Getting Ready For RWA

This summer doesn't seem to be slowing down! This week when I haven't been writing, sending out postcards, or organizing contests…I've been getting ready to go to the Romance Writers of America annual conference. I believe this will be my 9th or 10th year to go, and it's absolutely one of my favorite 'writing' things I do.

I started going to RWA before I was published. Then, the only interaction I ever got with published writers was when I volunteered at the Workshop Desk.  Years ago, I would wait in line for free books, go to lots and lots of workshops, and nervously wait in 'holding rooms' for my editor and agent appointments.

Things have certainly changed! This year, I'll be giving a workshop with two other authors, attending two publisher parties, and having lunch with editors, seeing my agent, and visiting the Harper Collins offices! 

My agent is right, miracles really do happen~I feel so lucky and blessed to be a published author.

For me, the best part about the conference is that I've almost always had roommates. Usually, they are my critique partners. And though we see each other every other Friday, there's nothing like sharing a room for four or five days with some of my best friends. It's almost a given that we'll get no sleep and at least one night we'll laugh until we cry. Below is an old picture of me with two of the gals who I'll be rooming with this year-Hilda Knepp and Heather Webber. This photo was taken at a luncheon a couple of years ago and just seeing it makes me smile.

Well, even though we'll all be together next week, tomorrow is critique partner day! That means, of course, I better go get some chapters ready for them to read… Happy Thursday!