Monday, July 4, 2011

RWA11 New York, NY Was Amazing

Cursor…

Starting spreading the news. I am home today. I was part of it. New York, New York…

Oh, please imagine Frank singing those mock lines, not me. I can’t carry a tune to save my dog’s life much less my own.

Happy Fourth of July everyone. I hope you all are having a wonderful, safe holiday weekend. New York was wonderful. My roommate, Kathy Kulig, and I spent the few extra dollars and snapped up a Times Square view room. The view was so worth it. We
turned the comfy chairs towards the window and in the early morning had our coffee and tea while watching New York hit its stride. We could see the cast of Good Morning America set up on the corner below us. At night, ( I mean very late at night-hours pass a country girl’s bedtime) we watched the hundreds of people still walking the square while we shared the accountants of each other’s day. It was very relaxing.

The very best thing about my trip however was getting together with my on-line friends, some I’ve never met. I’ll share some pictures. More are up on my Facebook Fan Page.

My Ruby sisters of course. We spent hours together. We had dinner together after the literacy book signing, which raised nearly $47,000.00, (Yeah RWA authors), we went to a Broadway play and we just chilled and watched the crowds. I met Carla Cassidy that way.





(Daryanda Jones -'First Grave On The Right' and I at the literacy signing)


Ruby Slipperhood Sisters at 'Jersey Boys'



Ruby Sisters; Liz Bemis, Rita Hueben, Me and Carla Cassidy. I just love Carla's work.




I also ran into to other friends like, sweet Mary from the Pink Fuzzy Slippers several times and each time I got hugs. I love hugs.





And fellow Wild Rose authors Silver James and Riley Quinn. Both wonderful ladies and we had fun chats. This is Riley.







I had the most yummy dinner with Fellow Wild Rose authors Anne Carole and Tess Quinn.


Anne is flanked by friends.


I just love Tess. Such a sweetie.







I ran into Liz Selvig who won the 2010 Golden Heart for Single Title Contemporary. We were in Margie Lawson’s class together years ago and remained on-line buddies.
After years, we finally met. I think we liked each other a lot.



I also ran into Margie once, but never saw her again. You can go a whole conference and not met up with someone. Like for me, I never found online buddy and queen of high heels Michele Miles and I wanted to catch up with Sandy James so bad. Conflict kept me from sitting in on her workshop. Another reason why I need to buy RWA11 CDS.



The workshops were fantastic. I really enjoyed listening to Harlen Coben and Lisa Jackson. They really should go on the road together. They played off each perfectly and in the process managed to teach us a lot.




And Roxanne St. Claire’s workshop , ‘How To Mend A Broken Scene’, was awesome! If you get a chance to take this workshop, do! I studied my handout last night, again.


The Ruby workshop, 'Road To Novel Completion', which I was a part of, was a great success. The feedback has been awesome. I was so nervous as this was my first time speaking at a conference and I'm so glad my Ruby sisters, Anne, Tamara, Jenn, Vanessa and Liz were a part of it. We had a great time, as you can see. I couldn't believe the number of people who were in the audience. I learned later Stacy Boyd, senior editor at HQ was one.


Writers, if you ever get a chance to go to Nationals, go. It is so worth the expense. And readers, if ever you hear the National RWA is going to be close to you, head out to the signing. It’s a great way to meet your favorite authors and to help a great cause.

I could go on for hours but we all have lives to get to. I'm heading on another excursion this week with DH, so next week, probably Tuesday, I’ll shared more pictures and more news. Thanks for stopping by. Stay safe and remember to jump over to my website and join my newsletter. Shortly, I’m going to post another contest for members only. WINK

(((HUGS))) AJ

20 comments:

  1. ny good workshops, so little time...

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  2. There was a problem with the above post. It should have said: So many good workshops, so little time...

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  3. I know, Roni. I think one more day would've been great, but then I might've died. I came home and slept for 11 hours. I never do that. So much fun though.

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  4. Your blog doesn't like me, doll. This is try number three (Is blogspot POed because I moved to Wordpress maybe?)

    Great memories. Fabulous company, and sisters everywhere. As happy as I am to be home, I'm sorry we had to go our separate ways. Contrary, aren't I? ;-)

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  5. We had fun, didn't we, Autumn? Let's do it again next year.

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  6. Great picture, Autumn. Thanks for sharing. Sounds like the workshop was fabulous! Not much turnaround before your next trip. You sure have stamina!

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  7. Had a great time with you! Yes, worth the money. Save your pennies for California!

    Liz Talley

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  8. Thanks for sharing your experiences and the delightful photographs. Glad you had a safe trip.

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  9. Sounds like you had a fantastic time. Thanks for sharing with us. I'll be in CA next year for the conference.

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  10. WishI could have been there. Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Wonderful post. I've been to two Nationals. They are sooooo expensive, but amazing experiences. Thanks for your SUPER POST.

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  12. Wish I could have been there. It looked like so much fun.
    Patti

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  13. All those wonderful workshops - missed!! Next year - sigh...whimper...whine...!

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  14. I can't believe how much fun I missed!!! LOL!
    Welcome home! I'da hugged you too!

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  15. Thanks for sharing the pictures, Autumn. So glad you had fun and enjoyed the conference and meeting friends.

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  16. OMG, I thought everyone would be picnicing today and I'd be lucky to get one person to peek. You all rock!

    I'm going to save my pennies definitely and keep on trying to reach more readers, so hopefully CA will be in my future. Although, Thrillerfest is a draw back to NY, Thrillerfest doesn't have all of you. (((HUGS)) Thanks for spending part of the 4th with me.

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  17. Hi Autumn,
    Great blog, sounds like you had a ball. I only wish I could have attended but Australia is a bit too far away, especially as I was in Las Vegas last year, the piggy bank just couldn't afford another long trip..

    Cheers

    Margaret

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  18. I didn't know you were from the land of OZ. Cool. I would so love to visit your country one day. I would love to go to CA next year, not sure if it's possible. But I'll definitely being doing GA. I hope I get a one on one with you one day. (((HUGS))

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  19. Looks like you had an amazing time.

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