I attended my first writer’s conference, Moonlight & Magnolias, this past weekend.  For those not familiar with this event, it’s sponsored annually by the Georgia Romance Writerschapter in Atlanta.  The conference consisted of several excellent workshops, editor and agent appointments, and a host of networking opportunities.  The jewel of the event was the Margie Award presentation and dance.

As a newbie in the writing game, I was blown away by the amount of information I received that actually impacted my writing.  For me, the highlight of the conference was Margie Lawson’s workshop on Empowering Characters’ Emotion.  This one workshop is so powerful, that it made an immediate impact.  If you get a chance, visit Margie’s website  and checkout her conference/online workshop schedules and her lecture packets.  Any author serious about making their writing more powerful and taking it to the next level would definitely benefit from one, if not all, of her courses.  Heck, maybe I’ll “see” you in one of them.

After the workshop I was able to get a picture with Margie. Ok, I am not looking the cutest here, but it was a long day and I my mind was full of all the great info I’d just recieved-LOL.

Another workshop that made an impact was Winnie Griggs’ presentation on backstory.  This was a true “wow” moment for me.  I left this workshop armed to handle all my backstory and exposition in much more favorable way, without bogging my story down and losing my message.  And last but not least, Stephanie Bond presented an awesome workshop called Write Fast, Write Well.  She passed along some wonderful time management and discipline tips.

On Saturday, I attended the book fair and autographing session.  I must say, Borders had a very well stocked bookstore there.  I was very impressed with the amount and variety of craft books they had on hand.  During the bookfair, I was able to chat with some more authors and get a couple of pictures as well:

If you’ve never read a book by Carmen Green, you a missing a treat.  The next time you are in the bookstore, and you want a good read, pick up one of her novels.  Of course, I was in networking mode while I was there, and hopefully I will get the opportunity to interview Ms. Green for RomanceInColor.com.  If I do, I will let you know-lol.

Ok, I hate to admit this, but I have been admiring the cover to one of Jenna’s books for the better part of 4 months or so.  Whenever I go into Borders, which is quite often mind you, I somehow come across Lessons From A Courtesan every time(<–cover shown in photo).  And every time I take it off the shelf, look at it intently, read the back, then place it back on the shelf.  For some reason, I didn’t purchase it, even though it constantly caught my attention.  Now I know why.  Somehow the psychic in me knew I would be meeting her this year and that I would get the chance to get the book in person and get it autographed-LOL.

I was honored to meet Teresa Mederios, the featured Keynote speaker, during the book fair.  She was so nice and down to earth, it was a pleasure getting a few minutes to chat with her.  She delivered an awesome address during the luncheon, I actually paid attention through her entire speech; and anyone who knows me knows how my attention wonders a bit at times-LOL.  So that, in itself, is a testament to how great her talk was.  I look forward to reading her latest Some Like It Wicked.

All in all, I had a wonderful time at the conference and came away with a renewed vigor, passion, and drive for the craft.  I look forward to returning next year.