November
2004 Conference
"Crossing the Publishing Threshold"
Held
November 12 - 14, 2004
at the Sheraton
Eau Claire in downtown Calgary, Alberta!
|
An intimate conference for Romance Writers. Workshops by multi-published authors to educate and inspire. Editors and Agents looking for fresh voices. Network and brainstorm with fellow romance writers. Attendance limited to 70 people so register early! |
Conference Pictures | Contest Winners & Finalists
CARWA
expresses its deepest gratitude for the November 2004 conference to
the following:
Authors |
Publishers |
Businesses | Entire List
FROM
THE PREZ
November 2004 Conference
by Louise Behiel
Conference is over. For your committee, it felt like it would never arrive and then 'POOF' it was over. In the aftermath, our loop has been fairly quiet, which is probably a good thing, since it indicates everyone is exhausted. Or busy writing.
It's hard to summarize a weekend of activity in a few words. I'm left with snippets of memories:
Three of our city's finest in the lobby of the hotel Friday afternoon (how nice of them to provide us with research as we were waiting to check in).
Patricia scaring the daylights out of me at the hotel, when I thought she'd still be at the airport picking up Monique.
Carolyne's opening talk. Who could be more motivational?
Poor Leanne, who volunteered to pick up Stacy Boyd and, as a result, ended up missing most of Friday evening.
Suzanne's laryngitis.
The chatter outside the Willow room as we were waiting for our appointments.
Hilary Sares telling Marilyn to go away - Hilary was having too much fun to be interrupted.
The mass of people wanting to change their appointments after the editor's panel.
The constant round of give aways.
The weight of the gift bag at registration.
The thrum of energy and excitement that pervaded the whole weekend.
The great workshops provided by our published authors.
The solid content in both Judith's talks - and how shocking some of her Sunday comments were.
Mostly I remember a very generous group of ladies who all contributed in some way to the success of our first conference. Everyone gave something. Again, we demonstrated the best of what a group of committed women, who are focused on the good of all members of the chapter, can accomplish. Judy mentioned to me on Friday how wonderful it had been to work with a committee without egos, hidden agendas, or plans for self-aggrandizement. I have to agree - we were all in it together.
And at the conference, that was even more true. I saw repeated examples of attendees checking with each other, making sure each was ok. Celebrating requests and good information that was difficult to swallow. Linda Kruger asked me if it was okay that she planned to be honest. I assured her it was. We take care of our own in Calgary RWA and I saw that over and over again. What a stellar group of individuals. What an amazing opportunity to see us at our best.
Finally, one moment that I'll never forget happened after lunch on Saturday. I cannot tell you how moved I was by Julie's comments, the wonderful basket or the standing ovation I received. I was more honored than you can possibly know. Moved beyond emotion. Surprised into speechlessness. My thanks to each and everyone of you for an outstanding moment in my life. More importantly, my thanks to each of you for helping us make our dreams come true - with class, kindness and loving support. What more could anyone want out of a chapter of RWA?
Please register in advance for any CaRWA workshop.
