RWA Conference—Giddyup!

Just got back from the RWA conference in Dallas and it was so much fun. I keep thinking back to three years ago when I first went to the conference in Reno where I didn't know anyone. Nada. Not a soul. I met two people (Karmela and Maya) in particular that first year (and Sydney the second year) who have been wonderful in helping me further my writing and expand my network of writing friends. I am so happy to be a part of this organization which has really pushed me further in my writing career and offers much support for struggling to be published writers. Here's some highlights to steal the setup from fabulous Karmela's blog:

1. Maya Rodale, my room mate and wonderful critique partner, had the first signing for her debut book The Heir and the Spare at the conference. I was so proud of her. She is an excellent writer, so check out her book!!! She was out of books within 30 minutes. It was absolutely amazing. I was her "assistant" during the book signing and got there early to help her set up and I took pictures during the signing. Also, I got to see Nora Roberts and get a book signed by her before they let everyone into the room (Maya and Nora are both published by Berkley who was sponsoring the free book signing). When I told Nora that I was helping out a friend, who was signing her first book, Nora asked for a copy because she wanted something to read on the plane. So Maya's first book was signed to Nora Roberts. How cool is that????
2. Got to hang out with the absolutely fabulous (and totally crazy—but in a good way) author and CP Karmela Johnson, who was kind enough to introduce me to some wonderful women like Michelle Rowen (really love her fun vampire romances and I was able to snag her latest Fanged and Fabulous), Elisabeth Naughton (who was up for the Golden Heart for Romantic Suspense and is so hilarious and good at coming up with t-shirt slogans), and Marcia Colette (who should be a stand-up comic and has two very cool, unique ideas for paranormal/urban fantasy stories that I know we'll see in print very soon).
   
3. I was able to catch up with another CP and wonderful author Sydney Sterling (who got many request for her manuscripts from editors at the conference—yeah!) and have a delicious dinner overlooking Dallas at the tower restaurant, which rotated. How cool is that! (though I was a little motion sick at first) We met up with a cool chick named Dawn Garza who was at her first conference.
   
4. Met and hung out and had great time with the very sweet Ann Bleakley who is a friend of Maya's and has a very cool idea for a historical romance series. I know an editor is going to totally snag it up.
   
5. Met Rayna Vause who is on the chair of the New Jersey chapter who writes alternative erotica and has a book out which is called Only in Her Dreams. She told me all about the huge conference New Jersey puts on every year which is second in size to the national conference. Should definitely check it out next year!
6. Had an interesting conversation with Maureen Peyron, who is a movie producer and has worked on such films as A Beautiful Mind and has worked with Ron Howard for the past 12 years. (Yes, I'm such a dweeb. I admit that I was a little blinded by the celebrity aspect of it and was wondering ... hmmm ... do you need any extras for any films coming out soon??) She was at the conference to meet with authors about her project called Lasting Romance which she has been developing for the past 2 years. She wants to make movies from romance novels. She plans to have it go straight to DVD because in her research she has found that most women who read romance are married with children, which unfortunately doesn't leave them much time to go to the movies since most have to pay for babysitters and it can get expensive. If Maureen will have a good budget to make these films and try to really capture the essence of the story, then I think this could be interesting.
7. I met and had breakfast with two very classy and sweet ladies: Diana Cosby and Jeanmarie Hamilton. Jeanmarie was a finalist in the RT Magazine American Title contest. She just sold her first book Seduction which will be out in the first Quarter of 2008. Yeah! Diana has her book coming out in November called His Captive which looks really hot. Of course, I had a few FIMs (foot in mouth moments) when I called her job as a meteorologist "odd" and referred to her spilling coffee on her pants as having a "wardrobe malfunction." But at least she was cool enough to laugh about it!
8. Sherrilyn Kenyon gave a powerful speech at the PRO Retreat which inspired all of us. Truthfully, I would've been a total wreck if I had half the things happen to her as she struggled to become published. But she is one of the nicest people I've ever met. She took my hands during the book signing and looked into my eyes and told me never to give up. She is just so sweet. And Gena Showalter is another great person. I've been picking up her books every year at the conference and she has always been so sweet to speak with. She asked how my writing was coming along and offered very supportive and encouraging words about believing in myself. Thanks Sherrilyn and Gena!
9. Got a request for a partial from an editor for the Dark Earth story. Yeah! Still waiting to hear back from 2 other editors, so we'll see what happens. (fingers crossed)
10. Didn't go to as many workshops this year. Was so caught up in meeting new people (and catching up with old friends) and getting tons of free books. I did attend the Hauge workshops on writing which were phenomenal. I got a great idea for my latest story for which I've been totally blocked. I also attended a good workshop on Alpha males and heroines and realized that my husband fits the profile of an alpha. Funny!

Well, that's all folks. It was a fun and engaging experience.

For some reason I can't upload photos to my blog. Maybe it's because I'm on a Mac. Ugh! If I can figure it out, maybe I'll just post them to my site.