Sunday 24 June 2012

The Lost Virginity

Before any of you wonder, no this isn't some '50 Shades of Grey-esque' type of smutty post - sure I have now lost 90 percent of readers who came to view but...  I am referring to my 'Blogging Conference' / 'Cyberspace Writing' / 'BritMums Live' virginity.

Yes, I have been de-flowered.  Two intense days of hard and fast workshops, networking, learning, laughing, talking, eating, drinking, goody-bag receiving and I am almost as exhausted as when I ran the Marathon!

It would be much easier if I could say that the £49.99 was not worth every penny, but alas I can not do that.  First point to note, I think I possible ate and drank that much on it's own.  I am not sure I have even been to a wedding that has been so well and generously catered for.

The venue was well chosen, beautiful character with a modern twist - much like most of the wonderful attendees.  I was amazed at the tireless efforts of The Brewery staff to get rooms clean, tidy and re-assembled in the matter of minutes. 

The atmosphere, created by the organisers, the keynote speakers, the sponsors in The Hub and the attending bloggers was highly charged, fun and emotional.  Workshops I attended ranged from 'lecture style' to 'open floor discussions' and it was good to have the range.

For me personally, I found The Path to Getting Published and How to Create Your Own E-Book workshops extremely useful.  I also thoroughly enjoyed the frank and open forum created by Ellen, Kate and Annie in 'Sod The Stats - Blogging for Happiness' Discussion Den.

In the space of 48 hours there were tears at 'from the heart' open discussions, laughter, sore feet, and hangovers a plenty.  I got to meet lovely celebs Ruby Wax, Sarah Brown, Judy Murray and Katy Hill. 

But the thing that I will take away with the most happiness, is the wonderful opportunity I got to meet the most amazing, inspiring, strong, funny, confident and unique women writers.  They really all were as fabulous as their writing.

So, to Jen, Susanne and all the staff and volunteers that made this Brit Mums Live 2012 possible (and boy, I can not begin to imagine the hours, blood, sweat and tears it took to co-ordinate) I Thank You - it was a blast and I can't wait for 2013!

For other accounts of the Brit Mums Live conference visit the Brit Mums Blog





8 comments:

  1. I can't believe they charged *49.99. Why not just say it's *50 and done with it?

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  2. Lovely to meet you. Wanted to spend more time with you but then went into one of my shy,don't impose myself modes and scurried off. Glad you had a good time and lovely feedback on the happiness sessions. I loved the two you mention too, my faves and here's to our best-sellers!

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  3. Glad you enjoyed it and look forward to seeing you at BritMums Live 2013!

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  4. I'm so enjoying reading everyones account of the weekend and to be honest I'm starting to feel more than a little sad that I didn't go this year. Maybe next year! Sounds like you all had the best fun and learned loads. Polly

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  5. Sorry its taken me so long to getting around to commenting as I originally read your post hours ago! I had such a good time and still processing it all. I am so with you - the best bit was meeting all you guys. It was wonderful to finally meet you this weekend - hanging out with you really made the conference fab for me. I would have felt so lost otherwise. Hope you arrived home safely ...

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  6. Hi Lynsey - it was lovely to hang out with you and Older Mum - it really made the conference far less intimidating. So glad to have met you. Your post sums everything up perfectly X

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  7. So pleased you enjoyed the Getting Published session. In case anyone's note taking is as...um... illegible as my own, I've written up my bit on my blog and will also be adding some other bits we didn't get time to do.

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  8. Oooh it sounds great. I so wish I'd been there and I wish I'd met you all. Glad you had a fabulous time. x

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I would love for you to quack your thoughts along with me and will always try and quack right back.