Tuesday 13 July 2010

Comradeship at the RNA Conference

I've been in England this last week, that is why I was so quiet. This is actually a lie, because I haven't stopped talking. First I was with my family and then at the Romantic Novelist's Association Conference where I met lots of people I already knew from Twitter and email.

I found the prospect of meeting these people both exciting and slightly daunting. It's often easier to hide behind your desk and have time to think witty answers than talk face to face with people, but all my doubts disappeared   the moment I arrived there and started introducing myself to friendly people I recognized by their photos, although there were a few that were unrecognisable and improved no end in person. I've realized cameras can be a very mean enemy if their not on your "good side".

One thing I've learnt this weekend is that authors are very aware of the struggle it is to be published and there is a feeling of comradeship among writers that I don't think many professions can boast about. I met all kinds of writers at the conference, both published and yet-to-be-published, and I often heard the words "I know exactly what you mean" because they've all suffered the same hardships at one time or another. It's not only the pen and paper they share, it's the joys and sorrows too. 

As for the working side of the conference, I really wished I'd had a larger memory this weekend, because I've had lots of advice on writing which seemed essential to me and I'm worried I might forget it. This means I was ignoring one of the main advices: Always keep a notebook with you and write everything down!

11 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful conference. All of the important information will pop back in as you need it. :)

    Mason
    Thoughts in Progress

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  2. It was fantastic to meet you. Here's to the next one!

    You're quite right about the comradeship - such a very friendly and fun-loving group of people. I had a wonderful time!

    R

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  3. Sounds like you had a blast!

    Just keep on prodding that brain of yours and I would think some of that advice will show up eventually. :}

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  4. Mason and Amanda, I'm hoping I did retain most of the information, so I will share it with you.

    Ruth, it was great to meet you there.

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  5. Hi Sarah - you've summed it up so well!
    Lovely to meet you at the conference and hope you'll be back at the Ox Lunch again too!

    AJ :-)

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  6. It was SUCH a good conference and so nice to meet you and everyone else - including the wonderful RF and Henrietta! :)

    I can't wait until the next one!

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  7. It was great to meet you, Sarah. It's a long time until next year, and who knows? All that advice may have resulted in you being published!

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  8. Sarah - brilliant to meet you in person and I'm sure you will have remembered it all once it has time to settle!
    lx

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  9. Lovely meeting you, Sarah.
    Hasta la proxima!
    Jan S x

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  10. It sounds like it was amazing! I have yet to attend a conference.

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  11. We only briefly said 'hello' unfortunately but you must be sure to come next year when I think it's in Wales. Cooler and wetter I should think but just as much fun. Look forward to seeing you there?! Yes, it is incredibly hard getting published - I'm working through one of the manuscripts an editor looked over and it's driving me nuts.....and I don't even know if it'll be worth it!

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