Hello and welcome to this page. So it took me months to choose a layout I like to the point that I put the whole thing out of my mind until I was told I need to get this site up and running ASAP! I’ve been working on and off all week but really this is not what I want to talk about today.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT NEW JERSEY! in specific, The NJRW annual conference Put Your Heart In a Book.

From Margie Lawson, Sarah MacLean, Kerrelyn Sparks, Mary Behre, D.C. Stone, the weekend was from beginning to end an amazing experience. It was a nerdy romance writer’s dream come true. One that I have to thank my critique partner, Robin for encouraging me to pursue and accompanying me in the journey.

The information is beating in my brain and today the first thing I did was rewrite my notes (yes, kids. college style!) with the memories of my geeky self telling Margie Lawson that I wanted to take a photo with her and taking the opportunity to tell her about the classes I’ve taken at her academy, the lecture packets, and my hopes of one day participating in her immersion class. Not to mention the giddy look on my face whenever anyone mentioned Jude Deveraux, Nora Roberts, Johanna Lindsay, Julie Garwood or Judith McNaught. I mean seriously! Some people love the super friends, others are into the avengers, my super sheroes are romance writers. Women who made me believe, escape, and dream.

It didn’t stop there. Learning was non stop. From Eliza Knight’s wonderful lecture to Mary Behre helping with a plot question. And though I admit the Anonymous Author session put the fear of God into my heart and I didn’t win the popcorn machine giveaway, the weekend leaves you wanting to conquer the world. And read every single author’s book you get your hands on!

So here are some of my top things that I learned this weekend:

• Write FRESH and avoid CLICHES!
• Don’t let opportunities pass because you’re intimidated
• Enter contests and put yourself out there
• No one’s going to believe in you, the way you believe in you.

See it. Believe it. Do it!

Ps.  I don’t like popcorn anyway!