Tag Board

Boink: Happy Weekend!
Marie: Hi all, it's wet and dreary here - hope it's brighter there.
Jeannie Ruesch: I'm thrilled you ladies are enjoying the WIP Notebook! Thanks for the comments. :)
Marie: Hi, love your colours and layout.
Pika: blog hopping.... nice header!
Hazel Quinn: Hi! LOVE your journal name. I write coz I can't help myself & want to exchange links with quality sites. Would u care to exchange? Best wishes ~Hazel Quinn
Amy: Oops! I forgot to post on Saturday! My only excuse is I was writing away from the net and it completely slipped my overtaxed mind!
Amy: Knock Off is a Desert Rose Finalist! Go Babe Rhonda!!
Pika: oohhh.... i like this
Rhonda: I'll add a feed if you tell me how :>)
Realm: hi there
Korner: blog hopping
Bits & Pieces: hello...
Caffey: Hi, can you add a feed to this blog. I'd love to put it on my google reader. Most blogs have the feeds so the blog can be read in one place. Thanks. I'm so glad I found it. Leanne, who I love to read, told me about it!
Lainey Bancroft: The Babes books are in my blog spotlight! Thanks again!
Mandi791: Hey just stopped by to say hi! If u have any more links left, would u like to exchange?
Amy: Charlotte has answered questions! Go back and read 'em.
Cheryl S.: I'm going to have to go with Charlotte Hughes also.
Maureen: Okay, my guess...Charlotte Hughes
Jonella Beauty: Hi Babes, Your blog is wonderful.
rhonda: Thanks Lainey!
Lainey: Hi Babes! I gave you a much deserved award on my blog!
Rhonda: Don't forget to run out and buy your copy of KNOCK OFF - the paperback is available wherever books are sold. KNOCK EM DEAD will be out at the beginning of March.
Amy: Any one guessing about the guest blogger? post your guess here!!
Amy: Happy New Year Everyone!
Toni: Just stopping by to check whats going on.
GK: happy new year..care to exchange link?if so let me know so I can add your link to my blog.
mandi791: Merry Christmas :) and Happy Friday to you
Lainey: Hey Babdes! You and your fabulous prize pack are the stars of my blog today. A million thank you's for the early stocking stuffed with goodies! xo
Garf: care to exchange link
Lainey: T'anks Babes. You're the Bestest!Great contest, and I thought ALL the Odes were fun!
The Babes: Congrats Lainey! Your Ode earned the most votes!!
Amy: Thank you Redstrength! I'll pass it one to him.
redstrength: Your husband sounds like a wonderful man. I thank him and you for your service to out country.
B abes: Don't forget to vote for your favorite Ode. There are seven great ones from which to choose!
Amy: Happy Halloween Everyone!
Toni : Just stopping by to say have a safe Halloween!
Peggy: I was just blog hopping and stumbled upon yours. It's great! Keep up the good work!
Babes: We're launching a contest on 10/29 - watch for details this week!
Rhonda: The Heather Graham will be here all week. PLEASE don't forget too thank Donna for her guest appearance and fabulous answers from last week! Rhonda
Amy: Donna will be answering all your questions today. Be patient
Rhonda: Hi Cheryl and welcome!
Cheryl Norman: I just discovered this blog and have bookmarked it. What fun I had "visiting" you today!
Rhonda: Heather Graham is Coming! 10/15-10/19, it's NTY Bestselling author Heather Graham Week here at BabesinBookland. Don't miss the opportunity to hear what she has to say!
Rhonda: Uber-Agent Donna Bagdasarian will be here to answer any and all questions 10/8-10/12!!!! You won't want to miss this opportunity!
corina: One reason why I enjoy stopping by this blog, is the very direct approach the authors here take. That in itself, seems to be a scarce quality this day in age. God bless.
MURPHY: HELLO
redstrength8: Great Blog!! I really enjoyed your "Lucy" stories.
lutchi: blog hoppin`, nest blog you have here, hope you can visit mine too sometimes. TC
Toni : Just passing by and decided to rest on your blog. Feel free to stop past mine too.
Pollero: Thanks Holly - we are so happy to have been honored with Journal of the Week. Babes Rock!
murphy: just stop to say hi
Holly: Hi there! Congratulations on winning JOTW!
Kerri: Just surfing through and thought I'd say HI and congrats on JotW.
MURPHY: HELLO
sparkle: Hello, I am just around the neighbourhood and dropping in to say hi to all the bravers here. Have an peaceful weekend
Melissa-V: Greetings! Just surfing through other writer/author journals. Glad to meet you, have bookmarked and will return again soon.Cheers!
Kim: Woohoo! Thank you! I'm already a big fan of hers.
Rhonda: Way to go Kim!!!! Congrats! As soon as we get the link up for Amy's website, you can contact her for your autographed book.
Kim: Is the new babe Amy J. Fetzer?
Rhonda: Nope, not Heather, but good guess
Marilyn: Is the new babe Heather Graham?
witchykitten: Just doing some blog hopping :)
medicine: good article!
Kim: Thank you so much for the books and bookbag!!
lorraine: your online journal is just too pretty :D i love it!! keep it up! tc
Kim: Woohoo!! I guessed it right!
Cheap auto insurance quote: Nice site thank you
Rhonda Pollero: Only 2 guesses, sheesh - there's free stuff at stake herre
JackieToo: I would have to say that the new babe is Janet Evanovich.
Kim: A new babe...I'm going to guess Mary Stella
sparkle: dropping by the neighbourhood to say Happy Easter Holiday
Sulome': Hello, Nice Blog! Very Amusing reading! Kindest Regards, Sulome'
LesaDragon: Ah.. ok. Can do. Ahem... Check, Check.. is this thing on! :) Couldn't resist. THANKS!!
becky: Hi Lesa - we're gearing up now - keep checking back!
LesaDragon: if you had a contest? Where would it be? and would the post title read "contest?"
star: hiii, nice blog kawaii !! ^__^ good luck to you
Becky: Thanks Corina, the Babes are always happy to entertain, amuse and sometimes pass on info that might have some value!
corina: i was amused in reading this blog...it's refreshingly candid, and in an odd sort of way: "Cute". Have a great weekend.
LesaDragon: I have seem so many, it's hard to pick just one. When I saw this question from Cherry, it reminded me of the story about the "Hot Santa" cover. :)
BARBARA REGIS: MAD WORLD BY PEPPER ESPINOZA - WHISKEY CREEK PRESS - IT LOOKS LIKE SOME CHEAP PORN
Cherry: Question of the Week!What is the worst cover you‘ve ever seen?
Rhonda: Don't forget to sign up for the mailing list and add your location to the guestmap - we'll be starting a contest soon and we don't want you to miss out! The Babes!
june: Great blog, Love thesound of the book.Sending hugs,June
Ccarla Alleyne: love Cherry's books waiting for my book club to get more of her books.
Mary Stella: This looks like great fun, but no skimping on your personal blogs! I'll add the Babes to my blogroll!

Please type in the four characters shown in the black box.

Tuesday, July 22nd 2008

10:39 AM

The Contest Lottery

I’ve been a contest ‘ho before and probably will be again.  What I’ve learned is that entering contests is like playing the lottery.  Results should not be taken too seriously.  If you win one or even get a chance to be read by an editor, that’s great, but don’t spend too much emotional or professional energy on them.  Beware:  do not allow yourself to be discouraged.  Discouragement is very bad for writers.  It’s not motivating and the most important thing you do as a writer is show up at your keyboard and write.

If you’re unpublished, you can use contests as one of several tools to get an intro to an editor.  In my opinion, more often than not, getting published requires a multi-prong approach.  Think of it as a fork.  Before you get the fork, however, you need to finish the book and get it into the best shape you can.

 

Then you’re ready for your fork, the prongs of which can represent different approaches to cracking into publishing.  One prong could be making editor appointments at conferences.  Another could be contests.  Another could be learning to write outstanding query letters (a skill I never learned).

 

Other news, wedding is over.  My daughter and her husband are on their island honeymoon.  Here’s a pic from the wedding.  So sweet and so happy.  I jumped the fence and blogged more about the wedding, etc over at www.loveisanexplodingcigar.com   Come over and comment! 

 

 

Next up, RWA CONFERENCE IN SAN FRANCISCO!  At the literacy bookfair on Thursday at 5:30pm, I think the babes are doing Babe Bingo with PRIZES!   Don’t miss it!  I’m also giving away “Scandalicious” t-shirts to the first 10 people who say to me BILLIONAIRE’S MARRIAGE BARGAIN! 

 

 

 Babe Rhonda and I are giving a workshop “Got Problems?  We’ve Got Solutions” at 4:30 pm on Thursday where we will be holding drawings.  Yes, it’s gonna be fun and amazingly productive!  So come see us!

 

I’ll close with a quote falsely attributed to Mark Twain, but true all the same.  “The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco.”  Pack your sweater.

 

xo,

Leanne Banks

BILLIONAIRE’S MARRIAGE BARGAIN  coming in August!

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Monday, July 21st 2008

12:36 AM

The Thrill and Agony of Writing Contests

When I first started writing romance novels, friends who were also unpublished, but more experienced, recommended I enter various contests sponsored by different affiliated chapters of Romance Writers of America.  We also had to prepare and enter the Holy Grail of all romance contests -- RWA's Golden Heart!

Here's some of the stuff I learned.  Judging is subjective.  Some judges commonly score high; others habitually score low.  The same entry can earn you raves from one judge, while a second judge's comments will make you feel like you suck scum on the bottom of the writing pond.

In the early days, a lot of writers enter contests for the feedback.   Often, that's worth the entry fee.  However, almost as often the judges' comments don't provide any "useable" advice.   Even someone who loves your entry and gives it an awesome score might not say, "I scored it high because you do this, this and this."

All in all, I'd rather get a low score from a judge who offers a concrete, great critique of what didn't work for her than a rave that tells me nothing.

While some contests, and there are lots of excellent ones out there, might truly help you hone and improve your writing, I think all of them help you toughen up and develop the thick skin you need in this business.   That contest judge who points out that your conflict is weak or that your characters need to be developed more like real people, isn't trying to hurt your feelings.  She might tell you something you really need to hear to polish your work before you send it to an editor. 

Once you've been working for awhile and have risen higher than a complete beginner (and finished the book!) look for contests where editors and agents judge the final round.  If your entry finals, it's like passing Go and collecting $200 in Monopoly.  You bypass the slush piles and land on an editor's desk for an actual read.  I personally know several people whose full manuscripts were requested by editors or agents because of that entry.

That's why I tried to enter contests where I had to send an entire first chapter, or first three chapters. 

Remember to hold onto the thick skin, no matter what.  I entered All Keyed Up (my first book) in a contest and received tremendous scores like 128 and 129 out of a possible 130.  The contest coordinator sent it off to an editor in the publishing house I'd targeted.

The editor hated it.  Didn't get it.  Didn't like the hero. Didn't like anything, as I recall.

But, and this is a big booty-licious but, she was only one editor.  One opinion.  Obviously another editor really liked the book or it would never have been published.

Here's my last bit of advice about contests.  They aren't the be all and end all.  Many authors never enter a contest, or enter and never final, and still manage to sell to a publisher.  Lots of people have finaled or won the Golden Heart and never sold a book.

Take what's valuable for you and leave the rest.

********************************************

Personal note:  Want to receive a free book?  I'm giving away copies of All Keyed Up and Key of Sea in my own personal Literacy Benefit.  read all about it over on my blog.  Click here for the scoop.

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Sunday, July 20th 2008

8:57 AM

Happy Dancing in Jersey

This week’s topic revolves around preparing to go to a conference. The conference everyone is preparing for is RWA National. Sadly, this year, I am unable to attend.  *le sigh*

 

I’m disappointed that I won’t be able to meet up with the other Babes. I’ll miss seeing other longtime friends and meeting up with my agent and editor. I’m bummed I’m going to miss the big Harlequin party and I’m bummed about missing out on the great workshops. BUT… I don’t have to worry about packing! And believe me, I’m one of those who spends weeks obsessing over the perfect conference wardrobe.

 

Anyway, as a way of diverting the non-conference blues, I’m going to go off topic and share some good news.

 

I JUST SOLD TWO NEW BOOKS TO HQN!

 

Yes, I’m SHOUTING! Because, I’m so EXCITED!

 

 

WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!       

 

Okay. I feel better now. 

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Saturday, July 19th 2008

10:43 AM

30 yrs of packing...unpacking....


I’m a pro at packing.  Selecting what to wear… not so much.

When we returned stateside after 6 years in Okinawa, I was fashion clueless.  You can buy beautiful brocades and silks in the Orient, but you can’t wear them.  Too hot and humid.  You’ll look like a dishrag in ten minutes.   So I wore cotton.    Unfashionable cotton.   The first time I walked into a US department story, I looked around at all the choices and burst into tears.  I didn’t know where to start and my choices were all bad.  Then a wonderful friend, Jodi Greenfelder, who loves to shop came to my rescue.  Her fashion sense is terrific, and she'd select outfits all the way down to the jewelry and shoes. 
So if you saw me between 93-96 when I was president of OCC/RWA, Jodi dressed me.  Very well too.  =)

Without her expertise, I turn to the younger sales clerks for help.  Last year, before Thrillerfest, I needed new clothes.  I asked the sales girl to pick out 10 outfits, then returned 3 days later and tried it all on.  She was on the mark because I told her what not to include, and I bought it all except one dress that looked like it came from my high school closet.  I was grateful.  I don’t like to shop and loathe clothes shopping.  My advice, work those sales people.  I’ve learned most are just itching to help you select something than work a register.

Packing 101. 

Make a list of what clothing and accessories you have and will take, and one for what you need to purchase, have altered, whatever.  A little prep work goes a long way.

Select two outfits per day for a conference and that depends on your personal schedule and whether what you’ve packed can transition from day to evening.  (Just changing jewelry, shoes, and deepening your lipstick can do that, btw)  I make certain I have a couple extra tops.  I’m a klutz, it’s a given I’ll ruin something.

Before packing, lay it out with lingerie (I forgot that once!) match jewelry, shoes, handbag, then zip lock all small items together or put them in the handbag.  If you’re taking it in a garment bag, attach the baggy to the hanger.  No guess work.

Note:  Zip lock bag all liquids because on long flights, jet pressure will cause them to leak.  Bought new?  Removing an inch of product will help stop that too. 

Jewelry and cosmetics.  I pack cosmetics, but carry-on jewelry.   Traveling over seas, I used to wear the good stuff to be certain it stayed with me.  If you have a roll up cosmetic case, unroll it and lay it like clothing, assuring liquids are protected.  Same with jewelry.  Snack size baggies are great for keeping your earrings with the necklace.  If you want to pack them, slip them in the center of your suit case, a couple layers from the bottom.  

Garments.  Pack the largest first and with the least folds.  The flatter it is, the more you can pack.  Use that uneven bottom in a rolling suitcase to your advantage.  If clothes dip, fill it with lingerie.  Lay slacks and jackets on the bottom, shirts on the left (the right for heavy stuff, see below) and use all corners to tuck in lingerie, hose, and shoes.  Wrap the shoes in plastic wrap individually, that way you can put them in odd spaces and those silk shoes will be protected.

Now this one is just my thing…
Pack heavier items on the handle side of the suit case.  That way, when you stand it up, its less likely to fall over.   Its bulk settling at the bottom that makes them tip and towing it be easier.  If packing a duffel bag type suitcase, heavier items go in the center for balance when carrying it, but even distribution is always better.

Don’t pack outside pockets of a suitcase, save the space for the return trip goodies.

To discourage anyone from opening your suitcase, when you check in for the flight, ask the airline attendant to put airline logo tape over the zipper in 2 strips in 2 directions, then sign where the tapes cross.  Bad people won’t even try to tamper with it.  

Unpacking.  If its possible to do it in your hotel room, unpack.  That way, you're not rummaging through a suitcase and can dress faster.  It makes the stay less stressful.  Take an hour to press it all and hang it up.  Saves time when you're in a rush.

Sharing a room.   If you have a room mate, a little consideration goes a long way.   You're sharing the cost equally, so don't dominate the small space.  It smacks of Prima dona and can ruin your trip    and the friendship.

Imo, nothing is worth losing a good friend.

Also, you're roomies, not joined at the hip.  Different schedules, goals, appointments, friends, etc.  If your roomy has to be somewhere at X time and looking lovely and you don't, get out of the way or help press clothes.  Not a problem for me, I'm 'Marine wife' fast and can be ready for public viewing in under 30 minutes.  Pretty damn handy with an iron too.

Lastly, bring play clothes, comfy stuff.  Most often, it’s a half dozen writers in one room, late at night, chatting, and comfort is heaven after a long day of networking.  

Have a good weekend Babes and Bloggers. 

I cannot wait to see your faces and play!!!   

AMY



 

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Friday, July 18th 2008

2:50 PM

babes at rwa

Babes Blog – RWA prep

 

Hurray, hurray, for RWA J

 

I missed last year’s conference for family reasons, so this year I am really psyched about going.  And stressed. Psyched. Stressed. Psyched. Stressed.

This is my first year teaching a workshop – through the Beau Monde’s all day historical mini conference on July 30th.  I’ll be teaching how to (easily) add paranormal to your historical novel.  I’m up against medieval food, so my class may cut out early, lol.

I don’t mind talking in front of people, so that part is okay.  I just want to make sure that I have the right amount of amusing material so that people aren’t bored.

We’ll even be making our own love charms.  It will be fun.  Or awful.  What if nobody comes?

 

Psyched – stressed. 

 

AND this is my first RWA book signing for literacy.  I am really looking forward to being a part of something so big and wonderful.  The problem is that it got so big that it outgrew being wonderful. I wish that everybody who wanted to be a part of this fantastic fundraiser could be, and I hope that RWA corrects this issue and makes it happen for next year.

 

The cool news is that I will be sitting next to Gemma Halliday – I’ll definitely be getting a signed book for Trena!  But I’m very nervous – what if I don’t sell a single book?  What if, like what happened for my signing tomorrow, the books don’t ever leave the warehouse? Psyched and stressed – well, stressed is totally winning.

When I’m stressed, I can’t do anything.  Literally.  I veg in front of the television and watch Rock of Love reruns.  I worry about things like if Brett Michaels will ever really find his true love…because it’s much easier than worrying over packing and hemming and ironing.  Or studying for a flawless workshop.  Or – wait – write, lol.  I am a week behind schedule on my current W I P.

 

I can’t be stressed – I just don’t have the time for it! Which means I need to dig deep for my Psyched reserve so that I can get some projects finished before leaving on Monday.  I will have everything done.

 

Sunday by midnight

 

See you there!!

 

Traci

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Thursday, July 17th 2008

8:03 AM

In the heat of the (RWA packing) moment . . .

                                                       

RWA. One small rectangular suitcase. So many, many pairs of shoes. And handbags.

What's an accessory 'ho to do?

Well, one thing's for sure: I do not make charts or graphs or spreadsheets, color-coded or not. Charts and graphs and spreadsheets are sort of against my religion. They take all the fun out of things!

So, picture me shuffling into the bedroom with its bright purple accent wall, two hat-racks loaded with purses of every size, shape and color, and more purses hanging on the backs of the double doors. We won't mention the three other shelves of purses in the closet, because that might start to get embarrassing.

I enter the bedroom and then veer right, stopping at the two large bookcases, each loaded with ten shelves which are, in turn, each loaded with four pairs of shoes. By my calculations this means that there are eighty pairs of shoes alone just on these shelves. We won't mention the whole rack in the closet, or the large bin in the closet, because that, again, might get embarrassing.

Anyway.

So the little kid in me brightens as if I've just entered a candy store with a hundred dollars to spend.

The responsible adult in me (yeah, there is one, believe it or not) cringes at the array. The responsible adult growls that I should get a life, that I could probably own a small piece of real estate for all the $ I've spent on shoes and bags. I could also be sponsoring starving families somewhere instead of indulging in this crass consumption.

But back to the little kid, who wants to take every shoe on the shelves to RWA, along with a bag that somehow coordinates. And then maybe a scarf or necklace to tie it all together?

Clearly, this little kid needs to be disciplined.

Fortunately, given my mania for accessories, I'm not that creative when it comes to the actual meat and potatoes of getting dressed. I own a lot of solids in pants/skirts/tops. So I start there: generally with something black. Eventually other solid things get pulled out and tossed on the bed, possibly on top of the cat.

Then I get to move on to my favorite part, the dessert of dressing for a conference, so to speak. With difficulty, I try to choose no more than five or six pairs of shoes. It's tough because the evening ones are so much fun: the ones with blinding sparkles, say, or multi-colored discs attached to the toes. The ones with the heels that looks like lightening bolts. The ones that have the dangling silver charms. 

Now it's bag time! Can I take the bag that looks like a '56 chevy, complete with tail-lights and metal door-handle? The one in the shape of a watering can? The teapot? The high-heeled shoe that zips down the center, given to me by my friend Joan? Or maybe the bag shaped like the nail-polish bottle or that other cool one that looks like a rotary-dial phone . . .

Can you see the dilemma? Okay, I stop way short of asking you to feel my pain.

So after all of this stuff is assembled, I see if it will mash into the one suitcase. If it won't all fit, then I have to start discarding things. Of course, this causes great anguish.

Finally, the cat jumps out of the suitcase where it's gotten buried again. It glares at me. It shames me. I mean, the cat walks around every day for all of its nine lives only getting to wear ONE cat suit. And no cool shoes or bags!

I try to gain a little perspective from this. I put away at least twenty selections that are completely unnecessary. I throw in a couple of pairs of Spanx, thinking resentfully that the cat doesn't need those either . . .

I zip the suitcase. The cat saunters off and scratching sounds coming from the general direction of her litter box communicate what she really thinks of me and other humans who get to change their human suits every day for fun and profit. 

And there's a smug look on her face when she emerges: no matter what I end up packing for RWA, I will never have a tail to flounce, like hers.

Happy Thursday from me and the cat, Karen

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Wednesday, July 16th 2008

8:40 AM

To Pack, or Not to Pack . . .

First, sorry about last week, I was on a family vacation and was asked (begged, actually) to stay off my cell and off my computer.  It was a long 12 days - I think there should be some sort of patch you can put on when you have to go technology-less cold turkey. It was harder than I thought.

I've often thought it would be a great idea ito just pack nothing and tell everyone the airlines lost your luggage - waaay easier.

On to the wondrous topic of Conference packing prep.  I go to conferences for different reasons.  RWA, for me, is a social function.  It’s an opportunity to share face time with buds I only see once a year.  It’s also an opportunity to meet with my editors and my fab agent - have I mentioned recently that she negotiated one hell of a deal for me lately?  Love Donna Bagdasarian.

I digress.  I have a ‘packing list’ on my computer.  I have one for cold weather and one for warm weather.  I also have duplicates of almost everything, I learned to do this in 1994 when an FBI agent was speaking to a chapter I belonged to and he said his team always had their ready bags at hand.  I didn’t know what he meant, so I raised my hand and asked what a ready bag was.   He said it was pre-packed necessities so all an agent would have to do is maybe add a coat and sweater or switch out short sleeves for long sleeves.  My ready bag has all of my hair stuff (you’d never know it took so many products to make such average looking hair, did ya?) combs, candles, robe, p.j.s, socks, hose (though I haven’t worn those suckers in a long time), Clorox Hard Surface Spray (a MAJOR must) shoes that go with conference gear.  I ALWAYS have blank FedEx shipping labels - get an account, it’s free, they charge your credit card and will show up anywhere to make a pick-up.  I hear UPS does this too,  whatever one is fine.

Then I color code a sheet with my daily appointments and decide what I’ll wear to each thing, then I make a color-coordinated list and hit the closet.  Now here’s the terrible part . . . my husband does the actual physical packing for me.  I swear the man could manage to fit a polar bear in a sandwich baggie!  I always ship my promo stuff to myself at the hotel - just address it yourself, Print Guest in large letters and date of check-in), then the hotel’s address.  Now if you’re really feeling organized,  include a return shipping box (folded flat) and a return shipping bill so you can send things home.  Anything that weighs a lot gets shipped, especially since I’m already paying the 2 bag and overweight charges.

My biggest problem is packing to go home.  Super Bob isn’t there to help me.

And no, I don’t shop pre-conference unless weight gain/loss comes into play.  The only thing I must have done are nails, toes and hair.  It doesn’t seem to bother me that people have seem me in the same outfit 5 years running, but one white hair or chipped toenail polish is a huge thing.

Happy Packing!

 

Rhonda

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Tuesday, July 15th 2008

10:52 AM

carpal tunnel tulle

Hi from Weddingland!   I'm off topic today because I'm up to my eyebrows in tulle.  I learned something new this week.  Fluffing bows can irritate carpal tunnel syndrome.  Never knew that.  Also do not possess the fluffing bow skill set, so I'm hoping people won't look at the satin and tulle suckers too closely.

I loved Mary's post about packing.  I do panic packing the night before a big trip, but I'm going to try Toni's method this year.  She actually makes a spreadsheet with every event she will attend and plans her clothing, purse, shoes and jewelry for each appointment.  What makes this trip a little more difficult is that it's to San Francisco.  How can a girl look summery when she's wishing she had her knee socks!

Oops I hear my bows calling.  I'll leave you with a couple of pics.  The first features three generations of brides wearing dresses made of toilet paper.  Yes, that's my mom, my daughter and me. 

And here's the romantic cover for my upcoming August Silhouette Desire, BILLIONAIRE'S MARRIAGE BARGAIN!  More next week!

 

xo,

Leanne

www.leannebanks.com

 

 

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Monday, July 14th 2008

12:45 AM

Conference Prep . . . Any Week Now

Continuing our conference themed topics, this week we're talking about "A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Conference".

All I can think about is that a couple of nights ago, a friend hit me up in IMs and asked if I was ready to go.

Huh?  It's still two weeks away.  I have not yet begun to prepare. 

Do people really begin packing days and days ahead of leaving for an event?  I know it's a big conference and all, but it isn't that difficult to put clothes, shoes, accessories and toiletries in a suitcase, is it?  No matter what the trip, I never pack until the night before I leave.  Most of the time, I have to wait for the last load of laundry to finish in the dryer so I can depart with the freshest, cleanest underwear.

Granted, I've begun musing about which clothes to take.  My wardrobe for a writers' conference moves several steps up the style scale from my daily work clothes.  (For those who don't know, during the day I work for a nonprofit dolphin facility in the Florida Keys.  My professional attire consists of a staff T-shirt, shorts, sandals and sunscreen.)

I've actually purchased a couple of new outfits.  Not that I didn't have enough clothes in my closets, but it's been awhile since I went to the RWA Conference.  I wanted a few new dresses.  Nothing wrong with that, right?

The new purchases make it really easy to organize myself for the eventual packing to come.  Some were purchased online, so as soon as I received them and tried them on, I folded them neatly and put them on the bed in the spare room.  That's where I do my serious packing.  When I finally get around to doing it.

For those of you who think I'm taking this entirely too casually, I'll let you in on a little secret.  A few days before I leave, I suddenly go into a massive obsessive state about my wardrobe.  I'll think over and over and over again about whether I've selected enough clothes for every day of the conference.  Then I'll worry about how many pairs of shoes I need.  Tell myself a dozen times that this is one of the few times in the year when I have to wear some sort of hose.  I remind myself again and again not to forget about some fun party clothes for the evenings, the semi-formal outfit for the awards ceremony, and enough casual-but-nice togs just in case.

Here's a tip that I recently taught myself.  When I have selected all of the clothes that I need, I pick one additional "just in case" outfit.  You know -- just in case someone spills a pitcher of salad dressing on me at lunch; just in case I snag my trousers on something and rip out the seat; just in case . . .  Fill in the blank.

One more tip:  I always through in an extra pair of contact lenses, too.  Just in case.

Right now, I'm cool, calm and collected about the whole thing.  In two weeks I'll be darting from closet to closet pulling out jackets, dresses, tops, skirts, and pant suits.  Even after I zip up the suitcase and am on my way to the airport, I'll worry whether I've forgotten some vitally necessary article of clothing.

My friends who planned in advance probably won't have that worry.

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Sunday, July 13th 2008

9:53 AM

Networking -- Recommended Reading

I’m not copping out, I swear. But this is another one of those instances where being the last to post on a topic means having nothing more to add. My fellow Babes have covered everything I would have touched on regarding Tips on Attending a Conference and then some.  

 

Instead, I’m going to zone in on one word: Networking. As a somewhat shy person, that word used to make me cringe. Then I stumbled upon a fantastic book and realized that, by just being me, I was actually pretty darn good at networking. That book is:  Power Networking – 55 Secrets for Personal & Professional Success (By: Donna Fisher and Sandy Vilas). Here’s what they offered that helped me to put networking in perspective.

 

Networking is not:

Ø      Selling

Ø      Using people strictly for your gain

Ø      Coercing or manipulating someone to do what you want

Ø      Putting friends or associates on the spot

Ø      Badgering people about your business

 

Networking is:

Ø      The process of gathering, collecting, and distributing information for the mutual benefit of you and the people in your network

Ø      The genuine expression of interest in others and the willingness to contribute and support them when possible

Ø      Giving as well as getting information

 

You get the drift. And that’s just a teeny fraction of what this book has to offer. I’ll leave you with that recommended reading as well as my overall tip on attending any conference.

 

Be gracious, genuine, courteous, and above all, generous. Expect nothing in return and you’ll be rewarded tenfold.

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Saturday, July 12th 2008

11:10 AM

Conference Boot Camp


The Babes have offered RWA conference boot camp in their tips.  Read & heed, that's years of experience. 

 “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”  Attend with a goal in mind, however small.  

I have a goal to be reacquainted with my friends.  I’m finishing a book and want to enjoy female company for a change.  Yes, the testosterone level has been rather high around here  in Ooh-Rahh land lately.  I need an estrogen fix. 

Go to Learn.  RWA has everything a new writer could want.   With 100 workshops, it’s a writer’s heaven.  Get excited about all this information you have at your fingertips, without learning it the hard way like most published authors.  

Don’t make an editor agent apt. without having completed a book.  It’s a waste of their time and nothing productive will come for it.  if you don't have something to sell or for them to buy, then you are steps away from agents and editors.  If you already have an appointment, then follow Leanne’s suggestions and ask questions, get to know the editor’s tastes.

Don’t gossip in public.  Nuff said.  The walls have ears.  And it’s about 2500 women in one area.  You do the math.

Volunteer.  My first several conferences I volunteered in registration and the goody room (back when we got tons of books to open)   I met my first fan in the NYC Goody room.  (Hi Leslie!)  Working side by side for 3 hours, we laughed and chatted, then took a break for formal introductions.  To hear someone say they read your work and loved it to the point of screaming was a moment I’ll never forget.

Mind your manners.  If you don’t know professional etiquette, read back on some posts.  Or get a book on it.  I’m surprised at how many people think interrupting a private conversation to gush is appropriate.  The opportunity will come again, if not, drop a note.  Published writers have goals too and you might be interrupting one.

Ditto on Mary’s post, if you want to be treated like a professional writer, then act like one.  Published or not,  Book 1 or book 20, I’ve seen multi published NYT sellers act like perfect over blown artists they think they are.  Trust me, the stories follow them.

Dressing the part... I have seen writers show up to workshops in clothes I'd wear to wash the dog.  Sloppy tee shirts and shorts are not professional attire.  Leave it at home.  You don't have to  go all out with suits, but if its something you throw on daily, it doesn't belong at a conference.  (shoes, the exception)  Drag out the good stuff, get dolled up.  Step out as a professional glad-to-be-here writer.  Acting professional means taking every part of your writer life seriously.  Care enough to look your best.  

Promo overkill.  If you have a new book or your first coming out, its okay to be excited, but its not to force it on everyone.  I’m not a promo bunny and never will be, so probably why it annoys me to no end to have material shoved at me when we are all writers, all with books in stages. 

You’re singing to the wrong chorus. 

This last one is a bone with me....

Writing in the lobby, in a bar….  with a laptop or whatever.   I see this a lot and don’t get it.  You paid all that money to attend a national conference to sit in a lobby and look artsy?   You are not impressing anyone.  In fact, it smacks of an amateur.   Writing in the corner of a your local coffee shop is not the same as RWA National conference.   Leave the laptop in the room, and get out there and network! Introduce yourself, even with a name tag!  The possibilities are endless.

Most of all.... have fun! 
See you there!!!

 Amy

P.S. Don’t forget the SF marathon is running conference week and it will be very crowded, expect delays!

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Thursday, July 10th 2008

8:40 AM

Conferring about Conferences

 

                                                               

Ha. You want conference tips from moi? I don't think so!

I am the author most likely to smile at my publisher with a spinach leaf between my front teeth. I'm the author most likely to snort wine out of my nose or catch my heel in the Grand Ballroom carpet, flail wildly and expose my Spanx to the romance fiction world.

It's entirely possible that I will sneeze at a lunch with my editor and the padding on the left side of my WonderBra will shoot out and land in her soup.

A lot of people tell me that I don't look like the type to embarrass myself at a conference, so let me remind you once again not to judge a book by its cover or its author by her suit.

Here's the best advice I can give you regarding conferences: don't make all the mistakes that I've made over the years.

Don't run up to your favorite Big Dog Author and babble at her uncontrollably until she starts to gently mock you. "So, we're like sisters, is that what you're saying? Yeah, I can see that . . . " said one NYT Bestseller to me, rolling her eyes at her companion.

Now, the companion in this case was yet another NYT Bestseller, whose work I actually hadn't read. So foolishly I blurted out that fact, as if to say that I'd love to be embarrassingly worshipful of her, too, but gee, she wasn't important enough in my idiot world.

HEAD-SLAP!!!

Oh, but here's an even better one. Please do NOT turn to an internationally reknowned author with a fixed social smile and ask her how long she's been writing romantic suspense . . . when she doesn't! Fortunately this author thought my faux pas was quite funny and I eventually stopped squirming long enough to pass her the butter.

And here's another of my favorites: don't confuse one author with another. I once had a thirty-minute conversation with a woman whom I was convinced was somebody else entirely.

So. Try to maintain your own dignity at conferences even if I can't.

I do actually have a couple of useful tips, though. DON'T CRASH PUBLISHER PARTIES TO WHICH YOU HAVEN'T BEEN INVITED.

DON'T BRING YOUR PROPOSAL OR MANUSCRIPT TO A CONFERENCE. Don't chase anyone with it, don't slip it under a bathroom stall to an editor and for God's sake, do NOT have it delivered to an agent's hotel room.

DO be professional, polite and try to learn everything you can from workshops and people you meet.

DO send thank-you notes to people who go out of their way to help you.

DON'T get desperate and think that this conference is your only or last shot to impress someone in the publishing world. There are always other conferences and new people to meet.

That's about all I have to offer, but God forbid that I should end on a serious note.

Finally, though this business of trying to get--and stay--published makes all of us a bit crazy, don't have a meltdown and streak through the conference. Yep, you'll get edited that way: someone will throw a jacket over your nudity. You'll get an agent, too--a law enforcement agent, who will come and forcibly remove you from the facilities!

Happy Thursday, Karen

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday, July 8th 2008

8:00 AM

My Fave Conference Tips

I’ve been to 17 or 18 national conferences.  Here’s my best of the best tips:

 

Try not to check into the hotel the Wednesday of the mass booksigning.  Long Line city!!!!  If you do, make the best of it and make a new friend.  In fact, it’s likely that you will be stuck in a line at some point during the conference, so take the opportunity to make a friend.

 

Take business cards.

 

Before the conference, study the workshop brochure and make a special note of the workshops you most want to attend.  Make a schedule for yourself with an alternative workshop if the first one doesn’t deliver, but be flexible. 

 

There is little wisdom in the advice “We can sleep when we’re dead.”  I know that national conference is like a giant candy store, but the truth is you need to plan for some downtime.  You’ll be in better shape to absorb all the good stuff if you take a break (nap).

 

Try to meet at least one or two new people.

 

Editor Appointments:

 

If you’ve completed a manuscript, scheduling an appointment with an editor is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your career.  I consider the editor appointment the best bang for your conference money buck.

 

Study the line for which you want to write.  Read some of the books edited by the editor with whom you’re meeting.

If you don’t want to pitch, ask questions instead.  Suggested questions:  What recent acquisition has really excited you?  What do you love about it?  What’s your dream submission?  What are you sick to death of seeing?  What do you feel isn’t working?  What is your turnaround time?   After those questions, give the editor your card and say “I’ve written a book for (name of editor’s publisher).  May I send it to you?”  I have NEVER been refused.

 

Come and say hello to me at the Literacy Bookfair and drop into the Brainstorming Workshop Rhonda Pollero and I will be presenting.  We will not only be dispensing gold nuggets of information, we will also solve problems and hold drawing for giveaways.  What’s not to love?!

 

Xo,

Leanne Banks

www.leannebanks.com 

 

 

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Monday, July 7th 2008

12:12 AM

Useful Tips from Conference Veterans

 

It's conference month for various writers.  Thrillerfest kicks off in New York City this Wednesday.  At the end of July on the 30th, Romance Writers of America holds its annual conference in San Francisco.  (I'm going, as are most of the other Babes and I can't wait!)

I don't know about the thriller writers, but we romance writers go full tilt at the national conference every year.  Workshops start early in the day and the publisher parties and cocktail lounge gab fests run late. 

 As a friend once told me, "We won't trash the hotel, but we will close the bar."

Publisher spotlights, author chats, editor/agent appointments, book giveaways, annual general meeting.  Wow, what an itinerary.

It can be a little intimidating for a first timer.  Hell, it can intimidate anybody unless you're a confirmed extrovert.    If you counted up all of the conferences attended over the years by all of the Babes, I'm sure the number would run into dozens and dozens.  We're veterans, for sure, so this week we're offering up tips for making the most, or at the very least surviving, your conference experience.  Even if you never plan to attend a writing related event, the hints should serve you well at almost any professional gathering.

You're going to meet a lot of people at a conference.  This is a good thing.  Writers can be pretty entertaining conversationalists.  You can also network like crazy and make a lot of terrific contacts on all levels -- editors, agents, other writers, potential readers, someone to design your website or help you with promotion. 

There are endless opportunities to make a memorable impression.

It's your job to make sure that people remember you with a smile and not a groan and exaggerated eye-roll.

Here's my number one tip:  Be friendly and be nice.

You'd think that would go without saying, but I've seen people behave with almost complete lack of manners and common sense.

Greet people politely.  Engage strangers in conversation.  If you see someone who needs a hand, offer to help.  Invite someone to join your table at lunch.  Hold the elevator for the person rushing to get in. 

Don't bulldoze through a crowd of people to launch into conversation with a big name author, even if she is your number favorite of all time.  Those people have as much right as you to stand there and you might just have knocked the author's mother, editor, agent and two best friends on their butts.

Don't cut in front of people waiting in line at one of the free book giveaways.

Don't talk about yourself as if you are the most talented author to walk the earth since Nora Roberts.  Nora doesn't talk about herself that way, so you have no business doing so.

Don't trash another author's book while you're sitting at the bar, or anywhere for that matter.  The person next to you might be her editor, critique partner, or good friend, and she just read your name on your name tag and commited it to memory.

Don't complain about your publishing house, editor or agent at the bar either.  If you aren't yet published, don't complain that this or that editor or agent just can't appreciate your talent and that's why he/she didn't sign you.  Trust me, the complaining will come back to bite you on your butt.

This is a professional conference.  You're supposed to be a professional.  Act like one.  That's a given.  Act like the nice, pleasant, friendly person you are.  That's a plus.

Enjoy yourself!

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Sunday, July 6th 2008

9:14 AM

It's a Gift

This week we’ve been discussing hidden talents and skills. I don’t know about you, but I’ve gotten kick out of reading the other Babes confessions. It will be hard for me to look at Traci now without envisioning her spitting watermelon seeds.

 

I have to say, where artistic talent is concerned, I’ve been blessed. I’ve made my living for more than thirty years as a professional entertainer. I can sing, dance, act, choreograph, write and direct. I didn’t go to school for any of it. Mostly it comes naturally and is honed by watching and learning from peers. It’s the other side of my brain that was gypped. I am the living opposite of Rhonda. No memory. No skill with gadgets and gizmos. Why can’t I have it all?   No, wait. I could do without Mary’s talent for killing flies with a ballpoint pen. Ick.

 

Anyway, as far as hidden talents go, I can’t think of any.  I do however have a bizarre talent for NOT being able to screw on a cap or lid properly. That extends to NOT being able to open a package (like a potato chip bag or cereal box) without mangling it.

 

Check any bottle in my house. The laundry detergent, the seltzer water bottle, the peanut butter jar. If the lid is screwed on crooked, I was the last one to use it. Ditto on the various mangled box-tops and the broken zip-locks on the deli bags. My husband continually comments on this bizarre quirk. How do you do that? How can you NOT screw the lid on straight? How can you destroy every package?

 

I honestly don’t know. It’s a gift.          

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