Penrith

Okay, so the first thing I learnt at the RNA conference was that you can give the girl a digital camera but you can't make her click. Yes, I'm afraid to say there are no photos (sorry Shirley). However, in my defence I was having too much conferency goodness to remember to take pictures.

This is the fourth one I've been to (3 RNA and one RWNZ) and I must say that this was probably the best. Penrith was a wonderful campus because it was small and compact and in the middle of the country. Oh, and the bar didn't run out of alcohol. That always has to be a plus!

It was great to see old friends and meet new ones, though there were still so many people I didn't get the chance to catch up. The trip up went well and a big shout out to Annie's husband who thankfully spotted that I have a jolly cute habit of writing left when I mean right (though apart from that my directions were faultless!).

The first person we bumped in to was Nell, who, having just come out of a HM&B pitch, was looking a bit dazed and confused - possibly because she had just agreed to send them a medical. I'm sure that girl doesn't sleep, and I'm not even going to say I told you so to Nell because that would be rubbing it in! Michelle Styles was also there and can I just say Be Careful around this woman, because she can lead you into all sorts of trouble!!!!! It was great to see Allison as well who has just received a full request for her latest manuscript.

The one and only Kate Walker was there, along with the Babe Magnet (aka husband) and I enjoyed talking to Kate Allen, though was disappointed to miss her lecture on marketing which sounded excellent. I somehow managed to completely miss Julie C, Anna and Biddy, which totally bummed me, but they all looked well and Julie's baby bump was very elegant as one would expect!

Our lovely Penny Jordan looked radiant in black as she did a brilliant question and answer session and it still amazes me that she's so humble despite all of her success. Rock on, Penny. I also met Jessica Hart which was great, because I've always loved her books and she's just as nice as I thought she would be. Plus, her lecture on the A-Z writer's survival guide was excellent. We appear to have similar writing habits - both involving lots of muttering and drinking. Sometimes at the same time!

I even managed to chat to Katie Fforde this time without getting impossibly tongue tied, which I took as a vast improvement. It was great to catch up with Amanda Grange and if anyone enjoyed Darcy's Diary then you will be pleased to know that not only is Knightly on the way but so is Captain Wentworth, so hooray for that! It was great to see Linda and Louise again, the brilliant June Francis, and Angela from the Southport chapter. Oh, and Giovanna who I know from the RWNZ and who only landed from New Zealand Friday morning, was also there, looking very perky despite being jet-lagged to the hilt.

I also met loads of new friends including, Jo, Gill, Sue, Janice, Frances (another Aussie!), Elizabeth and a whole heap of other people who I will suddenly remember the moment I publish this post.

I have a feeling I also learnt a lot of new things, but I might just save that for another day since my brain is starting to turn a bit mushy from all this thinking. Hope everyone who didn't get to the conference had a lovely weekend as well.