As RWA National gets under way in Atlanta, I find myself looking back fondly on my own memories of conferences past and the wonderful experiences I’ve had as an attendee. As Robyn said in her blog entry, there is truly something for everyone, from the aspiring author to the multi-published, bestselling scribe. There are informative workshops galore as well as parties, dinners, and other get-togethers sponsored by publishers and RWA chapters. National also offers the perfect opportunity to meet face to face with crit partners or your writer friends, to mix and mingle with your own favorite authors. Where else will you find such a large gathering of romance authors signing books under one roof than at the literacy autographing? And we mustn’t forget the glitz and glitter of Rita/Golden Heart award night!

Of course, the most memorable conference for me was Dallas 2004. Why? Well, not only had I just recently sold my first book to Avon and was actually going to able to attend the publisher-sponsored Avon dinner as an official AUTHOR, but I was a finalist in the Golden Heart Contest in the Best Long Historical category. Award night is always a rather surreal experience where everyone gets dressed up in their fanciest duds and gets to feel like royalty. (Think Oscar night, but with fewer males in attendance and no red carpet.) That year, however, it was especially poignant for me. When my name was announced as the winner in my category, I was thrilled and overcome by emotion. I can still remember crying and laughing at the same time as I went up on stage to accept the award. (That’s me above after the awards ceremony with my wonderful editor, May Chen.) Not only is that my best memory from that conference, but it is one of my best memories ever. Next to getting The Call, of course. It even topped the memory of getting to sit at the same table at the Avon dinner with the likes of Victoria Alexander, Debra Mullins, and friend and fellow JQ Shane Bolks/Shana Galen, though not by much. Needless to say, it was a very eventful occasion!

So, what is one of your best memories? Obviously not everyone here is a writer, so it doesn’t have to be RWA or writing related. But if it is, that’s great.