The board said Platform 3b - Glasgow Central,
calling at Penrith. Penrith! The RNA Conference! I felt as if I’d been
thrust through the wall to Platform 9¾!
I’d only decided to go last
month; an online RNA friend, Rosemary Gemmell, had asked me if I was, and I
thought why not, at least I’d know someone, but now I wasn’t so sure. I needn’t
have worried though. Jan Jones welcomed me with a big smile, and handed me my
name badge with First Conference on
it so everyone would make me even more at ease.
However, it was scary
entering the room full of writers, talking as if they’d known each other all
their lives. The noise was phenomenal! I recognised some names because I’d read
their books and their knowledgeable emails on romna. Help! But then I spotted
Rosemary, and I was soon part of the crowd. That evening, I met up with some other
first timers; Anna Scamans had sent out an email to all the newcomers so we
could get in touch in advance.
The Gala Dinner was the
highlight with everyone dressing in fabulous clothes, and unbelievable shoes,
and I believe that some even partied on into the small hours!
The sessions were inspiring
with people like Nell Dixon and Henriette Gyland, to name just two, who were
equally happy to share our table at mealtimes. And I came away fired up to
write this blog, enter a partial manuscript for the NWS this year, and get my
novel finished!
All too soon we were ferried
to the station in taxis, like the end of term at Hogwarts, sorry our short time
at the conference was over and looking forward to next year in Sheffield. Thank
you to everyone who made it such a success.
Lovely to read this. Wish we could do it all over again this weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt was great to meet you Jean! Sx
ReplyDeleteIt was a fabulous weekend and I'm so glad you made it to Penrith, Jean, as the sessions were so inspiring. It was lovely to meet up in person at last!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great account of a wonderful weekend, Jean. It was my first time too.
ReplyDeleteSorry not to have met you (and Rosemary - I looked out for you but missed you :-( )
Next time...
warm wishes
Debbie
x
Platform 9 3/4, that's it exactly. A wonderful weekend away, with wonderful people, over far too soon!
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone. I had such a good time meeting you, and to those I missed, as Debbie says, there is always next time!
ReplyDeleteI spoke to hundreds of lovely new people and still never managed to get around to everyone. Still, I did speak to you, Jean (think it was over breakfast?).
ReplyDeleteJean, that's the best pic of me I've seen for ages. Will try and find your email and scrounge a copy.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the conference. I loved it.
Sue x
Lovely blog and great to meet you. Even if it was on the platform to go home when we were deciding which zone we needed to be in!
ReplyDeleteWhat a huge event it was!! I am glad to see all these photographs. I have been going to attend such a conference next week at corporate events Chicago. Actually my brother owns an event planning firm and he got opportunity to organize this event. So he has asked me to join him in this event. Feeling excited!
ReplyDelete