Romantic Novelists' Association Summer Conference 2017

Each month of my calendar is dedicated to an aspect of my writing life. July is no exception. July is the RNA Summer conference. This was my fifth annual conference and a return visit to the Harper Adams university, Shropshire.
 
The programme of events and speakers was varied and informative, as always. I was intrigued by Fiona Harper’s talk about character arcs, humoured by Bella Osborne and Alison May’s presentation ‘Plotter v Pantser’ and delighted by Jill Mansell’s interview.
 
With 230 RNA delegates dashing back and forth between the conference rooms, there was much chatter about books, publishing contracts and future plans.
 
Saturday night brought the gala dinner – where we donned our posh frocks and dined in style. The wine flowed, the laughter grew louder and the in-group jokes about pampas grass and harp playing evolved towards hilarious.
 
The Birmingham Chapter made our ‘pledges’ for the coming year and I was delighted to hand Donna Ashcroft, my Katie Fforde Bursary 2017 twin the beautiful trophy which I’ve had since February.  
 
I’ve arrived home eager to complete the edits of book 2 and musing the possibilities of a new project for Christmas 2018! All in all, I had a fabulous weekend immersed in the book world.
 
Thank you to everyone who took photographs and then generously shared them via social media.