10 Things I Learned at the Food Bloggers of Canada Conference (FBC2013)

That the best laid plans of mice and mine can be thwarted by an ice-storm or two. But also that a crazy bumpy red eye flight, freezing rain on arrival, an evangelical vegetarian anti-immigrant (who is also an immigrant) taxi driver and bone deep tiredness stands no chance against the real life warmth of meeting the three people who are the heart and soul of FBC.

That swag-bags need to be stuffed with military precision. Just ask Kathy.

That power cuts just mean more time in front of warm, cosy fireplaces. Unwashed hair be damned. Well, not if it stinks... but most Canadians are too polite to say you stink anyway. So I guess, unwashed hair be damned.

That meeting Sweetopia turns you into a mumbling, blushing (yep, brown people can blush) inarticulate fangirl.

That your voice is what draws readers to you. And if they like it, keeps them with you. And occasional pictures of cookies don't hurt either.
That self-publishing no longer has the 'vanity press' tag and is positively encouraged.

That you look like an idiot when you're taking food pictures lying down on your stomach. But the pictures are so cool, and you learn so much from the lovely photographers, so who cares about a little pain? Plus, you also get to eat the cookies in the end. And banter with Julie (verily, that Julie) on Twitter after. And your husband's snickers be damned too.

Now I have a stomach cramp :-) #FBC2013 #foodphotography w/ @sharp_photo @Foodstyler @dinnerwithjulie pic.twitter.com/ZYudlt3Wzc
— Michelle PetersJones (@michpetersjones) April 13, 2013

That exclamation marks and smileys need to be used with extreme caution! :(

That its completely normal and you're not the only one at the table photographing and tweeting about your food. We also, on occasion crept out from behind the cameras, smartphones and computers and... gasp... talked to people in real life. Gasp. Run. Hide Now!

That posts titled 'Ten Things About... Etc' get the best kind of engagement!!! :) :)