So far this morning

Did I tell you this hotel is a maze with multiple towers and to get from the fourth floor parking area to the lobby, you must press 8?

After making myself be---ootiful, I went to the goodie room to stock up Macie's give-aways (she was still sleeping and you know the old saying to let them lie...). Then I went to the car to see if by some chance the camera was there (Rich says he couldn't find it in the apartment) - negative. I'd noticed the goodie room had fliers for several groups, so I went back up to my room to get PLRW contest fliers and then back down to the goodie room to set them on a table. Then down to a cafe for breakfast - line too long. Then back up to room for cheese and cracker snack so I don't pass out over Angela James of Samhain.

I should weigh much less when this is over.

I am going to the AGM - won't talk about RWA secrets on this blog - but will give you the atmosphere of meeting.

Well, Macie! It's about time you get your lazy butt out of bed. Let me tell you what I've done already this morning......

P.S.

Macie's still asleep - damn her - she's snuggled under the covers. She was a good girl last night and didn't embarrass me in front of the Liberty ladies. Let's see if she can maintain this level of decorum through the rest of the conference.

Up Very Early

My internal/infernal alarm clock has me awake and if I went back to sleep now....well, let's just say I would miss a lot.

I'm not going to hear Janet Evanovich this morning. I love her books but I heard her speak at MWA. I'm going to the Rogue Digital session (www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com) instead. There has been a lot of discussion about the parity (or lack thereof) between e-books and print.

RWA has made some changes in the eligibility standards for the RITA and the Golden Heart (you'll have read about that on the RWA Hot Sheet that just went out) but there are still questions.

I'm going because my novella will be an e-book and my next novella will be an e-book. I want to hear what the next step in the digital book process will be. I know I'll be missing one of my favorite authors...and breakfast...but this could be, may be, hope it is...my future.

Good Night

I just got back to my room after spending 2 hours with the ladies from Liberty Speaks - enjoyed the company much more than the food. And the merlot was good, too.

Now I'm taking my tired old self to bed - lots to do tomorrow - including selling PLRW's "Got Muse?" nightshirts at Moonlight Madness.

Literacy Signing

What can I say, but it was huge! We were lined up outside these large doors (in the bowels of the hotel) - hundreds of us - and then we slowly filed inside this very very large room (I would say huge again but it would be redundant). It gave me chills. I mean it - hundreds of writers and hundreds of authors and thousands of books - chills.

I was a good girl and only bought 6 books. I got two of Anne Stuart's just because I adore her writing and her spirit - nothing seems to get her down and I told her so.

I've received so many comments about my First Sale ribbon - it's wonderful to have that.
Macie keeps nudging me to tell them about her book and I do. I think Macie will stop nudging me soon and I'll just babble about it.

I met a mother/daughter team: Nat and Lynn from Alberta, Canada. Lyn, the mom, says she's along because she's the financial support for her daughter, the writer. But it looked as if they were both having a blast. BTW: Lyn and Nat look like sisters. Lyn is 39 - she could be my daughter! Nat's blogsite is www.nataliemurphy.blogspot.com - so stop by and say, Hi.

A beautiful drive down. A rocky beginning with the hotel and the internet - but that was solved.
And one Bud Light with lime - and I'm feeling fine.
Going to meet Charity and the Liberty group at 8 PM.

From RWA National

First problem: Left camera at home - so no pics on blog. Sorry - but check out other blogs for them. I will have pics, I hope, from the disposable camera I bought in the gift shop - will publish them later.

Second problem: Needed and IT guy to make my laptop talk to the hotel's wired internet. My laptop has only been used to wireless. But he was a cutie - big guy with beautiful dreadlocks.

Macie put her stuff out in the goodie room - well, actually goodie rooms - two separate guest rooms since all the bigger rooms are spoken for. Some of her stuff is already gone and she has a bunch of business cards already for the drawing - prize is a $25 B&N gift card. She made me wear this button she made - about her book.

So far I've seen Nisha and Deanna, Dianne and Jim, Charity, and Shirley Hailstock. I think I almost ran into Eloisa James in the elevator - I think. There are a lot of people, but they were taking walk-in registrations, so maybe not as many as other years.

And BTW: Google maps sucks! I stopped following their directions and the hotel was around the corner.

Going to shower and change and go to the literacy signing. I already have 6 free books.

Blogging RWA National

I haven't left yet - still at work. But I think I have everything I'll need-except for the wine - getting that after work. Then I'll finish packing, make sure the cats have food and water (Uncle Richard is coming in to feed and play with them while I'm gone), clean the litter boxes and water my outside plants.

I want to be on the road early. Maybe, if I'm very lucky, my room will be ready when I get there. I read that a large convention was leaving the Marriott today - so it's a possibility.

I'm taking two suitcases - one for clothes and one for the promotional stuff for Macie Carter. I mean, that girl can be a royal pain in the tuckus. She whined to me that she doesn't have nearly enough space in her car, so could I be so kind as to schlep her crap down to D.C. Yep, I'm a sucker. I'll be schlepping around for old Macie a lot the rest of this week. BUT I will have an empty suitcase to bring back tons of FREE books.

I promise to take pictures and post them on this blog.

And go to www.bloggingnational.blogspot.com. Julie told me they would have a link to me, but it's not up yet. But I will be here, blogging my little black heart out - if I can only get Macie to shut up! Did I tell you she was a pain in the tukus?