Where I am

This weekend I'm in Norwalk, CT for a CTRWA (Connecticut Chapter of Romance Writers of America) conference called Fiction Fest.

This year, I'm on the CTRWA board. I'm the VP of Communications.

This event is awesome - lots of great conference sessions and lots of great people.

If you're a writer, I urge you to look into your RWA chapter (you don't have to write romance books) because they probably put on great conferences like this one - with lots of craft tracks.

In the few years I've been a member, I've learned so much.

It's worth checking out!

Thoughts from a First Timer at RWA Nationals

Last week, I attended the national conference at RWS.
I was So happy to attend (And to check it off my bucket list).

I come from a different background - I have the blogger hat, the professional reviewer hat (VOYA), and the former YA Librarian hat (10 years). So I feel like I had a different experience than other newbie RAW attendees.

While I'm not new to writing, I am new to writing organizations/conferences.

New to Me:

• So much support from strangers
• Newbie ribbon
• Everyone wants you to succeed
• Not YA focused* 
• Packed schedule (not much time for coffee breaks)
• Volunteers ran things
• More writers than I anticipated

* I write YA. In library conferences, they have tracks set up by age groups: Kids, YA, Adult. The set-up here was very different. 

Not New:

• Everyone was happy to talk about books/authors

The Workshops:

• SO many wonderful workshops
• I took pages and pages and pages of notes
• Inspiring
• Several favorite authors presenting - learning from the best
• Love sharing knowledge - from workshops to chatting in the halls
• Fascinating and funny presenters
• Lots of tips and tricks to test out
• Knowing more rules (And when to break them)
• Great for the soul - everyone is amazingly nice
• Knowledge that no two paths are the same (what works for one person won't work for someone else)

What was Fantastic:

• Workshops
• Meeting so many authors I admire
• Hearing the struggles and successes of authors

What was Hard for me:

• I grabbed way too many books (mostly good, but carrying them was hard and now I need to find space for them in my house)
• I had a hard time putting myself out there
• Exploring the area
• Having a food adventure

Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go write.
 I have so many new tips and tricks to add to my WIPs!

If We were Having Tea

 Jamie over at The Perpetual Page Turner featured this on her blog last week. I loved the idea of sharing a little bit more about myself. I don't write too many personal pieces on the blog and maybe it's time I change that. You can see the previous posts too. I'm not a coffee drinker, so I changed it to tea. Hot chocolate works too!

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that this is first summer in 11 years that I'm not running a YA Summer Reading Program at the library. This is both relaxing and sad for me. Relaxing because clearly I don't have to worry about prizes and hosting 3 programs a week, but sad because I won't see my favorite teens this summer. I won't be talking about books with them, I won't be recommending books to them, and I won't be hearing their thoughts on the books they read. It also means that my summer is wide open for plans. What are you doing this summer?

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that this summer, I'm planning a few family vacations. This also hasn't happened in 11 years. I can't wait to sit by the water and READ. What are you planning to read this summer?

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that Romance Writers of America is hosting their annual conference in NYC this year. I've always wanted to go, but never could because of Summer Reading. Since it's super close this year and no plans, I'm going to be there!!

If We Were Having Tea....I'd tell you that I'm writing something very different and very fun, although it's harder than what I've written before. It's also inspired by Taylor Swift. Do you have a favorite Taylor Swift song?