Category: News

Conference Update

Events like this one remind me of why I go to conferences. I not only learned my requisite new craft gems, I met a great group of new people and came home with a bunch of exciting books to read.

The Sweet and Spicy Conference was small and intimate, yet packed full of information. I got a fresh perspective on using the five senses in my writing, gained a new tool for character development, and got some valuable insight into how other people juggle a full-time job with a writing career.

Gayle Wilson's keynote speech about her real-life hero was so wonderful, I cried. She's a terrific spokesperson for the RWA, and I'm fairly certain any of the writers who are not yet RWA members will be rushing out to join.

I'm so impressed with how much romance pros give back to their community. The authors were generous with their time and advice, but so too were the editor and agent in attendance. Everyone was open, honest, and encouraging. Brenda Chin of Harlequin was a font of information and an excellent cheerleader for the Harlequin imprints.

As for the other attendees, everyone I spoke to left the conference eager to get back to their writing. How can you beat that?

Category: News

Off To Conference

This weekend, I'm attending the Sweet and Spicy Conference in Ottawa, Canada.

I'm really looking forward to the sessions, as the conference is focused on the romantic fiction published by all segments of Harlequin Enterprises. From Blaze to Superromance to Historicals to NeXt to HQN. It should be interesting to see what both the authors and the editors have to say about their lines and the state of the market. But, I confess, I'm always most interested in craft techniques -- I pick up at least one new insight from every conference I attend.

Some of the authors giving speeches and/or workshops include Gayle Wilson (RWA president and RITA-award winning author), Joanne Rock, Tori Carrington, C.J. Carmichael, Kate Austin, and Molly O'Keefe. Plus, agent Patti Steele-Perkins.

I'll let you know how it goes!

Category: News

Sad News

Those of you who visit my site regularly know that my mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer earlier this year. Well, yesterday morning (Friday), she passed away.

She was a wonderful lady, courageous beyond my understanding of the word, and we'll miss her hugely. I'll miss her. One day soon, I'll blog about her ... but not right now. Right now, it's enough to gather my family close, remember, and begin the grieving process.

I'll be back in a little while.

Category: News

Chapter Mates in Atlanta

Here's a last couple of photos from Atlanta. These were taken at the RITA and Golden Heart Awards and I couldn't resist showing everyone in their evening finery. We had a fairly large group from our chapter in Atlanta, and sadly I missed snapping shots of a few, but I'm happy I have some pics to share.

Don't my chapter buddies look terrific?

Me and my two roomies, Ellen and Candice.




A closer look at our beaming smiles.




Me, Teresa, Christine, and Cynthia

Category: News

WildCards in Atlanta

I didn't manage to get photos of every WildCard in Atlanta, or even as it turns out, all the WildCards who attended our get-together at the GrandStand Lounge, but here's a few anyway. Since some of the folks I missed are in the pic of the 2006 TGN bootees, I've posted that one again, too. Apologies to those in the bootee photo that I couldn't name.

The TGN Bootees
(back row: Christine Merrill, Kelle Z. Riley, Monica McCarty, Tonda Fuller, Vicki Grondahl, Stacey Reimer, Andrea Wilder)
(front row: ?, Tawny Weber, Terry McLaughlin, Robin Flury, ?)




Beth and Rob




Robin and Cindy




Mary and Heather




Monica M