Thursday, April 19, 2012

RT Convention Recap

     I’m back!

     I'd promised to post about my adventures during the week but in all honesty and to my surprise, I did not have the time. Really, it was that intense.


     On my first night, I headed down to the bar to meet up with a few online connections I’d made and got the pleasure of meeting Linnea Sinclair and Stacey Kade, our pre-con teachers for the beginner class. This experience alone made me realized how valuable being at the bar could be. Lots of great Networking opportunities.

     The pre-con class was a great experience. Lots was repetition of what I’d learned through online research and such but the ability to ask questions and get better understanding face to face really helped me a lot. I also got the opportunity to sit with Stacey Kade for a one on one session to talk about my own story and what I could do to improve it. All in all, I really recommend this class.

     Another great thing about taking the pre-con class is that you are at the hotel 2 days prior to the official start of the convention. This means the hotel is quiet. You can scout the place, locate all the rooms where the workshops and socials will be, giving you an advantage when navigating the crowds when the other conventioneers arrive.

     The convention portion was intense. So many authors to meet, connections to make, business cards to hand out, workshops to go to, socials to attend and networking and schmoozing at the bar. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep all week, but with all I’ve learned and the friends I’ve made it was all so worth it.

Saturday Book Fair and Signing
     One of the highlights for me, my major Fan Girl moment, was finding my biggest inspirations and Twitter friends randomly chit chatting in the lower lobby. I was so excited to finally meet them in person.

Amalie Howard, Me and Kristi Cook
     A unexpected perk to this event was the amount of free books and swag I got just for attending and participating. It’s insane. I’m actually going out to buy a new bookshelf this weekend.

Look at all this stuff!! Lookout for Giveaways :)
     On my last day in Chicago, hubby brought me to the C2E2 Comic Book Expo where I got to meet the swoon worthy Chad Michael Murray, one of the stars of the hit TV show One Tree Hill and movie A Cinderella Story, signing copies of his debut graphic novel.

Chad and me... *swoon*
     Now that I’m home, exhausted, overwhelmed, yet grateful of my experience, I have marked my calendar to attend again next year in Kansas City.

     What can I say…I’m a sucker for sleep deprivation.

Friday, April 6, 2012

My RT Journey Begins

   
     By tomorrow, I will be on my way to my first writer’s convention.


     We (my hubby and I) plan to drive down to Toronto where we will stop to visit with friends and then proceed to London Ontario where we will be staying the night. The plan is to cross the US border in Sarnia the following morning, which should leave us with only seven or so hours before we reach our destination on Sunday.

     I am attending the Pre-con Beginner class on Monday and Tuesday before the Convention starts on Wednesday and look forward to learning all I can from the authors and editors scheduled to speak to us. I am also anxious to attend the various workshops given throughout the week.

     But what I’m most excited about, is meeting, in person, the authors and friends I’ve made through social medias that have influenced me along the way and have encouraged me to continue pursuing my dream.

     I will try to continue to update you all during my hectic week of learning and networking and hope you will follow along on my journey. If you are planning on being there, let me know. I'd love to meet you.