there will be snacks, or even edible food, at the conference. Pick a granola bar you like and take a box (case) with you. You'll be the hit of the conference as writers come to your door each night begging for sustenance.
• Tylenol or Ibuprofen Because your brain WILL explode from taking in all the conference info.
• Walking Shoes Conferences are not the time to break in your snazzy new pair of Ferragamo's with five-inch heels. (Come to think of it, when IS a comfy time to wear five-inch heels?)
• Sense of Humor You might want to keep this in your carry-on since you'll no doubt need it at the airport as well.
• Patience Again, a good one for your carry-on. Actually, just hold this one in your hand. You'll use it too often at the airport to keep putting it back into your carry-on.
• Teachable Spirit Why pay good money for instruction from professionals and then ignore what they have to share?
• Cell Phone Not that you'll have a signal out in the middle of nowhere, which is where conference centers are built. But it's like having a laptop nearby...
• Cell Phone Charger Because optimism burns bright.
• Slippers Because, after charging all over the campus in your sneakers, you realize that no shoe is comfortable after 77 hours of nonstop walking yet going barefoot in your room means walking on carpet that was popular in Nixon's day.

Finally, be sure to pray the prayer that never fails before you leave the house. "Thy will be done."