Confessions of a Romance Author: The RWA Diaries, Day Five

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Alcohol units: 3

Workshops: 1, or 2 (?)

Ego deflators: 0 (It's a low-key day.)

Ego boosts: 1 (Great talk with my agent, always helps me feel pumped up).

8:00 a.m. No rush waking, but I'm feeling energized. Last day of conference, RITA ceremony tonight. I follow Julie's lead and start packing some things as I get ready for the day.

I'm starting to wonder about attending the RITAs. I love the ceremony, and seeing everyone all decked out. But I'm really missing my dear friend Kathleen Givens, my usual conference roommate and companion. She passed away on January 1, and though I've made it through conference in great spirits, I'm starting to wonder if I can make it through a long ceremony of sitting and contemplating the career paths of my friends and fellow authors without getting weepy (okay, without dissolving into messy sobs) over Kathleen. Losing a best friend is like having a part of your heart ripped out and it has made for an emotional roller coaster of a year.

11:00 a.m. First workshop of the day, another PAN session. I think I've only attended PAN sessions after all this time. I meant to make it to a few other workshops, but the schedule hasn't allowed for it, or I haven't had enough interest. The PAN sessions, though, are great, and this one doesn't disappoint. It's on Career Planning with agents Steven Axelrod, Kristin Nelson, and Karen Solem. The talk is more on the state of the market in general and how they are guiding their authors into it, but it's fascinating and I learn a lot. Social media is key in starting a buzz for most authors now. Facebook and Twitter, check.

12:00 p.m. I meet Dee Davis and Terri Brisbin for lunch at Fresh. It's great to catch up with friends! Terri is a dynamo, and an incredible author. And she manages to pass when Dee and I head up to raid the dessert table. If that doesn't make her an extraordinary human being, I don't know what does.

2: 00 p.m I meant to attend a PAN session on the market, and I think I did, but I don't even remember now if I did or not! Gasp! What does that say about me? Perhaps that I had already started to consider heading to the Magic Kingdom for some time on my own tonight instead of attending the RITAs and my head was already on Space Mountain? Who can say? Why can't I remember?

I do know that I stopped by the art gallery and bought myself some beautiful dolphin earrings, one of a kind, that remind me of my friend Kathleen Givens. They make me smile. I'm so glad I picked them up.

3:00 p.m. Meet my agent for a glass of wine. We're both in good spirits, having a productive time at conference. We have a great talk, and that's all I'm going to reveal.

4:30 p.m. My friend Kathleen O'Reilly calls to suggest we have dinner together. She's not sure about dressing up for RITA either. She might skip the dinner part and sneak in late. But for now, the plan is for dinner at Shula's Steak House. Excellent plan!

6:00 p.m. Kathleen and I meet at Shula's and we're escorted to a lovely table for two in the back of the dining room. It's very stately and male-feeling in decor, dimly-lit, and it's a quiet respite after being surrounded by the high-pitched hum of female voices all through conference. I'm instantly relaxed. And hungry! The menu is written on a football. Nice touch!

But the football thing is really just for show, because next thing you know, one of two waiters (yes, we had two servers for the two of us, it's a very fancy restaurant experience) comes out to present the menu live, with a platter of the beautiful cuts of steak all on display.

At the risk of embarrassing myself, full disclosure, I got the cowboy steak, a 22 oz ribeye. (Hey, I didn't eat it all!). Kathleen got the slightly more demure NY Strip (I think, memory is getting hazy). Both steaks are cooked perfectly to our specifications and are really impressive hunks of meat (exactly what most romance writer conferences are lacking, with the exception of Romantic Times with their Mr. Romance pageant, of course, har har). We started with wedge salads (yummy, iceberg with just the right amounts of bacon, balsamic, and blue cheese). And added sides of creamed spinach and double-baked potatoes. And of course, lovely glasses of fine wine (a cabernet for Kathleen, pinot noir for me). And after all that red meat to rebuild our strength...

Chocolate souffle! One souffle, plenty big enough for two, one of our two servers informed us. Well, it was big enough for four. He spooned it out on plates with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream, and I wished I had more room after all that steak... though I managed a few bites. Yum. Yum. YUM. What a fantastic meal! What wonderful companionship! Kathleen and I talked and laughed and caught up. A really great night. And a really big bill, Shula's isn't cheap. But hey, we're worth it. (And yes, I think it really is the best steakhouse on Disney property, with Canada's Le Cellier falling far short- still good, but more on the chain steak restaurant by comparison, while Shula's is high end steakhouse- and the Yachtsman Steakhouse maybe coming slightly close).

But my night does not end here, dear reader. Oh no! After I get back up to my room, I decide to change and head to the Magic Kingdom.

At the Magic Kingdom, I fit in a ride on my favorite, Pirates of the Caribbean. Then, Haunted Mansion (another favorite, and spookier when all alone). Then I just meander, take in the park, enjoy the sites, the details of Main Street, the smiles on kids' faces, and oh yay! I'm in time to catch the Main Street Electrical Parade! I haven't seen this one in ages. It has been out of the park, in favor of SpectroMagic (which is also good). But the music of the parade fills me with instant joy. So I've missed the RITA awards? I don't have any regrets. The music of the parade is in my head and heart as I head back to the Dolphin from the Magic Kingdom. What an incredible night! Congratulations to all RITA winners, though I was not there to applaud you.

And tomorrow, conference over, headed home... but not until I show roommate Julie around the Magic Kingdom (she has never been!) and World Showcase. Stay tuned.

Confessions of a Romance Author: The RWA Diaries, Day Three

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Alcohol units: 4

Social gaffes: Probably 1 or 2, as usual when I am in a more formal social situation.

Ego deflators: 1 (no Jane in Barnes and Noble conference bookstore).

Ego boosts: 1 (amazing dinner for Pocket authors).

7:00 a.m. Wake up refreshed, relaxed, not in need of a wake-up call. Ready to face the day! But there's no rush. The first event is lunch at 12: 15 with Nora Roberts. Enjoy a leisurely morning with Julie, who makes us coffee and shares her granola bars (what a sweet roommate!), and a call home to check in on husband and kids. It's my daughter's birthday, and I want to make sure she gets cake. Birthdays mean must have cake. After a pleasant morning, with a view of the sun shining over the Tower of Terror out my window, I shower, dress, and get ready to hit the workshops.

11:15 p.m. Julie and I head for the lobby and meet up with dear friend and fabulous author, the legendary Virginia Henley. Virginia is gorgeous, decked out in bright colors, as she always is, and she thinks I've lost weight. I do love Virginia Henley. Virginia and I catch up while Julie heads to Barnes and Noble to check out the Nook. I've been telling Julie about my Kindle, and she is torn between e-reading devices. Julie takes so long looking at the Nook that Virginia and I browse around the Barnes and Noble conference bookshop. No sign of Jane Slayre (hmph) but we find Virginia's anthology, Lords of Desire.

12:00 p.m. It's close to lunch time. We finally wrench Julie away from the Nook display and head for lunch. We end up at a table with delightful women, like Regina Jeffers. Regina and I have just met, but we realize we have something in common: we both write with long-dead well-respected women. Regina writes paranormals that play on Jane Austen's works. I've written with Charlotte Bronte. She tells me about a panel she was a guest on at the Smithsonian with Seth-Grahame Smith and Ben Winters. Ben signed a copy of Android Karenina for me, so I am a fan. Very cool! So glad I got to meet Regina.

Nora's lunch speech is fabulous, hits all the right notes for me. She talks about her dearest friends, women she met while attending RWA conferences, and I think of my dearest friends, and I miss Kathleen Givens so much. I wish Julia London had been able to attend. But I'm thankful for all my friends, for Dee, Julie K, Kathleen O'Reilly, Jacquie, Virginia, Julie O, and so many more. The friends I have made at RWA conferences give me incredible support and make my life so much richer. They're not just my conference friends or my writing friends. They're my circle, my community, the people I count on day after day even though we all live far away from each other. Thank goodness for email and cheers to RWA! So glad I joined and met all these great people, and meet new ones all the time. If you write, go to conferences. Join writing groups. Network! You won't be sorry.

The meal at lunch is not so bad. Chicken, yes, but not quite the rubber chicken we usually get at conferences. It's baked with a crumb crust and juicy, not dry, served with crisp veggies. I only have a few bites of the dessert pie. Too much good food so far at WDW.

2:00 p.m. After lunch, I attend my first workshop. Lou Aronica opens the PAN (published authors network) sessions with a talk on The State of the Industry, and it's what I expect. Good news and bad news, with an emphasis on the growth of the digital market and what it means for us, the authors. I learn a lot from Lou's talk and he leaves me with much to consider.

4:30 p.m. I meet a friend for coffee at Picabu, the Dolphin's 24 hour buffeteria. Lisa Mondello. Lisa and I met at our local chapter RWA in 1998, the year we'd both sold our first books. We've kept in touch through the years and it's great to catch up. Lisa has brought a friend, CJ Eernise Chase, another familiar face from the New England Chapter of RWA. Networking. So important, and so rewarding.

5 p.m. Unfortunately, I have to dash off to get ready for my very special publisher dinner. Pocket Books is taking their authors out to dinner, and I'm very excited. Can't wait!

6:30 p.m. Meet in the lobby of the Swan for transport to Epcot's The Living Seas, the location for the evening's festivities. I talk to Karen Hawkins and meet Molly Harper at last. So excited to meet Molly! We share an agent, Stephany Evans at FinePrint Literary Management, and an editor, Jennifer Heddle, and we've guested on each other's blogs. Then we all get on the bus to take us to the Living Seas.

Be still my Disney Geek Heart! We're taken in through the back way, an employee-only area. Ladies and gentleman, the backside of World Showcase! And Test Track. And somehow we end up behind the Land Pavilion and then, ta-daa, The Living Seas (Now also known as the Seas with Nemo and Friends, but we won't be seeing Nemo today). In back of the Living Seas. An area I never thought I would see. My excited reaction to the view of warehouses and back streets surprises some of my fellow authors. Don't they understand? People usually don't get to see this side of WDW! Before we're allowed off the bus, we have to have our bags searched. We'll be entering the park. It's procedure. Cool!

After the search, we're given the go-ahead to leave the bus. Escorts are waiting to bring us into the park through a door behind the Living Seas Pavilion. We walk in, by the seagulls (Mine, Mine, Mine). A kid asks his mom who we are and why we're all dressed up (there are about 20 of us in cocktail attire). I say we're on a special mission to ride Test Track. The mom does not laugh. Oh well. We go in through a side door to a banquet facility in the Living Seas. Sweet!

We're in a reception room surrounded by the tanks, fantastic view. Sea turtles, fish-- four divers! They come to the window by turns and wave and make gestures at our food and drink. There's pita with hummus. Champagne. Neat little name tags with our book covers. And after a second bus load of authors arrive, dinner!

We're seated at tables with an aquarium view. There's Sonoma goat cheese ravioli with sun-dried tomato nectar, shiitake mushrooms, and basil. Salad with candied pecans, apple, blue cheese, and dried cranberry vinaigrette, a palate cleanser of fruity ice. For dinner, service is family style. A platter of oak-fired Tanglewood chicken breasts with fregola pasta, applewood smoked bacon, almonds, sultanas, arugula, and sherry chicken au jus. Slow-roasted Atlantic salmon with herb gnocchi, wild mushrooms, and mustard-chive cream. Sliced oak-grilled beef tenderloin with roasted fingerling potatoes, caramelized onions, and teriyaki barbecue sauce. Wow, decadence! Red wine or white? I'm torn, and choose red.

Dinner is a little hurried, due to timing issues. We have a private viewing area set up for dessert at IllumiNations and we need to get us all out there in time for the 9 p.m. show. Escorts with light-sabre like red posts lead us through the crowds, from the Living Seas to the International Gateway gift shop. The area behind the shop is roped off, for our use only. We draw stares, of course, all those vacationing families wondering who we are and why we're getting special treatment. And there's an amazing dessert bar and an open bar. I feel like royalty! A new Disney princess.

I sample a few desserts and a drink. I'm in awe, as usual. The fireworks, staging, soundtrack, lighting, and flames of IllumiNations always leave me breathless. We all watch and ooh and ahhh. And as soon as it ends, we're led back to the waiting bus, this time around the back of the old Odyssey restaurant. I'm still in a daze of happiness as we take off for the ride back to the Dolphin. A Disney Geek's dream come true. Thank you, Pocket Books!

Confessions of a Romance Author: The RWA Diaries Day One

Julie Ortolon, Sherri, and Dee Davis.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Alcohol units: 1 margarita, 1 wine flight (three 2 oz glasses).

Social gaffes: 1 *appearing at conference in disarray.

Ego Deflators: 2, not recognized by bigger authors in the room. Put off for seating at Kouzzina (do you know who I AM?!).

3 a.m, my bedroom. Radio alarm goes off. Tainted Love. I try not to take it as a sign... at least it isn't Bad Romance.

5:30 a.m, Bradley Airport. Have cleared security after five scans of carry-on bag. Who knew eyelash curler could be confused with a deadly weapon? March to gate and prepare to board plane. Flash smug grin to suckers who did not sign on to Southwest early enough to score prime A21 seating number as I have. Choose window seat in front of wing. Wonder if the Lost crew would approve my choice.

8:30 a.m. Orlando. Smooth flight, easy landing. Now to find ground transportation to whisk me to the Dolphin Resort, site of the Romance Writer's of America 2010 Conference, the 30th anniversary of RWA. At Mears counter, run into fellow romance authors. End up in motor coach with 5 women en route to RWA, and one lone businessman who looks very scared indeed. "Please drop me off first," he begs the male driver, as he moves from the back into the front passenger seat. The men will stick together. Safety in numbers. "I have appointments. And stuff."

9:00 a.m. I'm going to Disney World! I can't really see anything out the windows of the motor coach from my middle seat, but excitement builds. Especially after we drop off our businessman. Almost there!

9:30 a.m. At the Dolphin at last! I glance around the lobby as I head for the check-in line. It's beautiful, with whimsical decor and a large Dolphin fountain at the center. Disney theming, check. Though, technically, the Dolphin is a Starwood property, located at Disney, and not a Disney hotel. As I realize when they let me check in and my room is ready (actually ready!) before 10 a.m. (this almost never happens on Disney property for me). I check in, check my 10th floor view (of the Tower of Terror, yes!), fix my hair, hope I won't look like too big a dork in the lobby in my park clothes around other romance authors (navy polo dotted with Mickey silhouettes, tan shorts, white socks and Asics running shoes), and head out.

All clear, no authors spotted. I sprint past the Dolphin fountain to Guest Services to buy my park pass. My new publicist calls to discuss our PR plan. Not now, Tom, I'm in Disney World! But of course, I talk with him. He's sorry he can't make it. He would have been at conference if it had stayed in Nashville as originally planned. We'll have to meet in person some other time.

10:15 a.m. Time to get my ride on! I'm supposed to meet friends (authors Dee Davis, Dee's daughter, and Julie Kenner) at the parks, but I can't seem to get in touch. We discussed possibly meeting at the Animal Kingdom, so I head there on the bus. Halfway there, a text message. They're at Hollywood Studios. I get off the bus at Blizzard Beach (a water park, one stop before the Animal Kingdom) and change buses to go back to Disney Hollywood Studios. I wish I had managed to connect with them before bus. The Studios is an easy boat ride from the Dolphin. But-- I'm at Disney World! All is well.

11:14 a.m. By the time I arrive at the Hollywood Studios, my friends are on to the Great Movie Ride. I decide to wait at the ride exit so I don't miss them. (How did we survive before cell phones and easy texting?) I sip a frozen lemonade while I wait. Good stuff. I've been in Disney World for over an hour and I still haven't ridden anything! I'm sweating and I start to panic. What if I miss my friends and wait here all day while they are having fun? What if they think my park outfit is dorky and unprofessional? What if they notice the pounds I've gained and they all look fit and trim? What if... They come out and end my torture. They look the same as they always do to me (adorable and welcoming-- they're my friends! And also in park clothes and sweaty, yay! Hugs all around.)

11: 42 a.m. But everyone is hungry, so we head to the Backlot Express. It's air-conditioned, bonus. Dee's daughter grabs a table. The rest of us order and bring the food. I have the double cheeseburger (though I only want a single) with fries. Dee's daughter has chicken breast nuggets with fries. Dee has the grilled turkey and cheese with arugula and red peppers with fries. And Julie has the Southwest Salad with Chicken, mixed greens with tortilla strips, black bean relish, avocado, and cilantro vinaigrette. We all agree our food is okay, meets but does not exceed expectations with the exception of Dee's turkey sandwich, that she declares really good. The addition of the red peppers moves it beyond the ordinary. I remove a patty from my cheeseburger. It's just too much food. Even if I wasn't painfully aware of every pound I have gained since last RWA conference.

12: 30 p.m. After lunch, we head for Star Tours. Julie claims it as her favorite ride. I don't reveal that I get nauseated on Star Tours. Usually, I do better with a full stomach and the lunch was fairly filling. I think I will survive. And I do. Star Tours has a minimal wait, maybe ten minutes in line. We get the front row. I've ridden many times, but have never been in front. We all agree that the ride is dated and could use some updates, but it's still a lot of fun making our simulated journey to Endor that goes awry.

1:00 p.m. After Star Tours, we split up again. My friends have FastPasses to Rock n Roller Coaster and I decide to browse the Star Tours gift shop for a gift for my editor, a suspected fan of Star Wars. I find something that she probably already has, but pick it up in the off chance that she doesn't, and meet my friends outside of RnRC. We opt to ride Twilight Zone Tower of Terror next, and I'm thrilled. One of my favorite rides! And it does not disappoint.

2:00 p.m. We're all hot and tired and ready for a break. But, we're disheveled and a bit sweaty. Dare we walk through a hotel lobby of romance writing professionals? We call it our new Walk of Shame and brazen on through, of course running right into Teresa Medeiros, Christina Dodd, Emily March, and other professionally-attired authors who eye our appearance with suspicion, but manage warm and friendly greetings. Except, no one seems to know who I am. Perhaps that is best in my current attire. The worst has happened. We have been spotted in our natural park-going state. After picking up our registration packets, we might as well head for the lobby bar.

We run into my conference roommate, author Julie Ortolon, who is all checked in and of course lovely in fresh citrus colors and crisp white. Trademark big hair, chunky jewelry, and no sign of perspiration. Julie! She'll get to stand out in comparison to the rest of us. "Look, we do clean up nicely. When we clean up."

Claire Delacroix aka Deborah Cooke joins us at the bar and Eloisa James pops in to introduce her friend Laurie Kahn, who is producing a documentary on the romance genre. Julie O. and Deb get into a heated discussion of... well, what happens at the RWA bar stays at the RWA bar.

4:00 p.m. We all head to our rooms to unpack, refresh, and get ready for dinner. I feel much better after a shower. We all choose park clothes that will be acceptable for a casual restaurant, with plans to hit Epcot after the meal.

7:30 p.m. Julie Kenner, Dee Davis, Dee's daughter, Julie Ortolon, and I meet in the lobby and proceed to meet Whine Sister and friend Jacquie D'Alessandro at the Dolphin's sister resort, The Swan. Jacquie is, of course, adorable in peach sweater and skirt. We walk across the Boardwalk to Cat Cora's Kouzzina, admiring the sights and stopping for pictures along the way.

At Kouzzina, check in does not go smoothly. They mistake me for another party. I correct it on the way to the table. We return to the hostess desk and wait some more. They give us a buzzer so that we can wander around until our table is ready. The buzzer buzzes. They find my name, but try to seat the 6 of us at a table for 4. We return to the desk and wait some more. Finally, we're seated and eager for a great meal.

We opt to share some appetizers. Crisp Calamari and Lemon - Coated in Three Flours with Spicy Yogurt and Garlic Yogurt. Spanakopita - Traditional Phyllo Pie of Spinach, Feta, Leeks, and Dill. And some sort of grilled goat cheese served with thick crispy toasts. The calamari is the big hit. Yum.

Some of us order wine flights with our meal, like the Cat Flight, 'Cat Flight' - Cat Cora's Own "Coranation" Wines $17.00

Coranation, Sauvignon Blanc, Napa Valley - Well structured, with ripe apple, blood orange, spice and pear notes that are juicy and refreshing, with terrific focus.

Coranation, Chardonnay, Russian River - Cat Cora designed the perfect Chardonnay for her cuisine with tropical fruit, vanilla, and spice.

Coranation, Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast - Cherries, cranberries, cinnamon, clove and rose petals with clove, vanilla, and roasted pecan nuances.

Yum, yum, and yum. All good. We toast our absent sisters, Kathleen O'Reilly (joining us tomorrow), Julia London, who could not make it to conference this time, and Kathleen Givens. But the big highlight of the evening, besides the love and laughter that flows faster than the wine, is the food at Kouzzina. Once the food arrives, we all sample each others and the conversation ceases except for occasional exclamations like "OH." "Ohhhhh." and "Oh my gosh." I joke that we were having foodgasms. Yes, the food is that good. Jacquie and I have the Fisherman's Stew - Scallops, seasonal Fish, Shellfish, Fennel, Grilled Bread, and Ouzo Butter. Julie, Julie, and Dee's daughter have the Slow-cooked Lamb Shank served with Oven-baked Gigantes Beans and Pepper Sauce. Dee orders the Kouzzina Trio - tasting size portions of Pastitisio, Char-grilled Lamb Burger, and Cinnamon-stewed Chicken with Orzo, and the lamb burger was the biggest surprise of them all. Not your ordinary burger. Well worth a try.

And finally, dessert. We decide to split the traditional Baklava, and it's amazing, served warm with a scoop of pistachio ice cream. We linger and say our goodnights to Jacquie, who will not be joining us in parks. (I don't know how she could pass it up).

10:00 p.m. We fight off our urges to descend into food coma bliss and move on to Epcot, where the Cast Member (Disney employs cast members, not mere employees) at the gate goes above and beyond the call of duty to make our night extra special (I can't say more, but yay for CMs who go above and beyond). It's just after IllumiNations, and the crowds are headed to the main entrance. Epcot is open till midnight for Disney resort guests only. It's dark and the countries are all lit up and twinkling. I enjoy showing Julie O (who has never been) all the sights and she is obviously impressed, as we all are, by the beauty of World Showcase at night. But we're here to ride and Test Track awaits.

The standby line at Test Track advertises a 40 minute wait, but we don't have long to enjoy the park. We opt to break down the group to take advantage of the much shorter Single Rider line. Great idea! We're on the ride in 10 minutes. Julie K and Julie O (our first timer who declares herself scared of roller coasters) get to ride in a car together with a really sweet family. The rest of us are all broken up. But it's so fun! I love the rush of that last high speed ride around the track. Julie O says "Can we do it again?!"

But no, we're off to Spaceship Earth. The animated ending and Judy Dench narration is new to Dee and daughter, and they laugh when they see their future selves. After Spaceship Earth, we decide to wait in the long line for Soarin. It's a half hour to park close, so why not give it a go? And no one is disappointed. The wait is just about the whole half hour followed by one excellent ride (even though we end up in the bottom row). After a wonderful time, we drag our way back through World Showcase, keeping each other from falling down in exhaustion along the way, to the International Gateway, straight onto the boat, and to our beds.

Tomorrow, it's the Animal Kingdom, the big booksigning, and maybe more time at Disney Hollywood Studios at night.

Whine Sisters

Pop in and check out my other blog, the one I share with bestselling authors Julia London, Kathleen Givens, Dee Davis, Kathleen O'Reilly, Jacquie D'Alessandro, and Julie Kenner. When I'm not musing here, I'm whining there, with The Whine Sisters. Join in the fun!