Not all writers benefit from the workshop experience, however. They will be filled with envy and they will be miserable. Even though most people have some jealousy in them, Pack feels that one of the psychological challenges of a conference is to downplay those emotions. Being at a conference is not always easy, either. Everything gets speeded up, and friendships are made as if you're twelve years old at camp.
People open up, talk, and reveal their feelings.
Because students are so vulnerable, criticism can be difficult to accept, especially from new acquaintances. There's no guarantee the criticism you get will be best for you at that time. There's always an element of risk. Despite the difficulties, there are benefits. We don't win with everyone, but the great majority of people have an exhilarating experience.