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!