A Little Help From Your Friends

I just got back from the New Jersey Romance Writers annual conference, Put Your Heart in a Book. As usual, it was a ton of fun. There were wonderful workshops, great conversations about writing and lots of laughter. My friend, Sarah White, and I presented our workshop on flawed heroes again. It went well, despite our spate of nerves when Sharon Sala, keynote speaker for the conference, sat in on it.

Giving a workshop has been a real learning experience for me. As the saying goes: I know what I know. Putting it into a coherent format and imparting it to others is the toughest. But when I see heads nodding and maybe an “aha” expression on someone’s face, it’s the greatest feeling. Better still is the question and answer session at the end where we get to help people figure out some of the “hard parts” to their stories. Because everyone needs help with the hard parts. Conferences are a great place to get that help, whether it’s via a workshop or a conversation with a new friend about your latest work-in-progress.

Oh, and I have to give a shout-out to my fellow Maryland Romance Writers. Of the five chapter-mates that I knew attending the conference, two had finalled in the Put Your Heart in a Book contest, and two had finalled in the Gold Leaf contest. Better still, Christie Kelley won the Gold Leaf for her historical romance, Something Scandalous, and Marta Bliese won Put Your Heart in a Book for her unpub’d paranormal, Hangman. Yea!

Cars and Shoe Shopping

What is it about cars? Why do they choose the least convenient times to break down?

I know. I know. I’m assigning human emotions to inanimate objects. Cars can’t think, feel, react. But after nearly ten years and a hundred-and-twenty thousand miles, our SUV is almost a member of the family. A member who’s reached the sunset years and now suffers from aches and pains and occasional breakdowns.

That’s what happened this week. A breakdown. The good news—if there can be any good news about a car that won’t start—is that it went belly-up in my own driveway. The bad news—Did I mention a dead car is never a good thing?—is that it’s the week before the Romance Writers of America (RWA) conference, and there were a couple of serious shoe shopping excursions on the agenda. I may not be a foot model but, as far as I’m concerned, the real purpose of a conference is to give me an excuse for buying new shoes. So, there I was, debit card in one hand, shoe list in the other…and no way to get to the store.

Now, I’ve heard that some cars will do anything to keep a mechanic from tinkering with their insides. And I guess, mine is one of those. Because the SUV which wouldn’t start for me, dear hubby, the neighbor, or the guys who came with the tow rig, purred like a kitten once it arrived at the repair shop. And for two days, while the mechanic scratched his head, it kept purring.

Which caused dear hubby to deem the car “unreliable.” Which means I can’t drive it the sixty miles to Orlando for the RWA conference. Or, equally important, take it shoe shopping. Which, in my mind, means we need a new car since I believe they should be reliable without requiring monthly trips to the repair shop.

Dear hubby, however, did not see the breakdown as an excuse to go car shopping. Instead, he decided to drive me (in his car, the reliable one) to conference a day ahead of schedule. So, yesterday, we embarked on a marathon errand running, shoe shopping extravaganza which was absolutely necessary in order to compress all the stuff I would have done last week (if the car hadn’t broken down) and the stuff I had planned to do this weekend, into one day.

One. Very. Long. Day.

The end result? Six pairs of shoes and a change of heart on the new car thing.

The ideal vehicle would tow our boat, occasionally seat seven, and not be too thirsty at the gas pump. In other words, fit my life like the perfect pair of shoes. Any suggestions?

Missing the RWA Conference Already

Next week is the Romance Writers of America's annual conference. It was supposed to be held in Nashville, TN, but the terrible flood there forced a move to Orlando, FL. I sure hope the "tropical wave" off the east coast of Florida, which is supposed to turn into a tropical storm or hurricane, doesn't cancel or delay the travel plans of attendees. That would be a terrible double-whammy!

I had planned a road trip with some writer friends to Nashville, but opted not to go to Orlando for the RWA conference there since I'm going in September with my husband for a vacation. Now as I think about all my friends and associates heading to Orlando, I have mixed feelings. Yes, the conference costs a lot of money. On the other hand, it's fun and sometimes advantageous to network with others. You get very tired, but also very exhilarated. You wish you had a book in the RITA awards, but you also cheer for your friends who do.

In the end, you have to balance family, career, money and opportunity. But really, isn't that what we always do?

If you are an aspiring writer, often it's good to start by going to a local or regional conference first. The RWA national conference can be overwhelming, especially if you are still unsure about what you want to write, which publisher you want to target, or whether or not you need an agent. At a local or regional conference, you can meet published authors in a more relaxed setting and listen to them talk about their experiences. You can ask questions, and if the conference is at a hotel, the bar/lounge is the place to meet up. You have a better chance of getting an appointment with an editor or agent who is actively seeking new clients. The volume and variety of workshops isn't always so overwhelming. (Sometimes when I get my RWA national conference schedule, I can't decide which workshop is best for me, which ones I want to buy as recordings, and which ones I can skip to go shopping with friends!)

One of the best things about the RWA national conference is the booksigning, which benefits adult literacy groups. Publishers donate books as requested by authors who are attending. The room is huge, filled with all kinds of authors and books, from Nora Roberts to the newest member who just saw her first e-book published. Of course, the Harlequin American authors always have a good presence there and it's a wonderful opportunity to catch up with titles you might have missed. At the end of the evening, the author can either purchase her left-over books (with that money going to literacy also) or sign and donate them to local entities, such as women's shelters. If you get the chance to attend one of these booksignings, please come and buy books.

Next year I may see you in New York City. The conference starts June 28th at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. I'll be there! Until then, happy reading and writing.

P.S. Don't forget to check out my favorite recipes here on the Harlequin American Authors blog on the 4th of every month. On August 4th, I'll be on a road trip with my friend Rebecca Russell, who wrote for Silhouette Romance, but I'll still have the recipes up for you to enjoy.

Just Relaxing by Megan

Seems summer has passed me by without enough of that "sitting and doing nothing time" I remember as a kid. However I've just been forcibly relaxed: my doctor prescribed muscle relaxers for my neck, which went into spasm after a car bump (aka collision).

It turns out my body takes about a week to adjust to new medications.

Taking just one of these pills impairs my ability to type. That's not good for a writer trying to get a proposal to her editor. :( I sent an email to my friend, who then asked me if the relaxers made me dopey or grumpy. Had she seen me giggling as I typed, she would have known.

Dopey. Definitely.

The next day, I was at work at our town's independent bookstore. My friend's question popped into my head, but it came to me as "does the pill make you gropey or dumpy?" Gropey? Dumpy? I laughed out loud.

For about an hour.

I started thinking of the Seven Dwarves and tried to figure which Dwarf I'm most like when not on meds. Doc? Maybe. I do have rare moments of wisdom. Grumpy? Oh yeah, unfortunately. :) Dopey? More often than my kids would like. Sneezy? In the fall and spring. Sleepy? Every afternoon, but most days I can sneak in a quick nap. Bashful? You bet. Happy? Almost all the time. :)

The FedEx guy came in about the time I realized this about Happy, and I wore a huge smile (probably more like Goofy than a Dwarf). He let me know what he brought, and as usual, it was a box from Penguin Publishing. We usually make jokes about him bringing me a penguin (why'd you smash it in that box?), two little penguins, etc. But knowing I was liable to start cracking up again, I refrained from joking and began to sign my name.

Did you know my name is Penguin?

Yep.

Fortunately I only got two letters in and was able to do a quick correct, but I had started to laugh (again) and told him what I'd done, blaming the drugs. He laughed too. And guess what? The guy's got a memory on him--and I've got a new nickname.

I can't be the only one with a resistance level this low. Any of you want to confess your silly moments when medicated? Misery--and hilarity--love company.

Pen--er, Megan Kelly
megankellybooks.com

p.s. For anyone curious, I got through presenting the workshop at the RWA National conference last month without disappointing my co-presenter, embarrassing myself or being ill in public. I consider that a success!

Conference Jitters...

Like so many others I’m getting ready for the National Romance Writer’s of America conference in Washington, DC. Being a Rita finalist gives a whole new meaning to the word nervous. I’ve finally decide to just relax and enjoy this incredible moment in my life. I haven’t accomplished that, but I’m working on it.

It’s been easier the past few days because things have been hectic at my house. I’m working on line edits and trying to keep in mind all the things I need to pack for the conference while getting ready for a book signing on Saturday. My brain is on overload and it’s difficult not to get stressed out. When I feel stressed, I gazed out my window to the lake in our backyard. Something about water is very soothing to me, and I love watching the ducks and the geese. Some Canada geese have made the lake their home and the pictures are of babies born in April. They’re much bigger now, but still fun to watch.

This week I’ve looked out my window more than usual, but once I board that plane I’ll relax and enjoy myself in DC. Rita night will be nerve wrecking, but I plan to enjoy that, too, especially getting to meet Cindi and so many others. I love meeting old friends and making new ones. It’s going to be an exciting conference. I hope to meet some of you there.

Do you have any stress-relieving tricks? Please, please share. I haven’t been on a plane since writing Texas Heir. That will be nerve wrecking too, but I’ll just gaze out the window. And search for water.

Linda
www.lindawarren.net
Caitlyn’s Prize – July ‘09

1st Conference Presentation

I'm very excited to be presenting a workshop at RWA's National conference in Washington DC next week. And shaky-scared.


Like many writers, I'm a shy person, more comfortable with imaginary people than real ones. And it has little to do with being able to control everyone, as some might suspect. LOL Frankly, I'm much smarter, wittier, and more articulate if I get a "do-over."


What has this to do with public speaking, you ask? Well, it's "public speaking," one of the top fears of 90% of the population. Add in that the workshop will be recorded and you can start to understand my apprehension.

Fortunately, I'm presenting with a really good friend, Kimberly Killion (www.kimberlykillion.com), whose historical, HER ONE DESIRE, is nominated for a RITA award. Not standing there alone is good. Our topic is "The Road So Far: The First Year After the Call," so I'm knowledgeable on the topic, which helps, too.


Does any of this erase my fear? No way. But it eases it some. Kim and I presented the talk to our local RWA chapter and were well-received. This will be the third time we've done the talk, and it gets better, more detailed, and more fun every time.


Not that I'm encouraging anyone to attend! LOL


Do you also fear public speaking? Does anyone have some tips to help me through this?



Megan Kelly
megankellybooks.com

Summer's flying fast!

I didn't attend this year's Romance Writers of America conference. This year, for the first time since I can't remember when, I was a stay-at-home while all the other conferees went off to the designated city--San Francisco, this time around--and had fun.

Did I cry, did I pout, did I stomp around the house in a poor-little-me pity party?

Well...yes, of course, I did! At least, a teeny-weeny part of the time. ;-)

The other--and much greater--part of the time, I spent with my fingers on the keyboard, pounding away at my work in progress. I've been off from the day job for the summer and making the most of it.

So, while I didn't schmooze with agents and editors and authors and writers, didn't workshop till I dropped, and didn't party into the wee hours, I have to admit--I had myself a wonderful time!

I'd love to hear what you all have been doing during the summer, the places you've been, the things you've accomplished, the projects you've finally crossed off your To-Do lists.

Me, I'm going back to the keyboard right now. But I'll be sure to stop by to see what you've been up to!


All my best to you,

Barbara

~~~~~~

Barbara White Daille
http://www.barbarawhitedaille.com