I’m back from the annual RWA conference in San Antonio, Texas. Know what? It was HOT. Like stupid hot plus a zillion humidity. The very idea of leaving air conditioned comfort made me feel all wilty. But the people were super friendly and I had a wonderful time. While I was there I had meetings with my agent, two of my editors, and one focus group; I socialized at publisher events like meet and greets and parties that were as casual as a cupcake or ice cream bar right up to cocktail parties on the Riverwalk and receiving my 25th book pin from Harlequin at their annual bash. I gave two workshops, worked the door at others, listened to speakers, and signed books at three different booksignings. Crazy, right? It doesn’t sound like much of a vacation, but it was. Oh, it really was.

Being goofy with my peeps at the Harlequin Party: Me, Shirley Jump, Barbara Wallace, Cathryn Parry, Ami Weaver and Karen Foley

I needed the break desperately. I was terribly delayed last Tuesday, and stressed and tired and by the time I got to the hotel room a full 20 hours after waking that morning, I’m afraid I got more than a bit emotional when I saw my roommate. Who was Barb Wallace, by the way. And who was very gentle and understanding and wonderful, and knew I just needed a good sleep.

Here’s the thing. There’s something about being at conference that just fills my well and energizes me, even during crazy busy days and not enough sleep. For one, I’m in a hotel for five days with other writers who get what I do, who get me and speak my language. I also spend five days with women who are wives, daughters, parents. We have a lot in common. And this year in particular, I really felt the warm ties of a sisterhood I needed in a big way.

So thank you to Barb Wallace, Jenna Bayley-Burke, Angela Knight, Karen Foley, Cathryn Parry, Susan Andersen, Robin Covington, Laurie Prescott, Kathleen Scheibling, Terri Reed, Andrea Laurence, Julie Benson, Dana Corbit, Terri Brisbin, Elizabeth Essex, Holly Jacobs and a zillion other authors I spoke to who made me feel not so alone and shared a bit of compassion and hope and FUN. Thank you to TJ for telling me I was the reason she was writing, thrilling me to bits. To Lynn Marie Hulsman for just being her. For everyone who came by my signings and lined up to get my books…holy cow, I had LINES! I had an amazing time, and came away with some plans for the future that I’m so excited about. I’m posting pictures over at my Facebook Author page.