What does Dallas, Texas have to do with friendship?  Well, as you're reading this, I'm either winging my way to Dallas from Tampa or I've already arrived. 

I've been a member of Romance Writers of America for 5 years now because I write women's fiction.  But I've never attended one of their huge conferences, held somewhere different in the country each year.  This year it's in Dallas.  So back in January I thought it might be fun and beneficial to attend.  But it would be even more fun to go with my old high school friend, Alice. 

No, Alice isn't a writer.  However, she is an avid reader of women's fiction.  So I thought she might enjoy meeting some of the authors in person.  The ones whose books she's always reading.  Alice also thought it was a great idea and quickly accepted my invitation.  So the planning began.  The conference is being held at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Dallas.  Everything is right there, which makes it very convenient.  So I booked a double room for us and got the conference discount.  Then came the logistics of planning our flights.....but they worked out perfectly.  We're both flying on American Airlines.  Alice leaves from Boston.  I leave from Tampa and we both arrive at DFW within 15 minutes of each other. Leaving on Sunday, our flights leave within 20 minutes of each other.  Perfect.

The conference provided info on a Yellow Checker Shuttle from the airport to the hotel.  So for $28 round trip for both of us, I got that booked.

I think we'll probably return home pretty tired from the looks of the conference schedule.  There's ongoing workshops, events, dinners, speakers, etc.  But I know it'll also be fun.  Many well-know romance/women's fiction authors will be there. Selling their books, speaking, autographing.  Our luncheon speaker on Thursday is Lisa Kleypas, NY Times best selling author.  Lisa Jackson is the featured luncheon speaker on Saturday.  And Carly Phillips will be the emcee at the annual RITA and GOLDEN HEART awards ceremony on Saturday night.

Many agents and editors will also be attending, always looking for that new author to represent.  Alice is particularly excited about meeting Nora Roberts in person, since she's read most of her books.  I'm looking forward to hearing Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Jayne Ann Krentz speak.  And I'm definitely looking forward to meeting with an editor from Silhouette to pitch my manuscript on Saturday morning.

Lots to do.  Lots to learn and lots of new friendships to make.  But I'm especially looking forward to spending 5 days of quality time with Alice.  Since she lives in Boston and I'm in Florida, we don't see each other that much.  But we're always in touch. I feel that as we get older, those long-time friendships become even more precious and we must take the opportunity to cultivate them as much as possible.  Alice is the one that coerced me back into knitting, after a 40 year hiatus, a few years ago.  And now.....I can't put those needles down.  So during the next few days, I'm also looking forward to sitting and knitting with Alice as we gab and catch up.

I will have my laptop and my camera with me.  Time permitting, I'll try to get at least one blog done from the conference.  I fly back to Tampa on Sunday. So I'll resume regular blogging some time after that.

Enjoy your week and I'll see you next time...........