Some Conference Pics Pt 1

Valerie Parv launching her new craft book "Heart and Craft"

Elizabeth Rolls at "Heart and Craft" launch

Karaoke Queens - Sue Webb, Imelda Evans, Kerry Lane

Checking out local hero material

Monique Wood, Eleni Konstantine, Nikki Logan

Christine Wells, Natalie Hatch

RWA Conference 2009

Conference was everything I had hoped plus more. In short, this is what I got from the weekend:
- met people who were previously just names on an email
- spent time in a room with 239 other people who don't think it's weird for characters to chat in your head
- realised RWA is full of friendly, sharing people... regardless of publication status
- had more lightbulb moments then Bunnings
- spent time with my awesomest friend and CP
- found inspiration and determination

Will post more over the next little bit. But will leave you with this. If you are wanting to write and publish a romance, 2010 conference is a must. See you there!

Update & Down time

To update...

CONFERENCE
RWA Conference is this week!!! Wow, after waiting so long it's finally time. Looking forward to meeting everyone and attending the fantastic workshops on offer. It was hard to make a choice but the following are my selections:

Friday
The Noble Art of Storytelling

Saturday
Session 1: Panel:"Keep 'em Laughing."
Session 2; Delivering Emotional Punch.
Session 3: Crime Control from Counter Terrorism to Search and Rescue - A Commander's Perspective.
Session 4: Author Chat - Sweet

Sunday
Session 1: Spotlight On: Harlequin.
Session 2: Finding Your Voice in Your First Novel.
Session 3: Telling Tales Talking - Using dialogue to bring your writing to life.
Session 4: Author Chat: Sexy

Will tell all in my posts following the conference.

E-PITCH
Well, I met my goal of pitching this year, albeit electronically rather than face-to-face. Alas, I wasn't asked for a full, but a huge congratulations to Leah Clapton, Joanne Levy W/A Rebecca Jordan, Jennifer St George and Vanda Vadas who were. Best of luck girls. Hope you all get 'the call'.

I will be getting some feedback on my pitch/first chapter, and should hear back this week. Fingers crossed it is positive!

WIP
Now that I don't need to submit my ms, my crazy, full-steam-ahead, every-second-I-can-spare editing can pull back a notch. Don't get me wrong, I am still going to polish until it shines over the next week or two, but the pressure is off. My poor neglected life can finally can a look see.

GOALS
I have revisited my 2009 goals and am going to amend them slightly. Up until now all has been checked off, but will revise the rest. Wil fully blog about my achievements and changes after the conference.

And now to downtime...

With the conference this week, I will be absent, hopefully kicking up my heels and having fun. After the conference I do need to slow down to a mere crawl for a few weeks to focus on the house renovations, and the family. All have been a little neglected of late. I will continue to blog, but my writing has to take a backseat to the rest of my life for a wee bit. But more on that when I post my revised goals.

Have a wonderful conference everyone, whether you be at the 'real' one or the Claytons.