Reno and Back

Wow. I can't believe its over. I was so anxious to get to Reno that the plane couldn't fly fast enough. The conference was even better than last year. Being a part of the PRO committee is an experience that will stay with me for a lifetime.

I even got my speech wrote - the night before the PRO retreat. :S Besides being too short to see over the podium of which had people laughing along with me, I think my speech went all right. I made my declaration for running for the PRO liaison - which means there is no backing out now. :)

The editor and agent panels for the PRO retreat went better than we had hoped. Hearing Jenny Crusie, Barbara Samuels and Jayne Ann Krentz speak only motivated me to write faster. As usual, the editors and agents were very gracious and were anxious to help the PROs.

The networking this year was awesome. I met so many people (it was nice to put faces to their names) that I had to make a list to I could keep everyone straight. I thoroughly recommend attending an RWA national conference if you are able. The workshops are always good, but the networking is invaluable.

Another really funny thing, was people knowing exactly where I was from. Now, I was born and raised in Texas, and if any one knows anything about us Texans, its that we are a different breed. I think it goes back to us being our own republic, but we are very loyal to Texas and all her people. Now, I realize I have a bit of an accent, but I didn't realize just how much of one until just about everyone I met made mention of it.

I'd start talking and they'd start smiling. Now, most people would take that to mean they've said something humorous, but since I'm not a witty person, I knew it was something else.

One of the first things out of their mouths was, "Where are you from?"

I would answer, "Texas."

And they would smile wider. "I knew that. It's your accent."

I got a huge kick out of that since I never realized I had much of one (especially when everyone around me talks the same way.) Of course, I'm laughing but it may be that my accent is more atrocious than I realize. :)

I think that about raps things up. I've been scanning email and updating my family on what happened during the conference, so I forgot all about posting on here yesterday. Hope this makes up for it. :)

I'm already looking forward to next year in Atlanta!