RWA – Where Would We Be Without You?

 By Marilyn Forsyth

A month or so ago a question was posed on the RWA Community Facebook page that really had me thinking. That question was: What has been the most useful part of your RWA membership? 

I jotted down my immediate thoughts then started reading through all the other responses (in hope of having come up with something original to add to the comments. Am I the only one who does that??). 

Anyway, as I read, two things became obvious. Firstly, there is no way to define just one thing as the most useful part of belonging to the RWA. Secondly, the RWA is absolutely and totally an indispensable organisation for all writers – aspiring, emerging or established. 

Here are some of the comments that struck a chord with me... 

Nina Campbell responded with ‘Finding my tribe’. It wasn’t until I joined RWA (and learned that the Breathless in the Bush writing group was looking for new members) that I realised there was a whole community of people out there experiencing the same things I was going through in my writing life. Who knew?? 

Buy link

As Elisabeth Rose put it, ‘the support of like-minded people (is) where RWA is so strong.’ 

Buy link

Another wonderful thing RWA provides is ‘the collective wisdom that everyone is happy to share’, as mentioned by Bree Vreedenburgh, No matter what stage of the writing journey you’re on, there will be something you can either contribute to, or learn from the RWA Facebook Community discussions. 

RWA Community Facebook

Buy link

‘The generosity of established authors to newbies(is) amazing,’ Nicole Flockton pointed out, and I couldn’t agree more, having been on the receiving end of all manner of advice from some of the most well-known Aussie romance authors. But it’s not only about the support of peers and established authors, it’s also about ‘most importantly, the friendships’, as Immy Moore reflected. 

Buy link

Some of my tightest friendships are with the lovely people I’ve met over the years through RWA and, like Renee Dahlia-Geelen commented, ‘being able to talk about genre romance to people who get it and aren’t going to snicker about porn’ is a wonderful thing. 

Buy link

On yet another level, the work that RWA puts into providing ‘enormous support and education possibilities for emerging and aspiring writers’ (Pamela Freeman) is exceptional. Heidi Wessman Kneale agrees, citing ‘levelling up in my skills, not just in the craft, but in marketing and more’, as among the most useful results of her membership. The monthly OWLs (Online Writing Labs) are well-priced and so worthwhile. OWLs 

Buy link

 

Lisa Ireland wrote, ‘the opportunity to pitch directly to agents and publishers directly led to my first contract’. It was the same for me. Thank you, Sue Brockhoff, for believing in the potential of The Farmers Perfect Match and taking it to the team at Harlequin MIRA.

Buy link

Last but not least, Leisl Leighton nominated ‘the two Cs – contest and conferences’ as her picks. Entering (many) contests and taking onboard the feedback enabled me to get my first book published. A dream come true! 

As for conferences – they’d have to be the highlight of every RWA member’s year; an unequalled opportunity for professional development. Sadly, this year we didn’t get to mix in person with our tribe or the stalwarts of our industry, but what a mammoth effort the conference team put in to make sure the online conference was a triumph. Huge congrats to you all! 

Thank you, RWA, not only for all you have done for me personally, but for all you’ve given to those of us chasing the goal to be published. Where would we be without you?? 

What do you love about being a member of RWAus?

Love to Love being a member of RWAus. Click on the link for more info RWAus

Love to Laugh at the black humour of Fargo, the series (available on SBS On Demand). 

Love to Learn that there is light at the end of the tunnel after a hip operation. I won’t say it’s been easy, but I know it’ll be worth it in the long run.