The final word: Decision RWA 2009

I've had more angst over this decision than one woman should. Normally I'm not a ditherer. I might take a while to decide, weigh the pros and cons, but I make a decision and stick with it. At least that's what I do most of the time.

This time last year I think I'd already registered to go to RWA. I'd been saving money since the prior July. I had stash money. My only anxiety was over whether I'd fit in. What I'd wear. Oh, and to school myself not to be a total fruit loop when meeting authors.

I came away with some thoughts on what a reader should and should not expect from an RWA experience. While attending RWA is a wonderful experience, it's also a professional writer's conference and a reader who attends should take that into consideration before going. Consequently, I'd been thinking that going every other year would be more than adequate. I'm not an author that needs to network and make contacts, but a couple of things gave me pause this year and had me reconsidering that decision.

For one, I love seeing all my blogger pals. Not everyone makes it to RWA every year. OTOH, some people do go each year, and holey moley, I don't want to miss seeing those people the one year they might be going. Yeah, that's convoluted thinking I know, but it's how my brain works.

Secondly, and this is the real corker, I saw that Linda freaking Howard was going to be there. Linda Howard. DIAMOND BAY, HEART OF FIRE, MACKENZIE'S MOUNTAIN, SHADES OF TWILIGHT... That's without looking at my bookshelf. I could go on and on. Love her books. Love 'em. If there was a fire or disaster and I had time to grab something, after getting my family out safe, it would be her books. Swear.

To add further to my angst Janet Evanovich and Anne Stuart are also speaking. *dramatic swoon* Turmoil thy name is Rosie.

Lisabea and I made a sort of pact way back last year that each of us would go to DC if the other went. Originally this plan included spouses. When Lisa was here last month neither one of us had made up our minds, but knew if we'd be going, our men wouldn't be. Lucky for us both of our G's were nudging and urging us to go. In fact, GG was so encouraging that if I didn't know he'd miss me and how expensive the trip is I would be suspicious he was trying to get rid of me.

Anyway a couple of days ago, on the very same day, LB and I emailed one another and just said, "Let's do eet". So we are. We are both going to RWA . If we do things right neither Washington DC nor we will ever be the same. Roomies. Pals. Buds. Cell mates.

Some things never change. Even though I'm excited, I find I'm still also, you know, a bit freaked out. Just like last year, I'm wondering what to wear, whether I'll fit in, and wondering if I won't act like an idiot if I get a chance to have a book signed by Linda Howard. Believe it or not I find comfort in my neuroses. It keeps my mind off the really scary stuff.

For now, I've stuffed my Mother's guilt in a hat box in the closet and I'm ready to bring on the gin, scotch, good times. Here we come DC! Anybody else make the big decision this week? I'm taking names and making plans.