What I did while everyone else was at the 2006 RWA conference in Reno.
1. Put on my red, floor-length, rhinestone gown and strolled down my suburban block handing out my business card to the neighbors
2. Got stinking drunk in my kitchen and told my orange cat that if he didn’t give me a bigger advance for my next book, I was walking (he said yes!).
3. Googled “rwa conference 2006” 47,693 times
4. On the 47,692nd search, discovered that Diane Gaston won a Rita (the VERY prestigious award from Romance Writers of America) for Best Regency Romance for A Reputable Rake. Of course, we at Warner Forever know her by another name (she might have written a Warner book called, The Marriage Bargain, hint, hint) …but still, we’re awfully proud!
5. “Did Lunch.” Baloney sandwiches, mostly. Leftover pasta. Went to Wendy’s once.
6. Moved from upstate New York to Philadelphia in the 100-degree heat and lost my sweet little gray cat. (Darn cat probably went to Atlanta like everyone else…)
7. Added up all the money I saved by not going to Conference, then spent it all on chocolate-mocha double scoops at Ben and Jerry’s feeling sorry for myself.
8. Thought, “well, it’s probably even HOTTER in Atlanta than here. Good thing I’m not missing this historic heat-wave in an air-conditioned hotel…”
9. Served my family rubber chicken and peas for a week.
10. Was really, really sorry I missed everyone and vowed I’d make it next year…if my cat comes back…