I’m fresh off my trip from Anaheim, CA for RWA’s 32nd Annual Conference.

This was my 3rd national conference, and each one has been better than the last for me.  And I’m not taking about locations (because all the locations have been awesome–DC, NY, CA… Come one, what’s not to love there); I’m not talking about workshops (because all have had some wonderful key note speakers, workshop topics, and special guests);  nor am I talking about the pitch opportunities (though TRUST me, getting in front of agents and editors is a necessary step in this business and meeting them at a conference allows for one  on one interaction you can’t get from a blind query.)

No, I’m talking about the fact that each and every year, I meet and connect with an amazing group of writers.  Some I know, most I don’t; some published, others striving for publication.  But it’s those connections that make, what can be a very solitary journey, a less scary trip.  I will be doing an additional posts highlighting some gems I picked up in my workshops later this month.   But for now, I’d like to share a few pics of some of those amazing people I was just talking about.

Here I am with one of my good writing buddies, Jeffe Kennedy. The pic is slightly blurry, but it’s the best one we took together 🙂  Jeffe is one of my friends I met totally and 100% online a few years ago via FFnP.  And since then, she has always there for me when I have a question, need some advice or support about something, or need I quick pick me up.  Jeffe is one of those people that make my journey easier.  And if you happen to like hot an steamy reads, I’d definitely recommend you check her out.

I met author Jodi Thomas for the first time this year.  She’s a lovely, genuine lady and it was a pleasure spending some time with her.  She also led a wonderful workshop on creating characters that I will share highlights from in a later post.

Here I am with Nora Roberts! (small fan girl moment 🙂 ) I sorta met Nora from afar at the DC conference a few years back.  I maintained my distance because I didn’t want to make a complete fool of myself.   But luckily, this year I got another chance to meet her, so I took it.  And YES, I know my hair is doing it’s own thing in this picture.  I blame my CP Jodi… LOL.

While sitting in the hotel lobby one morning, I got to chatting with the nice lady sitting besides me.  After much chatter, I glance at her name badge and go “Wait…. which Kate Douglas are you?”

She goes, “I’m THAT Kate Douglas.”

I go “~insert squee here~ You write the FREAKIEST stuff!”

Then proceeded to tell her what happened when I read her first book- LOL  Luckily, she LOVED my response and we went on to talk a little more about her books and my reaction to them.

I will say, the Kate Douglas writes some STEAMY/HAWT erotic paranormal romance.  Don’t say I didn’t warn you…

Ran into Christina Dodd in the hall one morning.  She’s very nice and didn’t mind talking a pic with me before getting in line to get her coffee.  I don’t know if I could have made that same choice.  I need my coffee, LOL

 And the highlight of the trip for me was Brenda Jackson  (my ALL TIME favorite romance writer) winning the 2012 Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award !!!

So in short, I had a great time at Nationals this year.  I did two pitches, one impromptu and one planned, and got requests for BOTH!!

And while I have a TON of pics and stories to tell, I’m going to end this post here 🙂  Stay tuned for more posts and pics from the conference.