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Wednesday, July 28, 2010

I Love Conferences! - Terri Brisbin





As you all know from some of the previous/recent posts, the biggest romance industry conference is beginning today in Orlando. Romance Writers of America is bringing more than 2100 members, industry professionals and special guests to the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotel for 5 days of workshops, signings, meetings and other events and I admit - I love going to conferences!

Many writers are admitted introverts who are most comfortable in the privacy of their offices or writing space and who avoid large boisterous groups of people like the plague. Working in their pajamas suits these writers just fine and if they never attend a writers' conference, well, that's just fine too.

But I'm not like those writers -- I think because I'm left-handed my brain thrives on the not-usual things, so attending conferences rejuvenates my creativity even if it exhausts my body! I sit in on workshops about the craft of writing in the hopes of learning something from experienced writers that will help me hone my skills. I listen to some of my favorite authors to gain insight into how they create their wonderful stories. I meet, chat, network and talk with other colleagues and friends in the business to keep up on what's happening in the industry and to keep in touch.

All in all, I love it!

Of course, I also love the chance to meet with readers. Though the only part of the RWA conference that's open to the public is the Wednesday Booksigning for Literacy, all romance writers are readers first, and I like talking about my favorite books (or even my books!) with other who appreciate the great characters, intriguing and interesting settings and the process of falling in love that happens in every romance novel. And on Wednesday evening (this year July 28 from 5:30-7:30pm) the doors will open and readers will pour in for the chance to meet their favorite romance authors from among the more than 500 authors signing at the event! It's like Christmas morning for romance readers!

If anyone is in the Walt Disney World area and would like to stop in, please do! Stop by the BR section and say hello and let me know what you like about romance novels.

If you can't stop by, post a suggestion about what you like best about reading romance novels and I''ll pick 2 winners (by 8am Thursday morning) to receive gift coupons for a digital copy of my Harlequin Historical Undone - A NIGHT FOR HER PLEASURE. The coupons must be redeemed through the eHarlequin.com bookstore and be used by July 31, 2010.


Terri will be signing her new Harlequin Historical THE MERCENARY'S BRIDE and her latest Kensington Brava anthology UNDONE at the RWA Booksigning for Literacy on 7/28@5:30pm in WDW Orlando. Visit her website for more info about her upcoming books and events at www.terribrisbin.com

7 comments:

Pat Cochran said...

I like being taken away from my
every day "grandmotherly" life.
This summer it includes having
16 y/o Taylor and almost 5 y/o
Tristan with me during the week.
That 11-year difference definitely
does not always fit well together!
Once I get them settled, I can sit
with my romance novel & be soothed
by interesting characters as they
seek to find their HEA. I don't
call for a certain bath product,
I call for my romance novels to
"take me away!"

Pat Cochran

Estella said...

I read romance to be taken away , also.
Of course, there has to be a HEA too.

Alison said...

I love meeting up with friends - all the conferences I've been at are just an excus eto gossip!

Alison said...

Sorry, forgot to add that romances are all about escapism. We have a clock that sounds the hours and I literally don't hear it when I'm engrossed in a book!

Laurie G said...

Books allow you the opportunity to travel to different destinations in the USA or abroad. You can also travel through time forwards- futuristic,the unknown- paranormal and backwards- Medieval, Westerns both in the past and present, contemporary-current... learning so much about the unfamiliar.

You live vicariously through the characters, learning about their jobs and experiencing their ups and downs both tragic and happy!

Books allow me to experience any thing that I want to. I love a happy ending!

practimom said...

i am sooo jealous that you are at the conference! i hope you have a great time and sign lots of books!!

Dina said...

I would love to make a conference sometime, they look so fun.