The 10+ Things I Learned at the 2011 RWA Conference

For weeks I looked forward to the RWA National Conference. I was eager to attend the various workshops and my publisher’s events. Most of all, I looked forward to putting names to faces. The run up to the week was busy as I finalized my plans, bought clothes, and planned workshops to attend. I talked and tweeted with friends (some that I only knew online) and got even more excited. I wasn’t disappointed.

Times Square - New York 

The Conference was at the New York Marriott Marquis Hotel at Times Square. The fast pace of Manhattan carried permeated the week. The conference was high energy from the time you stepped into the Opening Session on Wednesday morning until you strutted out of the gala Awards Ceremony Friday night.  

There was a lot to take in and learn. I look forward to applying it all. So, what are the top ten plus things I learned at this year’s RWA Conference?

·         I learned that networking both on-line and in-person is vital to an author’s career and absolutely necessary for one’s personal growth.

·         I learned one could get frustrated waiting for the programmed elevators.

·         I learned Carina Press is an incredibly supportive and caring publishing house.

·         I learned Sharon Sala is as wonderful as I thought and was truly excited for me when I told her I sold my first story.

·         I learned Delilah Marvelle is a dancing queen with whom I could almost keep up (it will take a week for my feet to recuperate).

·         I learned that tweeting and blogging are important but writing trumps them both.

·         I learned Eliza Knight is a great friend and conference companion.

·         I learned the six magic words every author should know to keep the reader in the story.

·         I learned that transmedia is on the horizon.

·         I learned that Kim Killion is dynamite and Brooks’ not bad either.

·         I learned Julie Rowe’s book and mine both release on November 14 (yea!)

·         I learned that wearing the first sale ribbon gets you acknowledged not only by friends, well know authors, agents, and publishers but also by complete strangers in the elevator. It will take me a week to wipe the smile off my face.

·         I learned I could dislike chicken real fast.

·         I learned I felt like a princess at the Harlequin Black and White Ball.

·         I learned I wasn’t rooming with a total stranger, Denise Pattison, but my new best friend.

·         And finally, I learned I have an outstanding support network. Women who care about me and my success. I was reminded that I couldn’t have gotten this far without them.