by Kelly Hunter, author of Bedded for Diamonds
Last weekend over 220 romance writers attended Romance Writers of Australia’s 17th Annual National Conference. I’d been looking forward to this conference the way a kid looks forward to Christmas. I knew there’d be a mighty tree in residence with a huge pile of presents beneath it, and that one of those gifts – or some of them – would be for me.
My first gift was the setting. I adore going to Melbourne, and the Langham Hotel where the conference took place is five-star luxury all the way. Need a glamorous international setting for your next Presents or Presents Extra? Need a writing exercise that involves slipping into bed in the wee morning hours and trying to put into words exactly why this bed – with its heavyweight cotton sheets and featherdown pillows – is so much more comfortable than any other bed you’ve ever slept in? Go to the Melbourne Conference.
Gift number two was catching up with beloved writing buddies – friends I usually only get to see once a year, never mind how vital a role they play in my writing wellbeing. Writing is by nature a solitary pursuit. We have extremely vivid imaginations. We dip in and out of imaginary worlds while trying to stay grounded in the real one and it ain’t always easy. Occasionally we disappear so deeply into imaginary story mire that someone has to come pull us out. It’s usually another writer, and the bonds we forge during those hard times can be almost unbreakable. Do I want to laugh with my special people? Share a meal and a drink and the moment with them? You bet I do.
The Modern Heat girls at Harlequin Australia’s author dinner. From left to right: Robyn Grady, Anna Cleary, Kelly Hunter, Anne Oliver, Ally Blake, and looking dazzling in red, Nicola Marsh.
Gift number three comes with taking a deep breath, walking into a room full of strangers, and seeing what happens. Connecting with people I don’t know very well to chat about this and that. Striking up conversation with someone I don’t know at all and finding someone warm and funny and wonderful inside. Listen a little. Give a little. Connect.
Gift number four lies in being on hand to help celebrate romance writing excellence. The list of finalists for the short category of the Romance Writers of Australia’s Romantic Book of the Year Award (the Ruby) 2008 was an illustrious one: Robyn Donald, Carol Marinelli, Marion Lennox, Sarah Mayberry, Margaret Way, and Anne Oliver. You should have seen that moment of utter astonishment on Anne Oliver’s face when they called out her name and the name of her book, One Night Before Marriage. Then came Anne’s delight and it was gorgeous to witness.
Anne Oliver with her Ruby Award.
Finally, the best gift of all. That moment where someone, somewhere, says something about the craft of writing that lights you up inside. ‘So that’s how it works,’ you think, and you sit there, listening, listening, while your brain quietly explodes as a new method of writing, a new way of thinking, a new tool for your writers toolkit unfolds for you. ‘Thank you,’ you think quietly. ‘Thank you for this moment, this magical moment of illumination, this gift that flows unseen, straight from one heart to another. This is what I need.’
Why do you go to Conference?
Hello Kelly,
I go to the Conference because it’s a party.
All those joyous meetings and greetings in the bar at the Langham on my first afternoon there would have made the entire event worthwhile, if there hadn’t been so many other wonderful moments.
So although the above photo has me looking like I’d just stepped out of a paranormal and should be skulking on some midnight window sill with my fangs hanging out, the truth is that I was alive, and had a fabulous time.
There were some great speakers, too. One I had to tear myself away from on the Sunday because I had a flight to catch, but oh, her session was so good, such an elixir to my muse, it was painful to have to creep out and miss the last of her precious words.
And I’m glad you mentioned the Langham. What a place to wallow. It refreshed my lifelong understanding that I was destined for marble palaces and chandeliers. The opportunity to live like a Presents heroine for a few days was simply too good to pass up.
Have I said how much I adore hotel buffet breakfasts? A little mushroom omelet thrown together with a couple of flicks of a chef’s wrist at my request is exactly the sort of breakfast I wish I could command every day of the week. With a view of the Yarra River of course, and the wintry city-scape.
Add to that enjoying it in the company of friends discussing the very issues I struggle with in isolation for the rest of the year, and you know why I love the Conference.
And of course there were the people I met for the first time. Did you know that I met one of our most regular and delightful contributors to the Mod Heat blogs on iheartpresents? Hi there Rach! It was fantastic to meet you. Hope the Conference was as wonderful for you as it was for me.
Then there was that marvellous, fascinating woman who was writing the biography of Georgette Heyer. Now that was a conversation for a bunch of romance writers, and one of the ones I most thoroughly enjoyed.
And there was Anne’s fantastic moment on the Saturday evening, with her sparkling and looking gorgeous. So glad we were all present to cheer her on.
And hang on, did I mention those scones they served at morning tea on the Saturday..?
Oh well. It’s probably time to do another lap around the block. After that, a couple of hours at the gym. If I can still stand up, I might stagger back to my pc and write a few words.
Possibly a scene in a rather grand hotel…Perhaps a breakfast setting…
PS. How could I have forgotten to mention this memorable moment at the Conference?
It was when they announced who would be the new President of the Association of Romance Writers of Australia.
And who do you think it might be..? None other than the lovely and multi-talented Modern Heat author–Kelly Hunter!
Wishing you the very best of good luck, Kelly.
anna x
Sounds as if you had a fab time!
Why do I go to a romance writers’ conference? Well, obviously mine’s the RNA in the UK rather than the RWAus *g* but I go to refill the well. To meet up with friends I don’t get to see that often. To go to talks which make me laugh for the right reasons and then think a bit afterwards.
And then, as you say, there are the gifts. Meeting people whose books you’ve really loved. Being given a hug by someone who felt the same way about one of yours (and realising just how lucky you are to have a job that puts sunshine into other people’s lives). Celebrating other people’s achievements – first sales, breakout novels, awards. And the lightbulb moments that always strike on the way home…
Hey Kelly – great article
For me, as a newbie writer, the conference was a fabulous opportunity to learn, catch up with my CPs and meet published authors.
I found the talks & workshops inspiring and I learnt sooooo much – I had light bulbs going off in my head
The conference was also a fabulous opportunity to socialise, network and have a great time. As you said, the Langham is a magnificent hotel – great place to include in a Modern Heat ms
Cheers, Joanne
PS – it was fantastic to meet you and I enjoyed the “author chats” with you and Anne Oliver
you were both so helpful and so generous in helping us new writers – thanks!
Hi Kelly – great article!
As a newbie writer, I found the conference a fantastic opportunity to learn, catch up with my CPs and meet published authors.
The talks and workshops were fantastic, I learnt heaps and had light bulbs going off in my head
The conference was also a wonderful opportunity to meet lots of romance writers, socialise and network – I had fabulous time
and Anna, I have to agree – the scones were delish!
Kelly – it was lovely to meet you and I appreciate you and Anne Oliver talking to us, unpublished writers, during the authors chats, you were both very helpful
Cheers, Joanne
Oh no – my reply as disappeared in to cyber space – AGAIN! apologies, for any multiple posts *blush*
Cheers, Joanne
Oh I’m hearing ya Kelly, what a fabulous weekend. Although considering this weekend I’m dealing with two toddlers with Hand, Foot and Mouth, I’m seriously beginning to wonder if last weekend was a dream.
Anna – you made my day with your reference to our meeting
It was fantastic meeting you, one of my new fave authors (gotta love that Maverick Millionairre) and of course hearing Kelly and Anne talk about Mod Heat again. Another highlight was chatting to the lovely Robyn Grady at the Awards dinner – if you’re reading Robyn, thanks for being so encouraging!
I guess in answer to Kelly’s question, I go to the conference for much the same reasons as all of you – to hang out in a sensational setting with people who totally GET ME!! I love catching up with writing buddies who much of the year I only converse with via cyber-space.
And then there’s the inspiration and confirmation in my heart that this is what I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY wanna do!!
Anyway better stop rambling and get on with writing. Can’t wait for more Mod Heat posts!
Hi Kelly,
I loved your post about the conference, as it brought back so vividly the wonderful, wonderful time I had there. Can I just say ‘ditto’ to the points you raised? There were so many special moments, with that magnificent venue, the lovely Harlequin dinner, the awards, the sessions, the between session chats, the unwinding with friends in someone’s room at the end of the day, the lightbulb moments.
I got home to a hefty does of non-writing-related reality. Why does life throw those curve balls just when you’re on a high? Truly, though I think having had those magnificent days with other writers gave me more stamina for the not-so-fun stuff. Now I’m aiming to recapture the enthusiasm of the conference.
It must was one of the best conferences I’ve been to (and you’re so right about the Langham beds!).
Great last night too, sitting with Carol Marinelli, Barbara Samuels, Kelly Hunter, Jenny Hutton from the London office, Marian Lennox and others over dinner. And so many new people to meet too.
Congratulations, Kelly, on being elected President of RWA. And to all the award winners and finalists. And to the many writers who made it such a terrific weekend. I’m already planning to attend next year’s.
Annie
Anna, I do love your posts!! Folks, she’s just as bubbly and funny in person
It was, indeed, a magical conference. My best ever! Catching up with good friends I haven’t seen for a year, talking to those on the road to H publication (Hi Rach! and you’re most welcome), going to the Harlequin authors dinner and so enjoying all those quirky traditions (last year Kelly Hunter presented me with my ‘new chick’ necklace; this year I was honoured to do the same for a newly published friend), the fabulous fancydress cocktail party, the workshops and guest speakers, getting to talk to editor Jenny Hutton in person (no, I really don’t have any more questions, Jen, lol), And, yes, the food. Oh, and don’t forget those Langham pillows :sigh:
Congratulations again, Anne Oliver! You looked gorgeous in that dress (that award’s pretty special too) And WTG Kelly, our new Oz Prez. Really looking forward to the next 12 months and next year’s conference in Briz-Vegas, Queensland!
Robbie
I did a lovely long post earlier but it got eaten up. Now it’s 1am, I’ve just emailed off my fourth Modern Heat, but I wanted to pop in to say, Anna, I just so love your posts! Folks, she’s just as funny and bubbly in person.
It was fantastic meeting up with friends I see only once a year. To mingle with aspiring authors and give them all the encouragement I can (Hi Rach!). To chat with editors (thanks, Jenny Hutton, mwah!) The guest speakers, the meals, the pillows!!!
Congrats again, Anne. You look sensational (That award’s not half bad either) And wonderful news having Kelly Hunter as our new Prez. Really looking forward to the coming year and next year’s conference in Briz-Vegas Queenland!!!
Robbie
Hey folks
Just wondering if there are any wise people out there who know if you’re supposed to receive an email acknowledgement after sending in your contest entry? I’m sure I did for the Instant Seduction contest but I sent my entry last night and haven’t heard anything yet. Just wanna make sure it gets there
Thanks
RACH!
Hi Rach,
Just to hopefully put your mind at rest, the same thing’s happened with me – twice!! Sent in the first time a couple of weeks ago and when I didn’t hear anything I rang up to check if I should have received an acknowledgement. Spoke to someone lovely and helpful who seemed to think I should have, so I re-submitted at the weekend just to be on the safe side. As yet, however, I still haven’t heard anything back so I’m guessing the system either isn’t in place yet or there’s some kind of a problem with it. If it’s happened with you too, that’s just too much of a coincidence, right? So hopefully they’ve both arrived there okay!
Hope this helps – it’s awful to sit there wondering if all that blood and sweat is just floating around in the ether somewhere! If Joanne drops by this blog, maybe she could put us out of our misery – figuratively speaking, of course!
In the meantime, all the best of luck with your entry, Rach, and to everyone else who’s giving it a go.
Jilly
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