Another day at work...

Wah! I didn't get to write again today. Hope to in a few minutes, though. Work was super busy. Lots of catching up to do after being off for so many consecutive days. Hopefully things will calm down in a few days because I want to get home before bedtime.

Okay, review of what I got done while off...

1.) Stripped the zillion or two layers of paint off my stairs & am prepping the wood for staining.

2.) Cleaned walls & trim stairwell then painted walls & trim

3.) Cleaned all doors & trim in my upstairs & painted all

4.) Cleaned my dining room walls & trim then painted both

5.) Cleaned my living room walls & trim then painted both

6.) Cleaned out upstairs hall closet.

7.) Stripped paper off my downstairs hall wall. (still have to do minor wall repairs then paint)

8.) wrote new Blaze proposal

9.) wrote new single title proposal (still working on synopsis, though)

10.) spent lots of time with the kiddos & got them started back to school with all supplies & necessary new clothes.

11.) Cleaned my office (okay, so only partially, but you can see floor again...)

12.) Signed up to walk 60 miles in 3 days for the 3 Day Breast Cancer walk in Atlanta. (Yes, you can help by going to www.janicelynn.net & following the link at the top of my website.)

13.) Wrote an article for the Wet Noodle Posse e-zine (on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome--the new issue comes out on Sept 1--be sure to check it out at www.wetnoodleposse.com )

14.) Campaigned for the new Student Body President at Westwood Jr. High School (who told me tonight that he also got President of the Pep club. Woo hoo!! :)

15.) Went for a motorcycle ride with hubby on Friday. Great weather & we just rode the back roads. Very cool.

16.) Spent time with my parents & grandparents & in-laws.

17.) Booksigning & conference in Atlanta. :)

18.) Discovered that TWO of my kids are getting braces this month & that I could have bought a car for what that's going to cost me.

19.) Looked for new living room furniture, but haven't bought any yet. (See #18 for reason)

20.) Read several books off my TBR pile.

21.) Exercised routinely, increasing my time in prep for the 60 mile walk.

Okay, so I didn't get done half what I'd meant to, but I did cram a lot in & I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of stuff, too. All in all though, it was a much needed break. Maybe I can finish up some of these other jobs this weekend. But the main thing I'm doing for the rest of this week (besides working) is polishing my new single title proposal so it can be sent out soon. I LOVE this story!!!! :)

Back to work...

Well, sadly, my time off is over and I went back to work today. Although, admittedly, I suppose the sadness is subjective as I had a lot of "Hallelujahs!" to the fact I'd returned from patients.

I've still been preparing for the Breast Cancer 3 Day. I'm $600 toward my goal, but have a LONG way to go. For more information on how you can donate & make a difference in fighting breast cancer copy and paste the following into your browser:
Personal Page Link:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=131570&supId=142336017

I'd recap what I intended to do while off & what I did over my time off tonight but I'm too tired. It was a long day & my daughter is asking me to read "Amber Brown is not a Crayon" to her so I'm off to read.

Here's Johnny to entertain you in the meantime.

Jessie WON!!!

Okay, so the buttons & t-shirts & poster-making paid off. My son won!! He's the new student body president!!! How cool is that??? After campaigning all day, the candidates gave speeches yesterday afternoon and then the entire student body (7th, 8th, & 9th grades) voted. There were some other fab kids in the running. But Jessie found out today that he won!!!! So proud of him! All my kids really. They're great--yes, they ARE all asleep at the moment & quite angelic. ;)

Oh, and on all the campaign paraphenalia, Jessie wasn't the only candidate that did all that stuff. They all did. One girl had the cheerleaders perform as part of her speech.

I'm counting the days until I go back to work--ack! But since the kiddos are getting braces on the 29th of this month, I guess going back to work next week is a good thing. But I still have a bunch of stuff to get done first...

Big kudos to Dana & Robin

My sister-in-law & her hubby got a link up on my website www.janicelynn.net that links to the Breast Cancer 3 Day. The link takes you directly to my page so that you can follow my progress on reaching my goal. It also has a really cool scroll that shows people who've donated & in honor/memory of whom. Very cool!

My goal is $2200 & as of this moment $330 has been raised. Lots more to go, but I'll make it.

My son is running for student body president at his Jr. High school. Okay, I know I'm old & uncool, but when did a jr high school campaign require t-shirts & buttons & candy & stickers???? I asked him about this & he grinned & said I taught him too well. Oh my. I guess I didn't realize just how much he was taking in during my Vote for Jane Millionaire campaign during the American Title contest.

Witing Contests

A few friends & I are judging entries for a particular writing contest. We've been discussing rules that have changed this year from last year (yes, we judged last year, too). The rule that's bothering us is that for every score given that's not a 5 (perfect score) we have to make a comment. Don't get me wrong. I think someone who's going to judge needs to make comments. After all the entrant paid money to enter the contest. But several of my friends have said they will NOT be judging this contest next year if this rule sticks. Why should they have to justify every score that's not a perfect number when the reality is that most entries are average---not perfect.
I always give comments on anything I score that's below average & personally think that should be done. I like to give the majority of my comments in the body of the entry, with summaries of comments or trends commented on in the comments sections & if I score below average, I always put a qualifier next to that number. But to require comments behind every single non-perfect score--I have to disagree. What I see happening is lots of judges (who are volunteers) no longer judging and a few judges being overworked & being the ones whose tastes & personal preferences influence which manuscripts are finaling. Maybe I'm wrong, but from what I see among my inner circle, I don't see writers who are giving up time they could be writing being okay with such stringent rules. Many want to give back to other writers, but when contests become so picky & demanding, what happens? I spoke with one judge who said she marked higher than she ordinarily would have because she couldn't come up
with a justification for her 4s other than that the entry just didn't stand out & wasn't really anything special--just technically put together well. In my opinion that's wrong. What's going to happen is skewed scores & lots of manuscripts with really high scores to where perhaps a less deserving manuscript ends up finaling. It'll be interesting to see how many manuscripts end up with really high-ranking scores. I'm betting lots.

Just my thoughts on the matter. I've judged several contests recently & not run across this requirement being so strictly enforced in other contests. I hope this isn't a new trend. I understand that chapters & contest coordinators are trying to get their entrants more bang for the buck, but perhaps some discresion should be left up to the individual judges on what they comment on. Anyone else have opinions on this?

Where did the weekend go???

It seems like I just posted that Friday post & now it's late Sunday evening. Time just zooms by when you're having fun.

My boys had a school dance slash volleyball game Friday night. Was an interesting combo & they said they had fun.

Yesterday, hubby & I worked on our remodeling project. I worked on trying to fine tune the paint removal off my stairs. Most of it is gone from where I took the heat gun to it--amazing how it just peeled away! But there are spots here and there that need mineral spirits to come off. I got three steps and part of the landing done. Hopefully, I'll get more done tonight before crashing.

Hubby stripped off all the wall paper in our hallway--which looks more like a small room with lots of doors than a hallway. He's gone through & filled nail holes etc & doing touch-up resurfacing. The walls are masonite. It looks strange in there to me right now, but hopefully by the time we get finished it'll look great. I'm almost finished with the living room except to go buy new furniture. Once done with that I'll post a picture.

Hubby, daughter, & I went to Lowe's for more paint, another stepladder, & a hang-down rack for the garage. We did a quick detour at Dairy Queen before heading home.

Branding is being discussed on a loop I'm on. Very interesting & makes me really question how I marketed myself when Jane came out. Did I brand myself? Actually, I'm pretty sure I was branded before I did anything because of the American Title contest. It's amazing how often readers, other writers, & booksellers call me Jane. Heck, for a while my MOM called me Jane. Perhaps I should have the word JANE in all my titles.

Of all the books I've ever titled my current story is my favorite. I wrote 16 pages yesterday & 11 today on my newest story. It's one that I'd mentioned to Pamela while in Atlanta. I'm so excited about this story. It's loads of fun. It's also more research than I've ever had to do. I'm learning lots!!!

Oh, & I'm 10% to goal on the 3 day 60 mile cancer walk! Thanks to Corbette, Pigtails, Cheryl, Trish, & Patricia for making donations!!!!

If you'd like to donate/sponsor my walk, please visit https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=131570&supId=142336017

I walked two miles tonight on my training. Let's see, I have to work up to 20 miles a day...I have some work to do, don't I??? Hey, maybe I'll permanently drop that 5 pounds that keeps coming and going. That would be cool!!

3 Day Breast Cancer Walk

I need your help. Tonight I committed to participating in a 3 Day 60 miles walk to raise money for breast cancer research. As some of you know, this is a disease that has touched my life personally through my grandmother who has had two occurences, but is currently cancer free--Thank God. It's also a disease that touches me professionally. As a nurse practitioner, I've been the one to diagnose and tell a woman she has breast cancer. It's one of the most horrible feelings in the world to look a woman in the eye and tell her she has cancer. Of her breasts. To see the denial, the fear. I just can't put the emotions into words. What I hope is that you'll sponsor my walk to raise funds to find a cure for this disease.

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE give to this cause. If not by sponsoring me, then by sponsoring someone else or walking yourself. Together we can make a difference.

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=131570&lis=0&kntae131570=31FB129BD0E347668FE0FBB7143A56AA&supId=142336017

or
https://www.kintera.org/faf/search/searchTeamPart.asp?ievent=131570&team=1350235
and click on my name, Janice Lynn.

Sorry these links aren't turning out as nice as I'd like...have I ever mentioned that I'm computer challenged? Just a few times, huh. :)

Warning: You will see this message again and I'll report how the training (Those of you who know me are snorting right now. I hear it!!!) & fundraising are going.

New Blaze Proposal

Those of you who know me, know that I have always dreamed of writing for Harlequin. Temptation & Blaze are my favorite lines, although I love almost all of them. Before I started writing, it was while reading Harlequin, Silhouette, & Second Chance at Love books that I fell in love with romance. My reading is much broader based now, but I still adore curling up with a good category romance and many of my favorite single title reads are from former category authors.

Today, a new proposal went out to Blaze. :) Say a little prayer for me! (okay, now I'm hearing the ditzy twins off My Best Friend's Wedding singing this...)

I swiped this quote off my pal Debra Parmley's website and wanted to share it with you because its so true.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

- Mark Twain

& just because he's so wonderful, here's Matthew pics.

Matthew's Auction

My youngest had dental issues this morning and was put to sleep to have 4 teeth fixed. Ack. I feel like I'm working just to pay for my kids' teeth these days. The oldest & my daughter get their braces on August 29th. Fun. Fun.

I spent most of the rest of the day with him as his gopher--yeah, he played it to the hilt, but he's 7 and so darn cute that I just waited on him and foot and let him be king for the day. What's a Mom to do??? ;)

All the kids started school back on Monday. :) Woo hoo! & yet Boo hoo! too. Oh the woes of being a Mom & the way it tugs on our hearts. I *hope* to get some writing done tomorrow.

I am sooooo needing a Matthew fix. It's been a while, hasn't it???? Okay, you can tell I have been really busy because I flipping missed that Matthew was auctioning his car off for Oprah's Angel Network. & it's even my dream car...a Corvette. My whole life I've loved Corvettes & Mustangs.

Here's the info if any of you would like to buy the car for me...hint, hint...Christmas is only a few months away...Actually, it's already over and sold for $61,600, but how cool that Matthew auctioned his car. It is time for the Matthew book to be written.

RWA~Saturday...otherwise known as the GH/Rita Awards!

Saturday came way too fast during the fast-paced RWA conference in Atlanta.

On Saturday morning, I went to a few workshops, listened to an awesome keynote speech from Christina Dodd about staying on the "street of success" & then rushed off to my workshop with Brianna Yamashita & Jo-Ann Powers. I admit to being nervous. Although I've given workshops at my local chapter, other chapters, & even a few smaller RWA conferences, this was my first at Nationals. Plus, my first time being recorded. All the usual fears ran through my mind--no one would come, friends would come & think my part sucked, I'd develope laryngitis & not be able to talk, I wouldn't develope laryngitis & then I'd have to talk, you get the idea. Anna Sugden moderated the workshop--and did a mighty fine job!
Brianna had put together handouts that one of my pals said was "pure gold". Unfortunately, I didn't get one & we ran out. :( Not sure of the exact number of attendees, but obviously more than 65. :) Considering that we were going up against a fabulous PAN workshop, several great regular workshops (including one with Brenda Chin that I would love to have been at), and the GH/Rita rehearsals, I was blown away with the turnout. I've gotten lots of emails (from friends & people who attended the workshop) saying they loved it and really got a lot from it. All smiles here! The workshop (on Making the Most of Your Marketing Dollars) was a success. Woo hoo!

Went to a couple of workshops after that with Lindsey Brookes, then back to my room for a few. Kath & Beth & I grabbed a bite to eat from a hotel restaurant, then got ready for the fabulous GH/Rita Awards. The whole gang had reserved seats up front--thanks to so many of the Writers Playground being fab-o GH finalists (watch out Rita, here we come!) Only, there weren't enough seats...let's see one person per reserved seating ticket, known number of tickets given out & arrangements made for that number---uhm, there were apparently a lot of people who snuck in that weren't supposed to be there. We ended up in a new row of seats right up front but in between the stage & the screen so most of my pics are sideways shots.

None of my playmates won their category, but the Wet Noodle Posse cleaned house!! OMG! Stephanie Feagan, Diane Perkins, & Dianna Love Snell totally rocked!! I'm so proud of my GH2003 sisters. All three are fabulous writers and deserve every accolade recieved. My pal & fellow American Title finalist Laurie Kellogg won her GH category with a book that is my favorite of the one's she's written. Great emotion in that story!!

Oh, and did I mention that NORA ROBERTS was the hostess for the evening??? & she was freaking amazing!!! And Susan Elizabeth Phillips got a much deserved Life Time Acheivement award--and mentioned the Wet Noodle Posse!!!

I did, however, get the chance to get a pic with my current editor who took Kate's place. Leah Hultenschmidt is a total sweetie & has been great to work with, too. Everyone from Dorchester has.
After the award ceremony was the reception--OMG! there were flowing fountains of chocolate. I walked into the room and breathed in chocolate. Thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Yes, it was messy & we were dressed in formals, but YUM. Delish!

The highlight of my evening by far was that I got to meet Kate Seaver. Who is Kate Seaver? She's the editor who read Jane Millionaire and recommended it for the American Title contest, the editor who ultimately bought my book. Although I'd spoken to Kate on the phone a few times prior to her leaving Dorchester, I never got to meet her. I think I gushed all over her, but, people, she gave me the shot I needed and helped make my dream come true. Forever, I will adore her for that. Unfortunately, I was so gushy that I never thought to get a picture with her. That's my one regret of the evening as I really wish I had. Maybe someday I'll hae another opportunity.

After the reception, several of us changed into jeans, then hung out in the lounge area until after 3 AM. It was so hard to say bye to my California buds who were heading out early Sunday morn. :( Hard to let go when you know it'll likely be another year before you have face time again. The pitfalls of having such close friends who live so far away. All my best friends are states away. :(

The night was a major success & lots of fun. If you've ever thought about attending a writing conference, RWA is definitely the way to go!

Wet Noodle Posse rocks!!!

Lois Templin, Debra Parmley, & Janice (Lois & Debra were awesome American Title 2 finalists!)

Janice, Mary Fechter, & Trish Milburn--Wet Noodle Posse forever!!!

Lindsey, Keith & Anna Sugden--more fabulous playmates. Well, Keith is an honorary one by marriage. ;)

Marlene Urso, Stacey Kayne, & Carla Hughes--fabulous playmates!

Michelle Buonfiglio (Romance B(u)y the Book) & Janice


Leah Hultenschmidt (Dorchester editor) & Janice

RWA~Friday

Friday was just as busy. On Friday morning I attended a workshop given by Trish Milburn & Mary Fechter. The workshop was on surviving being unpublished. Of course, they had a snappier title that, unfortunately, isn't coming to me at the moment. They did an awesome job and compared writing to baseball. Starting out in t-ball, little league, minor league, & going pro. Each step of the way, you're gaining skills & experience that will see you through your published career. I've often thought of being unpublished as my educational period--like college. You put your time in to gain the knowledge needed to make you successful in your chosen career. Goodness knows I put enough educational time in for my Masters in Nursing (& my patients are thankful I did. ;) , why should writing be different? I think their point was more to take advantage of opportunity and prepublished time is an opportunity to learn.I also went to a Bantam Dell spotlight & an Avon one. The one thing that struck me as different from past spotlights is that the market trends seem to be shifting back toward historicals--westerns in particular. Several mentioned recent western purchases.

At lunch, I went with the Wet Noodle Posse to the mall's food court. Ah, finally time to sit down & chat with noodlers. We were all spread out (mostly in Atlanta Bread Company), so chatting with everyone was difficult, but I got some chat time in with Sandy Blair, Priscilla Kissinger, Mary Fechter, Karen Potter, Esri Albritten, & Trish Milburn. After lunch...I went to some publishing spotlights, including Dorchesters. Was super cool to see my pal Gemma Halliday's SPYING IN HIGH HEELS cover up on the screen. I adore this book & read it while she was writing it--let me tell you, ya need to read this book. It's fun! During the spotlight I got to see Brooke Bourneman--what a sweetie & Brianna Yamashita, who both work for Dorchester. Brooke & Brianna have both been wonderfully helpful & supportive--as have the others from Dorchester that I've met. Dorchester has some fabulous people who work there.

Rushed to my room, chatted with Kath & Beth a few minutes then rushed off to the Dorchester party. My pal Lindsey Brookes chased me down to take a picture of me in my dressy dress. My inner being came out though & the photo literally looks like a heat sensor photo in a long black dress. I'm not even gonna try to figure that one out.

At the Dorchester Party, I got to visit with this year's American Title winner Gerri Russell, Gemma Halliday, & made a new pal in Jana DeLeon (I can't wait to read RUMBLE ON THE BAYOU, becasue this lady is FUNNY! & if her writing is anything like her, she's going to be a mega star!). We shared a lot of laughter.
Michelle Buonfiglio attented the party & looked quite spiffy, but then she did every time I saw her. Next year I'm going to let Michelle do my conference clothes shopping. ;) My editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, recently got engaged & the Dorchester author went together and got her some awesome gifts & a gift card. Leah was surprised--what fun!

After the party, I was heading back into the hotel with Gerri & we ran into some friends who are also with The Knight Agency. Next thing I know, my agent grabs my arm & says to come on, that we're going to the Harlequin party over at the Ritz Carlton. Who am I to argue, right? ;) I had an absolute blast hanging with TKA & clients. We danced and laughed and had a great time. After about an hour, I ran into Kath, Tawny Weber, & Stacey Lynn & then danced with them.
We shut the party down at 1 AM, then piled in a taxi (literally) to go back to our hotel. OMG. The party rocked. Kath & I snuck back into our hotel room, trying not to wake Beth, but then we got the giggles and lay in bed talking half the night. Made me think back to Jr. High days & chatting the night away.

More RWA Conference Pics & News

Thursday was a crazy busy day at conference. Lots of workshops, lots of friendly faces. My friend Stacey Lynn sold to Harlequin Historicals on the Monday prior to conference so the Writers Playground (a group of 20 fabulous & oh so talented women) got her a Build-A-Bear named Mustang. Each time a playmate sells we have a bear made to go along with the story. Stacey's book is Mustang Wild. She's awesome so be sure to look for her book next spring!


At 3ish I met with the Wet Noodle Posse. We went to a place called Dailey's. I had just enough time to hang around for photos and then I hightailed it back to the hotel for the From the Heart get together. I serve as secretary for that chapter and didn't want to be late. Of course I was a wee bit, but only a couple of minutes.

After the From the Heart party, there were lots more. I went to the Golden Network party where I discovered my pal Terry McLaughlin (Harlequin Superromance) is quite the actress & watched as several of my pals got booted.

Some of the Wet Noodle Posse

At the National Readers Choice Awards my pals Kelley St. John & Diane Perkins both won their categories!! Here's a picture of Diane, her award, & her editor.

Ack!

My photos won't load tonight. I've saved my post & will try to load it & pics in the morning.

RWA National--continued

On Wednesday I got up and went to breakfast with members of the Writers Playground and the Wet Noodle Posse and Kelley St. John. Was lots of fun. I had pecan pancakes. Yum. Yum. Yum.

My pal and fabulous Harlequin Blaze author Tawny Weber arrived this afternoon & I gave her a small gift in celebration of her first sale--a Johnny Depp doll. Tawny seemed pleased with her gift, but I may be permanently scarred from my roommate's molestation of that doll...Johnny didn't seem to mind, though.

When first seeing my pal Lindsey Brooks I gave her a goodie I got for her back when I met Dr. Travis Stork at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Bachelor & Bachelorette auction. A personalized autographed photo. Lindsey and her reality television craze is what inspired JANE MILLIONAIRE so it's only fitting I had the Bachelor autograph a picture for her. :)

After that I went to The Golden Network's first retreat. There was a panel of agents and an editor. It was interesting and worth going to. After the retreat I hung with pals, then went to the booksigning.

My very first RWA Nationals lit signing. :) It was awesome. Even though Jane's been out for 8 months, I still sold quite a few books. It was loads of fun to finally be on the opposite side of those tables.

After the booksigning some friends of mine went out to karoake. Not me. I sooooo don't sing in public & the public appreciates this. So I went to dinner at this sports bar inside the hotel called Champion's. Good food. Good friends. Great evening.

RWA National--back home!

I'd planned to blog from the hotel each day. Unfortunately, Internet connections weren't that great at the hotel and I kept getting kicked off before I could get a blog in. Sorry about that, but I intend to make up for it over the next week by recapping my week at Nationals.

Tuesday.

I drove to Atlanta and arrived around 4 PM. Traffic was good & the weather was perfect. After arriving, I checked in to the hotel & immediately ran into my pal Gemma Halliday (who has a fabulous book coming out this week called SPYING IN HIGH HEELS--I've read this book. It's awesome & you should definitely get a copy!!) while registering. A group of close pals were hanging in the Atrium & called to tell me what I was wearing as the were spying on me from the balcony--what are friends for??? ;) After lots of hugs, we all sat around talking for a couple of hours and then it was off to The Knight Agency's 10th Anniversary party. We all met at 6:30 in front of the hotel and took two big tour type buses on a one hour cruise toward our destination. Everyone looked gorgeous in the garden party wear.

The Knight Agency is located in a wonderful area of Georgia that avoided being burned by Sherman. The buildings there are amazing, including the infamous Knight Agency. After exiting the buses we traveled down candlit lit walkways to where a tent was set up with a wide selection of delicacies. Immediately I was offered shrimp & other mouth-watering goodies. Yum!! But the absolute yummiest part of the party was the pecan pralines--let's just say that Janet Campbell & I developed an obsession for that station and devoured our share of the delicious dessert and then some. My big can-I-just-crawl-under-the-table? moment of the evening was when I was at the praline station and took a couple of pralines and then took a spoonful of pecans from the silver bowl also on the table. Apparently, those pecans in the bowl complete with serving spoon in their midst weren't really for consumption and the catering lady manning the station goes, "oh! Those are just for decoration." Ack. But since that was my only big goof for the night I figure I made out pretty good.




Glimpses of THE conference party to be at!

Friends in attendance included Michelle Buonfiglio, Marley Gibson, Diana Peterfruend, Gemma Halliday, Leslie Dicken, and quite a few others. Plus, I met lots of other wonderful people--TKA clients and staff alike. Meeting Pamela for the first time was a blast. Julie & Elaine, too. The entire night started the conference off with a bang! Fun and laughter rained supreme with conversations about furry pocketbooks and taxidermists (amongst other things) that don't bear repeating, but had me laughing so hard tears ran down my cheeks.


Janice & her fabulous agent Pamela!

So, to sum up The Knight Agency party---great food, great company, and a wonderful atmosphere. A total success--but then, how else would one describe anything to do with TKA? They rock!!!! & I'm proud to be a part of such a talented group.


Janice & friends at the party!

Tomorrow!

By this time tomorrow morning I'll be on the road to Atlanta!! I keep reading emails from friends who are attending conference & my excitement grows with each one. :) Although the conference is really a business one, I have to admit that I'm most looking forward to spending time with my writign buddies from the Writers Playground, the Wet Noodle Posse, the Agency Sistahs, From the Heart, the list goes on and on.

I'm rooming with awesome romantic suspense author Kathleen Long (Harlequin Intrigue) & Beth Burgoon (can you say 2006 DOUBLE GOLDEN HEART FINALIST??? :) )) & I know we're going to have a blast. We roomed together last year and things went great.

So many last minute things to do today--like go to work before I'm late! Ack! Plus my oldest two boys have soccer practice in just a few. Time to go!

Just 2 more days!

Until Atlanta for me! I leave out early on Tuesday morning & am meeting a friend at her house as parking at the hotel is $22 a day--ack! So, we're riding over together to cut down on costs. Every penny counts when the orthodontist tells you 3 kids have to have braces. Yep, that happened this past week. I was sick, I tell you. Fortunately, the youngest (yes, he's the one with a mouth already worth over $5K!) doesn't have to have his put on for at least a year, but the other two are within the month. Eek. I need to sell a book---or two or three or four...

Anyway, as I was saying, I leave for RWA Nationals on Tuesday morning. My itinerary is as follows:

Tuesday: Arrive at Maureen's & ride over to the hotel
Meet up with friends & visit
Got to the rocking The Knight Agency party & try not to make a hick of myself. ;)

Wednesday: Eat breakfast with a group of friends that include the awesome Kelley St. John, Kathleen Long, Tawny Weber, Stephanie Rowe, Trish Milburn, & Lindsey Brooks! Wow! With starting the day like that, you know it's gonna be a good one. These ladies ROCK when it comes to writing great books.
That afternoon, I'm attending the Golden Network's first retreat & then it's the booksigning. My first RWA national booksigning that I'm signing--I'm super excited and maybe a bit intimidated, too. I mean, Nora Roberts & Sherrilyn Kenyon & Jennifer Crusie will be there! Wow!!!!

Thursday: workshops in the morning & afternoon!
Thursday evening is the From the Heart Romance Writers party. I'm looking forward to it. I serve as secretary for this chapter & it's close to my heart as it's the first RWA chapter I joined and where I met most of my closest writing buds.
That evening I also have The Golden Network's party. This is a chapter that's for those who've finaled in the Golden Heart. In 2003, I finaled with my very first entry. Blew me away. Of course, I entered the next 2 years and didn't final with books that I thought were much better. Jane Millionaire actually got a wrong category & I entered it in the category it eventually sold in--go figure.

Friday: workshops in the morning & afternoon!
This evening is my publisher party. Last year was the first one I'd attended & unfortunately the From The Heart party was at the same time. Amazingly the parties were across the hall from each other & I zipped back and forth, but I know it took away from the experience of both. I'm really looking forward to the party this year because my pal Gemma Halliday sold to Dorchester last fall (her book Spying in High Heels is out next month, be sure to check it out. It's awesome!). I actually almost ran my car off the rode when she called to tell me she'd sold! A strong gust of wind caught my car right as I squealed & ack! I also have a get together with friends after the party. It's gonna be fun!!

Saturday: I'm giving a workshop with Jo-Ann Powers & Brianna Yamashita. Not sure how many will be in attendance as I'm usually brain dead by Saturday & often miss workshops this day...bad Janice. ;) I'm having a girl's in dinner with pals that evening & then it's the Rita/GH awards ceremony. Can't wait for my pal Tawny Weber to WIN the GH for her category. She's that awesome! & my pals Anna Sugden & Beth Burgoon are going to be duking it out for Long Contemp. I'll be the one in the crowd screaming LOUDLY. :)

I just realized that I'm missing half a dozen things from this list. I don't have any of my Wet Noodle Posse stuff listed & I'm definitely attending a couple of things with my GH sisters! But the above gives you the general picture that it's going to be a fun-filled, but PACKED week. The week always flies by.

Painting & Procrastination

So, I've finally started getting ready for RWA Nationals. It's sad to say that until today I'd done NOTHING to prepare--which is totally unlike me. Generally, I'd have planned stuff out weeks ahead of time. I'm not a color coder, but I do like to have a schedule made out & have a pretty good general idea of when & where I'm supposed to be, etc. Plus, I usually shop for clothes & a gown & such. This year--naughta. But I'm changing that today--better late than never, right??? ;) So, I've gotten 4 give-away baskets put together for the From The Heart Romance Writers dinner. I've put together the things that I'm driving to conference for friends, as well, so that everything is together & I've STARTED thinking about what I'm going to wear. I'm not panicked about gowns as I've a friend who has a closet full and if I can't come up with one of my own I can call her and bum. ;)

As I've mentioned before, I'm really excited at the prospect of meeting my agent in person. Hopefully, things are going to start happening sale wise in the near future so it's going to be nice to put a face to the voice.

On the painting front, I'm posting a picture of my not quite finished yet but almost dining room. :)

RWA Nationals is drawing Near!

So difficult to believe that I'll be packing next weekend to leave for Atlanta & the Romance Writers of America conference. Every year there is so much anticipation for this event. For many writers it serves as a mile stone. A marking point from year to year to stop and take measure of where you were the year before and where you are now. For me, this year's conference is very special. It's the first time I'll be signing books at the Literacy signing on Wednesday. Not familiar with the Literacy signing? It's a huge booksigning (I'm not sure how many authors will be there, over a hundred I imagine) of romance authors that include greats like Jennifer Crusie, Nora Roberts, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Christine Feehan, Lori Foster, the list goes on and on...This year my name is on that list. Okay, so realistically, I'll be excited if I sell 15 books when there are such greats on offer, but I'm there. It's a heady feeling. Surreal and a bit staggering when I think how long I dreamed of that moment.

There's an awesome blog started that gives lots of information on RWA national this year and has links to sites that are going to be blogging about the conference. If interested, check it out. http://www.bloggingnational.blogspot.com/

Signing off to go die...okay, so hopefully not really, but I am TIRED. Sanding & scrubbing baseboards is SOOOOO not my thing. I keep thinking "I took off work for this????" ;) Still, what little I've gotten done looks good. & hubby & my boys are home from their Buffalo River canoe trip. They did 25 miles on the river this weekend & apparently had a blast. :)

Painting & Vacationing

Well, I've finished the stairwell & the upstairs foyer--did I say that already? Not sure. Last night & today I've worked on my dining room. I'm painting it khaki with white trim. The walls are done. Just have to sand the trim work & then paint & viola! I'll have the dining room almost done. :) That should take me...okay, I'm not going to think about that since I still have several more rooms to go. ;)

After painting last night I sat up reading a good book till the sun came up. Wasn't great, but good enough that I wanted to finish it. :)

Hubby & two oldest boys are off canoeing the Buffalo River this weekend. Their canoeing in the day & camping at night. Before long the youngest two kids are going to be old enough & I'll get to go on these trips again. :) I still go on some, but not as many as I'd like. We're taking the oldest two white water rafting on the Ocoee River next month. I'm looking forward to that. I love white water rafting.

Since I know I have a lot of patients that read my blog, I wanted to let ya know that I'm taking quite a bit of vacation time over the next few weeks, but will be back to regular schedule on August 21st. Between now & then I'm working the next three Mondays and that's it. I hope to spend time with my kids, get my house remodeling finished, catch up on my scrap-booking, finish three book proposals, write a novella, get the kids' school shopping done and them back in school, and buy new furniture for my living room. No biggie. Jeeze, I bet I get that all done the first week and then I'll be bored the rest of the time---YEAH RIGHT. And of course I'll be in Atlanta the last week of July. I'm really looking forward to that since I'll be seeing friends I only see once or a few times a year. Plus, I have a booksigning & I'll get to meet my agent in person for the first time. That should be cool.


Not sure if you can make out what the plague says or not but I got this in the mail & was thrilled. It's the award for JANE MILLIONAIRE winning the 2006 Golden Quill for Best First Book. :) I also got a pin to wear on my name badge. Very, very cool!