Conferences- Why I Go

Conferences are a lot of money. Money that most of us don't have much of. But I can honestly say that the money I spent on my SCBWI conference was well worth it.

Wow. I got to meet so many amazing writers, agents, and editors. I sucked in more information that I thought I could manage. And I had way, way too much fun.

I think my favorite part was breaking down on the dance floor (Okay so I was wearing a medieval dress so it was more like floating around the dance floor but breaking sounds so much cooler doesn't it?) at the Dragonslayer's Ball. I have to say: Bruce Hale really knows how to dance. OMG!

And I loved just talking and talking and talking about writing to those there. And get this, they actually wanted to talk about writing too. Imagine that!

But my favorite, favoritest part was meeting all of my online buddies for the first time. We were like: 'Hey! I know you from your blog! Or I know you from the Blueboards!' We already knew so much about each other yet we'd never really met. Very cool but very weird.

My fun roomy, Mindy Alyse Weiss, who introduced me to everybody (let me tell you this girl knows everyone!). My car buds, Larissa Hardesty and Jess Souders- ARMADILLO! And Karen Strong who loves dessert as much as I do- a kindred spirit! (we both unashamedly begged for extra chocolate cake at the ball- yum!) Watch carefully because their books will be gracing the bookshelves someday.

So I want to send a cyber 'wave' to all of my new friends who are totally amazing, talented and brilliant. Can I just say, "Let's do it again in June?"