Okay…so I was excited to attend the ACFW conference for a number of reasons (the experience, the classes, networking). But there really was only one thing that I wanted to do before I left – meet Mary Connealy. If you don’t know who she is, check out her website. The woman writes Romantic Comedies with Cowboys – what’s not to love?? Not only do I own all of books (except the new releases…I’ll have them soon), but I think I know her characters better than I know my own. That’s how much I love her writing.

WELL…not only did I get to meet Mary, but an online friend of mine invited me to join her and some friends for a late night chat. I’ve been to their blog before (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/), but I’d forgotten everyone who contributes. I was happier than a fat kid in a candy store when I got there and Mary was there! I got to chat with her for quite a while, and she even let me take her picture:

It’s thanks to my friend Patti Lacy (website) that I got to hang out with so many fun authors that night. And, it’s thanks to Patti that I finally have a directions for the ending of my novel. One little question gave me a great idea…I can hardly wait to start writing it!

And in the midst of it all, there’s a woman chatting and laughing. She passed out some cover art for people to enjoy and that’s when I realized – Julie Lessman! If you haven’t read her work, you should (check out her website).

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express how much I enjoyed that night – meeting authors, building relationships, getting out of the novel-rut. If I had skipped everything else at the conference, it would have been worth the expense just for the people I met that night.