Laurie's Trip to Reno
for the RWA National Conference
July 27 - July 31, 2005

Day 1:  Tuesday --

My travel day dawned bright and early when my alarm rang at 5:30 AM (Central Time).  The fact that I'd end up in the Mountain Time Zone -- two hours earlier -- by the end of my day, which by my body's clock would equate to my wake-up time being 3:30 AM -- wouldn't hit me till later.

My very gracious parents gave me a ride to O'Hare Airport in Chicago.  I had an uneventful flight to Phoenix, and then on to Reno.  Don't get me wrong -- uneventful is good in terms of traveling.  "Eventful" travel is the stuff nightmares are made of.

I got on a very full America West flight and sat down in my assigned seat next to a woman I'd estimate was somewhere in my general age vicinity.  It took us no time at all to figure out that we were going to the same conference.  She turned out to be Jennifer Smith, 2003 Golden Heart finalist in the Paranormal category.  We chatted throughout the flight and baggage claim, and promised to catch up with each other later.

After shuttling to our hotel I checked in and caught up with my roommate, Claranne from Heart and Scroll chapter.  I picked up my RWA registration packet (including about 10 free newly released books!) and we started planning out what workshops we wanted to hit.  We met up with two friends I met at the airport, Jena and LaShon, had dinner at the hotel, and discovered that of the four, three of us have editor appointments to pitch manuscripts (including me).  We agreed to get together Thursday afternoon to practice our pitches with each other.

Back to the room to call hubby and kids and wind down before bed.  As of this writing, I've been up for 16 hours.  I think I'll be crashing soon.

Oh, by the way -- I ran into Nora Roberts in the elevator -- she was saying how tiring it is crossing over several time zones and how long it takes to feel rested again.  Then I ran into Karen Kendall while picking up my registration packet.  She introduced herself and I told her that I had her new book, First Date, with me and I'd be reading it as soon as I finished the book I was currently reading.  :)

Oh, and since when do you have to pay $5 for a box lunch on a flight??  :(

Day 2:  Wednesday --

3:25 AM -- awake and can't get back to sleep.  I was asleep at 10:30 so that means I got 5 hours.  Not enough for me.  I'm a solid 7-hour-er.

Eventually, after a few more hours of fitful dozing I got up and got ready for the day.  Claranne and I went to the Goody Room and came away with a bunch of promo items donated by authors -- you name it, notepads, pens, keyrings, etc., even a few more books.

At 9:30 our Heart and Scroll chapter sponsored the awards ceremony for the 2005 Madcap contest for excellence in romantic comedy.  Six of our nine finalists were in attendance, a few brought friends, and a few sent stand-ins.  It was a fun, intimate crowd and we provided breakfast rolls and coffee.  Vicki Lewis Thompson, Nonnie St. George and Cindi Myers were our three winners.  Congratulations, ladies!

Afterward, Claranne and I rented a car and drove to Lake Tahoe.  It was something I didn't want to miss while I'm here, so I was so glad the car rental was a possibility.  It's about 45 miles to the north point of Lake Tahoe, and 72 miles around the whole lake.  We set out and it become immediately clear that driving near Lake Tahoe is very different than driving in central Illinois!  The rental car's little 4-cylinder engine chugged and gurgled up those steep foothills, and it took a little while for the tension in my shoulders to ease after gripping the steering wheel so tight!  We had to cross over some steep foothills before arriving at the lake, and the road chose to circle the hill, loop after loop, instead of going the straightforward way of up and over.  At the highest elevation point we were at 9000 feet.

Eventually we were on the down hill slide, and then before you know it, the lake was in sight -- every beautiful, clear, clean, natural inch of it.  I snapped off an entire roll of film before I remembered that shot after shot of gorgeous nature doesn't really appeal to anyone but those who were actually there -- and the photo is usually a disappointment after seeing the real thing in all its glory.

But we had a glorious afternoon, soaking in the entirely non-Illinois-like scenery for all we were worth.  We stopped at a roadside cafe for lunch, did some souvenir-shopping and a little hiking on the beach and through some trails.

 When we returned it was time for the "Readers for Life Literacy Autographing."  It's an enormous booksigning with hundreds of authors (400?  500?).  Either the publishers or the authors donate the books and all proceeds go to national literacy charities.  Last year they made $60,000 and the goal this year is to beat that.

I bought 5 or 6 books myself, and spoke to a ton of authors -- ones I admired, ones I'd met in previous years, or new friends this year.  I talked to several inspirational authors and got their take on their publishers since I'm pitching an inspirational romance manuscript this week.

The absolute best thing about the RWA conference in general, and especially the literacy signing, is the support that more "newbie" authors (like me) get from seasoned, successful authors.  They never hesitate to ask what I write, give advice or encouragement.  This year, all the authors I bought books from stopped to chat with me and find out a little about my writing accomplishments and goals.  Then, when they signed my book, they included personal notes that will inspire me each time I look at them, including:

-- "Keep on writing -- dream BIG!"  Suzanne               Brockmann                                  
-- "Huge good luck with your writing!"  Alesia Holliday

Claranne and I grabbed a quick pizza in the basement of the Hilton (have I mentioned this place is absolutely HUGE?) and then literally dragged ourselves back to our rooms and fell into bed, utterly exhausted.  I'm sure tonight I'll get more than five hours...

   Roomie Claranne, chapter mate Katherine Greyle
(AKA Jade Lee) and I

Day 3:  Thursday -                                                                                       

3:25 AM.  AHHH!  Am I doomed to awaken every day of this conference at exactly 3:25 AM?  I'm feeling alarmingly like Bill Murray in the movie, Groundhog Day!  :(

Up early -- ate the breakfast rolls left over from yesterday's Madcap celebration.  Went down to the coffee shop to stock up on java and caffeine.  I hit the PRO Retreat which was all morning long -- 8:00 to noon.  It was in a huge auditorium with hundreds of writers aspiring to be published.  (PRO, in the RWA definition means you're seriously pursuing publication -- specifically, you've completed at least one manuscript, and have submitted it to an agent or editor.)  It was a jam-packed morning with tons of star-power, award-winning authors, fabulously successful literary agents and editors who are acquiring romance at some of the best publishing houses in New York City.

Jennifer Crusie won Pro Mentor of the Year, and introduced the other author speakers.  Next up was Barbara Samuel, a multi-published, multi-RITA award winning, NY Times bestselling author.  I recently read her book, The Goddesses of Kitchen Avenue, and liked it very much.

She was excellent and I really enjoyed her message.  She was very positive and upbeat about our desire and strive to get published.  She shared her own story of her pre-publication journey and she certainly survived much adversity, poverty and doubt from others.  But she stayed confident in herself, despite 70 rejection letters.  (I don't think I'm quite there yet -- almost, but not quite.)  She gave us tips that she used to keep the faith before that contract came.  All in all, very motivating.  I was flying high and fully reminded of why I come to these conferences to begin with.

That is, until after the break.  Next up on the agenda was a panel of three illustrious agents who represent some superstar authors of the romance genre.  Without detailing who they were, let me just say that one in particular, I would NEVER work with, even if you paid me money to hire him!  He was negative, sarcastic and demeaning.  The other two were better, but not much.  The moderator read one-page submissions, along with a one-page synopsis of the entire book.  The agents each commented on the submission.  In short, they hated everything.  None of the submissions grabbed them -- they all had major problems and were unredeemable.  After the positive and uplifting message Barbara had just delivered (ie, You can do it!  Why not you??)  let's just say reality came crashing down.

Jayne Ann Krentz, another bestselling author, gave a short but interesting talk about reinventing yourself when you hit a brick wall.  Then it was the editor panel.  It was very similar to the agent panel, although the harshness was cut down a peg.  All in all, it was an informative PRO retreat, a unique experience you'd only get at an RWA conference, but an emotional roller coaster, and I came away with my mind made up that I'd much rather spend my time with authors, than agents or editors!  :)

Next was a fabulous steak and potato lunch with an absolutely yummy chocolate dessert.  Then, a really enjoyable keynote speech by Debbie Macomber. I've enjoyed Debbie's books, and thoroughly enjoyed past speeches/presentations of hers I've attended.  This speech did not disappoint, as she chronicled her long and rocky road to publication.  Rejections, discouragement, unpaid bills, hopelessness.  Until the day her call came, and Silhouette bought her manuscript which a previous agent had advised her, "Throw it away."  She urged us to write down 3 to 5 outrageous goals, and then check back with them every few years to see if they've come true.  She also encouraged us to approach our writing career with passion, patience, perseverance and faith.  There were few dry eyes left in the pavilion by the time we rose to our feet to thank her with a standing ovation.

The afternoon was free and I spent it trying to organize and outline my thoughts for my pitch tomorrow with Diane Dietz of Steeple Hill.  I feel much better about my appointment after the prep time I put in.

The evening brought the Welcome Reception, where I caught up with old friends and met some new ones.  Then the Moonlight Madness Bazaar, where local RWA chapters offer merchandise for sale.  I closed out the night making a donation by depositing $10 in the quarter slot machine, and then $5 in the video poker machine.  I mean, hey, our hotel is a casino, after all!  I have to do my part.  Hee hee.

PRAY I sleep past 3:25 tomorrow ...

Day 4:  Friday --

3:52 AM.

Okay, not 3:25 AM, but hey, let's face it -- 3:52 is not much more of a palatable wake-up time than 3:25.

And freaky.  What the heck is with this difficulty sleeping?  I never have trouble sleeping in hotels.  Weird.

Anyway, after a pleasant breakfast with some ladies from Phoenix, I attended my first workshop.  I won't detail all about it, but I did get 3 wonderful bits of information from my hour spent there:

1)  Discovered author Laura Marie Altom -- if she writes half as entertaining as she speaks, I think I'll love her books.
2)  A veteran Steeple Hill Love Inspired author was there, and in listening to her describe some of her plots, I feel better about Preacher Man not being too racy or over-the-edge for them.
And 3)  The editor I have a pitch appointment with later in the morning, Diane Dietz, was on the panel.  So I got to hear what she looks for in stories (so I could make sure I pulled those things out in my pitch to her -- hey, I don't look a gift horse in the mouth!) AND I also got to introduce myself to her after the workshop so I'd feel a little more comfortable with her when I had my appointment.

My next workshop was enjoyable -- 2 newer authors and their editor talked about the mistakes they made, and also mistakes they avoided.

After that, it was time to go to my pitch!  I sat and chatted with Sabrina Jeffries for awhile and I felt pretty calm and prepared, but of course a little anxious.  When I got there I ran into LaShon and Jena who had just finished their successful appointments!  When it was time, I was escorted into a room, along with 4 other writers.  There were 5 tables set up, each with an editor seated behind.  I found my table with Diane Dietz, sat down and re-introduced myself.  We chatted a few seconds, and I launched into my spiel.  Towards the end, I heard the moderator give me the one-minute warning.  I quickly wrapped up.  Diane asked a question or two, which, fortunately, I was able to answer.  As the time ended I told Diane that the book was written in a romantic comedy voice, and most of the Love Inspireds I've read were more serious tone.

She got a big smile and said they were pursuing romantic comedy manuscripts and had just released one in the line.  Also, I asked if the fact that they meet at a Singles Auction -- he bids on her -- would be problematic for the line.  Diane said they had one book already with a Bachelors Auction, so it shouldn't be too big of a problem, and if it was, and that was the only problem, she wouldn't let that be her deciding factor.

Then she asked me if the manuscript is complete.  I said yes -- and she smiled and handed me a business card and told me to send her the full manuscript!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!  YAY.

Then she told me I'd done a good job with my pitch, didn't appear at all nervous and I included all the pertinent information.  I was so glad to hear that.  A huge weight just tumbled off my shoulders.  When I got off the escalator I caught sight of Kathy Grill from my local chapter and I raced over to share my good news.  She happened to be standing there with Melinda Rucker Haynes who -- as coincidence would have it -- had helped me plot Preacher Man when I took an online plotting workshop two years ago.  The plot I was set on -- Melinda pointed out -- was not strong and was based on a big coincidence, which is a plotting no-no.  So, Melinda helped me strengthen the plot, I wrote the book, and here I was getting a request for a full manuscript at conference.  Melinda celebrated with me briefly, and said she got the shivers.  Hopefully that's a good sign.  :)

The rest of this banner day was spent in the company of some of the most brilliant authors in romance.  Maybe just by being in their workshops, some of their talent and savviness will rub off on me:

Day 5:  Saturday --

1:02 AM.

What the ...?  @$#%@!!  What is it about this conference that renders me absolutely unable to sleep??

I did eventually go back to sleep for a couple hours before the alarm rang, thus fulfilling my conference quota of 5 hours slumber before I thrust my sleepless self into my last, jam-packed day of conference.

My first workshop was Writing Real for the Christian Fiction Market.  The panel contained three Steeple Hill authors, all of whose work I'd read.  It was quite informative, and helped give me a clearer answer to the question, "What exactly is taboo or off-limits when writing for the Christian market?"  Overall, there are two absolutes -- no profanity (or anything resembling it, like "crap" or even "darn.")  and no explicit love scenes or physical interaction scenes.

I attended another workshop by Susan Wiggs, which was great, then one led by three editors entitled "What Editors Don't Want to See."  Remember the high I felt yesterday after the editor I pitched to said to send the manuscript?  Well -- "phlumpht!"  Back down to earth again in a hurry when an editor on the panel -- another inspirational editor at the same publisher -- gave an example of a conflict that is overdone and unoriginal -- and she listed exactly one of the conflicts I'd pitched as part of my manuscript!  I felt like slinking under a rock.

Wow, this is a tough business.  Am I going to make it or not?  At this point, it could go either way and I have no idea what my opinion is, because it changes on an hourly basis!

Susan Elizabeth Phillips gave the luncheon keynote speech and was absolutely charming and hilarious.  I really have to read one of her books, since she's such a landmark in the romance community.  After lunch I attended a workshop on the Young Adult (YA) market, led by a panel of YA authors and an acquiring editor.  I'm interested in YA and have a story idea I'd like to start when I get back so I've come to the decision that will be my next project.

I then moderated a workshop -- my volunteer contribution to the conference -- and then came back to the room to CRASH before having to get decked out in my new black cocktail dress, hose and heels for the 25th anniversary dinner and the much-anticipated RITA ceremony.

Which, as it turned out...was woefully long.  Due to the 25th anniversary they had each of the presenters arrive in a limo on stage, emerge wearing an outfit reminiscent of some time in the last 25 years, parading to and fro on the stage, while a narrator regaled us with all the highlights of each presenter's writing career, before they finally made their way over to the mike to announce the award category.  The ceremony has more categories than the Oscars, and you know how often those shows run over.  This one was scheduled to go from 8:00 to 10:30, I believe.  If so, it ran a full HOUR long.  Due to uncomfortable seating, the sheet length of the ceremony, combined with my lack of sleep all week -- let's just say I was SO ready for it to end.

Shelley Bradley, Jenna Petersen (AKA Jess Michaels),
me and Julie Kistler at the infamous RITA ceremony.

But ... my heartiest congratulations to all the worthy and talented winners.  You are awesome writers, you work hard and encourage those around you with your talent.

Well, that's it -- the blow-by-blow report of my conference trip to Reno.  Hope you enjoyed it.  If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go collapse now.

lll

Isn't that a gorgeous beach???