If it suddenly gets eerily quiet at the end of this month on your favorite romance authors’ blogs, don’t despair! More than likely, they are attending this year’s Romance Writers of America annual conference (July 26 – 29 in Atlanta). RWA National is the mother of all romance conventions, geared to both readers and writers, and many romance authors in all categories, shapes, and sizes will drop everything to attend.
I’ve been amazed at the number of people, authors and readers alike, who have mentioned their intent to be in Atlanta this year through emails, blog posts, or online newsletters. Sadly, I will be at home missing all the news, education, and merriment, getting my oldest son prepared to resume school in early August but, I hope to go to next year’s conference in Dallas. In the meantime, I’m going to make the most of this opportunity. So here’s my list of
Top 10 Things for Romance Bloggers to Do If Unable to Attend the RWA Conference:
1.
Catch up on sleep – Since so many authors (and readers) are attending and probably won’t have time to keep up with blogs, with the occasional blog “live from the conference”, there will be fewer new posts to read. Sounds like a great time for some extra zzz’s.
2.
Catch up on reading – If you’re like me, you have a “to-read” list longer than your right leg. Now’s a great time to make a dent in that list.
3.
Catch up on blog archives – If extra sleep doesn’t float your boat and you are truly addicted to blogging, then now is a good time to dig deep into those blog archives and read all the posts (along with all the comments) that you missed. When everyone returns, at least you’ll get all of the inside jokes!
4.
Catch up on writing – Many aspiring authors, self included, anguish over not being able to find time to write. Apply your blogging time to the pen and paper (or laptop or other tool of choice). When’s the next time you’ll “get back” seconds/minutes/hours in your day? If you’re serious about joining the ranks of the published, get writing.
5.
Spend time with the family – Now is the time to turn off the computer, stretch, blink, and re-focus on your family. No more, “Just a minute, honey. I’m almost done posting this reply” while the family waits impatiently in the minivan or worse, hubby waits impatiently in the bedroom. No more gentle shrugs to extricate your leg/shoulder/arm of the toddler who tugs on you without mercy. No more rushed meals because you spent so much time blogging that you forgot to take dinner out of the freezer and the family is sick of pizza.
6.
Browse the nearest bookstore – Find out what your favorite authors have been up to while you’ve been spending all your time blogging. You probably already know and were just waiting for a chance to grab some of their latest releases to add to your “to-read” pile.
7.
Meet the neighbors – While spending all your waking moments outside of work and taking care of your family on reading romance and blogging, the world around you is changing. Have any new neighbors moved in lately? If so, try something a little different. Add a romance novel to the requisite welcome basket.
8.
Organize the book shelves – You know you’ve been dying to better organize all those books, so that the next time you go looking for that romance you really enjoyed by the author you can’t remember, the one about the guy and the girl who meet unexpectedly, initially dislike each other but, through circumstances beyond their control, find themselves thrown together and eventually have to acknowledge their growing mutual attraction, you’ll be better able to do so.
9.
Take a break – Read nothing, write nothing, do nothing (well…except bathe, eat, and sleep, the minimally required human activities).
10.
Do It All! – If you’re really a blog-aholic, you’ve freed up so much time that you will be able to complete the first nine suggestions with time to spare (which you’ll need for item #9). If so, when it’s all over, and the blogging universe returns to normal, treat yourself to a new pair of shoes! You deserve them. (Okay, I really only had 9 thoughts but you probably still deserve the shoes!)
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Peace & Blessings,
Patricia
Stay focused. Be deliberate. Believe.
