Headed to the RWA National Conference

I hadn’t planned to attend the Romance Writers of America’s annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee this year. Mostly because travel is difficult due to family circumstances and then, there was the flight, hotel, meals, transportation, and the conference fee. Cha-ching, cha-ching, cha-ching.

However, due to the recent flooding of the Nashville area, the conference was relocated to Kissimmee, Florida. With most of the travel expenses eliminated, it became more affordable for me to attend and it’s practically in my own back yard. So, I’m headed to the conference of all conferences this week.

I’m a little apprehensive, to say the least. Large crowds are the last place I want to be. All I can think of is being caught like a rabbit in a buffalo stampede. Yikes!

Although I’m a friendly conversationalist when I have to be, I’m more introverted than I appear and big social events tend to spike my anxiety. I’ve heard from veteran conference attendees that many writers share this phenomenon. Great. We’ll all stroke out together.

Just kidding.

Most of my stress is the build up before I get there. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it has something to do with stepping outside my comfort zone. Or outside my routine…but even that seems weird because I don’t really have a set routine. But, I do like to fill every spare moment with writing. And anything that takes away from those precious time slots fills me with angst.

There’s not much that I’d rather be doing other than writing. Oh, wait. Reading and napping are close seconds, but I usually do those when I’m stuck on a plot point that isn’t developing and my brain needs a break.

On the up side, (and so you know I’m not a complete social phobe) I am excited about meeting new people and hearing about their journeys. Also, the workshops and publisher spotlights scheduled look fabulous and I’m all about gleaning as much as I can from those who’ve gone before me.

So, my goal for this conference is simply to listen and learn, make friends and network. I’m foregoing the pressure of pitching since my current WIP is still in development and my completed manuscript needs significant revisions. At least my business cards came in on time, so I can get my name out there. Hopefully someone will remember me fondly when they see my query letters in the not so distant future.

So, tell me…will you be there too?