Oh my...

It's one week to the RWA Nationals conference in Orlando and...oh my! I've been excited for a long time, but just recently the nerves have started to kick in. Why? I'm not exactly sure. I'm pitching to an agent, but I did the same with an editor last year, and while it's nerve wracking, I don't think that accounts for the anxiety I have. It's not like it's my first conference. I did attend the event in DC last year and it was so valuable and awesome I can't describe it. I think the biggest thing I came away with was inspiration. I was incredibly motivated after the event last year and filled with the certainty that I was going to be a published author. Well, here I am, going into the conference this year and I'm just...nervous. Perhaps it's because I've made that first step. I've stepped up onto that first rung of my publishing journey and I have more at stake now, I'm more invested, I've had a small taste of success, I'm not just on the sidelines wishing and hoping. Back to the fear of success thing again? Maybe. Regardless, I'm looking forward to spending 4 days with like minded people, who understand what it's like to be a writer and a romance writer at that. I'm looking forward to the educational sessions to improve my craft, to learn more about the business side of publishing, the opportunities to meet and mix with published authors and to meet people face to face I've only 'talked' to online. I'm also looking forward to coming away with that renewed enthusiasm, the strengthened drive to succeed, the inspiration to write the next best book that I can! For THAT, I can hardly wait!