Laurie's Trip to NYC
Romance Writers of America Conference

Tuesday, July 15:  It's travel day!  I've been waiting for this day for months.  It'll be my second RWA national conference, and it's in New York City -- one of my favorite places in the world.  Flights were great -- luggage arrived same time I did, traveled safely to the hotel in a Super Shuttle, and despite the driver's careless interpretation of most red lights and stop signs, made it there in one piece!

The New York Hilton is strategically located in an excellent location for someone without wheels.  It's five short blocks from the southern end of Central Park, it's two long blocks from Broadway, and then two short blocks away in each direction were Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, NBC Studios, and the Ed Sullivan Theater where David Letterman films. 

After checking in and getting my conference registration packet, I went to a little restaurant called Heartland Brewery on 6th Ave for lunch.  I sat at an outdoor table on the hustle-bustle of the sidewalk and read my conference material.  I had a sandwich and 2 drinks and it cost me $33, with the tip.  Welcome to New York!

I sojourned on a walk around my part of the city -- including a trek through Central Park.  It's amazing how city people gravitate toward the only real grassy spot in town and stake their claim there.  Many people just plopped down on a towel, whipped off their outer clothes and sunbathed.

Met up with my local chapter friends for dinner -- we went to a Chinese restaurant off 56th Street.  Good first day!  Can't wait for the conference to start.  :)

Wednesday, July 16:  Spent all morning in the Metropolitan Museum of Art with Kathy and Sandy.  Loved the Arms and Armor display -- knights in shining armor and their horses' armor too -- and the Musical Instruments over the Ages display.

Took a cab to the Ambassador Theatre on 49th and Broadway and saw Chicago.  It was great!  It starred Melanie Griffith as Roxie.  She was good, although singing and dancing are not her strengths.  The rest of the cast were fantastic and more than made up for it.  Plus she looked great in the short skirt and 4-inch heels.

Sandy and I went to Rue 57 (another outdoor cafe, this one on 57th Street) for dinner, then swung by the first official event of the conference -- the Literacy Booksigning, where hundreds of authors sold and signed their books, and all the proceeds went to RWA's national literacy charity.  I believe we raised $47,000 that night!  It's a great chance to see who's at the conference, and chat with friends you met in previous years.

Then we stopped by the "Goody Room" -- donated goodies by authors and publishers, there for the taking for guests of the conference.  I walked about with probably 2 dozen newly released books.

Thursday, July 17:  And the conference begins with two workshop sessions in the morning!  Because I've been toying with the idea of targeting a manuscript to either Harlequin Superromance or Silhouette Special Edition, I attended a Spotlight session on Harlequin and Silhouette.  They were very clear about what each of the lines are looking for.

Attended the luncheon with Keynote speaker, Jennifer Crusie.  She was very entertaining.  Her main message was that we aren't writers -- we're storytellers.  Protect the story.  You're the only one who can tell it the way you can tell it.

In the afternoon I practiced my "pitch" with my roommate, Sandy, and she practiced hers.  She had an appointment with an agent, and I had an appointment with Erica Orden, an editor with Bantam/Dell.  I didn't have any monumental breakthroughs, but after we'd spent a couple hours talking about what we were going to say tomorrow in our appointments, I felt better prepared.  I only have eight minutes to dazzle her and grab her interest, so I don't want to blow it just coming out of the chute!

After our work, we went for a walk through Central Park.  In the evening I attended the Welcome Reception (where I overdosed on chocolate, and my stomach made me pay the rest of the night) and then the Moonlight Madness Bazaar, where different RWA local chapters sell their wares for fund-raising.  I bought a mousepad that reads, "I am a writer.  I will finish this book because I have the skill, talent, energy and courage to do so.  And when the demons of self-doubt rear their ugly heads, I will shout them down with words.  Because I am a writer."

Friday, July 18:  An incredibly busy day.  I awoke at 6:30 AM and hit the ground running with breakfast, then an entire morning of informational workshops.  One highlight was "Deep POV" (Point of View) with best-selling author Suzanne Brockman.  Although she tells her stories in third person, she gets "inside" the characters' heads, and narrates from their perspectives.  She calls this Deep POV.  Very interesting.

At 11:30 I went to my long-awaited editor appointment.  I think I made points with her by showing up early when someone else had skipped out.  Recognizing that she looked drained, I rustled up a cup of coffee for her (which I generously spilled on my hand, but hey -- I'll suffer for my art!).  She seemed really grateful for the caffeine boost.  Grateful enough for her to buy my book?  Ha -- time will tell.  :)  Regardless, the pitch was a success because she wants to see the whole manuscript -- YIPPEE!  Mission accomplished.

Had lunch with Karen Alaris AKA Karen Anders, who I met last year.  She's such a sweetie.  Her career is going really well with Harlequin Blaze and she's considering branching out into single title as well.

In the afternoon I did my volunteer duty and moderated a workshop about critique groups.  Despite some technical difficulties, the group did a great job, and the participants really enjoyed it.

Sandy and I ate dinner (outside again!!) at Lou's Cafe right across 44th Street from our hotel, then walked to the New Amsterdam Theatre and saw...Lion King on Broadway!  WOW.  It was spectacular.  It was absolutely incredible what they did with the sets, props and costumes.  To think that someone saw that animated movie and thought, "We can do this on stage."  Unbelievable.  And the music was phenomenal.  Loved walking home from Broadway too.  I really felt the heat and energy of NYC fill me.

Great day.

Saturday, July 19:  Attended workshops all day!  It was an exhausting schedule, especially after being up so late last night, but I kept pushing myself because after all, what am I here for?  :)  I attended several publisher spotlights, a few craft of writing sessions, and a chat with best-selling author, Nora Roberts.  She's so cynical that she's a total hoot to listen to!

This conference has really re-energized me and given me the motivation to go home and write, write, write!  I also feel a renewed determination to take control of my career by targeting my submissions a little better, ie., giving more input to my agent regarding where to submit and to whom. 

Tonight was the RITA Awards -- romance writing's most prestigious night -- akin to the movie industry's Oscars.  I got dressed up in a little black dress and heels, watched all the finalists and winners, and dreamed that someday it'll be me!  If I can dream it, I can achieve it.  It's a goal to shoot for.

Sunday, July 20:  I'm sitting at La Guardia Airport waiting for my flight, so assuming that I'll get home safely without too much incident, I'll close out this Trip Report now!  Great trip!  :)