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Archive for July, 2008
Thursday, July 31st, 2008
Today was the Faith,Hope & Love miniconference. It was good, but I gather they’re not gonna do it, at least as a “full” day because of cost next year. I’m disappointed! Some of the girls went sightseeing from there but I knew I’d be too pooped to participate tonight if I did it. Probably shoulda, though. The path to the FHL meeting took us diagonally across Union Square.
It was certainly an ordeal getting here after I wrote yesterday. The leg from Cols. to Dallas went fine, but I was THREE HOURS LATER getting out of Dallas than scheduled. Airline travel is no fun anymore. The plane out of Dallas was an airbus, so we were really crammed in like sardines. So by the time I got to SF, after lugging my overpacked-as-usual luggage, I was EXHAUSTED. It was almost dark and all I got to see was the fog rolling in and the lit-up Bay Bridge. My room is nice but it looks out on…the center interior courtyard, i.e., down on the restaurant. There’s lots of shopping around here, but I sure don’t need anything. And they’re right, it’s COLD. Jacket weather, but sunny and bright this afternoon.
Tonight was the Literacy Signing AKA the Wall o’Noise. It would have been nice to have a book to sign, but also nice being free to just stroll around and chat–except that I wore the wrong strolling-around shoes, some cute but torturous sandal-heels. By the time I changed shoes, found books I wanted, the purchase line was too long, and I know that while RWA makes a lot for literacy this way, the authors get no royalties, so I’ll buy these books elsewhere. I ate dinner with some FHL folks afterward, including two charming Aussies, Narelle and Enisa. It was great meeting them.
Tomorrow, lunch with my former writing stablemates at Harlequin Historicals, the Hussies. Once a Hussy, always a Hussie….I’ll enjoy seeing old friends–just wish they didn’t want to meet so early–7 a.m.!Then lunch with my agent, the wonderful Elaine English! Until then–
Blessings, Laurie
Tags: Australians, Elaine English, Faith Hope and Love Chapter, RWA Literacy Signing
Posted in Faith Hope and Love Chapter, conferences, writing friends | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, July 29th, 2008
Look at me, I’m blogging from the airport! I’m just sitting here waiting to board for the first leg of the trip to RWA at San Francisco, my flight to Dallas. I’ll land there and have a good Texas lunch–always good for an exiled Texan to touch down on Texas soil, even if it is only at the airport. Then it’s on to SF from there. I
I’ve already met up with one member from COFW, my local RWA chapter, Marcia Anderson. (Waving at Marcia!) I only wish she were my seatmate, but alas, she’s going earlier via Chicago. So I’ll read the book I brought, A TENDERING IN THE STORM, by Jane Kirkpatrick. I’m looking forward to that. It’s the start of an historical trilogy.
I hope to be able to post from the conference daily, assuming internet access works OK there. And now I think I’ll get something to eat before I go~
Blessings, Laurie
Tags: RWA, San Francisco, travel
Posted in RWA, conferences, travel | No Comments »
Saturday, July 26th, 2008
Last Monday night while I was at work, a crack of lightning travelled down the phone line, knocking the external box several feet from the house and rendering our phones and internet useless. This happened ten years ago or so, too, by the way, at the same location, taking out two modems and an answering machine. So lightning really can strike twice in the same place. It took out the neighbors’ on either sides’ phones, too. It was two days before the phone company was able to come, but when they did, my laptop internet and the phones were soon restored to working order. The desktop internet, for some reason, would not go back to functioning. The Embarq phone repairer worked until he was out of answers, and then it was up to my computer technician.
I’m not sure he’s going to be my computer technician any longer. Not only was he late, but when he was there it took him ten minutes, tops, to fix the problem, but he charged me for the full hour, $93.44!!!! =:O It was very clear to me, watching him work, that he merely completed the installation of a driver. I’m not sure why the Embarq guy couldn’t do it, but I do know the latter was going above and beyond in even trying. What the computer repairman–whose service shall go nameless–did in charging me the full rate, IMO, was hardly fair, especially in view of all I’ve paid him this year for repairs and installations. Not a good way to maintain good will with a customer–or a way to keep her business.
Those of you who have relatives or friends who will work on your computer for free or in some sort of barter system should kiss them the next time you see them, because it’s a resource as valuable as, say… oil! 
Meanwhile, the countdown to San Francisco RWA continues–three days! Only one more day to work, tomorrow night. May that be done soon!
Blessings, Laurie
Tags: computer repairmen, Lightning damage to electronics
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
The national RWA conference at San Francisco is this month! I’ll be leaving on July 29 and returning Aug. 3. I’ve already made plane and hotel reservations, but this is the time when I always start getting excited about planning what I’m taking. For someone who lives in shorts and jeans when I’m not in E. R. scrubs, this is a dress-up affair and I love trying to plan out what to wear what day. The new practice by airlines, led by the very airline I’m flying on, of charging per suitcase is putting a serious crimp in my style!  After all, I need LOTS of different pairs of shoes for this. The accent is on comfort–no 3″ killer heels for this woman! Of course, I always forget something essential to life–one time I forget my entire makeup supply and had to hike in downtown Chicago in 100+ weather to buy more. Having been to RWA when it was in San Francisco before, I do remember how cool it was, at least, and am bringing plenty of sweaters & blazers.
Four of us from the E.R. went down to the outlet mall in Jeffersonville Ohio for a girls Shop Till You Drop day. My particular goal was to buy some great tops for the conference.It was great fun! (Waving at Colleen, Sam, and Shawn.) Thanks for your GREAT suggestions, girls–I got some great top selection help. Can’t wait to do it again!
Next thing I’ve got to do is “plot out my dance card”–put down on a calendar page when I’m having lunch/breakfast/dinner with whom, and which are can’t miss workshops. I also need to get my hair cut and highlighted. I’m using a new stylist this time so I’m nervous…
Of course, all this preparation does eat into my writing time. I have to be firm with myself with keeping up page production in this pre-conference period.
I’d love to hear from the rest of you how you prepare for conference. Any tips?
Blessings, Laurie
Tags: airline charges, packing, shopping, writer's life
Posted in airline practices, shopping, writing life | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008
I just happened to be shopping on Amazon the other day and found they had my new cover! As soon as you’re done reading this entry, copy and paste the following link into your browser–or go on Amazon and look up HILL COUNTRY CHRISTMAS. I’d love to hear what you think!
Me, I think it’s one of the best covers I’ve ever had, including my covers when writing as Laurie Grant. The heroine is lovely, the colors are pleasing, the picture of the town looks homey and Christmasey. Now, granted, there’s more than the dusting of snow I suggested, and I doubt there’s anywhere in Texas that gets so much snow as to need a sleigh, but going for the whole effect, I’d say it’s a winner.
Hopefully soon I will get the digital image from Steeple Hill and can post it on this website, and can see what they’ve put on the back!
Hint: you can preorder this book. And to be honest, lots of preorders make authors look good to their editors…
Blessings, Laurie
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51dp-ZQLuYL._SS500_.jpg
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
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