New York, New York!
I have finally come out of my conference coma and am able to share pics and stories from this year’s RWA Nationals conference! (If you click on the pics, you can see larger versions of them. Formatting this many in a post is blerg!!)
I had a wonderful time! Meeting up with old friends from last year, meeting new ones this year! (Side note, I seem to be famous mostly for twitter. Everyone who got a book from me at the literacy signing knew me from there! Do with that info what you will…)
It’s so wonderful to get together with other writers and talk about…well, things that writers get! I loved sitting in a group of people and being able to say, “And then I found out my heroine was keeping a secret from me!” and having NO ONE look at me like I had just sprouted a four point antler. No, these people get characters that have minds of their own. And hero torture. They totally get the hero torture. Bwahaha.
And they also get why a man standing on a balcony overlooking the Harlequin party might give one an idea for a book. (I had to take a picture of him because…well, the whole Smoldery McSmolderson thing had my imagination going, and I wasn’t the only one!)
Speaking of the Harlequin Party…it was amazing! We got dancing socks (because all the amazing heels tend to get ditched a couple of songs in, because let me tell you, we dance!) and they are my new favorite thing (it doesn’t take much to make me happy) But they have the Harlequin logo on them and I just think they’re SO MUCH FUN. I shall wear them when I tackle my Aussie revisions (which is a whole different story all together!)
One of my favorite things about the party was the candy. Not because it was so tasty (but it was) but also because the candy, like the socks, had the Harequin logo on them. If only I had these to EAT during revisions!!
The conference hotel was in Times Square, and right on Broadway. It was incredibly crowded, and while I later discovered I much preferred the Upper East Side (heh) it was truly a spectacular experience. The view from my room faced an advert for How to Succeed in Business, starring Daniel Radcliffe. And for a Harry Potter nerd it DOES NOT GET COOLER. Here’s one of the pictures I took of the incredibly populated street in front of our hotel. 
On Wednesday of us had tea at the plaza. That was such an experience. I felt like Eloise. 😀 And here is the FAB-U-LOUS Jennie Lucas, and me, in our fascinators. We were very, very fancy! 
We did some incredibly fun and fancy things, but I do think the memory that will really stay with me is sitting in the hotel bar with Lynn Raye Harris, Natasha Tate, Jennie Lucas, Jane Porter, Caitlin Crews, and Janette Kenny eating appetizers, talking about writing, life, and books we love.
Another of my very favorite things was the day I spent with Aimee Carson. We walked around the city and went to Rockefeller Center,and bought hot dogs and a pretzel from a cart. Then we got tickets to Top of the Rock and took in an amazing view of the city. After that we spent too much money in the gift shop. 😉 Then we walked some more, past Cartier and into Versace, where they (surprisingly) didn’t kick me out for taking pictures of the shoes!
My roommates this year were amazing (Abbi Cantrell, Maggie Marr, Aimee Carson and in the adjoining room, Jennifer Probst and Wendy Marcus) and we had much coffee and candy and general rowdiness…when we were all actually IN the room, which was a rarity!
The sights were great, but the company was the real highlight. As Anne Shirley would say, we’re a group of kindred spirits, and it’s left me refreshed and energized (somehow that’s working hand in hand with my exhaustion, not sure how…) and ready to tackle another year of writing! (which is good…since I left conference with a lot more work to do! The nature of meeting with editors, etc!)
And one more picture…me at the Harlequin Party! 
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sounds brilliant… one day *sigh*
It’s so much fun, Joanne! I do hope to make it to some overseas conferences one day…
Pictures are gorgeous Maisey, looks as if you had a fab time. I am SO jealous of your Harlequin socks! How did your trading cards go down?
Susan, I quite literally took my iphone out of my clutch purse and put it on the table to make room for the socks in the purse. Why? Because, I reasoned, if I lost the phone I could replace it…but HOW COULD I REPLACE THE SOCKS!?
The trading cards went better than I expected! All of the pages I left in the Goody Room got taken. Very encouraging!
Looks and sounds like you had an awesome time! One question I have about Nationals though is DO you spend ANY time in workshops/talks? I know in Oz, I never leave the hotel and although Im going to Melbourne in five weeks, I likely won’t step foot inside a shop except the ones at the airport. The only time I’ll venture out of the hotel is the Harlequin dinner probably 🙂
Should probably clarify it’s not just YOUR blog/photos but lots I’ve seen have been AWAY from the actual conf and I’m curious 🙂
Rach, *looks away guiltily* I may have missed a few….er…all…of the workshops this year. There are over 2K people at RWA Nationals (!) and I think the reasons for attendance vary. I personally have a hard time tearing myself away from my fellow Presents authors.
For me, the value in attending always comes down to a couple very important meals. 😉 Last year it was with my editor, this year with an agent and with one of the very senior editors at M&B. Really, the chance to talk to ALL the M&B editors was so hugely valuable. But also…the socializing.
Ohhh sounds like you had a fantastic time Maisey. Great photos, NY looks o vibrant and so do you! I suppose it’s back to the grindstone now though – LOL! Caroline x
I do love my grindstone, Caroline…love it.
Lovely photos all, I’ve been to your FB page as well! Thanks for sharing, Maisey!
Awesome socks! Awesome fascinator. Is that your expert fascinator then? 🙂 Glad you a fab time m’dear.
Thanks for posting all of the great photos!
Did someone say shoes? 😉 I love that you were able to take pictures without security trying to take you down.
I love the candy and the socks. I never thought I’d be jealous of socks but I am 😉
You looked absolutely gorgeous, Maisey! Thanks for the photos and for sharing.
Thanks for sharing the pics!
I love the trading cards (got mine in the mail thank you very much).