This week I had the opportunity to attend the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Anaheim, CA. What I learned was much too vast to put in any one post or even several posts. However I will recap the highlights that will stay with me for a lifetime. 
- I learned that best-selling, award-winning authors work hard for their success. They work harder than most any professional I know. [I learned I don’t work nearly hard enough.]
- I learned that romance authors are the most generous and giving of souls. [This was not a new revelation, but to experience it en masse was humbling.]
- I learned that giving and receiving a simple “Thank You” with a smile is very, very important. [“Thank You” is a woefully inadequate phrase for the gratitude I feel for those who gave so much to me this past week.]
When it’s my turn, I hope I can give back at least a portion of what I’ve received from the amazing authors I met this past week.
Did you have a week of learning?
I learned that writing down goals does not make them happen, that all those people I left behind in High School went on to live interesting lives and I’m not the only one who is unrecognizable–there is a reason everyone wears name tags!
And I learned how wonderful my family was to travel all the way to Pleasant Grove for my first booksigning, even though I’d already given them their books! It was great.
I learned tons at nationals. It was a great trip and I met so many new people.
Kindness does count. You are so right.
I learned that it pays to put yourself out there.
And that there are many of us going Indie and traditional together.
Thank you for the post.
I absolutely agree with your recap. RWA12 was amazing. Info-packed workshops presented by top-notch gurus, networking opps at every turn to enrich and excel a career, existing friends to catch up with, new friends to enjoy, accomplishments to celebrate, and…four extremely gorgeous men in my room (OK, it took an electrical mishap to accomplish the last feat, but sooooo worth the roiling smoke and sparks). Yes, RWA12 was amazing.