I
spent the past few weeks (read months) getting ready for the Romance Writers of
America National Conference in
Anaheim
(and neglecting my blogging duties.)
I’ve made a series of strange little lists (only a few were useful.) I’ve made a ton of arrangements – flight,
hotel, shuttle, registration. I’ve
bought new clothes, new shoes and a new purse.
I’m taking four days off from work and if you know me, that’s a big
deal. I’ve talked about it so much I’m
sure my husband is sick of it and me. I’m
excited and a little stressed out. I’m
not even pitching at this event. If I
were, I’d be a puddle of nerves and insecurities. Okay, I’m sorta of there already.
I’m
sitting in the airport now. My flight to
Chicago has been delayed. We have no
idea when we’ll be able to go. Not a
great way to start the conference, but I’m a big girl. I’ll deal.
Tomorrow
night (if I ever get the hell out of Albany) I will be attending the “Readers
for Life” Literacy Autographing event. Over
400 authors will be present. I spent
some time the other day going over the list.
I put the list away. It was too
much.
I
knew there would 2000 plus writers/editors/agents (I’ll be one of them!), but I
didn’t realize just how many great writers would be there. Big names like Nora
Roberts, Julia Quinn, and Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I’ve read Susan Elizabeth Phillips since I
was 15 years old. Yeah, back when I
might have been a little too you to read them, but they shaped who I am as a
writer. I will always be grateful.
One
of my favorite lines of all time came from a Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel,
Fancy Pants. Okay, maybe a few of my
favorite lines. It was a great book. In the opening chapter, the main character turns
to her companion: “Most babies are
conceived in love, but I was conceived on a display platform in the center of
Harrods’ fur salon.” I realized then
that you need humor in romance.
