According to dictionary.com, vertigo is a dizzying sensation of tilting within stable surroundings or of being in tilting or spinning surroundings.  This simple word describes my life for the past ten days. 

Last Wednesday I left for the RWA National Conference in San Francisco and life turned surreal.  That evening I was selling raffle tickets in the largest ballroom I’ve ever seen in my life and trying not to gawk at the tables and tables of fantastic writers.  It was fangirl overload.  And I was dizzy with excitement.  The night got even better when I walked into the Bandita Bash thrown by the wonderful women of the Romance Bandits.  It was like walking into a family gathering.  I’m pretty sure the chocolate together with the laughter is what kept me awake.

By the time the workshops started Thursday afternoon, I felt as if I’d been there for days.  My first hour was spent in a Chat with Nora Roberts.  I didn’t have the guts to ask a question, I just absorbed all the answers. And Nora was exactly how I knew she’d be.  I think she must be the most down-to-earth, honest, straight forward author you can meet.  And she truly loves what she does.  It’s no wonder she creates such great characters and stories.

Then I moved on to a workshop with Susan Elizabeth Phillips.  At the signing I somehow mustered up the courage to tell Ms. Phillips that I want to be her when I grow up.  And she was so sweet and encouraging and I couldn’t stop smiling.  But by the time her workshop was over, I wanted to tuck her in my pocket and take her home with me.  At that point, my conference experience could have ended and I would have been happy.  Lucky for me, there was much more to come.

Unfortunately, there was so much that it’s all a blur now.  So I’ll have to just hit the high points.

Victoria Alexander and Connie Brockway gave inspiring speeches that also included lots of laughs.  Whoever is chosen for keynote speakers next year have tough acts to follow.

This kind of event takes an enormous amount of energy and effort and I’m amazed at what the RWA is able to accomplish and squeeze into four days.

The Romance industry is made up of the most generous, inspiring, talented, and amazing women it’s ever been my pleasure to meet.  And yes, there are men and they are great too, but the vast majority of attendees in that hotel were women.

Perseverance and determination are everything in this endeavor.  If there was one lesson learned at this conference it was NEVER GIVE UP. 

Now to the non-writing observations…

It is possible to ruin a chicken breast.  It is also possible to have TOO MUCH chicken breast.

This conference is the one occasion when it is acceptable to look at everyone’s breasts before looking them in the eye.

My bra will hold four paperback books – two per cup. (when not on me that is)

Kobe Beef is the best food on the planet! And I’m willing to pay $10 for a bottle of water as long as I convince myself that at some point, James McAvoy may have taken a dip in the source.

Manda, Santa, and J Perry are the best roommates in the world and I was lucky to have them for my first Nationals.  I miss them like crazy even if J Perry is totally insane.

As much as I’m exhausted and still suffering from that vertigo, I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything.  And I’m already longing forward to next year when I know it will be even better because my shipmates and others who couldn’t make it this year will be there.  Thank you to RWA and to all my buddies – in addition to my roommates there was Kim, Sara M., Elodie, Lindsey, Mary, Steph, Tessa, CM, Cynthia, Nancy N., and Kathy B.  To the authors that were so fabulous – Anna Campbell, Christie Craig, Leslie Langtry, Gemma Halliday, Jeanne Andrews, Loucinda McGary (who was my tour guide of awesomeness and knitting instructor), Donna MacMeans, Joanna Bourne, Eileen Cook, Claudia Dain, Sabrina Jeffries, Elizabeth Hoyt, Laura Lee Guhrke, Deb Marlowe, Liz Carlyle, Terry O’Dell, Susan K. Law, and all of the Romance Bandits.  If I’ve forgotten anyone, it’s not intentional I promise.

If you went to conference, what was your favorite part?  If you stayed home, did you take part in the online conferences?  If you’re a reader, have you ever attended a large book signing like this one or have you attended a conference in your own field that overwhelmed you?