Success

How do you define success? If I were a different person, I might have defined the success of my trip to Reno by whether I came home with the Golden Heart or not. It's certainly one measure, and I wouldn't be truthful if I didn't say I'd have been pleased to win it. But I didn't.

Still, in all honesty, I don't feel like I lost.

I was treated like royalty while I was in Reno--attended parties, was wined and dined, had at least a hundred people congratulate me on finaling and wish me good luck ... maybe more. I met one of my first round judges, who said such wonderful things about my writing that I almost cried. I met six of the other women finalists in my category, who are all talented, delightful, generous-minded people that I'm proud to be associated with. I met my long-distance critique partner face-to-face for the first time and talked with her until the wee small hours of the morning, because on some level its clear we're kindred spirits. I pitched to the editor and agent I had appointments with and both requested partials.

How could anyone not say that was a successful trip? It'll be hard to beat...except maybe with a first sale!