Conference Wrap Up

On the weekend I attended the 20th (but only my 2nd) Romance Writers of Australia Conference. I had the best time. My brain hurts from all the new stuff i'm trying to cram in there. It started with a packed friday workshop by Bob Mayer and continued over other workshops and plenary sessions... and chats at breaks.

Some highlights:

From Bob Mayer

- Be ruthless... with yourself. It's the difference between ordinary and elite.

- Perserverence is more important than talent (yay, that I can do)

From YA (and adults) author Kelley Armstrong on pace

-skip the boring bits - go into scene late and get out early - make it so reader will read 'just one more chapter'

From a panel of wonderful authors/editor

-if the heroine cries, the reader doesn't have to

-changing POV makes the reader change teams... think about why you're changing

The social side was soul revitalising! From rooming with the brilliant Rach and having dinner with the lovely Jackie and her mum (!) to meeting new SE author (and awesome CP) Helen Lacey for the first time it was great to see friends as well as meeting so many new people. It's so great to talk writing for days on end (rambling AT my littlies doesn't count).

The cocktail party was great fun (see pic with me, Rach, Jackie and the lovely Chelsea) and three SARA (SA Romance Authors) members took out the prizes - i was super thrilled for them... especially Charlie 'Maggie' Chaplin.

The first sale ribbons were inspiring (see Rach and Helen with the wonderful Cathryn Hein) and the awards dinner a lovely evening.

Did you make the conference? What was your highlight?

the rain falls on me... not so much Spain

Well, I'm not certain about that but with 33 ml here today we're kinda swimming to and from the car. kids loved the puddles though. I don't need to worry about Spain weather cos hubby got out of his trip. yay. For me more so than him I suspect.

I LOVED the conference. Such a brilliant buzz and met so many great people and caught up with good friends too. What a weekend. i came home with 2nd in the Emerald award too and was thrilled.

Have been editing madly to send away chapters from my pitch and now that's resting I have a new idea calling. i just need to work out how it starts...

Do you know your opening line before you open the file??

Sydney and Spain

Am just about bursting with excitement. This time in two days I'll be in Sydney for the RWAus conference. It's my first and i can't wait. i feel like I know so many already thanks to the wonder of the internet. I'm looking forward to catching up with/meeting some great writing buddies. And I can't lie, I think there'll be some family missing too.... when I have time.

Less exciting, for me, is that hubby is out doing me on the trip front and might be off to Spain in a few weeks for work. I reckon Sydney is just as good!

Who's coming to Sydney? Who would rather head off for Spain?

=)