RNA and Blists Hill

What a fabulous Romantic Novelists' Association weekend conference at the Harper Adams University Campus near Telford! I was lucky enough to take part in the historical authors event at the Blists Hill Victorian Town at Ironbridge on the Friday morning, a wonderful recreation of Victorian times. We were given the Goods Shed in which to set up our displays and books and most of us had dressed in some kind of costume according to the period in which we write. Some were stunning and very authentic (like Christina's) and it all added to the fun and interest for visitors.

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[image error] Victorian clothes
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[image error] Christina CourtenayI adapted a dress and various items from home and brought my parasol and fan. A friend, Myra Duffy, had kindly allowed me to display her fold-out Victorian Dolls' House which attracted some admiring views and I had a wooden cup and ball game to keep any children amused. The displays were all so attractive and conveyed a lot about different historical periods. I also made sure to see some of the Victorian town while there and wasn't disappointed!
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[image error] Baker's ShopFriday afternoon saw the official beginning of the conference and from then on, it was a whirl of interesting talks, chatting, eating, drinking and much fun and laughter, plus receiving the famous goody bag filled with books, promotional material and chocolate! A highlight for me this year was to meet up with lots of online friends in person at last and they did indeed feel like friends. I also made some new ones this year. On Saturday evening, we were treated to a wonderful gala dinner and, as always, all the glam outfits and gorgeous shoes attracted lots of attention. 
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There's nothing like a gathering of like-minded people and professionally delivered talks to send us home inspired to get on with writing - once we recover from the lack of sleep and the travel home. I now have pages of notes to absorb and lots of ideas to develop or finish, plus a renewed sense of what is possible for authors these days. Roll on next year in London!

Rosemary