4 Hour Body: Operation Skinny for RWA's National Conference

I've blogged about my foray back into diet and exercise world on Petit Fours & Hot Tamales. You can read about my ongoing rebellion and submission here. So here's the deal: I've decided to share my ongoing mission because I need to be held accountable. I've got lots of reasons to get back into shape, but the primary one is sheer vanity. I want to look good in my clothes. I especially want to look good in my clothes at the RWA National Conference being held in New York City this year. I'm a Golden Heart Finalist's date (how cool is that two of the people I've critiqued are in the Golden Heart Circle of Finalists???? Very!). I don't want to embarrass my good and dear friend, Sharon Wray. She deserves a date who looks great in her dress.

My Darling Hubby has joined me on my adventure. And my Darling Teen is also watching her calories. We're not an obese family, but we are a little on the, shall we say, "fluffy" side. And I am tired of being fluffy. I decided to share my journey with my blog world because I hope it will make me more accountable. Plus, I think it will be fun! I'm not posting my weight (ugh--scale is so demoralizing so I avoid it). But I will post my inches. Inches? Well, that is the total amount of inches around my thighs, my navel area, my hips, and my left bicep (which is getting pretty buff).

In my PFHT blog about my ongoing love/hate relationship with the scale, I revealed my total inches and diet plan. I confess that I didn't add the numbers correctly so I think I wrote something like 114 (I wish!). Actually, I started at 145 inches. Sigh. But the good news is that I'm already seeing results. I had been searching for a plan that would suit my lifestyle and my personality. I'd pretty much tried everything as far as diets are concerned. I knew I didn't want to give up wine, hated counted calories, and hated the very thought of starting a diet then being invited somewhere to eat where NONE of my "allowed foods" were an option. I'm also lousy at counting points (hey, I have trouble adding inches!).

Then a friend of mine told me about the 4 Hour Body diet. She said, "You'll like it Christine because you can drink wine." Sold! Well not totally, first I researched it and then I bought the book. I liked it for three reasons: wine was allowed, no calories counted and one full day of not worrying about what you eat or how much you eat. Yay!! I can do anything for 6 days if I can cheat for 1 day!!

I started my foray back into "diet world" very slowly. First I incorporated a new exercise program. Then I made two changes: no more food in the bedroom (I confess a certain penchant for a snack at bedtime while I am reading), and no carbs till dinner. Then we went to Disney World and I didn't worry about the carbs or the plan after breakfast. I also walked a lot. I had a great time and didn't regain any lost inches. When we returned from our fabulous anniversary trip, Darling Hubby and I began the plan.

We're on week two. So far it hasn't been awful. We aren't hungry. We like the foods we're eating (lots of beans, greens and meat), and we're seeing results. Darling Hubby does miss his grain alcohol, but I let him cheat a bit on Friday night last week when we went out with friends so he was okay. We already had our first cheat day. Ate anything we wanted. We got super stuffed super fast and we were eager to start again on Sunday (we picked Saturday as our Cheat Day for now).

So, now for today's blog, I'll share my stats so far:

Start Date of Modified Plan: 3/3/11
Total Inches: 145

4/1/11--Day 11 of Full Plan
Total Inches: 140.5

Total Lost Inches (darn I have to do math): 4.5 inches!

Favorite go-to food when desperate for something sweet? Pistachios, macadamia nuts, and sun dried tomatoes. Oh, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I'm eyeing the sugar free Jello!

Favorite new recipe? Salmon on a cedar plank. We dust the salmon with hot chili powder, red peppers, a bit of coarse salt. We place it on a soaked cedar plank and grill it till done. We squeeze fresh lime juice over the salmon as we grill. It is delicious over a bed of lettuce with a legume side salad.

Favorite exercise? Zumba!!! At the local YMCA.

What shall I have for Cheat Day? Oh, not sure, but I can assure there will be cookies, dark chocolate, cheese, and more than the allowed amount of wine :-)

Are you on a plan? Is it working for you? Share your stats with me. Let's get skinny for the summer!!

Conference Appetizers & Desserts

The RWA National Conference is days away and I am very excited that I am attending. One of my CPs is a Golden Heart Finalist, I've got a full out to Modern Heat which I'll be able to share with the agent I'm pitching to, and I have a fantastic roommate who is also my go-to girl for critiquing. My pitch is ready. I'm practicing it on a regular basis. And finally my wardrobe is pulled together.

There are a lot of fabulous workshops to attend that cover everything from CRAFT to CAREER. This year I am focusing on the CAREER aspects of writing as I'm also making it a point to absorb all the bits of wisdom I can from my favorite authors who are presenting workshops about all aspects of writing: Suzanne Brockman, Nora Roberts, Eloisa James to name a few. I wish I could attend ALL the workshops and chats, but that would require cloning and/or super sonic speed walking.

But I can vicariously attend them before or after the conference. This week I printed out a bunch of handouts for workshops I'm interested in whether I can attend them or not. I'm giving myself a little appetizer before the huge main course. To be honest, I just can't wrap my brain around any real writing because of the swirling preparations and constant distractions. But I can read about writing and make notes for my revision. These handouts are a fabulous way to prepare my brain for information and they also are generating ideas for my current WIP that I'll implement when I return from Orlando.

Another appetizer I am enjoying is researching all my editors and agents. Sure, I'm only slotted to pitch to one editor and one agent, but I am going to several workshops and the PRO Retreat where I'll meet and hear other agents/editors speak. I want to know more about them before I walk through the doors. One never knows when an opportunity to share something about my work will come up. I want to be prepared for those opportunities. I feel that if I open myself up to any and all possibilities, the universe will reward my confidence.

Post conference, I will have an opportunity to download and listen to any chats that I missed due to schedule conflicts. Last year I bought the JR Ward Chat. It was awesome. And I still replay it on my iPhone whenever I need inspiration to keep forging ahead. You can bet I'll even download the chats I was able to attend while at the conference. I really want to take all I can into my head, but I also want some serious downtime to let my brain unwind a bit, too.

Right now I feel like I am doing a "warm up" session for my mind. I'm taking in new information, slow and steady, so I can be on top of my game when I go to the main course. The conference will be amazing and I want to make the most of this experience. I may not be able to attend another national conference until 2013 (it's in Atlanta--close to home). This conference is the 30th Anniversary. A lot of great authors, people who have stood the test of time and who I've read with total abandon and enjoyment are going to attend this conference. This is my year to learn what I can from them and bring it back to my writing corner where I can incorporate their wisdom.

When I return from the conference, I even have a big dessert planned for my future writing career. I have a new mind set already in place about how I am going to approach my writing, my process, my marketing and my attempts to get through the publishing door. I'm excited! I can't wait to start, but I'm also starting it with the mantra: everything is flexible and be open to sudden opportunities.

What is your preparation like for the conference? If you aren't able to go, what are your plans for revving up your writing now? Are your writing chapters putting on any special events? And if you're a reader, not a writer, which author would you want to listen to if you were at the conference?

Now Where Did I Put My Sparkle?

There have been a lot of posts about how to pack for the RWA National Conference, what to bring to the conference and how to prepare for the conference's many offerings. You can read all about the various ways my fellow bloggers are getting ready for conference on some of these blogs:

Lynn Raye Harris
Okay,  Listen Here
Writing Playground

I won't add much to their words of wisdom other to say that along with all the clothes, shoes, makeup and hair products I plan to bring, I also pack a corkscrew. Now you know where my priorities are. Also, once at the conference hotel and situated in my room located in the beautiful Walt Disney Swan Resort, I will also trek down to a spot I know sells wine by the bottle and snacks (the Beaches Disney Vacation Hotel along the lagoon). This will help offset some of my costs while I am at the conference. Again, gotta have priorities.

I've got my main stuff ready: pitch, general packing list (always stored on the computer, then tweaked for the different events), a dress (actually 2!) for the Golden Heart/Rita Ceremony. Now I have some last minute preparations which have little to do with selling my work and more to do with finally beautifying myself for presenting my work and having fun with a group of women who are highly charged on romance and estrogen. And let me tell you, romance writers who usually sit around in jammies or work out clothes to write with their tied up in ponytails and who wear no make up on their faces transform into princesses for this RWA Annual Conference.

We Writing Caterpillars love to put on our sparkle for the the main ceremony: the Golden Heart/Rita Awards Ceremony for writers. The Golden Heart is the Oscars for Unpublished Writers. The Rita is the Golden Globes for Published Writers. And we love to celebrate all of these fantastic writers as they bask in the Golden Aura of their successes. So we trade in our slippers for fancy shoes, and we put on our Cinderella dresses. We toss our hair into coifs fit for royalty, and we powder sparkle on our skin. And voila! We become Writing Butterflies!

But oh, the transformation is not as easy as Cinderella's Fairy Godmother's wave of a wand and a "bippity boppity boo." Nope. At least not for moi, the voluptuous 40 plus "gee I feel like a watermelon with toothpicks for legs" writer. The transformation happens in stages. In no particular order, they are:

*buy a dress
*buy shoes
*buy bling for the hair
*buy bling for the neck, ears and wrist
*get hair done
*treat writing hands to a very necessary manicure
*treat feet, especially summer heels, to a super necessary pedicure
*use wrinkle erasing products around eyes and on forehead
*find elusive Miss Oops deodorant line smudge eraser
*buy anti puffy eye cream
*pray for a fairy to come erase 10 pounds and some cellulite (or buy spanks)
*find sparkle
*trade slippers and jammies for sparkle clothes and shoes

Somehow, I have to transform from this:

 And become fabulously sparkled enough to wear all this!

Let the sparkling begin!

Pitch, Pile, Pack

All right--frittering time away is definitely a no-no from this point onward. Why? Because I am getting ready for the RWA National Conference which begins July 28, 2010. There's a lot for me to do prior to going, and my time is limited due to travels out of the area.

Last year I was very ready for Nationals. I had a roomie via the RWA matching service. I was so glad to make a new friend and share the room costs, I had a pitch for my story(s) written and practiced on anyone, including my hairdresser, who would listen. I'd researched my editor and agent online long before my pitches were due.  I had my elevator pitch, my new skinny body, my hair done, my nails and toes done, my new dress (bought in the spring!), and my days mapped out.

The 2009 conference went so well. I met a wonderful new person and made a new friend with my roomie, I made tons of new connections and I actually survived pitching with the end result of both agent/editor requesting my little book. That was a wonderful result for my first time to any conference.

Now 2010 is here and the RWA National Conference is only 11 days away and I AM NOT READY. Nope. I am no longer sporting my new skinny body. Apparently, the Gods have decided I should be buxom and curvy and every time I lose the weight, I always put the same pounds back on. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not super chunky or obese, but oh, being a size 8 was so nice compared to the size 10-12 I am today. And to be honest, a lot of my cool conference clothes that I bought for last year's conference to fit the said skinny body no longer fit my regained voluptiousness. And we're going to ORLANDO which means there might be bathing suit (haha as if!) time.

So much for wearing pants to the conference and you can forget about catching me in shorts. They should be abolished for anyone over 40. Just saying--they aren't the most flattering piece of clothing for a woman in her forties with curves.

Thankfully, most of my wardrobe problems are solved by my love for summer dresses. They tend to stay with me regardless of my weight's ups and downs. And I do have marvelous shoes to go with them as well as a comfy pair of silver, fun aerosole flip flops that look great with all colors and on my feet (and one thing I have--say I with a vain grin--is adorable toes and feet).

But what I don't have to bring is a fabulous dress for the Golden Heart/Rita Ceremony. Now I have to look awesome for that ceremony. My friend and CP is a finalist and I refuse to go cheer her on in an old, black standby cocktail dress. But the dress I wore last year for the GH/Rita Ceremony has been worn again to the Moonlight & Magnolias conference in Atlanta. I refuse to trot that bad boy out again. Oh the nightmare. Not only do I feel chubby, I have SHOP for a new dress while I feel chubby. AACK.

Talk about not being ready. I am ready for only one thing: PANIC.

Okay, so have I shopped? Nope. I  have not. I keep hoping for a miraculous weight loss between now and Nationals. So far, the Miracle Fairy  has not shown up at my door. This has forced me to use the utmost method of creative avoidance. I have *gasp* sat down and formulated my new title for my 4th book (it had to sound like a spicy category), a log line, an elevator pitch, a long pitch, a short pitch and I've begun practicing. I'll do anything but shop say I.

I will shop, I promise.

But first I have to research my editor/agent and other agents (just in case I get lucky and stand next to one in an elevator who asks about my writing haha). Then I must do laundry, iron, make a packing list, create my business cards (oh, did that--darn), pull together my briefcase, mildly panic about how to get to the airport, check schedules and workshops (shoot did that, too).

Sigh. I've created my pitch, I've got my pile of business and travel documents ready, and now all that's left to do is paint my toes/nails and do my hair. Sigh. I guess I will have to face the dressing room mirror and go buy that gorgeous dress for my not so perfect body. But wait, there's a silver lining! I get to buy NEW SHOES, too! And if there's something I've learned in life, SHOES ALWAYS FIT AND LOOK FABULOUS regardless of how chubby one feels.

Magic Circles of People

Last Saturday, during our monthly Heart of Dixie meeting, we were all treated to a wonderful review of the rules of etiquette. Now I already knew how to use my knife and fork and, given my European background and strict parents, how to behave properly in restaurants and during banquets. I know how to set a proper table and how to eat from the outside in regarding the cutlery. But before you think this is going to be a review of how to eat properly and zoom out of this page, I want to share with you the greater lesson I learned on Saturday.

Etiquette is more about how to live and create gracious civility in the world where we live than it is about how to hold a knife and fork properly. In other words, etiquette is about treating the people around us with honor, dignity and respect.

Cool, right? Think about how the world is today. We have cell phones and people having intense conversations on them in all manner of places. I have heard more delicious gossip while standing at the checkout counter waiting my turn to toss groceries on the belt than at a party. What are these people thinking? They aren't. And they aren't being very gracious to the person running their food products through the scanner.

I don't do that to my cashiers. I have conversations with them. I believe I know almost every one of the people working at my local grocery store: there's a gal named J**** who is probably the best bagger I know. She's very proud of her work and whenever I see her, I get a hug and she asks me about my day. Then there's the retired gentleman who takes my groceries to the car. The other day he asked me about my favorite wines. We had a lovely conversation. I know about his cheerleading granddaughter, his former places of residence and more.

Rule #1 of how to treat people with dignity, respect and honor: BE NICE, stop to ask questions. Be interested, genuinely interested in what they have to say.

Another thing we learned as we prepare for our annual RWA National Conference is that we are only famous among our peers. Sure, I know who all the famous authors are who are going to be at Nationals. I've all but admitted my obsession with Nora Roberts (really I will have a meltdown fan girl moment if I am within 5 feet of her--I don't want to, but I think I will--either that or I will lose my ability to think coherently and babble). But in the outside world? Nora Roberts won't be as easily recognized.

I thought a lot about that concept. For instance, my darling husband is considered the "Genius of MDA" by many of his peers and co-workers in his industry. Scientists and engineers know him and go to him for his expertise in his specialty of Physics. He's sort of famous in his world, but to most of you, he's just my darling hubby. I'm glad he's thought of that way because he's earned it. As have the famous authors who are going to attend the national conference in Orlando. When I am in that conference world, I will not stampede them, I will respect their right to privacy (tho' I might be hyperventilating inwardly), and I will treat them with dignity, respect and honor.

Rule #2: We are only famous in our own circles of peers. It is not about us, it is about the world around us that counts.

Now those of you who know me, know I am not exactly a shy, retiring "wall flower." I am a people person and I love to socialize. But I'm probably the exception to the rule in the writing world. In fact, I'd wager that most writers are shy, or good at hiding their discomfort if they are in their world of peers. Or they might have their trusted circles of friends and not stray too far from them so they can feel safe.

I have a secret to tell you. I am a reformed shy person who early on learned a trick or two about how to feel more comfortable in new situations. I am also a former, maybe current, geek who was never in the popular crowd and has learned she doesn't want to be in the popular crowd. My few good and cherished close friends are all I need--I don't need people to validate me, I am validated by my own set of rules and accomplishments. I validate myself for myself. But I remember how hard it is to walk into a room and not know a single soul and just feel, well, just feel overwhelmed. And that's a lonely feeling.

Rule #3: Always act like the host/hostess in your corner of the world. Bring civility, grace, dignity and respect into the world by your actions.

Now I've learned how to handle this by actually enjoying my own company a lot. I eat lunch by myself in public, walk alone, sit and listen to the outside world as I sip coffee or read. I am cool with it. But it's tough to be alone in a huge convention of people where there are all these MAGIC CIRCLES of groups who aren't always aware of the fact that there are a few individuals out there who might want to be included, but are too polite to bust their magic bubble. If I walk into a room, I already know where to go. I go to the first person I see who is standing by herself and strike up a conversation. Chances are I will eventually end up with my own little herd of people after a while (as said the Etiquette Lady).

But what if I already am in a circle of friends or peers and someone comes in who is clearly alone? The etiquette lady said something that spoke volumes to me: treat every situation you are in as if you are the host/hostess and welcome new people into your circle. Try to make them comfortable. Treat the world as your party and you are in charge of making sure your corner of the world is filled with civility. You are in charge of making sure you treat that one lonely person standing by the coffee cups on the banquet table with dignity, respect and honor. You will invite that person into your MAGIC CIRCLE of people.

You never know. You might just be inviting a famous person into your world.

Now, I'd like to thank Laura Rich, the business etiquette expert, who came into our world on Saturday and treated us all with dignity, respect, honor and a dash of great southern humor.

WIP Goals

The WIP is cut down by about 5000 words. Now I go into the whole document and continue working toward getting it ready for the Scrivener round of scene by scene work. I hope to be adding words by the end of the week. I had hoped to work on my YA idea, but that hasn't happened to date. I'm not worried about it. This WIP is the priority. If time allows, I'll play with the YA.


Goals for Today:

*check tracked changes and accept or not
*make line edit changes as marked in the comment section
*shift four scenes that I know need to move
*free write where I am inspired (you know those moments where you go "aha"--like those)

Everything else I accomplish is icing.

Do you set daily goals? I like to set word count goals when I am in first draft work, but it's hard to do when I am revising. Yet I joined the RWA-PRO Forum to reach 50,000 words by the time the RWA National Conference opens at the end of July.

Crazy? Maybe. But it's good to push ourselves where we can if we want to become prolific writers.

Wait, Watch and Learn

Now that the big high of the RWA conference is over, I am in LIMBO. Currently, I am waiting for feedback from a CP regarding the book that's been requested. Oh, it is hard to wait. But better to wait rather than not. I want the most polished piece out there. Period. The good news is one CP has sent back her comments and no story points are under revision. So I am looking at line edits. And the other CP called from Sandals (bless her for reading while on vacation) and loves the revisions and only has LINE EDITS. Whew.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, boredom sets in as I wait for the edits. And I am the type that is bored into rebellion. That means I am seriously causing trouble online on a forum... but at least I'm not causing it on FB. But I should ... evil laugh. Really... I must start writing tomorrow.

I do have my revision ideas percolating for the fourth book and a fifth on the tickle shelf. Must start that soon. And my DD is going to start school in a week so I will have time to write again...

The final push is about to begin and I can't wait. My fingers are getting itchy.

RWA Conference Virgin--No More! Oh the Glory!

Well it's been ages since I posted! But here I am, full of ... ok ... truth is I am pooped. It was so wonderful, but so exhausting. I talked till I lost my voice, I pitched and it worked out very well (no illusions: my DD calls me a pessimist, but I call myself a realist). It's hard to be "on" all the time. And it's hard to figure out who is who... and it's hard to have a success and then reflect upon the folks in one's life who aren't there to celebrate it.

And as an unpublished writer, every small success is celebrated over at my house.

I learned a lot about myself. Yes, I am not shy, but I am a bit reserved. I can tell a funny story (about myself--easier that way) and people laugh at my stories. But to hobnob in a group of many, many people who I don't know and some of them might be "uber important?" No way. It's daunting. Plus, I don't like NOISE and crowds that are too large. It's like going to a vampire ball for me. Sucks me dry.

So. I didn't make it to the RITA/GOLDEN HEART Reception for chocolate and wine. Too many people and too overwhelming, but I loved watching everyone kibbitz and I enjoyed all the winners' speeches and I loved dressing up pretty for a change.

I learned I like one-on-one chats or small groups. I learned I can shut up--don't laugh those who know me and who are reading this! All those years of DISCIPLE Class have paid off! I just look down.

Oh, I learned to smile and wave... a lot. Ask the penguins.

I learned that I am a floater, not good at introducing people I don't know to people I hardly know, but exceedingly good at introducing people I just met to people I just met... it's a weird thing. I felt too new -- I guess I hung back a bit, but I had a great time. And I learned I can do this again.

Plus I got my requests: woot!!!!!!!!! It's a temporary high.

And now it's back to reality: writing and polishing. Back to wondering if it is worthy to send. If I am a crap writer and am always going to get close but no cigar... But no matter. It is here. A start. I plan. I plot. I have more stories beating the brain cells and begging me to hurry up and get this book out the door. I have a fourth ready for revision. I have a fifth in embryonic stages, and I have a series I am playing with for YA.

Even if I am never published, I have learned that romance writers rock and I am blessed to be a part of this huge, creative group of people. From top to me, they care. We are all on the same journey.

It is crazy. A journey filled with sorrow, bizarre fits of happiness, an occasional jaunt to buy much chocolate, and one's companions totally get one's complete obsession with Hugh Jackman, cutting out pictures of amazing gorgeous men, spinning tales and living in one's head. They get the hope, the fear, the doubt, the shoes, did I mention the chocolate and the wine, and the glory of jumping each hurdle and reaching each goal.

Conference Pins Amiss

I have arrived in VA--staying at a friend's house. Getting reacquainted with favorite restaurants and old haunts. I am vilely reminded about horrible traffic in bondage, long waits at the red lights, and general over-crowding, but I am also drooling over the wonderful produce in Wegmans, the culture, the great restaurants and the fun things to do here.

If I could live in both worlds: AL and NoVA, I would.

But that's impossible.

I gave myself a mini preconference panic moment when I realized I had forgotten my PRO pin at home. AACK--amidst all the planning and packing and hoteling and organizing, I had let that one tiny detail drop off the radar screen.

Would they let me into the PRO retreat without my tiny pin proving my rejection? Would I be thrown to the hotel's curb? Nope. My trusty friends who have attended the national conference reassured me that I would not be the only PRO attending without my pin. And I'll get a lovely ribbon and badge denoting my PRO Status. Whew.

And that's the thing: I am a newbie to the conference. A First Timer. A Virgin. Eager, afraid, anxious, excited. All the emotions that go into losing one's innocence. Will I come away from this experience enlightened? I believe so. Will all my hopes be fulfilled? Maybe. I do know I've got a huge slice of cake waiting for me to taste and I can't wait. If there's any more that comes out of this experience, well, that's the unexpected delight of frosting whipped to perfection.

I can't wait to head to the hotel and start my adventure.

The Ticking Clock

I am one week away from our trip to DC. I have my pitch (must practice more), my wardrobe, my roommate (yay!), and my editor/agent appointments. I'm set. Sort of. I haven't had a chance to go through the schedule and decide what I will do when and where during the none scheduled events. And there appears to be a lot to do while I am there and not enough of me to do it all.

Someone suggested making a grid. Good idea, but I'm more calendar/time oriented. I plan to plug in all the MUSTS and then I'm working in the workshops I really want to attend. I confess I have no idea what to do when not at all the planned parties, but I believe I have one small event on Friday night to attend with my roommate. I haven't made dinner reservations or anything like that, but I know I want to go to some of my favorite type of restaurants while I am there (read "Lebanese"). I heard the bar is a good spot to go to and hang. I might do that, but watch the number of drinks I have in front of potential editors/agents LOL.

I need to make a complete packing list--but other than that I believe I am good to go!

It is what it is what it is--and the most important parts for me is the editor/agent appointments, PRO Retreat and the camaraderie with other writers who love this crazy craft.

What a Whirlwind Day-PRO Editor/Agent Sign Up

This is the first time I've ever entered into the magic sign up portal--either as a non-PRO or a PRO. But I got up, booted up the laptop and prepared to sign in.

Four hours later, I still hadn't made headway. The website was overwhelmed and lots of people experienced frustration. I had, at one point, almost cleared the gates, when the RWA website didn't recognize my password. Alas, alack, a scream or three later... then I calmed. I contacted the national offices via phone, left a message saying I wasn't sure if my PW being eaten was part of their problem, but if it was, to ignore my call. If not, help! I think I made that call at 10:30AM.

At 12:15PM, I stopped trying, the website was still experiencing problems, and I hadn't eaten or showered. I ate a yogurt, read the paper, worked my word puzzle in the comics section, and hopped into the shower. I was just out of the shower when the phone rang! RWA's national headquarters returned my call. A very nice representative walked through the pages for me and I got signed up.

And I did it all while dripping wet, wrapped in a towel, with my hair up in a turban of white. Thank God! I am so grateful to the RWA for responding to my call. I know this day had to be outrageous for them as they fielded the problems on their site and the phone calls from others.

Now I have my dream agency appointment and my dream editor appointment with HQN. Yikes! Now I have to fine tune my pitch and get moving along on the revision. 

What a day! 

Wanted: One Roommate and A New Attitude

I feel ready for the RWA National conference, but I have no one to room with me. Yet. Silly me, I thought the conference would have a mechanism for hooking me up with someone if I put it in my request for the room. But no. Being a "RWA National Conference Virgin" meant learning the hard way that I have to find someone all by myself. YIKES!!! I just moved. I have no one here, but I did put out an all points bulletin to the two chapters I joined down south with a plea for a roommate. My husband, bless him, says we can afford for me to stay on my own, but it feels soooo wrong to spend all the money for myself.

Any way, that lead to feelings of isolation, unwantedness, unpopularity, and .... well .... really stupid and negative brain patterns. At one point, I thought about not going at all. But gosh darned it, I WANT TO GO. I got my PRO pin status and I CAN BENEFIT FROM THIS. And THIS IS BUSINESS, NOT PERSONAL. I'm not going there to win a friggin' popularity contest or drink friggin' margaritas with the gals. NO. I am going to meet editors, agents, LEARN, rub shoulders with people who are there, be inspired....

God, I am such a wuss sometimes.

So now, I am going. Reserved the room, and am crossing my fingers that between now and July 15 I find a roommate. If not, one day I'll lead a lecture saying I funded my first trip to the national conference by paying myself to clean my own friggin' toilets.

Wow, An Open Vast Space of Time--Sort of...

I am waiting to get my first BIAW lessons. While I wait, I have time to fritz around the house, get some chores done that I put off until this week due to the writing push of the past month, and to visit in the days ahead with new friends. Kind of nice. But at the same time, blah. Need my assignment.

I've been putting off PRO Application and RWA Conference registration, so I am doing that this week. Today! I promise myself to get my rear in gear and do those two things if nothing else.

Free Day Again

Wow, it was so much fun just piddling in the stores yesterday and not feeling like I had to put an hour in for the book. I also took time to pamper myself, doing my roots and giving myself a manicure. And I bought 3 new books to read. All rewards for a job well-done.

Today I am filling in my PRO Application, getting it ready to mail it out tomorrow, and I am registering for the RWA conference tomorrow afternoon. I can't wait to go in July. And I'll be doing something I want to do with MY writing friends. Wahoo.

Today is also a day filled with teens, homework, and a dinner at a friend's house. I am looking forward to kicking back and relaxing.

Tomorrow, BIAW starts!!! Starting to get anxious.

A Free Day

So I have a break from writing--for the weekend. I guess. I found myself pondering how to add about 10,000 words to the third draft. A scene here and there as well as stretching some out. I guess I'll never be "finished" at all. But I do need to let this book simmer a bit on the backburner so I can come back to it with a fresh eye.

Meanwhile, I am also mulling over my next book idea. I'm wondering if it's strong enough, funny enough and compelling enough a story. But I won't know till I start fleshing it out.

I am filling out the PRO application and signing up for RWA Conference this weekend. And I am also doing stuff around the house that I've let slide for weeks now. I just need to play a little.