I guess from all the discussion about pitching and registering that Nationals are bearing down upon us.
Just listen to me complain! Pitching makes me nervous. Registering (and shelling out all that money) makes my nearest, dearest Architect nervous. Which makes me feel defiant on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and slightly apologetic on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. (Sundays we have the whole family, including 5 grandchildren, over for dinner and I’m too busy to think about it.) Ohmigosh, I have to get thinner before I put myself out for public exhibition. The idea of getting my WIP in pitchable shape makes my knees weak. Oh dear, oh dear, oh dearie me!
All of which makes Nationals sound like some new special torture chamber that only the initiated know about, and why in the world are people eager enough to spend all that money and go there?
Wellllll — the first time I went to Nationals I had just discovered a) romance novels, and b) the RWA, and I was curious. It was great. The workshops were fantastic, and since I didn’t know anybody there I had lots of time to go to workshops. I was like a little kid in a candy shop with books everywhere and people whom I recognized from jacket photos all over the place and everybody there was into writing. Instead of it being a personal idiosyncrasy, writing was something that we all did and almost all of us wanted to talk about it. Obsessively. The pitches were terrifying and exhilarating. Victoria Curran of HQ Superromance was wonderful and kind and wanted to see my MS (the learner one) although even from my description of it she put her finger on its fatal weakness. I met people I’m still in touch with now, and I floated home in a cloud of dreams, untroubled even when the Architect asked me how soon I’d be able to sell.
Because he does learn, he hasn’t asked that recently. Ever optimistic, he goes on believing in me regardless.
Each National Conference I’ve gone to since has affected me much the same way, although now I have noticed there’s a certain repetitive quality to some of the workshops. So now I go to the others, or spend time sitting around having a drink or just sitting around talking with the friends from across the country (and in some cases the world) I don’t see anywhere else. It’s fun to have some new clothes (even if they’re not the clothes for the glamorous, thinner me who annually fails to appear) and to go new places, although I have to admit that more often than not I walk into the conference hotel from the airport and walk out of it several days later to go to the airport. Either way, I go home revved up. I’ve learned, I’ve laughed, I’ve talked (oh, wow, have I talked!), and I get home itching to get down to serious writing. In fact, the last couple of years I’ve stayed over until Monday, which means I miss most of the rush of Sunday departures, and spend a luxurious day by myself in my room, roommate having departed, and write, write, write, without having to stop to fix dinner for anyone. That’s my Nationals treat, rather than shopping.
But that’s me. What do you look forward to? What is it about Nationals that makes it worth all the money and the trauma — or isn’t it worth it for you? I’d love to know.
Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: | Conferences, Nationals, RWA
I love nationals. The networking alone makes great. I do go to workshops, but not as many as the first year I went. At my local chapter, we have really great workshops and many authors who share info all the time.
The Lit signing is blow you away the first time. So many books, so many authors, wow. And each year I promise myself I won’t have to ship books home. Yeah, right. Always have to ship books home.
Also connecting with the editors and agents I’ve met in the past is well worth it. Some of them…I don’t write for their lines, but the thing is, if I ever do I’ve made the connection and if not, I’ve made the friendship.
Well, I’ve only been once (Dallas) so relatively speaking I’m still pretty new to it all. But I have decided to go this year (defiantly, I might add). I basically had a talk with my dear ol’ mom who said, “If you don’t go, I’m going to…” she left off there, but since the neighborhood kids called her “mean Jane,” I can only imagine. Plus, she said she’d watch the kids for me.
My husband basically ignored me as I stated, “I am going to Nationals this year.” Pretty good sign. I think he’s starting to clue in after, oh, over twenty years together, that he has no control over me
I am excited – I am rooming with two gals I met at a conference in Pennsecola. That’s what I love the most – the networking. Plus, I am going to get to see some of you there!
Let’s hope I can be the skinny version of me – I need to lose some weight and this just might be the motivation I need.
I only went once at that was Dallas, too. Too bad we didn’t know each other then, Amy!
There’s so much there to do. If you’re tired of workshops, then you can go to one of the many sitting areas and just soak up all that energy.
It’s just an unbelievable experience. Sad to say I’m not going. But will be making it in Tennessee. I can drive there!
I am going to Tennessee too. I’ll just swing by and pick you up, Keri!
Amy
Glad to see the subject is on other people’s minds as well. Hope to see you, Vicki and Amy, and we’ll miss you, Keri! (By the way, I’d respond earlier except that during the morning I am pounding medical terminology into the heads of the young and not-so-young — very satisfactory if it works!)
I guess I have to admit that one lovely part of Nationals is that you have the entire period of time to concentrate on the joys and tribulations of writing, w/o having to devote ANY time to ordinary chores like getting the dishes washed and finding somebody’s left shoe. And that’s worth a lot . . .
I love going to Nationals. Just the pure enjoyment of a room full of fellow writers makes it all worthwhile. I love connecting with people I’ve only known online. And the FREE BOOKS!
Ah, yes, the free books! Every year I decide I’m going to be firm with myself, and every year I wind up with a boxful of books I ship home rather than pay the unreasonable airline charge for additional luggage. But I have to say I’ve found new authors — and even new genres! — sitting there at home unpacking and even getting captured by books I would never have predicted I’d be intrigued with.
And I didn’t have to PAY for them!
Beppie, you almost make me want to go again.
The part of visiting with friends you only see once a year would be the best part. I’m saving for Nashville!
Beppie,
I agree 100% about going to connect with people! With all our internet loops and groups, it’s easy to think that serves equally well. But it doesn’t.
I’ve only been to 2 National conferences, and the first was years ago, when I barely knew what I was doing. This last year was great, though, to meet people & chat & network.
Certainly not necessary to a career, but if it doesn’t break the bank, it’s such a treat. And as I have a young child, its a nice little break without feeling too overwhelmingly guilty, since I’m ‘working’
Nice post!
Kris
Sorry you won’t be there, Stacey, but I’ll see you in Wisconsin and look forward to Nashville. And, as Kris rightly points out, it’s not necessary to a career, but it’s a treat. Kind of like the cherry on the sundae. Maybe it’s because writing is such a solitary occupation that we all enjoy the comraderie around the edges so much.
What would I do without all of you? I’m pretty sure I’d still write, but the downs would be a lot deeper, and the ups wouldn’t have the high of being shared — except with the Architect. And supportive as he is, and much as he loves me, in a lot of ways he just doesn’t get it. Thank goodness for all of you who do!
Beppie,
I agree with you about going to nationals to connect with friends you don’t meet anywhere else. I have been many times, so now I pretty much skip the work shops, and just meet and greet old friends.
My hubby doesn’t get it either. lol Poor man.
Hi Beppie,
Boy, did I relate to the terror with the pitches! *snort*
So far, I’ve only been to one and I too felt like a kid in the candy store. So many books! So many authors! So many workshops!
I have yet to return though I hope to in 2010. Of course, when I was there I practiced my pitch endlessly, and was a nervous wreck. I feel rather like a college student looking back at my freshman year in HS! *laughs*
When I do return, I hope to connect with my online friends, and with the authors that mean so much to me. It’s my favorite “family reunion.”
Thanks for a great post! Really made me sad I’m not going this year! LOL
Smiles,
Chiron
http://www.chironokeefe.blogspot.com