Wait. Do I Need New Shoes?

~ By Melina Kantor

I used to feel like I knew how to “conference.” At one point in my life, I attended RWA Nationals three years in a row. I knew people. I had an RWA chapter. I had business casual clothes.

Oh. And I was writing. And not just sometimes. 

And then. I moved across the world. I had to leave my local chapter, but luckily, I was already part of this one.

Every year since, I’ve attended conferences vicariously, and longingly scrolled through conference-related posts on social media. 

But this year, the stars aligned and if all goes well, I’ll be at #RWA2019. Yay! Right? 

If I seem nervous, it’s because I am. I’ve read the posts right here on this very blog about spreadsheets, wardrobe, pitching, etc. Honestly, I’m not prepared for any of that. 

I haven’t written much since NaNoWriMo. I don’t have one pair of shoes that I’d be caught dead in during the conference. I have no clue what I’ll be wearing to the Rita’s. Actually, there isn’t much in my wardrobe that’s conference worthy at all. 

Yoga pants, I have. I often work from home (as do a lot of us), and when I don’t, thanks to the nature of my work, I usually show up in some type of exercise clothes (it’s the nature of my work).

What’s even scarier? We’re weeks away and I’m already seeing conference posts that include the word “lipstick.” I have makeup. I know how to put on makeup. It’s just been. . . a while. A long while. (Note to self: Makeup gets old. I should check my stash.)

Then there’s the fact that I have zero plans to pitch to any agents. I’m not ready, and I know I won’t be at my best after a twelve-hour flight and a seven-hour time difference.

I haven’t had time to order new business cards or update my website.

Okay, I’ll stop. Enough with the whining and the nerves. Let’s talk about what matters. 

I feel lucky. I feel excited.

I’ve got a great writing group, and I love interacting with authors of all genres. But I’m ready to be around romance writers. I haven’t been to an RWA meeting since 2012. I miss my tribe. (I don’t think I even realized how much until it typed that.)

I absolutely can not wait to see people I haven’t seen in years and I’m also excited about meeting people I’ve only met online. 

I may not be ready to network or move closer to being published, but I’m hoping the conference will be just the shot in the arm I need to get me back into my WIP. I’m ready to absorb the collective excitement and knowledge. 

So ready or not, I’m getting on that plane on July 22nd. I’m not sure what state I’ll be be in when I get there but. . . see you in New York!

Meanwhile, I’m considering a trip to the shoe store.

* Do you feel ready for #RWA2019? Are you nervous? Excited? Both? 

Melina writes contemporary romance with a pinch of oregano and a dash of chutzpah. She loves to travel, especially to her family’s village in Crete, and turn her adventures into research for her novels. 

In July of 2012, she moved from New York to Jerusalem with her adorable but sneaky cocker spaniel. Her family now includes an incredibly sweet yet troubled rescue puppy.

Melina likes the color pink, baking, daffodils, teaching girls to code, running her small business, learning to use power tools, practicing self-defense, Krav Maga and karate, and breaking cinder blocks with her fist.

All three of the protagonists in the trilogy she’s currently working on study empowerment self-defense and / or matrial arts.