RWA – Mags Rocks
Hi All,
I’m finally home from the 2010 RWA Conference held in Orlando, Florida. It’s great to be back, on my computer, and finally dry. Even in air conditioning, the air is moist. I’m still dizzy from the wonderful whirlwind of a trip, so I’ll be posting several aspects of the conference, rather than one long blog. The tentative topics at this point are: Roommates and social aspects, Workshops, the Fabulous Harlequin Party, Professional contacts, the Pitch, Ceremonies and Keynotes, and book signings.
After a hugely uncertain beginning for this conference, including a change in venue from Nashville to Orlando due to floods, multiple changes in hotels and dates, and both of my roommates with immediate family members who had been critically hospitalized, it all worked out wonderfully.
My first blog post is dedicated to someone who made my maiden RWA experience enriched in so many intangible ways that I can only scratch the surface. I’m so in awe of your talent and productivity that I often wonder what you see in me, a chronic underachiever. Thank you for all you do, and for who you are, Margaret Ethridge.
During the conference, I was lucky enough to stay with Margaret Ethridge, an incredibly talented but prepublished author, who I know will hate this gushing – but she’s put up with my praise for almost two years, since the first story of hers that I ever read and was compelled to reviewed – so, she’ll have to put up with a bit more.
Before the conference, I’d only met Margaret two times in person, and both times I’d had to share her with 20 or so other ladies from our group. The other times were fun, but I’m greedy. So having her alone for a few days was even more wonderful. It was so great to have someone else new to RWA to share the awe with. We did our own thing during the day, but each time we ran into each other, it was like finding home base and having a family member to share the “squee” moments with. She even made husband bashing fun.
We had fun volunteering for the literacy signing together and shared time waiting in line to have Nora Roberts sign her first book, Irish Thoroughbred, which Margaret had since she was a child (just a baby, right, Mags?).
If you do end up going to a conference of this magnitude, I highly recommend choosing a roommate who you can already call a friend. The anticipation of seeing Mags and the days leading up to the conference sharing notes, obsessing over what to pack, sending links, and loosely synchronizing our schedules was almost as much fun as the conference itself.
If you’d like to check out more of Margaret’s work, here’s her website and always fun, insightful blog.
http://www.margaretethridge.com/
I heart you, Mags! Do it again next year?
~Maria
My next blog will be dedicated to my dear friend, mentor, and after conference roommate, Olivia Gates.
Julie said,
August 5, 2010 at 11:59 am
Awww, sounds like you had such a wonderful time! I knew you would! So happy that you and Mags had each other to share the moment with. I can’t wait to hear about more of the particulars. And I’m dying to know how your pitch went.
But most importantly, on a scale of 1-10, how hot was that hug from Pluto?
mariadeangelis said,
August 5, 2010 at 12:53 pm
Thank you, Spooly! We did have a wonderful time. The pitch went pretty well; I’ll blog about it soon.
And just between you and me, Pluto had some rockin’ hard glutes! Mwah!
mariadeangelis said,
August 5, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I’m going to quit trying to post pictures for a while. The more I try to fix it, the more I foul it up. Why can’t I have more than on photo on the bottom of this?
Margaret said,
August 6, 2010 at 10:54 am
Enough with the gush! You are a complete nut job. Thank you do much for your sweet words. Your support, and the support of so many good friends, has meant so much to me. I never would have attempted this adventure without knowing that you were backing me up.
How much fun was that conference???? I loved rooming with you, and hope that we get to do it again. I think the fact that we went in our own directions made it better for both of us. It was fun to be able to swap stories, tips, and tricks whenever we caught up with one another. I think we both got a little more out of it that way.
You are right. It was definitely better to have someone we knew before the conference there to act as home base. It was fun to meet so many new people, but I do remember feeling so relieved each time I ran into you or Olivia. It would be so easy to feel cast adrift in that huge crowd. You were may savior on more than one occasion – and I don’t just mean taking my spot at the Literacy Signing. I will thank you for that again, though. You totally rock my world!
I miss you!
mariadeangelis said,
August 7, 2010 at 9:15 am
Dearest Mags,
I’m so glad you were with me, as well. I think we made the most of the time we had and I’m so hapy to have you as my friend! Yes, I’m a complete nut job – we must be birds of a feather. I’m so glad you got your Nora books signed and I was there to be a part of it. Here’s a huge hug!
I miss you, too!
MichellekCanada said,
August 7, 2010 at 8:34 am
How much do I love your pen name? thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!
I am super pleased you had a wonderful time at the conference. I am totally stoked that you and Mags had each other. MWAH!
You need to post a picture of you in your sparkly shirt because you looked beautiful!
Now I know you got your own blog, I am bookmarking it baby!
*hugs*
MichellekCanada said,
August 7, 2010 at 8:47 am
this is my second post…the first didnt show up so if this is duplicate sowry…
How much do I love your pen name? thiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiis much!
I am so pleased you loved the conference! I am even more stoked that you and Mags had each other while there.
I hope you post a picture of you in the sparkly outfit because you looked beautiful!
All the best and now I have your blog book marked!
mariadeangelis said,
August 7, 2010 at 9:18 am
Michelle!
Hi Honey! I’m sorry you had to post twice, I hadn’t accepted it yet, but now you’re an approved author and you can send me hugs any time! Thank you so much for your enthusiastic well wishes and for liking my sparkly outfit! I’m so glad you have me bookmarked and that you like my name. I love being loved by you!!! Yay!
~ Mwah!
PS – Can you e-mail me your physical address? I have a little somethin’ somethin’ to send… although I admit to being THE worst at mailing.
Michele said,
August 7, 2010 at 9:27 am
Maria!
I didn’t know you had a blog! I’m so out of touch, lol. I’m so glad you had a wonderful time and learned a lot. I’m also glad you were able to spend a lot of time with Mags, even though I’m insanely jealous!
I’ve loved the pics I’ve seen from the conference, and you look terrific! *hugs*
mariadeangelis said,
August 7, 2010 at 11:03 am
Hi Michele!
But I went to this fabulous conference with so many amazing women, now you can’t shut me up if you tried! I’m so glad you found me. And Mags was woderful. Thanks for the kind words. I miss you!
Yes, I have a blog! But I never publicized it since I never had anything to say
~Hugs,
Maria
Pooh said,
August 7, 2010 at 9:31 am
Hello Darling!
So I was reading Mags blog and realized you had one too, I had to come over and check it out. Very snazzy with the pen name and everything. I’m impressed. Did you get a phone yet? I’m dying to hear a first hand account of the Conference. So glad you went and had fun.
Miss you!
Pooh
mariadeangelis said,
August 7, 2010 at 11:08 am
Hi Pooh!
Yes, the secret is out; I have a blog under my grandmother’s name. I’m glad you like the name. It was a topic I put a lot of thought into.
I’ve been a lazy bones and haven’t gotten (Julie’s least favorite word) a new one yet. It’s kind of a synronized thing, the other two people on my plan want new phones too, and we need to go together, I think. Maybe I’ll just order on on the internet and avoid the horrible wait at the phone store. I would call you on Tom’s phone, but he won’t be home until very late, your time!
I miss you! We’ll talk soon!
~Hugs,
Maria
Lorraine Nelson said,
August 8, 2010 at 7:24 am
Hi, Maria! Nice blog. Enjoy reading about the conference as I couldn’t attend and want to know…well…everything! lol Talk to you soon.
mariadeangelis said,
August 8, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Hi Lorraine! Thanks for visiting! Hopefully you can go to RWA next year. We’ll chat soon! Do some sessions!