 | 20 Jul 09 |
RWA’s National conference in Washington, DC, was totally amazing. The many talented authors in attendance were smoking hot! If you don’t believe it, ask the local fire department. We had no less than three incidents of setting off the fire alarms at the hotel. On Saturday we were evacuated and yours truly busily snapped shots of the firemen doing their duty for a couple thousand authors of romance. I also chilled with my extremely talented MSW buds and other gifted chicks like Nora Roberts and Linda Howard. Okay, so truth is, I just happened to be outside smoking when another alarm went off and Nora and our one-and-only Heather Graham were forced outside by the hotel staff. But we did all three stand together for several minutes. And I did have both Nora and Heather alone in an elevator (except Toni McGee Causey was there too) for the ride down one whole floor on Friday night. That counts as chilling, right? And Linda Howard did hug me before getting into the car with her name on it to go to the airport on Sunday. I also had an intimate tête-à-tête with the clever and cunning females of Dangerous Women Writing. Oh yeah, it was definitely getting hot in that hotel!
I went to my first Trident cocktail party. Participated in the literacy signing as well as the St. Martin’s Press author signing. Hot, hot, hot! Then, of course, there was dinner with my editor and the acclaimed Harlequin party. No one on the planet throws a party like Harlequin. The DJ was the absolute best—dancing, chocolate (honey, it was flowing from fountains) and lots and lots of cocktails. Ladies like Carla Cassidy and Brenda Jackson were getting down with their bad selves. Some more than others (haha Carla!). I was so fortunate to have the esteemed and fabulous Allison Brennan as my roommate. Picture me praying the whole time that her enormous talent would somehow rub off on me. Toni kept me in stitches—she is sweet and incredibly funny! The glamorous Karin Tabke introduced me to the fab Amy Pierpont. The boundlessly clever S.J. Day ensured I was armed and ready for anything. The awe-inspiring Roxanne St. Claire showed us all how it was supposed to be done—the woman has got it going on. She knows how to work a conference! I should have taken notes! I was so proud to be a part of this group! Many of our wonderful visitors stopped by to say hello (like Silver!).
I spoke to numerous editors and listened to countless others discuss the current state of the industry. The overwhelming theme was simple—ROMANCE ROCKS!!!!
Finally, I cannot talk about the national conference without sharing my Cherry Adair story. On Saturday I was in the lobby looking for my lunch partners, the Birmingham crew—Carla Swafford, Marie Campbell and Christie Reece. Across the acres of gleaming marble I saw a goddess. She was a stunning vision! Regal bearing, wicked laughter, and one hell of a killer jacket. For a moment I watched and wished I had even half the self-confidence or just a mere fraction of the nobility that surely ran through her veins. She owned the room and I wanted to be able to do that. I crossed the lobby and said, “Cherry, you look absolutely stunning and that jacket—well, it’s just the most beautiful jacket I’ve ever seen.” She hugged me then smiled as she shrugged off the marvelously crafted garment. “Here,” she said, “try it on.” I was so surprised, shocked even, but that didn’t stop my greedy hands from taking hold of the gorgeous, gorgeous jacket. I slipped it on (a little snug but I swear to God I’ll lose weight!). Cherry nodded her approval then said, “Keep it. It’s yours.” As my jaw dropped, she added, “Right after the signing. I can’t go like this to the signing.” I returned the jacket, extreme focus on each individual digit required to loosen my grip (kind of like in Sister Act when Whoopi Goldberg didn’t want to let go of that check for the nun). A few hours later and true to her word, Cherry allowed the lovely jacket to slide off her elegant shoulders and down her giving arms for the last time. She handed it to me with a wide smile and said, “Enjoy.” I’ve shown off that jacket a dozen times. And, as God is my witness, I will wear it to RT’s convention next spring!
I hope you’ll share your favorite experiences at RWA’s National conference! And if you stayed home, like I did last year, what did you do?
© 2009 Debra Webb. All rights reserved.
Debra Webb, born in Alabama, wrote her first story at age nine and her first romance at thirteen. It wasn’t until she spent three years working for the military behind the Iron Curtain—and a five-year stint with NASA—that she realized her true calling. A collision course between suspense and romance was set.
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I’ve got to stop reading all these recaps — they just make me wish I’d been there!
Let’s see — I finished my story for a mystery anthology and turned it in, went to a MWA meeting where Martha Powers gave a workshop on Suspense. Did laundry.
by Terry Odell July 21st, 2009 at 4:19 amWow! Terry, that’s awesome! I should have been finishing things!!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 4:47 amAnd to think, until this year I never knew such a conference existed …
by ban July 21st, 2009 at 5:28 amI know! Isn’t it amazing?
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 6:44 amWow, Debra! Wonderful stories and memories. And since Cherry gave you that totally gorgeous jacket, you have to do everything it takes to make it fit properly.
by Margaret A. Golla July 21st, 2009 at 6:37 amI missed RWA, again. Missing it two years in a row stinks!
I stayed home and turned a 5-page synopsis to a 2-page synopsis for an agent request–so it wasn’t all bad.
You are so right, Margaret! Good luck with your agent request! I HATE SYNOPSES!!!!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 6:45 amYeah, and in that elevator, I went completely squeee-fan-girl dumbstruck. I even knew what I’d say to Nora if I ever met her, but my brain refused to work. (That happened a *lot* at this conference–there are so many great writers there to admire.)
by toni mcgee causey July 21st, 2009 at 7:32 amLOL! She was talking to people I knew from my chapter the first time I saw her at RWA, so I told her I’d bought Naked In Death and after I read it bought the next 14 in the series (all that were out at the time, I believe, or all I could carry). She smiled and said, “Bless your heart and thanks for the shoes.”
by Terry Odell July 21st, 2009 at 7:40 amThat’s hilarious, Terry!
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pmYou are so right, Toni! Lots of great talent–INCLUDING YOU!!!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 8:25 amI always get tongue-tied when in the same room as Nora Roberts. She inspires me. And I was thrilled to have you as a roommate–your talent is nothing to sneer at, and you can have anything of mine as long as you take my neurotic gene with it.
by Allison Brennan July 21st, 2009 at 7:57 amAllison, I have my share of neurotic genes already! That Nora is not only a legend but a very classy lady!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 8:24 amDid you all know that The New Yorker had a great long profile of Nora Roberts a couple weeks ago? Check it out:
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/06/22/090622fa_fact_collins
by Karen in Ohio July 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pmWow, Karen! I’ll have to check that out!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 5:12 pmIt’s a long article, and really interesting. I didn’t really know anything about Nora before I read it, and then read one of her books right away to see what all the hooplah was about!
by Karen in Ohio July 21st, 2009 at 7:35 pmI stayed home this year, and last. I do miss the conferences, and hope I can make it next year. Last year my daughter was due with her second child at any moment. And this year, I just couldn’t justify the cost, since I’m not published yet. So instead, I went to Disneyland with my son and his kids. A bit cheaper, if you can believe it. So maybe next year. San Diego for sure…
by Lee July 21st, 2009 at 8:30 amLee, I hear what you’re saying! These days budgets are tight!
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 11:04 amDeb–do you have a picture of you in the jacket?
I totally missed out this year. I just worked…which is what makes me so boring lately, sigh.
by Jen Lyon July 21st, 2009 at 9:52 amJen, I don’t yet! I came home to edits that are due tomorrow! Soon though!
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 11:06 amCongrats on scoring such a great jacket. I’d probably live in it until next year, pointing it out to everyone and whispering “Guess who I got this from?”
As for my first trip to Nationals, I have to say my favorite part was actually prior to the conference. I attended the RWA Kiss of Death chapter tours to the FBI Academy, State Dept., US Postal Inspectors and the CIA. Wow! It was incredible.
As for the fire alarms. My roommate said it best when the fire department arrived: “This is one dangerous situation – for the firefighters. 2,000 romance writers and a handful of firefighters. Not good odds for the firefighters.” LOL.
by TamaraC July 21st, 2009 at 10:19 amTamara, definitely dangerous for the firemen! I keep saying I’m going to join KOD.
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 12:38 pmMy entire conference was one awesome moment after another. I was just telling hubby it was the best of the best! Debra hanging out with you was a big part of it. I didn’t get to see much of Allison or Toni. But I did spend some quality bar time with Rocki.
At dinner Wed with my most awesomest of editors Lauren McKenna I met the lovely, smart and new BFF Meredith Duran and Sophie Jordan.
by Karin Tabke July 21st, 2009 at 11:07 amI met so many new friends and it was so good to see old friends. Silver was there, and a delight.
I’m still, tho tired as hell, bouncy as all get out. I’m ready to rock and roll with my current story!
Karin, getting to see old friends and meeting new ones totally rocks!
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pmI love Nationals! I went on the same tours as Tamara and they were terrific. I loved being able to see the city before the conference began. At Thrillerfest, I arrived the day the conference started and found myself struggling between wanting to see the city and attending the panels.
Did Cherry say she was waiting to meet someone for lunch on Saturday?
by Kendra July 21st, 2009 at 4:15 pmKendra, National is fantastic! I’m sure Cherry was waiting for someone since it was around lunchtime but I’m not certain.
by Debra webb July 21st, 2009 at 5:05 pmKendra, hmm, I responded once and it didn’t show up. So it may later. Anyway, I love National too and I adore checking out the sites! Since it was around lunchtime I’m sure Cherry was waiting for someone but I’m don’t know for certain.
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 5:15 pmThe reason I asked is because I was to meet her in the lobby for lunch on Sat and completely spaced it! I forgot until I saw her at the signing that afternoon. Argh!! I felt horrible! I knew how tight her schedule was.
by Kendra July 21st, 2009 at 5:25 pmThat’s the thing about Nationals. It’s a little overwhelming and sometimes things get forgotten or overlooked!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 8:24 pmI’m reading Girls Just Want to Have Guns and laughing my butt off. Writing funny without going over the top is a gift and Toni has it.
Debra, sounds like you had an awesome time at National. I was so bummed to miss it but I did help run a Brainstorming Bash on my FTH chapter loop and hung out at Romance Divas for the Not Going to Conference Conference and won my name in a future Diva book.
by Jill James July 21st, 2009 at 5:11 pmYay, Jill! Sounds like you had an awesome time, too! And you’re right, Toni is the best!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 5:13 pmSounds like you had an outstanding time and a lot of fun too. Makes one want to become a writer just so they can participate in such events.
by Patricia Barraclough July 21st, 2009 at 8:12 pmPatricia, there’s the RT convention in the spring and readers are a huge part of the attendees!
by Debra Webb July 21st, 2009 at 8:24 pmYeah, yeah. A day late and a dollar short, but I wanted to stop by and give you a big ol’ sloppy virtual smooch and kiss! You were one of my highlights, Deb! Big time. Meeting you in person and getting to visit with the rest of the MSW gang who was there made my trip! What a classy and fun bunch of broads! (And I mean that in the most flattering of ways!)
I got home, finished off edits and sent that MS off to Ms. Editor. Now I’m finding my brain and trying to get focused on two other MS polishes and a new project.
Did I mention you are awesome? *nods* Majorly! Now I’m off to catch up on the other 90 blog posts made in my absence. LOL
by Silver James July 22nd, 2009 at 1:10 pmHey, Silver!!!! Ditto on meeting you! Next year for sure we’re going to clink glasses!
by Debra Webb July 22nd, 2009 at 2:43 pm