RWA Nationals

Last year I attended the RWA Nationals for the first time, and boy was I surprised.
I had no clue what to expect, I stayed with 3 people I had no idea who they were, even though we were all on-line writing buddies. My hubby thought I'd gone off the deep end.

He says, "You who are afraid to go anywhere by yourself flies to Houston to stay with three strangers." He shakes his head....

How could I make him or my family and friends understand. Once you make a writing buddy on-line, you get to know them really well. Besides, they are writers, they can't be bad, right?

One of my WB's picked me up at the airport with her hubby and 2 little girls. For all they knew I was a axe murderer. But, us writers have a good judge of character. So, I sat next to the baby girl in the back of the van, and what a sweet little doll she was. Talking baby talk up a storm to this stranger. (me). Sweet!

WB's hubby drops us off, and we go inside the Hilton and there are tons of people everywhere. My mouth hung open. "Holy Crap." I had no idea. Huge!

We then find our other WB partner and she's so excited, we all hug, find our room and then we stalk famous authors, agents and editors. (no, we didn't, not at first.)

We mostly hung out at the bar, then we had people join us. I saw some other writers I met at other conferences, and hung out with them too. I ended up having a great time.

I didn't have any appointments last year, I wasn't ready, but I did go and tell a few editors hello that I met. And yep, they remembered me by name. Shock Shock.... Made me feel less nervous...

So those that are wanting to go but are scared to because they are not the out going type. Just do it. I did, and I have to say I had the best time. Don't focus too much on your pitch if you have one. Just enjoy the information you'll absorb, the great people you'll meet, and just an opportunity to mingle with people that love the same things you do. "Reading and Writing"....and if your pitch happens to be great, thats a plus. Remember everyone has different taste, just like we do.

Oh, and don't forget to bring a camera. You'll get some great pics. of your favorite authors.

I'm sad I'm not going this year, but I had another writers thingy that cost a ton this year and I chose to do that instead. Which it turned out really well. I had a NY Editor request my work and 3 NY Agents as well. (no news yet)

I'll miss my WB's but they'll see me next year, maybe by then I'll have signed a deal.
And keep my bed empty, Dawn and Nikki!!! And nope, I don't want the blue smurf this time, I think Dawn M. wants to keep it.

Dawn C.

Writers Contest - 3rd Annual Dixe Kane Writers Contest

If you are a writer and want feedback on your writing
there is a contest you can enter just for that. If you win the contest your entry will go to Agent Pamela Ahern of Ahern Agency. --- This a terrific way to know what your skills are and maybe where you can improve them...
New Orleans RWA local chapter is full of talented authors/members who will judge this contest...

And if you are a local, why not come to our meetings in Metaire, the first two are free. Check out the website below for more info on our SOLA RWA group, and our contest.

You send 5 pages /1 page synop (synopsis is not judged) . (Deadline May 17th, I think?)
The information is at http://www.solawriters.org/

Dawn Chartier