Thoughts on RWA 11

Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secret of making his dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C’s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of these is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way." Walt Disney

When you enter Walt Disney World in Florida, you are greeted with an enormous sign that reads, "Where Dreams Come True". Walt was a man who believed in dreams, but more importantly, he believed in making his dreams come true.

Did you catch the important part there? Walt Disney didn't just believe in dreaming. He believed in making dreams come true. And he didn't just sit around waiting for his dreams to happen, he had a plan.

• Curiosity
• Confidence
• Courage
• Constancy

So, what does this have to do with writing or the RWA National conference? Everything. Walt's quote is just as true today as it was then and we can all apply it to our writing dreams. Here are a few ways.

Curiosity- Stay up on the market/industry trends. Keep learning and growing your craft. Look at the publishing business with an open mind. These are all things were can do every day and especially at RWA11

Confidence- Believe in yourself. Believe in your skills. Keep moving forward. (Another great Walt quote.) If you don't believe, why should anyone else.

Courage - Have courage to finish your book. Move beyond those first three chapters. Have courage to submit. Have courage to revise. Have courage to walk into that workshop by yourself at National.

Constancy - Write. Get it done. Keep focused. Write. Write. Write.

Let's face it. There is no magic pill or fairy godmother to hand us our dreams. Dreams take work.

So believe in yourself, and get out there and make your dreams true.

Getting ready for RWA 2011

It's five days until I leave for the Romance Writers of America national conference in New York and I have to admit I am not ready. I still need to:

• Plan which workshops to attend
• Decide what clothes to bring and do more shopping
  
• Arrange airport transportation
• Decide on sightseeing plans

I have:

• Scheduled my volunteer activity
• Scheduled my editor appointment
• Scheduled mani/pedi and hair appointments
• Worked on my pitch
• Set conference goals

Last year's conference was at Walt Disney World, so I combined it with a family vacation. It was a great time and started my love affair with the Yacht Club/Beach Club resort area, but combining a conference with family time did leave less time to enjoy the conference.

This year the conference is in NYC . I will be attending without family and with a friend from my old chapter. I am really looking forward to it.

This year's goals so far are:

• Meeting at least 4 people I didn't know before the conference or only knew from a social networking site
• Attend at least one craft workshop that enhances my writing skills
• Socialize
• Visit something unique to NYC

I'm looking forward to a great time.