I spent last weekend at the Romantic Novelists’ Association summer conference in Penrith.
This was not my first RNA Conference. The last time was twelve years ago. I’d just made the decision that if I was going to be a writer the time was now or never and joined the RNA. At that time, being published at all felt like an impossible task. The odds against it were overwhelming. I wasn’t young, sexy, or had ever slept with a rock star. The publishing world felt like a closed one and I had no means of crossing the threshold.
My first RNA conference changed all that. I still knew I was a long way from being published, but I’d found a friendly, supportive group of professional women who didn’t seem to mind if you were a household name or unpublished. I came back from my first conference with a flickering hope that maybe, just maybe, my dreams could come true. It would take hard work and persistence and a totally professional commitment to get there. But at least I didn’t need to have a megaboob job or get up to unspeakable things with any convenient MP. So I stood a chance!
Going in to register for my second Conference was a bit of a strange experience. The noise level was exactly as I remembered it. Slightly overwhelming at first, but then exhilarating. This time, I was meeting up with old friends as well as meeting new ones. I’ve been to RNA parties over the years and I’ve met so many new friends online, so it was great to get back into the swing of things.
The strangest thing was remembering that this time I was one of the speakers, and that I was going to be giving a talk about my experiences of working with an editor. It was one of those moments that make you stop and think. So it is possible, after all. Thanks to the RNA and the wonderful New Writers’ Scheme, I was coming back as a published author. Indeed as two published authors, if you count my alter-ego, Heather Pardoe. Wow. Can I just say it again: WOW!!!
I loved every moment of the conference in Penrith. Good company, good food and wine. A chance to talk in true writerly-obessive way about all things bookish. And to learn once again that I’m not alone – keeping up with promoting one book while writing the next, keeping up with the day job and having a life isn’t easy. Phew.
I hope that every new writer at Penrith this year had the same feeling that I did, all those years ago: with hard work and determination, everything is possible. Because it is. And if I can do it…..
Here’s to another year of inspiration!
What a lovely story, from hopeful to published. And your talk was very insightful, too.
Thanks, Jo! I’m glad you found the talk useful, too. It’s possible!
xx
It was a great conference, wasn’t it? I really enjoyed myself. It was lovely to see you! MXXX
It was even better than I had imagined it would be, Margaret! I feel relaxed (if a trifle (ahem) over wined and caked) and raring to go. It was nice to be students for a while. A campus full of romantic novelists – quite an experience!
Here’s to the next jambouree!
Glad you had a nice time. Well deserved, hope you continue with your success.xx Looking forward to your next book.
You inspire me..and you know…I feel soOo happy for you, dear soul!!!:)
A lovely message and the photos are beautiful, thank you for sharing it. You’ve done really well to come so far in just one year and I’m sure it was a lot of work but it gives us all hope. I’m glad you are doing so well.
Thanks for posting the gorgeous pictures, Juliet. The garden was a special place. The lovely campus gave another dimension to an RNA conference. I loved it.
What a beautiful, thoughtful, ‘sharing’ post. Enjoyed. Hi from TN – and thanks. 🙂
Oh I wish that I could have been there to hear your talk! Thank you for sharing your story here. Your words offer deep sustenance to a thirsty wannabe writer who is coming to the well, hoping to drink…..
What a beautiful environment and wonderful that you were able to share your experience and inspire others. Sounds like you are in a good place right now Juliet, it shows in your writing and choice of pictures, keep writing and growing. 🙂