Yes, I am Slowing Down

This morning I read two posts about writing conferences.

One was a report on Thrillerfest in New York where many writing celebreties appeared and spoke. And then on this blog abour the big romance writers convention.

I've never been to either one nor will I be going to either.

I used to attend at least three cons a year: Left Coast Crime, Bouchercon, and Mayhem in the Midlands--which is no longer going on. (Way back, I attended other mystery and writing cons in California which are no longer in existence.) I've also been to Love is Murder in Nashville, and many Epicons all over the U.S.

Loved Left Coast Crime and am planning on attending next year's in Phoenix as it's an easy one to travel to. Met lots of reader friends there and at Bouchercon and traveled to many places I'd have never gone except that they were the location of the cons.

I've had the opportunity to meet and have conversations with some of the well-know mystery writers beginning with Mary Higgins Clark and Sue Grafton. Because of Mayhem in the Midlands, I became friends with William Kent Krueger who is also one of my favorite writers. Because of these cons I've also become friends with other not quite so famous mystery authors and enjoy their books too. Even more important are the mystery readers I've met and become friends with who also are fans of my books.

The big cons are fun, but sometimes overwhelming. Frankly, I prefer the smaller ones where it's much easier to find and meet people.

To bring this around to the slowing down part--it's no longer as much fun to fly. When I was younger I thought nothing of running to catch a plane, or even switching terminals and walking and walking and walking to get there, not something I want to do today.

Fortunately, I have many great memories of all the cons I have attended.

What are some of your favorite conferences?

Marilyn