Chicago North’s Biennial Romance conference is always amazing! If I had to describe this year in one word I’d choose: reinvigorating.

I love conferences. Early in my career, I absolutely devoured every workshop I could. But sometimes, as your career continues, you stagnate. You don’t come away with as many nuggets of information. You attend mostly to chat with your peers.

Spring Fling truly offered a lot of programming for authors at every stage of their career. From marketing to blurb writing, I left with so many notes and feeling so refreshed and recharged. Which is exactly what I didn’t know I needed.

I attended also with the goal of working on a draft and adding 5,000 words. To some authors, this is easy. To others, it’s daunting. In my case, I was enhancing a draft which made the words a little harder and more complicated. In between sessions and during breaks, I’d sneak upstairs and type. I’m pleased to say I left with 4600 good words added to my book.

The book signing was awesome. I love meeting readers. Even more inspiring was witnessing the huge line of teen readers waiting for their favorite author!

Seeing author friends (and meeting some in person for the first time!) is also a huge bonus. Writing can be an isolating profession if you let it. I choose to surround myself with my favorite authors and am constantly enthralled by their stories. Cheering for everyone and all the amazing books on the horizon.