First the hotel. The Esplanade Hotel, a Rydges property, was expensive by this country girl’s standards, but it more than made up for it by having a really user-friendly checkout time of 11.00 am. After two consecutive late nights and early mornings I heartily appreciated the long, leisurely stretch and wriggle and time to read Saturday’s paper (yes, I know it’s Monday) over my coffee before it was time to hop in the shower and start the day. Such simple pleasures are good for the soul.
Second, the RWA Conference. Held for the first time in WA, it was attended by the greatest, the great, the next generation of best-selling authors and the hopefuls, like me. Several men came along this time, too. In fact, one of the most fascinating breakout sessions was given by a bloke. Ken Millings, a psychoanalyst, explained what turns a perfectly normal person into a monster. I could have listened to him all day. I mean, I don’t actually know any psychopaths but I might be more understanding if I met one now… if he didn’t kill me first, that is.
Sarah Wendell gave many pointers and safety strategies for bloggers, and did it with such humour and enthusiasm that I wondered if my feeble attempt at this blog mightn’t be rather too serious. Ah, but mine is, I believe, s-a-f-e. I missed much of her session because I had an appointment to pitch my book and there was no way I was going to miss that.
So, with my head still trying to deal with all the new information, my tummy still in chocolate-and-champagne mode and Camel loaded up with a pile of books a short person like me can’t see over, we had a quick drive around the harbour area, bade farewell to Fremantle and headed south. Yes, there was much to see in Freo, but I didn’t want to blow the budget completely… heck, I’ve done enough damage already.