It’s been a few weeks since I returned from Chicago-North RWA’s 2016 Spring Fling writers conference, so I’ve had some time to synthesize my experience beyond “SO AMAZING BLERGH-AHHHH!!!!” It was my first writers conference of any kind, let alone my first romance writers conference, and it was So. Good. Not only did I learn a ton about the craft and business of writing, but I left feeling truly inspired by the power of romance.

Here are some of my favorite moments from the conference:

• Opening keynote from headliner Courtney Milan ripping apart the notion that “all happy families are alike” and therefore romance novels are unoriginal (you’re wrong, Tolstoy). Favorite quote: “We aren’t happy because bad things don’t happen to us, but in spite of, or because of, them.” Also a poignant plea for more diversity in the romance genre.
• Meeting fellow writers and making new friends. I know I’m a cheeseball, you don’t have to say it.
• Headliner Robyn Carr on her secret to avoiding writers block and getting through that first draft: “I’m perfectly willing to write crap.”
• Workshops, workshops, workshops. In particular, Sarah M. Anderson‘s “What to Expect When You’re Revising” and Briana MacPerry‘s “Plotting Through Characterization.” Thrilled to come away with many concrete ideas/skills to apply to my own WIP.
• Popping my pitch cherry with two literary agents…and receiving manuscript requests. Huzzah!
• Swag. Free, glorious swag, including books. So many free books.

  

• Keynote speech by Christina Hobbs and Lauren Billings, aka Christina Lauren, one of my all-time favorite writers. Earnest, funny, charming accounts of their journey toward publication and on to becoming international bestselling authors. I laughed, I cried, I had all the feels.
• Book signing. Did I mention Christina Lauren are my faves?
• Author Sonali Dev‘s take on why we read and write romance, in one word: the “heartgasm.”
• Writer & book reviewer Bobbi Dumas deconstructing romance genre stereotypes. Be proud to read romance!
• Pre-Gala Dinner drinks and conversation at the hotel bar with new friends.
• Robyn Carr’s final keynote: to be successful at writing romance, “make them feel.”
• The Gala Dinner. And not just because the Fire and Ice contest results were announced and my entry won first place in the romantic suspense category (although that was amazing). There was also delicious food, boppin’ tunes, and memorable company: the perfect capstone to an incredible weekend.