tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post2905457683310315563..comments2024-03-17T02:20:03.772-05:00Comments on Riding With The Top Down: Helen's Conference Experience 2007Kathleen Eaglehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-8277479208206136392007-07-18T07:14:00.000-05:002007-07-18T07:14:00.000-05:00Yep, those orange first timer ribbons come in hand...Yep, those orange first timer ribbons come in handy, Fiona!<BR/><BR/>I'm gonna whine here - I didn't get to meet any of our readers. Darn it.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-65158363614283368672007-07-17T23:35:00.000-05:002007-07-17T23:35:00.000-05:00This was my first time at the RWA convention, and ...This was my first time at the RWA convention, and what amazed me (even though I guess I should have expected it) was that everyone was so NICE.<BR/><BR/>I had the pleasure of meeting some RWTTD and every one of them was so kind and helpful. I guess walking around, looking blitzed, and wearing a blaze orange "first timer" ribbon was bound to elicit sympathy. LOLFIONAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00525085661198210325noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-56756258102877391882007-07-17T16:16:00.000-05:002007-07-17T16:16:00.000-05:00Missed you at conference, Deb. Next year?And yes,...Missed you at conference, Deb. Next year?<BR/><BR/>And yes, we're cruising fast around here these days.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-81085497538700244262007-07-17T15:58:00.000-05:002007-07-17T15:58:00.000-05:00Imagine my surprise when I'd read a blog by Christ...Imagine my surprise when I'd read a blog by Christie earlier and come back to discover that Helen's got a blog up and Christie's blog is gone.<BR/><BR/>LOL!<BR/><BR/>Geez! You snooze, you lose around here.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, it's always nice to hear about conference on a year I don't go. (I meant that to sound interested and not sarcastic. (g))Debra Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03992776098849029414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-84854070603275917962007-07-17T13:52:00.000-05:002007-07-17T13:52:00.000-05:00Kathy, that's so sweet that your roomie's husband ...Kathy, that's so sweet that your roomie's husband surprised her! And so nice of you to accomodate.<BR/><BR/>I had a great time too, Cindy, at breakfast. Couldn't hope for a more fun group of writers to blog with!<BR/><BR/>Don't get me going on dancing at the HQ party! I think I did, um, cut loose a little.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-86705780093659809512007-07-17T13:04:00.000-05:002007-07-17T13:04:00.000-05:00Urg - and HELEN - yes, HELEN was at breakfast too....Urg - and HELEN - yes, HELEN was at breakfast too. Jeez. Okay, so I'm still recovering.Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-77233484973138704012007-07-17T13:03:00.000-05:002007-07-17T13:03:00.000-05:00Hey Helen and anyone else who's checking in. It w...Hey Helen and anyone else who's checking in. It was a great conference for me too. One of the best things was breakfast with the Top Down crew. Kathy, Betina, Christi, and I got together for some generalized laughs and good eats. It was fun - even though I had an eye that was giving me fits and watering all over my plate. NO, I wasn't crying but I did laugh a lot.<BR/>I quite melting down at conferences years ago when I realized everyone was pretty much in the same boat - tense, sometimes, happy at others and exhausted all the time. It was a great hotel - despite the waits - and catching up with friends is always a lot of fun.<BR/>And Helen - not to worry. You're not only gorgeous, you're fun and funny and you can dance too :o)Cindy Gerardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13311224531297908704noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-58540856022574719172007-07-17T12:16:00.000-05:002007-07-17T12:16:00.000-05:00Hey, Riders! I've been AWOL, haven't I? My bad. ...Hey, Riders! I've been AWOL, haven't I? My bad. No excuses. <BR/><BR/>I'm blogging Friday, and I went to the conference, too. Got the pix to prove it. Wait til you see!<BR/><BR/>Helen, I ended up looking for a place to stay the last night of the conference, but at RWA we don't have to depend on the kindness of strangers. We've got sisters everywhere we look!<BR/><BR/>What happened was, my roomie's hubby decided he wanted to surprise her by showing up for the awards ceremony on Saturday. (She and I were both finalists.) Well, you gotta love a romantic gesture like that. So I had to keep the big secret AND find a place to stay that night. Guess which was harder for me.<BR/><BR/>Michelle B, thanks for taking me in!Kathleen Eaglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13561028604927993773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-2253418867968055032007-07-17T10:59:00.000-05:002007-07-17T10:59:00.000-05:00Betina, you have to be on Cloud 9!!The funny thing...Betina, you have to be on Cloud 9!!<BR/><BR/>The funny thing was, Christie, that the room was HUGE! Like a conference room with a Murphy bed. I coulda had a party!<BR/><BR/>And I'm learning too about the making others feel at ease. Makes a party situation much more enjoyable. Although I sometimes end up leaving social things and wonder if I didn't try too hard to make others comfortable. Did I laugh too loud? Talk too much? Geesh, is right.<BR/><BR/>Yes, throwing all those introverted writers into one space with all that social activity is bound to cause a few meltdowns!Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-85825031462987613382007-07-17T10:55:00.000-05:002007-07-17T10:55:00.000-05:00Oh, forgot to mention about the crying! I usually...Oh, forgot to mention about the crying! I usually room with the same people...there are anywhere from 2-4 of us in a room and someone =always= has a meltdown.<BR/><BR/>I do think it's because we writers can't take absorb that much public contact without needing some sort of release.Christie Ridgwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17036552271272402052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-87198471693781723182007-07-17T10:53:00.000-05:002007-07-17T10:53:00.000-05:00Helen: I'm so glad your conference was memorable!...Helen: I'm so glad your conference was memorable! And so you stayed in that little room? I bring so much stuff to conference I don't know if something like that would fit me and my clothes!<BR/><BR/>As for attitude...I learned it was easier to walk into a situation with the idea that I could make others feel comfortable rather than waiting for someone to make =me= at ease. I went to the Berkley cocktail party for the first time this year and was a bit apprehensive...but then I realized I knew lots of people including a brand new author who appreciated me introducing her around. That helped a lot--helping someone else!<BR/><BR/>BTW, if anyone noticed my post come and go about my conference experience, it will show up tomorrow. I messed up and posted a day too early.Christie Ridgwayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17036552271272402052noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-79312393911822170132007-07-17T08:27:00.000-05:002007-07-17T08:27:00.000-05:00I learned some time ago that my attitude made all ...I learned some time ago that my attitude made all the difference in a conference. So I seek out people I know and like and try to learn new things and avoid the "Chicken Little" tendencies in myself and others.<BR/><BR/>I learned a lot this week. . . got lots of strokes (especially after the Ritas) and felt generally positive about everything. Despite being "out of contract" just now.<BR/><BR/>With two books out and recognition coming your way, Helen, you couldn't miss having a stellar year!Betina Krahnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11379124690406269848noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-80210837206522335822007-07-17T08:19:00.000-05:002007-07-17T08:19:00.000-05:00That would normally be me, Lois, bursting into tea...That would normally be me, Lois, bursting into tears. Once a day, at least, I'd head to my room and fall apart. Not this year, though. Very strange.Helen Brennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08680081195181747377noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27662400.post-47631433355050396822007-07-17T08:15:00.000-05:002007-07-17T08:15:00.000-05:00So glad you had a good time, Helen. The conferenc...So glad you had a good time, Helen. The conferences are always interesting, aren't they? I've rarely been to one where someone I know hasn't burst into tears. But they are always enlightening.lois greimanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05758677401591191607noreply@blogger.com