RWA rocks!
- Melissa Westemeier
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
Albuquerque rocks, too! I spent the most amazing week in New Mexico learning, hanging out with awesome people, and feeling deeply impressed by RWA's commitment to excellence. Usually conferences are good, you get several strong workshops, experience one or two duds in the bunch. Not so with the Romance Writers of America. Their annual conference is TOP NOTCH. I walked away from every single workshop with new information or a new way of thinking about something I already knew. The presenters were prepared, professional, and polished. The extra activities, like Bingo, gave me a chance to connect with other writers and socialize. The organizers communicated well and made themselves available. I will not hesitate to sign up for the 2027 RWA conference in Portland, Oregon next year.
I took PAGES of notes about including emotions in my stories, developing secondary characters, stepping up my marketing game using Book Funnel and newsletters, how to leverage social media, ways to develop a romance plot, and including more cliffhangers. My brain was FULL TO THE BRIM every night and my heart was just as full from the camaraderie. No surprise, but romance writers are a lovely, loving bunch of people. They were happy to include me in their world even though I'm mostly a mystery writer. I learn so much from talking to them!
And a word about Albuquerque. I conclude that any city where lots of people from diverse backgrounds settle makes for better eating. New Orleans is a total culture mashup and famous for their cuisine. Well, Albuquerque is the same way. Every meal, from lunch in the Albuquerque Museum cafe to the Church Street Cafe in Old Town were glorious. If you head there and don't eat well, that's on you, friend.
The scenery didn't disappoint. Mountains, desert, a river, and all kinds of plants I never see up in my neck of the woods. Plus rocks!
If you're heading this way, don't miss the 100 year celebration of Route 66. The museum and a stretch of the highway are decked out. I'm always keen for kitsch, so the old neon road signs were a kick to see.
I'm dropping BIG NEWS in my monthly newsletter August 1st, so if you're a subscriber, keep an eye on your inbox! My next in-person event is next month at The Globe Coffee + Plaza in Neenah, don't miss it! FOUR Wisconsin mystery writers with a PLOT TWIST!
Spill it, reader. Have you ever made it to Albuquerque? Why didn't you tell me it rocks?