Once upon a time, back when I discovered my first romances and RT magazine, I read the dedications some of my favorite authors wrote to their editors – then I saw pictures and pictures of authors with their editors. So, I thought. They go to dinner, they smile for the camera, they converse. And I used to sigh whilst wondering when I’d have an editor to take to dinner!

So when I heard my much beloved NAL editor, Tracy Bernstein, was attending the DARA conference in Dallas, I begged and cajoled with hubby to drive me there. Tracy will be there? Yeah, baby, we’ll go. (Oh, hubby, thank you!)

So we drove over one morning, and although I was a little nervous, I’m so glad I went!

It seems that Tracy isn’t only a savvy editor, but she’s also smart, funny, friendly, open and sincere. There were no paparazzi waiting for us however I promise you we’d both have smiled wide for the cameras if we’d only found some hiding in some nearby bush.

We had dinner at Spring Creek Barbeque – ribs , Diet Coke, and pie. We chatted, we laughed, and best of all – after dozens and dozens of email interactions, edits, brainstorming and more – we MET! And I’m looking forward to the time we can meet again.

Now, I admit, I’m a bit worried of how my wallet will react to my blooming love for conferences. They’re great places to meet with editors and other writers; trust that no one understands your writing woes, or enjoys talking about POV shifts and characterization more, than other writers.

What have YOUR conference or editor meetings experiences been like?