tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76283098220451126042024-03-14T05:14:43.450-04:00Anne Barton's Writing JournalAnne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-4583679256658938192012-07-18T22:26:00.000-04:002012-07-18T22:26:01.336-04:00July - the month in random pictures<span style="font-family: Calibri;">So, July started out with a <em>derecho</em>, which is apparently the
meteorological term for a crazy scary storm with gigantic hail and 80 mph winds.
We lost power for three days—three brutally hot days with no AC, running water
(we’re on a well), or *sob* internet. But that wasn't the worst of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No electricity meant no <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">this</i>:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiUFHeGfATAqy7hAjEO5xxAcmUrrnNUi8zaeNR53abW_uZ8SqCzND5HGPUMMHPTP_Q-_4jA5WsEzhppyWmAW0Coe6nlTLFNj9EX3kWz2U8fT3Sa89nLcErroLZapGmO0XrfTDvkgAOmk/s1600/flatiron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiUFHeGfATAqy7hAjEO5xxAcmUrrnNUi8zaeNR53abW_uZ8SqCzND5HGPUMMHPTP_Q-_4jA5WsEzhppyWmAW0Coe6nlTLFNj9EX3kWz2U8fT3Sa89nLcErroLZapGmO0XrfTDvkgAOmk/s320/flatiron.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Without a functioning flat iron (which, incidentally, I
consider the most important technological advance of the last century) I could
scarcely leave the house.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a
testament to my pioneering spirit that I muddled through . . . <em>and</em> turned book
2 into my editor on time before heading to the beach with the family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The beach was so peaceful and laid back, we felt like we
were 300 miles away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh wait, we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">were</i> 300 miles away. As you can see, the weather was
iffy:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBheZWvKxG6oQmM0_FEHc4bsFLRzdowAFLki9RxP0N9vqiRdwRg1icDJeZ9aJQfFErDE6W62jQM-a3kLKz6-f6kpzdm_ZB77x72VcGASwdgxkk54cHGX1jfkw9n48mnvk9OdNlbDlFw/s1600/storm+cloud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2PBheZWvKxG6oQmM0_FEHc4bsFLRzdowAFLki9RxP0N9vqiRdwRg1icDJeZ9aJQfFErDE6W62jQM-a3kLKz6-f6kpzdm_ZB77x72VcGASwdgxkk54cHGX1jfkw9n48mnvk9OdNlbDlFw/s320/storm+cloud.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rain was a bummer. On the bright
side, the week was blessedly free of derechos. Plus, rain showers meant
more time to visit to one of my all-time favorite beach destinations: the
<a href="http://www.islandbooksobx.com/" target="_blank">Island Book Store</a> in Kitty Hawk, where I picked up these:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRYzzBixCm_-rc9pyiCdbY3UzvBL6VSBLKI0_CrKdqMgCE6bvosKzk72miQSI_9Q7nGoQyKe7-_JuQUqqnMmhzTTGpo35vi9SBePWbiCEhlv9CKnjrpT2G2ldMCkGVk8wDc9LBd2j8lg/s1600/beach+reads.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNRYzzBixCm_-rc9pyiCdbY3UzvBL6VSBLKI0_CrKdqMgCE6bvosKzk72miQSI_9Q7nGoQyKe7-_JuQUqqnMmhzTTGpo35vi9SBePWbiCEhlv9CKnjrpT2G2ldMCkGVk8wDc9LBd2j8lg/s320/beach+reads.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I recommend them all. Love these authors!</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And as long as I’m recommending things, I should add <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">these</i> to the list:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mrbeuL5dslI9NkQhGj3b96fxm5MP82yepd1b9V8g4MlRM0zgED0T5kRcUpn2fN72JIy7TvseQnQmZCwZZlCUeLrd0MGyMT7jnXWJ_C-LoLL0ORmRwV5IBMRXZExci4R21Fl134dj2BI/s1600/minis.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6mrbeuL5dslI9NkQhGj3b96fxm5MP82yepd1b9V8g4MlRM0zgED0T5kRcUpn2fN72JIy7TvseQnQmZCwZZlCUeLrd0MGyMT7jnXWJ_C-LoLL0ORmRwV5IBMRXZExci4R21Fl134dj2BI/s320/minis.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anyway, we had a great time, and the trusty mini-van got us back home.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> N</span>ow, I'm in the midst of prepping for
RWA’s annual conference in Anaheim.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you may know, here on the blog I have a long-standing tradition of writing
detailed accounts of my harrowing awards ceremony dress shopping experiences.
This year, however, the process was relatively drama-free. I went to one store,
tried on five dresses from the clearance rack, and walked out with two. The whole trip took an hour.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe6zipc0aozX8cIxHvXmZx2AGA7GQ2yhsMUd5nRx77LsWwMO8oR9w9CUS3fyMyMK2IE0aF1tXtupQRzyVl3I5yQSlawDBEGxMnkJcWjOyQ4mzOx0D1I53WBOPMLHFHnX-qAVn_9RYVrc/s1600/coral+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVe6zipc0aozX8cIxHvXmZx2AGA7GQ2yhsMUd5nRx77LsWwMO8oR9w9CUS3fyMyMK2IE0aF1tXtupQRzyVl3I5yQSlawDBEGxMnkJcWjOyQ4mzOx0D1I53WBOPMLHFHnX-qAVn_9RYVrc/s320/coral+dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPozzBI2QR6VHzM9N4odl1lXEvFYq4tIqK0dt7jsyTnM75McEGO3IcHj7qFm_0_4jmlZKgEWFUVRvE0lUxn4AUhnvnJlGBTL6rmqFYEbVBaVq66TF2CO-qPJHour1hlAMXyqAgWnNXMb4/s1600/pink+dress.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPozzBI2QR6VHzM9N4odl1lXEvFYq4tIqK0dt7jsyTnM75McEGO3IcHj7qFm_0_4jmlZKgEWFUVRvE0lUxn4AUhnvnJlGBTL6rmqFYEbVBaVq66TF2CO-qPJHour1hlAMXyqAgWnNXMb4/s320/pink+dress.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Awesome, . . . except. A successful shopping trip makes for
a dreadfully boring blog post. But never fear! I feel certain that I shall be able to deliver
more dressing room drama in the future.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Earlier this week I also made my annual (okay, more like
quarterly) pilgrimage to my happy place:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHofLIOlUQnFeaPo69RQuhlCv2K6qCLCmmuEPatpGSCcA2er923uZYM1kUCDr09TDbQBKPF2jUxCTcNHajpKnRZqcklZ4RPh4MztuBypHf5Me3eOMa-o4Ugfjmz6ZV6s4qz8PzpBhIQWk/s1600/dsw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHofLIOlUQnFeaPo69RQuhlCv2K6qCLCmmuEPatpGSCcA2er923uZYM1kUCDr09TDbQBKPF2jUxCTcNHajpKnRZqcklZ4RPh4MztuBypHf5Me3eOMa-o4Ugfjmz6ZV6s4qz8PzpBhIQWk/s320/dsw.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I got two pairs of shoes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, three if you count these:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n2oPKEAthGiyAi1ATaPeR5M-lemM5CiAyCV1FV1dyUsj1nW-eaz-N_39SXk2rCd0WVJ9MZXBX_ENo38WETiuONIbc_OwgX-nIzytqWHcLmS4RnEh4vhCHSGFthnM6ZgxGVS-21uvW8k/s1600/luggage+tags+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1n2oPKEAthGiyAi1ATaPeR5M-lemM5CiAyCV1FV1dyUsj1nW-eaz-N_39SXk2rCd0WVJ9MZXBX_ENo38WETiuONIbc_OwgX-nIzytqWHcLmS4RnEh4vhCHSGFthnM6ZgxGVS-21uvW8k/s320/luggage+tags+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">These should work with a few conference outfits:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkTK0o_NbS-ubM5zLF2NkwgLwFWRLBs9eI06i_kAZkvRM-SXc8UBCxw81EYDJ03NVelJtPsDw6jzoBndYbrFV22yp2hM-fAz9h1GX1HdiqkcGg8iNUVn9yf1aef-41CfvShMmF9uHs_U/s1600/silver+shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkTK0o_NbS-ubM5zLF2NkwgLwFWRLBs9eI06i_kAZkvRM-SXc8UBCxw81EYDJ03NVelJtPsDw6jzoBndYbrFV22yp2hM-fAz9h1GX1HdiqkcGg8iNUVn9yf1aef-41CfvShMmF9uHs_U/s320/silver+shoes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other pair is practical and *cough*…comfortable. We’ll
leave it at that. Avert your eyes. No photos, nothing to see, move along, folks.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And now that RWA is almost here, I’m really excited. This is
my first conference since selling and even though my book isn’t out yet, I’ll
be at the Grand Central signing on Saturday from 12 to 1:30. I might even get
to sign and give away some ARCs:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRhysA491GF5gATWO57f66qKp17hajAxIESzr2kkih1DIMuDo75t6-nejv-cQIaoOBEq1Rz26hWJhS6uToefMa2qZPfqqkQmOhZ0GCTGtXzoKan95XsM3WXhg_o82ZW78TjRjfofmT-k/s1600/ARC+%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRhysA491GF5gATWO57f66qKp17hajAxIESzr2kkih1DIMuDo75t6-nejv-cQIaoOBEq1Rz26hWJhS6uToefMa2qZPfqqkQmOhZ0GCTGtXzoKan95XsM3WXhg_o82ZW78TjRjfofmT-k/s320/ARC+%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And I have lots of shiny new bookmarks to hand out:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfM9NxlgRHdJ7DuOKdknkTrgjwltCm5kDyX-fd0Xpqe7Qw9srNSSN9pXr13GI6eJOh1mJRinqisu3fqfR3NakbYGc8QHcoJIHkTkKRBKKB9XPhV84chjovBfqDvNAExykSViObE9YRo/s1600/bookmarks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_xfM9NxlgRHdJ7DuOKdknkTrgjwltCm5kDyX-fd0Xpqe7Qw9srNSSN9pXr13GI6eJOh1mJRinqisu3fqfR3NakbYGc8QHcoJIHkTkKRBKKB9XPhV84chjovBfqDvNAExykSViObE9YRo/s320/bookmarks.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think all that’s left to do is pack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Well, that and a marathon hair appointment
on Friday. Seriously, I've already warned my kids they're on they're own for lunch <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> dinner.)</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">If you’re going to RWA, you’ve probably seen the packing
lists and videos with expert packing tips. My advice? Don’t stress about it.
You’ll be fine. As long as you have this:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiUFHeGfATAqy7hAjEO5xxAcmUrrnNUi8zaeNR53abW_uZ8SqCzND5HGPUMMHPTP_Q-_4jA5WsEzhppyWmAW0Coe6nlTLFNj9EX3kWz2U8fT3Sa89nLcErroLZapGmO0XrfTDvkgAOmk/s1600/flatiron.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiUFHeGfATAqy7hAjEO5xxAcmUrrnNUi8zaeNR53abW_uZ8SqCzND5HGPUMMHPTP_Q-_4jA5WsEzhppyWmAW0Coe6nlTLFNj9EX3kWz2U8fT3Sa89nLcErroLZapGmO0XrfTDvkgAOmk/s320/flatiron.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-67820336429326044112012-03-31T19:45:00.004-04:002012-03-31T20:54:30.215-04:00Meet Anabelle...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiyBU2V2hXa7YEN_1mDjvVncbfIPLmOaNqSr0wZuCgx98Y4ptfZClQt7hJlSSrZi9LVHGXoGFZ85faU7GA6_yoG4BsP5URklwMoe8t95mzm7OHhwdsIOvxVPVp96E9j1ATBvW4CFaNfU/s1600/WSWW+final+cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; width: 248px; height: 400px; text-align: center; display: block; cursor: pointer;" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5726211898419780434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeiyBU2V2hXa7YEN_1mDjvVncbfIPLmOaNqSr0wZuCgx98Y4ptfZClQt7hJlSSrZi9LVHGXoGFZ85faU7GA6_yoG4BsP5URklwMoe8t95mzm7OHhwdsIOvxVPVp96E9j1ATBvW4CFaNfU/s400/WSWW+final+cover.jpg" /></a><br />I'm so excited to share the cover for my debut novel! I just LOVE it. I think I need to bake cookies for the entire team at Forever Romance. *happy sigh*<br /><br />I know. I've been a bad little blogger--I'm sorry! I'll catch you up on all the latest right now.<br /><br />First, you probably already noticed my catchy new title--WHEN SHE WAS WICKED. I like that it has the same sass as PROPER MISS'S GUIDE TO BAD BEHAVIOR and hints that Anabelle is up to something. In case you're wondering, the scroll she's holding is her List of Nevers--things she vows NEVER to do. But she may end up doing a few...<br /><br />Second, the release date for WHEN SHE WAS WICKED is (drumroll, please) . . . January 29, 2013! A couple weeks before Valentine's Day. How sweet is that?!<br /><br />Third, I've made plans to attend RWA Nationals in Anaheim this summer. I'm rooming with the fabulous, talented Lisa Connelly, who probably has no idea that my hair products alone take up half of the bathroom counter.<br /><br />Lastly, the wonderful Frauke at CrocoDesigns is working on my new website. I can't wait to see what she creates for me. I think this is what a Regency debutante must have felt like after she visited the modiste and was waiting to see her ballgown... Except with a website, blessedly, there's absolutely no danger of my butt looking big.<br /><br />In the meantime, I'm posting news on my new <a href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/annebartonauthor">Facebook author page</a>. This morning I had only 11 Likes, and now I'm up to 37. (Only 36,309 more to go to tie Lisa Kleypas. Woot!)<br /><br />Anyway, I think that's all the news. I'm hard at work on the next book, which features Anabelle's sister, Daphne. Everybody <em>thought </em>she was the good sister, but it turns out she has a few secrets too...Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-69490813826314185422011-12-07T15:58:00.006-05:002011-12-07T22:17:39.855-05:00Keli's Cover!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSaVJkJu2BCa6h94-SQzcdlgetgvJNIswJYBjuirx4Tpm0R27-GNeKllybJIc-OnGMsbRDG7IVYpmGStcWywsj6NPcx0zGVnoyXRyxjt5NDqp5_VUSLlBJ3USjL78ApwxwpYt6qwdbEg/s1600/keli%2527s+cover.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 262px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5683498572078108194" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWSaVJkJu2BCa6h94-SQzcdlgetgvJNIswJYBjuirx4Tpm0R27-GNeKllybJIc-OnGMsbRDG7IVYpmGStcWywsj6NPcx0zGVnoyXRyxjt5NDqp5_VUSLlBJ3USjL78ApwxwpYt6qwdbEg/s400/keli%2527s+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>My wonderful friend and critique partner, Keli Gwyn, just got the cover for her debut novel. Isn't it BEAUTIFUL?</div><br /><br /><div>Keli is an amazing writer, and I'm so excited that her book will be on the shelves in a few (okay, about six and a half) months.</div><br /><br /><div>Keli is one of the nicest people on the face of the planet. Find out for yourself by visiting her <a href="http://www.keligwyn.com/Home_Page.html">website</a> or <a href="http://keligwyn.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, liking her <a href="http://www.facebook.com/KeliGwyn#!/KeliGwynReadersGroup">Facebook page</a>, or <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/keligwyn">following her</a> on Twitter.</div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-23962992101452585002011-11-27T21:16:00.010-05:002011-11-27T22:51:36.515-05:00Goodbye, Lucky Writing Chair<div><br /><div>So, it turns out that I'm rough on furniture--chairs, specifically. Allow me to present Exhibit A, my writing chair for the past year.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLy7I0dkTRUqlFqEuiGdkKoh-wPMMuzK_ApdqNXIIn-cAqHRMIsLJfgrq0vhMfJacQ0x6PSWUlHMOMkQdvq570H5g2PEZV_9TrSR4RUUGEG9CeWz3RiVRaVdh3fufXVACa978-gDlB-s/s1600/old+chair.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679888588723188706" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLy7I0dkTRUqlFqEuiGdkKoh-wPMMuzK_ApdqNXIIn-cAqHRMIsLJfgrq0vhMfJacQ0x6PSWUlHMOMkQdvq570H5g2PEZV_9TrSR4RUUGEG9CeWz3RiVRaVdh3fufXVACa978-gDlB-s/s320/old+chair.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><div>It was in perfectly good condition when I took it from the dining room to replace my old desk chair, which looked a lot like the one above, if you can picture it with a leg falling off.</div><br /><br /><div>I know, it's not pretty, but this is bound to happen when you log lots of hours at the computer, right? You mean it's just me? Oh.</div><br /><br /><div>Anyway, I knew the chair was looking shabby, but it still functioned. It had been with me through a couple of manuscripts, supporting me in good times and bad. It might have even been a little lucky. (<a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2010/04/come-on-lucky-seven.html">Not that I'm superstitious.</a>) We writers can't just toss aside something as important as a chair without giving it serious thought. Right? Just me again? Huh.</div><br /><br /><div>Well, today my husband and son surprised me with an early Christmas present:</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7c595NNcHM_aRKH8hWny0SMaXTWTPnl7f_7U70Sc7Be2VCbgdY5OVggGGHqMa_jqwaJ4KUM1GjMsma01CJZ_PB4cDd9urrx22N_ab0fplmYajQJxEireBAA7rjjyq8Rlj7NHMVNk5l4/s1600/new+chair.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5679884892445821298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ7c595NNcHM_aRKH8hWny0SMaXTWTPnl7f_7U70Sc7Be2VCbgdY5OVggGGHqMa_jqwaJ4KUM1GjMsma01CJZ_PB4cDd9urrx22N_ab0fplmYajQJxEireBAA7rjjyq8Rlj7NHMVNk5l4/s320/new+chair.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>I was very touched. And very skeptical. I mean, it's so <em>pretty</em>. A chair this perfect is like a heroine without a flaw--lacking character. This is not some fru-fru decoration for a showroom. I need something tough (obviously.) </div><br /><br /><div>But seeing as my husband braved the mall on the weekend after Thanksgiving, I figured the least I could do was give the new chair a try, so I did.</div><br /><br /><div>I'm happy to report that it's surprisingly comfortable. It doesn't rain little bits of foam on the floor each time I stand. Best of all, it has some decent mojo. I got my daily words done, no problem.</div><br /><br /><div>So, I'm saying goodbye to my old lucky writing chair. Here's hoping that the new one is just as lucky.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div>And a whole lot tougher than it looks.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>What do you think? Want to take bets on how long the new chair will last? What's your lucky item?</strong></div></div></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-64255664544565804482011-09-30T00:00:00.001-04:002011-09-30T21:13:48.657-04:00Shhhhh!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAoiC49u6Qu2oITDLCixalkTxjB27b5laAq-oTtD3Jm0jDlig6gVORQei3MGKpqQ-JNKmtGyIsfnbOVWMrooafXMzy7PDEMrVtlgv9_E0pOI6ycYYgCpbE_SsXIBhUnw5_CZsH6y_dCc/s1600/card+catalog.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 214px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657976918834991938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrAoiC49u6Qu2oITDLCixalkTxjB27b5laAq-oTtD3Jm0jDlig6gVORQei3MGKpqQ-JNKmtGyIsfnbOVWMrooafXMzy7PDEMrVtlgv9_E0pOI6ycYYgCpbE_SsXIBhUnw5_CZsH6y_dCc/s320/card+catalog.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div>I'm hosting a free-for-all Friday with the Rubies today! The topic: <strong>libraries</strong>.</div><br /><br /><div></div><br /><br /><div>Remember flipping through library card catalogs? How about reading journal articles on microfiche? Ah, those were the days. Pop over and share your favorite library memory for a chance to win a Barnes & Noble gift card!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/">What's Your Favorite Library Memory?</a></div></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-84115784494999308282011-07-23T21:51:00.009-04:002011-07-23T22:49:49.907-04:00My Notes from 2011 RWA NationalsWithout further ado, my notes from RWA:<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALI4BEVJNf3eqEsOmVQtX5iULaCT2Fy_xyjz7Ad3i6ovVN_0_r7xJ3xPZ_cUhfgrxj8pg0pCgogmMB8pxsONb9Rp_I3o_CAwE0CCgx1GCrZ4Pr4yVhSV-cNJFwLp-W7egG94voRKoR8A/s1600/photo.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 299px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5632731123551407138" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjALI4BEVJNf3eqEsOmVQtX5iULaCT2Fy_xyjz7Ad3i6ovVN_0_r7xJ3xPZ_cUhfgrxj8pg0pCgogmMB8pxsONb9Rp_I3o_CAwE0CCgx1GCrZ4Pr4yVhSV-cNJFwLp-W7egG94voRKoR8A/s400/photo.JPG" /></a><br /><strong>The Golden Network Retreat</strong></p><br /><br /><p>The retreat consisted of two editor and agent panels. There was lots of talk about e-books and how they’ll affect the publishing industry in the long-term. There was not a consensus. In fact, there was the <em>opposite</em> of a consensus. But here are some panelists’ comments on the topic, as scribbled in my notebook:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>E-book royalty rates will evolve</li><br /><br /><li>Book piracy seems less prevalent than music piracy</li><br /><br /><li>E-publishing is working especially well for short fiction (novellas and short stories)</li><br /><br /><li>Authors should strive to be successful in all the streams of media</li><br /><br /><li>Authors should make e-books part of a combined strategy (i.e., publish a novella at a low price before making backlist available electronically)</li><br /><br /><li>When publishing with an electronic-only press, it’s especially important for authors to have a solid online presence</li><br /><br /><li>E-books won’t replace print any more than TV replaced movies</li><br /><br /><li>But format does matter</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Regarding self-publishing:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Authors should be careful of how they price e-books and avoid undervaluing their work</li><br /><br /><li>There are 700k self published authors on Amazon; only a handful sell more than a few thousand copies</li></ul><br /><br /><p>Agent <a href="http://www.maassagency.com/agents.html">Donald Maas</a>, on successful novelists:</p><br /><ul><br /><li>They have something to say</li><br /><br /><li>They write stories that grab readers by the gut or the heart </li><br /><br /><li>They come from an authentic and genuine place and give a unique perspective</li></ul><br /><br /><p>On the role editor/author partnership (from various panelists):</p><br /><ul><br /><li>The editor is the author’s advocate</li><br /><br /><li>The editor wants to set the author up for success—that means matching the offer/deal with what’s going to happen in reality</li><br /><br /><li>The goal is to get an accumulation of titles on the shelf, each story better than the last</li></ul><br /><br /><p><strong>The Opening Session</strong></p><br /><br /><p>The featured speakers were Steve Berry, Diana Gabaldon, and Tess Gerritsen. I'll be honest, I haven’t read any of their books. After hearing them speak, I can’t <em>wait</em> to read their books. The session was riveting and my note-taking sketchy. (I’d like to get the <a href="http://www.rwa.org/cs/conference_recordings_and_handouts">conference recordings</a> and listen to the whole thing again.) Here are a few highlights:<br /></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.steveberry.org/">Steve Berry</a> wrote for 12 years and received 85 rejections before he sold his first book.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>He compared promoting a book to running for president and recommends writing thank you notes.</li><br /><br /><li>When asked about the impact of e-books, he said that publishing is just getting bigger, and this is nothing new: the earliest writing was on stone, then clay, papyrus, and paper . . . and the next medium is ones and zeros (e-books).</li><br /><br /><li>The weirdest mail he ever received was from a woman asking him, “Do you sweat when you write?”</li></ul><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.dianagabaldon.com/">Diana Gabaldon</a>’s bestselling novel, Outlander, was her “practice novel.”</p><br /><ul><br /><li>She classifies characters as <em>onions</em> (3-dimensional characters with lots of layers to peel away), <em>mushrooms</em> (characters that pop up as needed and then walk out) and <em>hard nuts</em> (historical characters who are tough to crack).</li><br /><br /><li>She has 3 rules for writers: (1) read--so you can know what you like and what you don’t; (2) write; and (3) don’t stop.</li></ul><br /><br /><p><a href="http://www.tessgerritsen.com/">Tess Gerritsen</a>, who's also a physician, likes to throw a mystery at herself (often taken from the headlines) and see what develops.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>She says that readers want to know secrets.</li><br /><br /><li>She comes up with an intriguing scenario and lets organic things happen. </li></ul><br /><br /><p><strong>Workshops</strong></p><br /><br /><p>Here are a few of my favorites.<br /><br /><em>What Would Joss Whedon Do? Using TV Tricks to Write Snappy, Funny Dialogue -- presented by <a href="http://www.mollyharper.com/">Molly Harper</a>.</em> I loved this workshop. Lots of great examples and tips for writing fun dialogue. Rather than recount them all here, I’ll refer you to the <a href="http://singleundeadfemale.blogspot.com/2011/06/as-promised-my-rwa-presentation.html">wonderful slide show</a> that Molly Harper generously made available on her website.<br /><br /><em>Uniting Plot Structure and Character Arc – presented by <a href="http://storymastery.com/">Michael Hauge</a></em>. I admit it--I’m a fangirl, particularly of his DVD, <em>The Hero’s 2 Journeys</em>. I like to watch it every time I start a new story. It’s like referring to a recipe before you start throwing random ingredients into the pot.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>A great story requires the heroine to make two journeys.</li><br /><br /><li>The outer journey is her pursuit of a visible goal. It’s a journey of accomplishment and it defines the plot.</li><br /><br /><li>The heroine’s inner journey is a journey of transformation, where she goes from living in fear (her identity) to living courageously (her essence).</li><br /><br /><li>Hauge also has a <a href="http://www.screenplaymastery.com/structure.htm">six stage plot structure</a>. Good stuff. </li></ul><br /><br /><p><em>The Historical Romance Market: Advice from the Pros – presented by <a href="http://www.victoriaalexander.com/">Victoria Alexander</a>, <a href="http://www.stephanielaurens.com/">Stephanie Laurens</a>, and Lauren McKenna.</em> I never miss a chance to hear Victoria Alexander or Stephanie Laurens speak. They are such talented, warm, and generous authors. They fielded questions from the audience--here’s a sampling of their wit and wisdom.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>When asked about trends in the historical market, Victoria A. said “Victorian Vampires have a lot of potential. Not for me, cause I like a man who can go out during the day.”</li><br /><br /><li>Things that piss her off: “Extensive internet charges at hotels and stories without end.”</li><br /><br /><li>Stephanie Laurens said the Regency period is so popular because it resonates with the modern audience. It was a time in history (as now) when men and women could marry for love, marry for obligation, or choose not to marry.</li><br /><br /><li>She said the average age of marriage in Regency England was 24.</li><br /><br /><li>"Gnomes and trolls aren't sexy."</li><br /><br /><li>Her advice on creating good conflict: "What pleases the heroine should piss the hero off. And vice versa."</li></ul><br /><br /><p><em>Writing the English-Set Historical – presented by <a href="http://www.jobev.com/index.htm">Jo Beverley</a> (in a lovely English accent).</em> Jo Beverley is another generous and talented author. Her presentation was geared toward helping North American writers avoid mistakes with English history, language, and culture. Much of the information is available on her <a href="http://www.jobev.com/engmenu.html">website</a>, along with other excellent resources. She advises writers to somehow explain dark-haired dukes, as the aristocratic gene pool is neither swarthy nor dark. And they don’t have much chest hair either.</p><br /><p>I thought this chart was fun and helpful too--American terms translated into proper English: </p><br /><ul><br /><li>Britches = breeches</li><br /><br /><li>Vest = waistcoat</li><br /><br /><li>Sidewalk = pavement</li><br /><br /><li>Block = street</li><br /><br /><li>Fall = autumn</li><br /><br /><li>English muffin= crumpet</li><br /><br /><li>Gotten=not used (avoid!) </li></ul><br /><br /><p>*phew*</p><br /><p>Just typing these notes has made me nostalgic for Nationals in New York City. Sure, there was the rat on the sidewalk that scampered a little too close to my toes. And that guy on the train who tried to walk off with my suitcase.</p><br /><p>But mostly, it was writing friends, informative workshops, passionate late-night discussions (fueled by wine), and endless inspiration.<br /><br />Three-hundred sixty-seven days till <a href="http://www.rwa.org/cs/conferences_and_events">Anaheim</a>. Hope to see you there!</p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-31020325893700234032011-07-11T00:00:00.000-04:002011-07-11T14:50:57.057-04:00First Sale Party: A Royal Celebration!<div align="center"></div><br /><br /><p align="left"><strong>Anne received The Call!</strong><br /><br />I’m Keli Gwyn, one of Anne’s critique partners. Having read a number of her stories, I knew this day would come. Anne is a talented writer, and now you’re going to be able to read her work, too—in published form. :)<br /><br /><strong>Anne, how long have you been writing your Regency-set romances, and what have been some of the highlights on your path to publication?<br /><br /></strong><span style="color:#330099;">I’ve been writing for five years, almost to the day. The reason I remember is because on July 3, 2006 as I sat on a beach looking up at fireworks, I thought to myself, <em>why not</em>? This is <em>America</em>, darn it--anything’s possible! The very next day, I began writing my first manuscript with the goal of entering it in the Golden Heart. It didn’t final, but finishing it is a feeling I’ll never, ever forget.<br /><br /></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK_CvPsdNjcHehpTTlNu9X5Zmd7SqBDUrd-io2iMfVfJ1qsTNSdQJB4-xqENxDryYTpxTbXyJ0sZitBPAdgwkR_x9pyq8psBqB1Mh902klLRgBG_QNxSkYA3CD009phcpDv0j28w7mCQ/s1600/%2521cid_D76B6DB2-F84F-4638-87D6-27BAE93E3FD0.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627439974606884674" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPK_CvPsdNjcHehpTTlNu9X5Zmd7SqBDUrd-io2iMfVfJ1qsTNSdQJB4-xqENxDryYTpxTbXyJ0sZitBPAdgwkR_x9pyq8psBqB1Mh902klLRgBG_QNxSkYA3CD009phcpDv0j28w7mCQ/s320/%2521cid_D76B6DB2-F84F-4638-87D6-27BAE93E3FD0.jpg" /></a><br /></span><span style="color:#330099;">My second manuscript did final in the Golden Heart, and the most wonderful thing about that experience was stepping away from the computer, attending my first conference, and meeting other romance writers (including you!) It was great to discover the world of RWA and all its talented, generous authors.<br /><br />I kept writing, and at my chapter retreat the next year, I pitched my third manuscript to Helen Breitwieser, who offered representation on my birthday. Best present ever!<br /><br />Then, this year, my fourth and fifth manuscripts finaled in the Golden Heart . . . and THE PROPER MISS’S GUIDE TO BAD BEHAVIOR won.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0jbHF0GEW7K7wyDlx-S1iMXgDYmThLCQb4a_P8QtLZ1mw7X1dS14VoCu-eehDzZkZHO9NslGQmo-vFH5w7Xy9-GJButNddz7EmOzs0x7TqqnE-HI5AoBxgA_JD2nds6jQo4l5gR9TtA/s1600/%2521cid_94BD43AC-E70E-4A98-A632-FA5C4D309037.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627442151307312370" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig0jbHF0GEW7K7wyDlx-S1iMXgDYmThLCQb4a_P8QtLZ1mw7X1dS14VoCu-eehDzZkZHO9NslGQmo-vFH5w7Xy9-GJButNddz7EmOzs0x7TqqnE-HI5AoBxgA_JD2nds6jQo4l5gR9TtA/s320/%2521cid_94BD43AC-E70E-4A98-A632-FA5C4D309037.jpg" /></a><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">I shouted myself hoarse when you won the Golden Heart in the Regency Historical category. What thoughts went through your mind when the presenter, Courtney Milan, pulled the card from the envelope at the RWA® Awards Ceremony and read your name?</span></strong><br /></span><br /><span style="color:#330099;">Do you want the brutally honest answer or the also true, but made-for-blog-post response?<br /><br /></span><strong>Both. :)<br /><br /></strong><span style="color:#330099;">BHA: No coherent thoughts, just a loud buzzing in my ears. Then, dread that I’d have a panic attack at the podium that would prevent me from ever showing my face at Nationals again. Finally, blessed relief.<br /><br />MFBPR: I have to admit that I dreamed about that moment, probably hundreds of times, in the same sort of way one dreams about winning the lottery. You never think it will actually happen. Receiving the award from our fellow Pixie, Courtney, was really special. I’m glad I got to publicly thank you and Lisa (my other CP) and my friends and family and I hope I didn’t leave anyone out, but I was so nervous I probably did. I had so much fun meeting the other finalists and am honored to be part of that amazing group.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjag2y5svoQIV1kIBPT1xeeF_b1ryaCODOtSo_VEG3LrfN5TOrKEl8EWCA6MSTQDSa2gORGuzE53ZlyanEMWeay5Wy3zGFBK_75_6TROpMW0FPfjOeYYnG1dDKb6vKEjKB4mfCN0tXwho/s1600/%2521cid_38BDE6E9-75C4-40A8-9A24-3007F9C16F75.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 212px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627442445205180290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjag2y5svoQIV1kIBPT1xeeF_b1ryaCODOtSo_VEG3LrfN5TOrKEl8EWCA6MSTQDSa2gORGuzE53ZlyanEMWeay5Wy3zGFBK_75_6TROpMW0FPfjOeYYnG1dDKb6vKEjKB4mfCN0tXwho/s320/%2521cid_38BDE6E9-75C4-40A8-9A24-3007F9C16F75.jpg" /></a><br /></span><strong><span style="color:#000000;">What a fabulous Friday that was. The following week, you received the BIG news that your Golden Heart-winning story had sold. Please share your Call Story with us.<br /></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#330099;">I was doing the lacrosse mom thing, hanging out on the sidelines and chatting with parents when my agent, Helen, called. As she told me about the offer, I started pacing (which I do whenever I get excited). We both felt like Grand Central Forever was the perfect fit for me and my story. I’d had a chance to talk to the editor, Selina McLemore, at the RWA conference and was beyond thrilled to find out I’d get to work with her. My husband picked me up and took me to the local pub where I had an iced tea and a heaping plate of nachos.<br /></span><br /><strong>And it’s a two-book contract, too! Woohoo! I’ve been happy dancing for you for days as the deal came together. Now that it has, what can you tell us about the book? Do you have a title or release date yet? Would you give us a sneak peek at the story line?<br /><br /></strong><span style="color:#330099;">Here’s the notice that appeared in Publisher’s Marketplace:<br /></span><br /><em>2011 Golden Heart winner in the Regency Historical category Anne Barton's THE PROPER MISS'S GUIDE TO BAD BEHAVIOR, pitched as Project Runway meets Downton Abbey, to Selina McLemore of Forever, in a two-book deal, by Helen Breitwieser at Cornerstone Literary (World).</em></p><br /><br /><p align="left"><span style="color:#330099;">It’s a bit of a Cinderella story—a lowly seamstress with nothing but talent and passion dares to rise above her station and pursue her wildest dreams. And if that means extorting money from a handsome duke, then so be it . . .<br /><br />I don’t know what the title or exact release date will be, but I’ll share as soon as I do.<br /></span><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQvTbbV4D2a2Ub93rqX8dKCC8UNOrEW_XUI0ehzyJ063aVK6QtIQHUhc4CXxqAceyPuZPi17kev8l9kZDu-VwSk_as-E89Sb8-QkUSIVQv7r0FWMWJQDxMKrmEo6fuTlTTvJc8gyoyqE/s1600/%2521cid_AA9558E6-02FC-4871-B1E6-B3A38E095316.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 202px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627442759515823282" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQQvTbbV4D2a2Ub93rqX8dKCC8UNOrEW_XUI0ehzyJ063aVK6QtIQHUhc4CXxqAceyPuZPi17kev8l9kZDu-VwSk_as-E89Sb8-QkUSIVQv7r0FWMWJQDxMKrmEo6fuTlTTvJc8gyoyqE/s320/%2521cid_AA9558E6-02FC-4871-B1E6-B3A38E095316.jpg" /></a><br /><strong>Since you spent several years awaiting this milestone event, I’m sure you’ve learned many things. Any words of wisdom?<br /><br /></strong><span style="color:#330099;">No advice, really. But I will say that when it comes to writing partners I wish everyone could be as lucky as I’ve been. It’s so helpful to have positive, thoughtful, and talented friends like you on this journey.<br /></span><br /><span style="color:#330099;">Thank you for hosting this wonderful celebration and for sharing in my excitement!<br /><br /></span><strong>I’m sooo happy for you, Anne, as I know many are! I’ve got some virtual fare for your visitors. I invite them to help themselves to spot of tea, grab some of the delectable goodies on the table, and share in the celebration by leaving you a comment.<br /></strong><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 255px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627440417366652450" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaRlkDyrzni6fVUtgKQCdR1iY1qVCt-mMZlf0y0drHUGf0RtEHoTtUyX-SeUAlqNhB6h2k5-9mK2gQj8Ia06NHBVboGNvKn9w1X0mvIAfH5wWqZLgs4lzrqi-3KDguiSS7ph7PXHUv1g8/s320/%2521cid_D16CC637-86AD-4948-A613-CB32B931C05B.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center"><br /><strong>A Plethora of Prizes</strong><br /><br />Since Anne writes Regency-set romance, I chose several items with a Regency or British theme for a drawing. To enter, leave a comment for Anne, making sure to include your email address in the field when prompted. On the evening of July 12th, I’ll choose ten winners, one for each of the prizes pictured below.<br /><br /></p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627441218576034578" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPbjEm0-4VK-Kpw_yVLcr4Tw6kcXt6vxK2Ft9Vs6SSWDzZWW1hnlmo6m2nzcR7LydaivQyu4wyRe9MlxCtiYwIXsEghlRaRbD2lrhOLAHDmmVmRZK-5mKh3_H0wGpAPQgQ4YGnds7iUMY/s320/%2521cid_CB779968-E833-499D-BE54-AD004143DD69.jpg" /><br /><br /><p align="center">Two copies of Emma, the A&E version starring Kate Beckinsale<br />Two copies of Persuasion, the BBC version starring Ciaran Hinds<br />Two copies of Becoming Jane starring Anne Hathaway<br />Two varieties of English tea with a cute teapot spoon<br />Two floral tea bag holders (U.S. made, sorry, but still cute)<br /><br /><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:78%;">Note: Offer void where prohibited.<br />Prizes will be mailed to U.S. addresses only.<br />Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.<br /><br />First five images are from istockphoto.</span> </p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-69247936527172371632011-07-06T14:52:00.012-04:002011-07-06T15:12:22.561-04:00A Few Photos from the 2011 RWA Conference<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm998IggYbrLI-xhC9vY_4RZBKWSFjm6VB1q0SX1DcFov3GsR3xpJ0ZTZc5DWMSSecOB47BvvvhS5wfTnWAD-9CoH3nFgZ13QbrLBF7rZbu4OSh7f8ohXPcW7n5gvc1GSrbUOPOYuGJWA/s1600/times+square.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 239px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626316561047703746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm998IggYbrLI-xhC9vY_4RZBKWSFjm6VB1q0SX1DcFov3GsR3xpJ0ZTZc5DWMSSecOB47BvvvhS5wfTnWAD-9CoH3nFgZ13QbrLBF7rZbu4OSh7f8ohXPcW7n5gvc1GSrbUOPOYuGJWA/s320/times+square.JPG" /></a> A view of Times Square from the hotel</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqEFDT8waQX-x7yPBJLEIQmkDumgXaKSnHblGLyHvBbUUYsfvHzIZe4kyMJO2GSI0fZpnV2flpbUA4AIdXNz2jkSXkcV15vjaeN9P4q5rT5MmGzX5l9kkY8-w_UwxkFAR0czCJYhSmD8/s1600/jersey+boys+2.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626316346631717634" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqEFDT8waQX-x7yPBJLEIQmkDumgXaKSnHblGLyHvBbUUYsfvHzIZe4kyMJO2GSI0fZpnV2flpbUA4AIdXNz2jkSXkcV15vjaeN9P4q5rT5MmGzX5l9kkY8-w_UwxkFAR0czCJYhSmD8/s320/jersey+boys+2.jpg" /></a> The gang, after seeing Jersey Boys on Broadway<br /><br /><div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9bUfuGBB9Jr4ggEq2LMT2kcA5hahK3Zv_RksOul05vTLIxLrfC8r1Q-mRQqmlO6cK_2I9bPjBdnVXnIk44x9Md_hX669NOf_eo8dj9Z75DMrMFL9ZT3qGnFLmC1CvvKiOsoLW-Y4ZoQ/s1600/keli-and-anne.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 152px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626315160909983938" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik9bUfuGBB9Jr4ggEq2LMT2kcA5hahK3Zv_RksOul05vTLIxLrfC8r1Q-mRQqmlO6cK_2I9bPjBdnVXnIk44x9Md_hX669NOf_eo8dj9Z75DMrMFL9ZT3qGnFLmC1CvvKiOsoLW-Y4ZoQ/s200/keli-and-anne.jpg" /></a>Keli Gwyn and I, dressed up for the Awards Ceremony<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPJcVC4pCAKjcYWInRSuQ2G2wj4JjJEGmqml5FBSCZGl22GcNQvEY4MgO7dZ1tnwWE0ls4Nj2jERnZQitMdHly0Pz3Qy13hYpt3Cp2MXnognjHXp6_mt1k0DfLhHXDs4baw9p3OCxnu4/s1600/broadway+ballroom.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626315017003909682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPJcVC4pCAKjcYWInRSuQ2G2wj4JjJEGmqml5FBSCZGl22GcNQvEY4MgO7dZ1tnwWE0ls4Nj2jERnZQitMdHly0Pz3Qy13hYpt3Cp2MXnognjHXp6_mt1k0DfLhHXDs4baw9p3OCxnu4/s200/broadway+ballroom.JPG" /></a> The Broadway Ballroom before the ceremony began<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDT9LQRflA9J7i0qVwiHxfMVWXyr9FxazTFXW7dP0ed1-h6F8HEYBVZVcOfyfEq0qmKjR-1b-Ei9YZ3pxjXJo0lkCdkKEX4l47QwoIm5QS-xjyj-HfxOroLVo7OQrLwdU4mp4ukSeA8o/s1600/anne-receiving-gh.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 199px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626314836376150402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDT9LQRflA9J7i0qVwiHxfMVWXyr9FxazTFXW7dP0ed1-h6F8HEYBVZVcOfyfEq0qmKjR-1b-Ei9YZ3pxjXJo0lkCdkKEX4l47QwoIm5QS-xjyj-HfxOroLVo7OQrLwdU4mp4ukSeA8o/s200/anne-receiving-gh.jpg" /></a>Me at the podium, accepting the Golden Heart</div><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1zdQ5gIIXA-G2FYGn85AeRQudooBNiJ-HmdYhL6qLQn0fwVyomvg8mT9H4FIc3G2Gkfw2yEMKwSCWX95NnWQHiF2Dr-5WTs40-OItynthvb_mOesbObLMqsywpJ2uYWS93A6S2rXx94/s1600/anne%2526lisa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 165px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626314680847394402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT1zdQ5gIIXA-G2FYGn85AeRQudooBNiJ-HmdYhL6qLQn0fwVyomvg8mT9H4FIc3G2Gkfw2yEMKwSCWX95NnWQHiF2Dr-5WTs40-OItynthvb_mOesbObLMqsywpJ2uYWS93A6S2rXx94/s200/anne%2526lisa.jpg" /></a>Lisa Connelly and I (Lisa won for Contemporary Single Title)<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrBgDaxvNSWK_UZ3oTKKlF6zVaqAqm6uchHNhaoPu6-uiaHjkwVu8vEPDF_YXw2KAzc33Y436x_-MTGHNeoj-MC4B1I5srRRIIVb7c6GJKfpk1u1QEo_Ph5lcHg909S3cJIACLdrcCvc/s1600/m%2526m+store.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626314526527812978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtrBgDaxvNSWK_UZ3oTKKlF6zVaqAqm6uchHNhaoPu6-uiaHjkwVu8vEPDF_YXw2KAzc33Y436x_-MTGHNeoj-MC4B1I5srRRIIVb7c6GJKfpk1u1QEo_Ph5lcHg909S3cJIACLdrcCvc/s200/m%2526m+store.JPG" /></a> Celebrating! <br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br /></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-56418813452929052502011-06-20T22:22:00.007-04:002011-06-20T23:20:20.283-04:00The Obligatory Shoe Post, or "Wild Times at DSW"Today's mission was two-pronged.<br /><br /><strong>Objective #1.</strong> Find a pair of strappy, dressy heels for RWA Awards Ceremony.<br /><br />Please. This was child's play. Done<em>.<br /></em><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqioD5JsMWe7qwObU_QgAuEvnirvCVSC9KOvC-qlHzgXZUa7Iu_Flq4UAC01n6I-5wfSNopoHqHz_GwAKSe7zRHphQvajaWex9T0D8hnKmoa5BxtfnWxSmztMrqLuxOL3db3ECk8QRhc/s1600/silver+shoes.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620505585816112626" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglqioD5JsMWe7qwObU_QgAuEvnirvCVSC9KOvC-qlHzgXZUa7Iu_Flq4UAC01n6I-5wfSNopoHqHz_GwAKSe7zRHphQvajaWex9T0D8hnKmoa5BxtfnWxSmztMrqLuxOL3db3ECk8QRhc/s320/silver+shoes.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><strong>Objective #2:</strong> Buy a pair of cute, but <em>sensible</em>, shoes with a <em>low heel</em> suitable for walking long distances in hotel halls and on the streets of NYC.<br /><br />Friends, the plan went awry.<br /><br />The moment I walked through the doors of DSW, I knew I was in trouble. To my ears, the muzak piped through the speakers was a chorus of angels singing. As I roamed the aisles, smelling that new shoe smell, I slipped into a zombie-like trance.<br /><br />I lost sight of the goal. Decidedly <em>impractical</em> shoes made their way into my shopping bag.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0KEYUU_Z8WKoTvRsrx5n6ydLh05Dq00V66pVqoYydKFQGX8U1BrzLkQRgA4iKljqexG5RC7F-IGayUavIslSyunRTSh38PVSqOW1AoAMhMEXukCTttba7GU1_rqKpJTkQGqdGqV3iPU/s1600/black+wedges.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620506461336561122" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0KEYUU_Z8WKoTvRsrx5n6ydLh05Dq00V66pVqoYydKFQGX8U1BrzLkQRgA4iKljqexG5RC7F-IGayUavIslSyunRTSh38PVSqOW1AoAMhMEXukCTttba7GU1_rqKpJTkQGqdGqV3iPU/s320/black+wedges.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e1IYi4K3W-mehF2Ws0R7eo-x2DtSJ8i4vqvFGNNp0cx92bzhxG030iTVkvarfGvIANi1jmhbTjk-LFX9MD74ACnigwDGIBrf8JTzn6cGZ6WXx745_sPPvYdg5MEHrH6ZjVv58Bk4HR8/s1600/tan+wedges.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 239px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620506681592584530" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1e1IYi4K3W-mehF2Ws0R7eo-x2DtSJ8i4vqvFGNNp0cx92bzhxG030iTVkvarfGvIANi1jmhbTjk-LFX9MD74ACnigwDGIBrf8JTzn6cGZ6WXx745_sPPvYdg5MEHrH6ZjVv58Bk4HR8/s320/tan+wedges.JPG" /></a><br /><br />I'm weak. But I'm a happy girl.</p><br /><p>Mission accomplished.<br /></p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-33851895050732541352011-05-06T23:14:00.007-04:002011-05-06T23:26:09.145-04:00The Obligatory Dress Post, or "How Not to Find a Dress for RWA Nationals"<p>The RITA/Golden Heart Awards Ceremony (being held on July 1st in New York City) is a lovely, glamorous red carpet affair. The occasion calls for a fancy dress and dressing up is something I always look forward to. Until I have to actually <em>find</em> the dress.<br /><br />This summer’s conference will be my fourth trip to RWA Nationals and therefore marks my fourth attempt to acquire stylish evening wear. In past years I’ve met with varying degrees of success, where success is defined as “not looking like the biggest country bumpkin in the room.”<br /><br />Interestingly, I have identified my four distinct phases of dress acquisition. They always occur in the same sequence and no phase is ever skipped. I share them with you so that you may learn from my mistakes. We start with . . .<br /><br />The <em>I’m-Sure-There’s-Something-in-my-Closet I Can Wear </em>Phase. This phase is characterized mainly by delusions. Every year I seem to forget that my closet looks nothing like Jennifer Lopez’s. The closest thing to formal wear hanging in the corner is a black velvet New Year’s Eve gown circa 1993 (remember Elvira?) and . . . oh wait, that’s it. This leads me to shrug and enter . . .<br /><br />The <em>I’ll-Just-Borrow-a-Fabulous-Dress</em> Phase. My well-meaning sister and sisters-in-law are horrible enablers during this phase. They generously offer up their own fashionable gowns, assuring me something will work, when they know full well that I’m a couple inches shorter than anyone in the family. After a period during which I seriously ponder the question of whether I might be adopted, I turn to . . .<br /><br />The <em>e-Bay</em> Phase. I’m not proud of this. Well, I <em>was</em> a little proud of <a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2008/07/fingers-crossed-for-cheating-wife-sale.html">this</a>. Whatever. The good news is that Bidding Fever is blessedly short-lived. When the cast-off prom gown for which I paid $18 arrives, I invariably realize that there is no help for it. I must be brave and face . . .<br /><br />The <em>Trying-On-Real-Dresses</em> Phase. This phase is <em>nothing</em> like the whimsical portrayal in the movie <em>27 Dresses</em>. No. This phase includes Dressing Rooms with 3-Way Mirrors and Fluorescent Lighting. It is the black moment, involving numerous trips to the racks, tugging, squeezing, and, all too often, ugly crying episodes. Then, just when it seems like hope is lost, I find a dress that’s, well . . . not awful. It <em>could</em> work. With the right shoes and jewelry. You know, it might be perfect.<br /><br />Coming soon: The Obligatory Shoe Post </p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-7887637727152364412011-03-25T18:07:00.005-04:002011-03-25T19:09:25.324-04:00The Golden Heart® Call(s)<span style="color:#003333;">10:35</span> Between classes I sneak a peek at my phone. Husband texted a half hour earlier . . . someone from RWA® will call me during my lunch break. Heart palpitations ensue.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">10:36</span> How will I survive today's long division lesson?<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:01</span> Lunch time! I run to computer to log on to RWA site . . . internet connection is down, dash it all. I will my phone to ring.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:04</span> It rings. A lovely RWA board member informs me <em>How to Reform a Rake</em> finaled in the Regency category of the Golden Heart. While she graciously imparts information, I alternately gasp/cry. We hang up.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:07</span> In a valiant attempt to avoid splotchy face, I dry my eyes and take deep breaths.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:08</span> I call husband to tell him the good news and--What's this? Someone's beeping in. Probably the recorded message about home mortgages, but still . . . I should answer it.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:09</span> Hello? It's a different--but equally lovely--RWA board member. Uh-oh. Obviously, there's been a mistake, and they're calling to revoke my finalist status. I brace myself. But no . . . she explains that my other entry, <em>The Proper Miss's Guide to Bad Behavior,</em> is also a finalist. OH. MY.<br /><br /><span style="color:#003333;">12:12</span> Attempts to avoid splotchy face are utterly futile. Happiness!Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-90163886214298884452011-01-23T08:57:00.006-05:002011-01-23T10:04:31.026-05:00Dreaming in Words<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eZ0Ax2emu73Kn7rBTurmdIxOj7ziODZSi7Hvt-0RRU6E9rKBgt_BY7q1yqJSFRh23oKB3bZgCKjKckAzZTuX9nZLE5mNb5qvBTJbsWvg8HIzvZ6CmMQd-9G2p_obWajQRgxqwzP9AvU/s1600/dream.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5565393650908228898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9eZ0Ax2emu73Kn7rBTurmdIxOj7ziODZSi7Hvt-0RRU6E9rKBgt_BY7q1yqJSFRh23oKB3bZgCKjKckAzZTuX9nZLE5mNb5qvBTJbsWvg8HIzvZ6CmMQd-9G2p_obWajQRgxqwzP9AvU/s320/dream.jpg" /></a><br /><div>A long time ago, when I was learning how to speak Spanish, I dreamed in Spanish. Not just the dialogue, but the narration too. Magically, the dreams were never constrained by the dry vocabulary in my Spanish II textbok. I was able to form sentences without stopping to think about conjugation, tense, or prounouns. Best of all--my accent was flawless.</div><br /><div></div><div>An even <em>longer</em> time ago, when I was learning to type, I dreamed in key strokes. I learned on a Wang (not an euphemism). The interface was primitive--a black screen with bright green, Hal-like characters. In my dreams, though, as long as I typed the action, it played out in vivid color. I was a faceless narrator, clicking away, <em>asdf jkl;,</em> at about 100 wpm<em>.</em></div><br /><div><em></em></div><div>Lately, though, I've been dreaming in words. I see paragraphs and pages of text, and like an interior designer walking into a bachelor pad, I'm tsk, tsking. I want to <em>fix</em> it. I <em>can</em> fix it. Instead of moving the couch, I'm moving a scene. Instead of scouring antique shops for the perfect accent piece, I'm searching for the perfect word--the one that will take a humdrum sentence from <em>whatever</em> to <em>wow</em>. Metaphors, fresh description, and snappy dialogue are indexed and catalogued, like fabric samples and paint chips. When I wake up, I'm stumbling to the computer in my pajamas so I don't forget.</div><br /><div></div><div>Revisions are going well. In the words of Stephen Tyler, <em>Dream On</em>.</div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-27389025244016133272010-12-28T18:33:00.006-05:002010-12-28T19:43:26.306-05:00Writing Goals for 2011<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZVALtnMR2sI3Es9Yy9zwyoJwtBEq7mZ9IAgvIhUb7xFYS4kbDI9lDjqlLSFO7U1F0zGriQqlTr0pilTD_98H6BjVPDViYGrKb6YW_ePEnX2-mqjySyYSI2HQ8IUN-DRl29wzBpXDz0g/s1600/00423135.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 317px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555898009766057378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZVALtnMR2sI3Es9Yy9zwyoJwtBEq7mZ9IAgvIhUb7xFYS4kbDI9lDjqlLSFO7U1F0zGriQqlTr0pilTD_98H6BjVPDViYGrKb6YW_ePEnX2-mqjySyYSI2HQ8IUN-DRl29wzBpXDz0g/s320/00423135.jpg" /></a><br /><div align="left"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color:#330099;"><em>Every beginning comes from some other beginning's end.</em><br /></span><br /></span>It seems like just yesterday I was setting <a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2009/12/where-did-year-go.html">my goals for 2010</a>, and here I am, about to set new ones for 2011.<br /><br />It's been a great year. Highlights: seeing friends at <a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2010/08/sharing-my-notes-from-rwa-nationals.html">RWA Nationals</a> in Orlando, working (and playing!) with my critique partners, and finishing my latest manuscript. Not <em>everything</em> went as planned, however. Before I move forward with goals for the New Year, here's a quick look back at last year's goals (in blue) and actual accomplishments (in purple).<br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><span style="color:#000000;">1st Quarter:<br /></span>--Revise RaR from beginning to end. <span style="color:#663366;">(Did this, but I think it was 2nd quarter. In the first quarter, I revised MP instead.)</span><br />--Begin outlining my next story, the first in a Regency trilogy. <span style="color:#663366;">(Wow. Totally forgot that I was going to make it a trilogy. But it's still doable, right?)</span><br />--Act as category coordinator for my chapter's contest. <span style="color:#663366;">(Done. Phew.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000000;">2nd Quarter:<br /></span>--Work with my agent to prepare RaR for submission. <span style="color:#663366;">(Got great insight from wonderful agent, but was busy drafting PMG . . . need to return to this in 2011.)<br /></span>--Draft the first 3 chapters and synopsis of a new book. <span style="color:#663366;">(Yes.)<br /></span>--Redesign my website. <span style="color:#663366;">(Yes, but I cheated a little and hired a tech-savvy friend.)<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">3rd & 4th Quarters:</span><br />--Complete a draft of the new book. <span style="color:#663366;">(YES!)<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000000;">Ongoing:<br /></span>--Work with and support my critique partners. <span style="color:#663366;">(Loved every minute of this.)<br /></span>--Enter and judge at least 2 RWA contests. <span style="color:#663366;">(Check. Entered 3, judged 2.)<br /></span>--Attend at least 4 WRW (Washington Romance Writers) meetings/workshops. <span style="color:#663366;">(Only made it to one. *hangs head*)<br /></span>--Read at least 4 books on craft. </span><span style="color:#663366;">(Oh my. How is it possible that I went through the whole year without reading a single craft book? Did read lots of blog posts on craft, though.)</span><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;">--Attend either the WRW Spring Retreat or the RWA National Conference.</span> <span style="color:#663366;">(Went to Nationals, had a great time, learned lots.)<br /></div></span><br /><div><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="color:#000000;">Now, for 2011's Goals . . .</span></span><br /><span style="color:#663366;"><span style="color:#000000;"></span></span><br />1st Quarter:<br />--Revise PMG from beginning to end.</div><br /><div></div><div>2nd Quarter:<br />--Revise RaR from beginning to end.</div><br /><div></div><div>3rd & 4th Quarters:<br />--Complete a draft of a new book. (Apparently, it will be the 2nd in a trilogy.)<br /><br />Ongoing:<br />--Work with and support my critique partners.<br />--Enter and judge at least 2 RWA contests.<br />--Attend at least 2 WRW (Washington Romance Writers) meetings/workshops.<br />--Read at least 2 books on craft.<br />--Attend the RWA National Conference in NYC.</div><br /><div></div><div>There. That doesn't seem too overwhelming. And I promise to be flexible when necessary.</div><br /><div></div><div>By the way, I'm participating in the Ruby Slippered Sisters Winter Writing Festival (WWF) starting Jan. 10. Our slogan: "Finally! A writing festival that doesn't span a major holiday. (You know women are running it.)" If you want to get a jump start on writing/revising/plotting, please please please come <a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/announcing-the-upcoming-rss-winter-writing-festival/">check it out</a>. The company is fabulous (if I do say so myself) and there are are even prizes for participants.</div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-19201495624598855112010-10-24T20:09:00.008-04:002010-10-24T21:23:22.053-04:00Counting Down to the Golden Heart® Deadline<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLqx5uhyphenhyphenBWjZM4vvwVwAfecPzMAFy8Viv7_TLESsbGwMvYRWNJqGjku96ARMS_EKHD0_F1GWzxEli0JtHfsqTmv7Do0ebeazMVae2eiDwGvaewQDP6zQs3G0MVg4lOshlX8L5fYRRpHY/s1600/MH900444188.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531786884525926850" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtLqx5uhyphenhyphenBWjZM4vvwVwAfecPzMAFy8Viv7_TLESsbGwMvYRWNJqGjku96ARMS_EKHD0_F1GWzxEli0JtHfsqTmv7Do0ebeazMVae2eiDwGvaewQDP6zQs3G0MVg4lOshlX8L5fYRRpHY/s320/MH900444188.JPG" /></a><br /><div>It gut-check time, ladies. And gentlemen.<br /><br />I glanced at my calendar today, and saw that on Nov. 24--exactly one month from today--I'd written "mail entries." Golden Heart entries have to be at RWA® by close of business on Dec. 2. I like to mail them before Thanksgiving, though. I save a little on postage and get to have a stress-free turkey day.<br /><br />It's funny how it always seems to come down to the wire. This will be the 5th straight year I've drafted a new manuscript to enter in the contest. I love having a deadline at the end of November. In December, I plan to goof off. Shopping, decorating, baking, and reading are all on the agenda. Also, catching up on all my TV shows.<br /><br />This year, I think I'm a little bit ahead of where I usually am. I still have 10K words to go on <em>The Proper Miss's Guide to Bad Behavior</em>, aka <em>The Etiquette of Extortion</em>, aka <em>The Blackmailing Seamstress, </em>but it's going swimmingly. I think this has been my easiest story to write so far. Of course, <em>easy</em> doesn't necessarily translate into <em>good</em>. And I still have days when I want to pull my hair out, and I'll need to do a lot of revising, but the end is in sight.<br /><br />If you're like me (scrambling to get your GH entry ready), take heart! It can feel overwhelming, lonely, and daunting, but a lot of us are in the same boat. Here are a few of my favorite GH related articles from various blogs that might give you the information or inspiration you need.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/a-recipe-for-golden-heart-success/">A Recipe for Golden Heart Success</a> -- this is by Darynda Jones, super-talented and super-nice author of First Grave on the Right. She knows of what she speaks.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/goal-setting-for-the-golden-heart-beyond/">Goal Setting for the Golden Heart and Beyond</a> -- Vivi Andrews, author of eight (8!) paranormal romance novels and novellas gives solid advice on goals.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/golden-heart-rotisserie-by-the-numbers/">Golden Heart Rotisserie by the Numbers</a> -- Ruby Sister and GH winner, Jamie Michele, breaks down the numbers behind the categories. Really fascinating stuff.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/the-woman-behind-the-curtain/">The Woman Behind the Curtain</a> -- that would be Carol Ritter, RWA professional relations manager. Multiple GH finalist Bev Pettersen interviewed Carol and got some great behind the scenes info.<br /><br /><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/08/nine-nuggets-from-my-golden-heart.html">Nine Nuggets from my Golden Heart Experiences</a> -- if you want to know what it's like to be a GH finalist, this article by my awesome critique partner, Keli Gwyn, sums it up quite nicely.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/you-can-finish-your-manuscript-in-time-and-avoid-a-fedex-bill-that-makes-you-weep/">You CAN Finish your Manuscript in time for the GH</a> -- and avoid a FedEx bill that makes you weep. That's the plan, anyway. This one's by me.<br /><br />If you have other GH articles you like, please let me know! I'll add them. Good luck to everyone racing to finish and polish their entries. We can do it! </div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-49622005765412444522010-09-16T00:00:00.003-04:002010-09-16T15:41:37.022-04:00Pop Quiz!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhoRvzXDXRoLpmEESRZuyZXDmf1Yv4qWpRNyojel7-spLGv4VksfxVAU92_mVZGWXpXSvq5qwsi9d97Qr913nPDSyk2PzU8wdSbYEz61lQMsL06FI0kqMVsYB5Vg5BItKz6QJkMB_y_M/s1600/quiz"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 325px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 325px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516969159877844914" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAhoRvzXDXRoLpmEESRZuyZXDmf1Yv4qWpRNyojel7-spLGv4VksfxVAU92_mVZGWXpXSvq5qwsi9d97Qr913nPDSyk2PzU8wdSbYEz61lQMsL06FI0kqMVsYB5Vg5BItKz6QJkMB_y_M/s400/quiz" /></a>How well do you pamper your inner writer?<br /><br />Head over to <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/">Seekerville</a> to test your knowledge! Seriously, here's a hall pass. Grab your number 2 pencil and go.<br /><br /><strong><a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/09/how-well-do-you-pamper-your-inner.html">How Well Do You Pamper Your Inner Writer? The Unscientific Quiz.</a></strong>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-29851135508620287972010-09-02T00:00:00.003-04:002010-09-04T23:09:39.857-04:00Checking my Messages<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGkWtuECRKLqiDGumXxcFi7nam6Ci0u5uGCIx8BFC0nJKPFQ5bEX2Mjd5SsFmkPamOufUtiqpvoLCdoDElW2YkN9Ay05ffMpKr56kllesCOWAn4WXCkEPMNZV-D2oj0XGkvyhPvVg8q4/s1600/MH900178382.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512149601835815170" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGkWtuECRKLqiDGumXxcFi7nam6Ci0u5uGCIx8BFC0nJKPFQ5bEX2Mjd5SsFmkPamOufUtiqpvoLCdoDElW2YkN9Ay05ffMpKr56kllesCOWAn4WXCkEPMNZV-D2oj0XGkvyhPvVg8q4/s320/MH900178382.JPG" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLp5fwSWBrD4OxkC9Qq9s5QQD0MEReC1Vyny8LrX4E6BYhQKiDLxSQQnxbm6iDTf1vCN1lD9z6iSk3QcIcDtz5CnfLgg3JwyrbqOsT_jagYXtgTnmWJF7w8fwqosi96ApuXaYhnjRz4sc/s1600/answering+machine"></a>What does your novel have in common with an answering machine?<br /><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Hopefully not the weird voice ("You have. Two. New messages.") Or the eerie, blinking red light. Maybe the groovy faux wood finish?</div><br /><div></div><div>Here's a hint. I'm hosting at the <a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/">Ruby Slippered Sisterhood</a> today and the title of my post is <em><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/index.php/leave-a-message/">Leave a Message</a></em>.</div><br /><div></div><div>All this was a rather convoluted and annoying way to say that the Rubies and I would love to see you there!</div></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-31883019174166625572010-08-06T14:20:00.011-04:002010-08-06T14:43:30.372-04:00Photos from the Golden Heart/Rita Awards Night<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9s-zwoma9SrOf7IiLH1Jdnzi6eG-HFX2Mgbeq_IHRbVlOWVTyjqEgUIKUG3VvtGQd64P8r2bt90fsbDsPnTjCV1Z0eantHyJmA-_YnOO7yy-5Wn3_j8385Ji2OVbiYhbugYqC-B-Ur8/s1600/DSC00829.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502365580477120690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX9s-zwoma9SrOf7IiLH1Jdnzi6eG-HFX2Mgbeq_IHRbVlOWVTyjqEgUIKUG3VvtGQd64P8r2bt90fsbDsPnTjCV1Z0eantHyJmA-_YnOO7yy-5Wn3_j8385Ji2OVbiYhbugYqC-B-Ur8/s320/DSC00829.JPG" /></a> Keli Gwyn</div><div align="center"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN4uox9NKkLYL5qriie-qQqiKlxTz9S8R-c9JFg7wJKLy3m2Q9hSnbQLHDk4V-ywYZD8zSuucyXERsGOLl4K2KMxMq8KFgvKH1uhXPTPALIM5cR-7AgLjzOben2aAhlxbbGuTnMwnQZg/s1600/DSC00844.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502365034624099234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpN4uox9NKkLYL5qriie-qQqiKlxTz9S8R-c9JFg7wJKLy3m2Q9hSnbQLHDk4V-ywYZD8zSuucyXERsGOLl4K2KMxMq8KFgvKH1uhXPTPALIM5cR-7AgLjzOben2aAhlxbbGuTnMwnQZg/s320/DSC00844.JPG" /></a> Courtney Milan and Susan Gee Heino<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3vxmBcO6o5SoZXXG_E_lMgdAvjhmDeRc1LT6zYXgTxetJhFXiKDlmxruwIKDCI0i7ohR8xJrjBpeXhOI7vcfqMXmaMAW5VKcHck6SzhhWEuwf3PeNCDgiQ9c31LClcwxcJ6A9ZD8D8s/s1600/DSC00822.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364800965569650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH3vxmBcO6o5SoZXXG_E_lMgdAvjhmDeRc1LT6zYXgTxetJhFXiKDlmxruwIKDCI0i7ohR8xJrjBpeXhOI7vcfqMXmaMAW5VKcHck6SzhhWEuwf3PeNCDgiQ9c31LClcwxcJ6A9ZD8D8s/s320/DSC00822.JPG" /></a>me, Lisa Connelly, and Keli<br /><br /><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiw29yN9I0tUk_SeSVR458Zal7MTYLwkm8uemB9B1FvcNzb9okAkluqyaSzgLK8NaTVElv1deH7GQBroNJ8Otxj7C-Y9DTn7YBqEsDjpIrbgyjgE9mIP0WqO9XfR1VCtyiW0fQiTmp0U/s1600/!cid_088D94BB-DB97-492D-8354-F23C67DE9369.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 229px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502364107298879826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRiw29yN9I0tUk_SeSVR458Zal7MTYLwkm8uemB9B1FvcNzb9okAkluqyaSzgLK8NaTVElv1deH7GQBroNJ8Otxj7C-Y9DTn7YBqEsDjpIrbgyjgE9mIP0WqO9XfR1VCtyiW0fQiTmp0U/s320/!cid_088D94BB-DB97-492D-8354-F23C67DE9369.jpg" /></a> Keli and me<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk6Zq5hRIlNh69PHfDBN94iinqbQmwuYMEI5xKtVAcxaiXL58SQ4q2f2zED9i5Y5ss8RvV2lkbnzmcp1iQVm7aPQ4wA9Iq-JIJmB_G-Mb_dJP1t09pe6PAwYDG5UpLF1XSszFItqWX2M/s1600/!cid_29C152E9-FF8B-4A21-B84B-CAC3C7223342.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 224px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502363936453122290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivk6Zq5hRIlNh69PHfDBN94iinqbQmwuYMEI5xKtVAcxaiXL58SQ4q2f2zED9i5Y5ss8RvV2lkbnzmcp1iQVm7aPQ4wA9Iq-JIJmB_G-Mb_dJP1t09pe6PAwYDG5UpLF1XSszFItqWX2M/s320/!cid_29C152E9-FF8B-4A21-B84B-CAC3C7223342.jpg" /></a> Kelly Gay</div><div> </div><div> </div><div></div><div align="left">And this short video (that I took of the big screen at the end of the night) gives a hint of what to expect next year:</div><div align="left"></div></div></div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzaOGHonBAwj5kXVRxihA4WELjxpm5S5loQvCHuP9spMw623o70r_QwyBUdMZJaFzYNVhqOuZ2s0q8DI9oeaA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-52691173587639517832010-08-06T13:16:00.012-04:002010-08-06T13:52:42.974-04:00Photos from the RWA Literacy Signing<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifBhAcAMLl5zrEtpETCYIZjQoqClH12OPCQEC_cBChjxtGrponO3Rw955KbrXmR6n6_U5LQeKi9N28MAq26mT2YH4TqQU1Uzx7O9nkDyw5QhaBcB7lPPoIRAmgQWZWqEdYinhQHuBdsaU/s1600/DSC00799.JPG"></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxCyLpr06Wr1fxRVjQjaGdm98MXi2urq5Q6kdBGDXD4Zps5-MpFH3YuBezIp2jQuxU8kN2tc0TUm7Vs5FFOSQk0crvXm1A93BKlFTVvmTuCL-ZhhY17wKKuoulymuHboV1FT_kj1eFd8/s1600/DSC00798.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502349060685696098" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxCyLpr06Wr1fxRVjQjaGdm98MXi2urq5Q6kdBGDXD4Zps5-MpFH3YuBezIp2jQuxU8kN2tc0TUm7Vs5FFOSQk0crvXm1A93BKlFTVvmTuCL-ZhhY17wKKuoulymuHboV1FT_kj1eFd8/s320/DSC00798.JPG" /></a> Sandra Leesmith, Keli Gwyn, Janet Dean, and me</div><div align="center">(Sandra and Janet are so sweet! And they're members of <a href="http://seekerville.blogspot.com/">Seekerville</a>, one of my favorite writing blogs.)<br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPqQZ2Muya5WlPE5Djonhg7jVBUbUw5rrKq4rwCaImHOdFVvSUPig6OorYFatCqn9P1Sjl-2aS1mftry9LKcTDhZd_0vKsC9Cfmcpg074DuZm6TxB3dIBXTn6Dc0OArkqberZKDci5Oc/s1600/!cid_FB973157-2085-4458-97D9-B18E62A28A41.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 245px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502348806007623842" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPqQZ2Muya5WlPE5Djonhg7jVBUbUw5rrKq4rwCaImHOdFVvSUPig6OorYFatCqn9P1Sjl-2aS1mftry9LKcTDhZd_0vKsC9Cfmcpg074DuZm6TxB3dIBXTn6Dc0OArkqberZKDci5Oc/s320/!cid_FB973157-2085-4458-97D9-B18E62A28A41.jpg" /></a>Keli and I with talented historical author Lavinia Kent (a Pixie!)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP4HvP0kAc_vyaLOxIecnAC27ip3c25DOmpHPndwqUaqHMd5h97D4sUPkQ4IgkbpqT12f9bm7HipovNxhHuwGfYma-_y1CM7YNUfLdD8RGmwaA0BA0joD_FOnXHxSWpfjq-Gqn_3BIAs/s1600/!cid_CC97A271-7A98-449B-909A-78EBAB83857E.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 248px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502348667901359682" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjP4HvP0kAc_vyaLOxIecnAC27ip3c25DOmpHPndwqUaqHMd5h97D4sUPkQ4IgkbpqT12f9bm7HipovNxhHuwGfYma-_y1CM7YNUfLdD8RGmwaA0BA0joD_FOnXHxSWpfjq-Gqn_3BIAs/s320/!cid_CC97A271-7A98-449B-909A-78EBAB83857E.jpg" /></a> The adorable Susan Gee Heino. Check out her bonnet!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbUekjo-ijLddOYUHI_rkhQ03g9oMOyO18uAQ0wpF82RkRbClhlqYMjc7OSrKYvaYDcOE7o4p92ujIxgC4q8mBY_vlWHemDv75TZFchduY6Zsk4ImXIDvM7ksy0rlfLo-_qPEcPaVQu0/s1600/!cid_ACD8BDBE-EC91-4F26-B396-C17C6F713F9E.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502348499845528690" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpbUekjo-ijLddOYUHI_rkhQ03g9oMOyO18uAQ0wpF82RkRbClhlqYMjc7OSrKYvaYDcOE7o4p92ujIxgC4q8mBY_vlWHemDv75TZFchduY6Zsk4ImXIDvM7ksy0rlfLo-_qPEcPaVQu0/s320/!cid_ACD8BDBE-EC91-4F26-B396-C17C6F713F9E.jpg" /></a>Me with Caroline Fyffe and Pamela Fryer--two warm and talented authors.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsPS5ySheDjgnjIGNcMbL-XRvJeZreqWBmhMIz8z7__TGqj3BLc6d4DWlTAwHyWuYJErfNbuX-ckI9ljaTiYuTV_BPq-Aev_bZ3hnFvp0r1QW5fPCth-xQY2o-zRaVqEygOF5_77Vq0Q/s1600/!cid_DA274D49-8D0F-4228-94C4-50AAC4751ADF.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 238px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502348212636668290" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqsPS5ySheDjgnjIGNcMbL-XRvJeZreqWBmhMIz8z7__TGqj3BLc6d4DWlTAwHyWuYJErfNbuX-ckI9ljaTiYuTV_BPq-Aev_bZ3hnFvp0r1QW5fPCth-xQY2o-zRaVqEygOF5_77Vq0Q/s320/!cid_DA274D49-8D0F-4228-94C4-50AAC4751ADF.jpg" /></a> Christine is a member of my local chapter. She's very supportive, and her book covers are GORGEOUS.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnhDaUug7djAHwR6Y2tbjWP3V24wJoTLesAEnpIACKV5RNx3_wKjJijjLfWrrHXZ6ob_5138iszAf-uLnK5xnpn-sTpkk1ucA53GiB0rQmqQaRAXUt0NONVpLluS4VAwIwgqfEdHRcfw/s1600/!cid_D21EB4C0-82F7-40C4-8263-E25BD340F84B.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 253px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502347987354481346" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRnhDaUug7djAHwR6Y2tbjWP3V24wJoTLesAEnpIACKV5RNx3_wKjJijjLfWrrHXZ6ob_5138iszAf-uLnK5xnpn-sTpkk1ucA53GiB0rQmqQaRAXUt0NONVpLluS4VAwIwgqfEdHRcfw/s320/!cid_D21EB4C0-82F7-40C4-8263-E25BD340F84B.jpg" /></a>Keli and I with the witty, talented, and Rita-nominated Courtney Milan.<br />(I think she's crouching to make Keli and I feel less munchkin-like.)<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nk4WKrs01lfy_4RGAusGuxRI2qB06RSlLqTPfuuMVJboobHyQa_vpAepkHQ6RyS8p52KKWjdaO_-ddA1q-irdsvu0ZqVFP77oGk7XZeDujEK8INUeYPb-8fv8857LDhdFyh2NRNY5Go/s1600/!cid_12970579-E8E9-4ABD-949B-D1127566CBB0.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502347757173470402" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-nk4WKrs01lfy_4RGAusGuxRI2qB06RSlLqTPfuuMVJboobHyQa_vpAepkHQ6RyS8p52KKWjdaO_-ddA1q-irdsvu0ZqVFP77oGk7XZeDujEK8INUeYPb-8fv8857LDhdFyh2NRNY5Go/s320/!cid_12970579-E8E9-4ABD-949B-D1127566CBB0.jpg" /></a>Robin writes the fabulous Domestic God series. She's a member of my local chapter and my inspiring goals group.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxo19j8cMwVVIJrMxibQQWt2yPEu74z7a5Kmm_gwS5odAQBhZaPziJhX3JsvDup_mwuk9DJ2966OLVMTz9iE7ozz9hj7iQB9a9_e6DwIYCm4pDF8s_o3rhkDuKLrITR3Ia7VAKds7STo/s1600/!cid_B4B3C538-7D2E-41F4-8302-78E9DD0F68F7.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502347574339865298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxo19j8cMwVVIJrMxibQQWt2yPEu74z7a5Kmm_gwS5odAQBhZaPziJhX3JsvDup_mwuk9DJ2966OLVMTz9iE7ozz9hj7iQB9a9_e6DwIYCm4pDF8s_o3rhkDuKLrITR3Ia7VAKds7STo/s320/!cid_B4B3C538-7D2E-41F4-8302-78E9DD0F68F7.jpg" /></a> I'm hearing wonderful things about Susan Sey's Golden Heart book, <em>Money Honey</em>. I can't wait to read it!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jpcgIhxvrEtWBUdv6Y3cYHuppmrCoEsYKg3Jl5GkPPYmBLrVP8Nc5AyMl3vOsgXQhJM1nmR3hpbpIN-TuifKHhC9o5nC1Zyi8TCNpW82tj58CCeP-REwNV6_T5P0kW-MF5Ob9zLsxlE/s1600/!cid_3EB6812C-403C-471A-A643-E78A52C1E623.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502347190108940434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_jpcgIhxvrEtWBUdv6Y3cYHuppmrCoEsYKg3Jl5GkPPYmBLrVP8Nc5AyMl3vOsgXQhJM1nmR3hpbpIN-TuifKHhC9o5nC1Zyi8TCNpW82tj58CCeP-REwNV6_T5P0kW-MF5Ob9zLsxlE/s320/!cid_3EB6812C-403C-471A-A643-E78A52C1E623.jpg" /></a>Pixie Lynn Raye Harris with some very nice swag!</div><div><br /></div><div align="left">Finally, if you want to see more of the Literacy Signing in Orlando, check out this fun video:</div><div align="left"></div><div align="left"><br /><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/docOBvGf2-M&hl=en_US&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/docOBvGf2-M&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-66492734991207149732010-08-06T10:53:00.004-04:002010-08-06T11:34:01.341-04:00Sharing my Notes from RWA Nationals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJde3LHxNjqQO2w11hO8WFm3EXQHBRF3AnhnmXt-kvzoLvXZ7GdsJs0454VZTjk0jqSzdn5C1h6cI0GsTSgfn6T-mLr7yOTzaTof4ua_sY3gmJAQZK8lBDzpg8fEWHqg5ut9LKNT0LnUM/s1600/!cid_24BD6C53-0BD7-4685-8028-37C51CCDA781.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5502316023865170610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJde3LHxNjqQO2w11hO8WFm3EXQHBRF3AnhnmXt-kvzoLvXZ7GdsJs0454VZTjk0jqSzdn5C1h6cI0GsTSgfn6T-mLr7yOTzaTof4ua_sY3gmJAQZK8lBDzpg8fEWHqg5ut9LKNT0LnUM/s200/!cid_24BD6C53-0BD7-4685-8028-37C51CCDA781.jpg" /></a><br /><p>You know how, back in college, there was that student in Biology class who took amazing notes? Remember how her notes were so detailed, so meticulous, that if you overslept and missed Biology one morning, you could copy her notes on mitosis and have a better grasp on cell division than if you'd actually been there yourself, sitting in the front row?<br /><br />Yeah, well, my notes aren't anything like that. But I hope they'll give a <em>little</em> insight into Nationals this year.<br /><br />One of the great things about the conference is that wherever you are in your writing career, whatever issues you might be struggling with, you can find the guidance you need. I looked through all my notes and picked out a few things that really spoke to and/or inspired me. I’m going to share them with you, but first, a couple of disclaimers.</p><p>In most cases, I’m paraphrasing (see earlier post about illegible handwriting). Also, each of these snippets was taken out of the larger context of a speech or workshop. Still, I hope you can get a sense of how wonderful and generous these speakers were.</p><ul><li><strong>Nora Roberts on the challenges of publishing:</strong> Writing is hard. Getting published is hard. Staying published is hard. <em>Embrace</em> the hard. Don’t stand on the edge of the pool complaining. Jump in and start swimming. And for God’s sake don’t complain about the water once you’re in.</li><li><strong>Suzanne Brockman on theme:</strong> Theme informs and comments on society . . . It makes the book into a whole, brings it full circle, and makes it satisfying . . . What makes you (the writer) passionate? <em>That’s</em> your theme. It helps readers connect to you. </li><li><strong>Donald Maas on voice:</strong> Voice is combination of style, sensibility, subject matter, and world . . . In order to develop your voice, think about the time and place of your story . . . What is it about that period that pisses you off? . . . What do others need to understand or see? . . . Where is there unexpected grace? . . . What needs to be celebrated? . . . Take all these feelings, give them to one of your characters, and find the moment in your story when the feelings can be most dramatically expressed. </li><li><strong>Meg Cabot on the best writing advice she ever received:</strong> I was about 16, talking to a college student at a party. He told me not to major in creative writing because it would suck all the joy out of it and make me hate writing. (Later in the workshop, she revealed that the college student is now her husband.) </li><li><strong>Julia Quinn on dialogue:</strong> Never forget that your characters are speaking to each other—not the reader. </li><li><strong>Jayne Ann Krentz on a writer’s core story:</strong> Determine your core story . . . Adapt it to keep it fresh . . . Know the market so you can figure out how your core story works with it . . . Understand the importance of fictional landscapes to readers. </li><li><strong>Editor Leslie Wainger on great story beginnings:</strong> The first line (or paragraph) should ask a question so compelling that a reader who picks the book up off the shelf has only two options—to either take it to the counter and pay for it, or stand in the aisle of the book store reading the whole thing.</li></ul><p>That's it! Let's head to the dining hall and then maybe the library. Or happy hour.</p>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-74712179287988826242010-08-02T14:04:00.004-04:002010-08-02T14:26:17.515-04:00RWA Nationals 2010: Personal Stats<p>RWA Nationals is over already! I'll attempt to post a more thoughtful recap later, but for now I'll just give you the raw numbers:</p><ul><br /><li>number of workshops attended: 11</li><br /><li>pages of notes taken: 16</li><br /><li>pages of notes taken that are actually legible: 2 1/2</li><br /><li>number of decadent desserts eaten in 4 days: 6</li><br /><li>number of pounds gained: you're crazy if you think I'm getting on a scale right now</li><br /><li>final blister count from cute new shoes: 1</li><br /><li>number of times I teared up during GH/Rita acceptance speeches: 4</li><br /><li>distance between me and Nora Roberts at the Awards Ceremony: 20 feet</li><br /><li>number of books I managed to cram into my already full suitcase: 13 (including one hardback)</li><br /><li>number of Big Bang episodes watched at the airport and on the plane: 7</li></ul><p>I loved spending time with my writer friends. Here are my two fabulous CPs (and me) before the Awards Ceremony.</p><p></p><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X2B_siAQpXzLVcWwRMnWdKqoszlvjA8KlXhYp3zxe83B1xsY2P5_7pE_GTN01DB6jIxkdoBsQic0XFDfR0zqG_5lyHWCi42ez5DEwwlJXlUg9fX_pq1NiEOK5mVymcpwt3SO0MPoid8/s1600/DSC00821.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500879772292098050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9X2B_siAQpXzLVcWwRMnWdKqoszlvjA8KlXhYp3zxe83B1xsY2P5_7pE_GTN01DB6jIxkdoBsQic0XFDfR0zqG_5lyHWCi42ez5DEwwlJXlUg9fX_pq1NiEOK5mVymcpwt3SO0MPoid8/s320/DSC00821.JPG" /></a>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-642617490139933792010-07-18T00:19:00.014-04:002010-07-18T09:35:44.325-04:00RWA Nationals CountdownLet’s start with the important stuff. I went shoe shopping:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpumYgebtvSPcWw28ajrqqPNZdCRz9RKnIjF0gXcKGUrC-tU4kgm8_AJKFHPRUxELIWDEL9UQNT8ITz16gkaxpjMA1X6z718KkB1xQCh77RWuzIO3fbF8fYL1x8-C_V_xvegGFWUIn38/s1600/DSC00765.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495097136298736146" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcpumYgebtvSPcWw28ajrqqPNZdCRz9RKnIjF0gXcKGUrC-tU4kgm8_AJKFHPRUxELIWDEL9UQNT8ITz16gkaxpjMA1X6z718KkB1xQCh77RWuzIO3fbF8fYL1x8-C_V_xvegGFWUIn38/s320/DSC00765.JPG" /></a><br />Also, my sister-in-law, who is both generous and fashion-savvy, lent me a really cute dress for the Awards Ceremony. (Thanks, E!) There. I’m sure we’ll all sleep a little better tonight knowing that’s covered, because . . .<br /><br />. . . In little more than a week, over 2,000 romance writers from all over the country and around the globe will descend upon Orlando for RWA’s 30th Annual Conference. It’s a chance to hone our craft, pitch our stories, celebrate our genre, recognize extraordinary talent, and connect with friends. This will be my third year attending, and I’m looking forward to it more than ever. Here’s why:<br /><br />• Both my critique partners have been nominated for the Golden Heart® award this year! I’m so proud of them I could just burst! By the time Saturday night rolls around, they will want to slap the camera right out of my hands.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjNuJQqwJ_nCTWZikjYJN0eX_1OcqFBxlYSGDRz5q5eDdGqQ185GoTGrUIi6ymczg1NkccaXmaqlNEPRyQcQ-NBscwgaptJw0Jma8q5o-v3KWQU7v17Vg6lmphk0WZLirZugwEdVxulY/s1600/Gwyn-Kelli.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 164px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495230354099950946" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjNuJQqwJ_nCTWZikjYJN0eX_1OcqFBxlYSGDRz5q5eDdGqQ185GoTGrUIi6ymczg1NkccaXmaqlNEPRyQcQ-NBscwgaptJw0Jma8q5o-v3KWQU7v17Vg6lmphk0WZLirZugwEdVxulY/s200/Gwyn-Kelli.jpg" /></a><br /><div>• <a href="http://www.keligwyn.com/">Keli Gwyn</a>’s a finalist in the Inspirational Category with <em>Violets & Violins</em>. This story’s had amazing success on the contest circuit, and it landed Keli a fabulous agent. I can’t even tell you how supportive Keli’s been of me, and I’m thrilled that I’ll get the chance to cheer her on at the Awards Ceremony.</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY59kmHLbF8K3Smxv_BeEUWPlSIyQAaz7Vxk24JtBOlp1Cm61UfdYc6Kf_gMhVJ_XanIE3ahNIAVbTlMoDnVmNFbnv8dzuC1Jz7qfoDdohhIIad0zlMq8oOjrZ9Q8TnxOK53O70M0egU/s1600/Connelly-Lisa.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495230818322651746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnY59kmHLbF8K3Smxv_BeEUWPlSIyQAaz7Vxk24JtBOlp1Cm61UfdYc6Kf_gMhVJ_XanIE3ahNIAVbTlMoDnVmNFbnv8dzuC1Jz7qfoDdohhIIad0zlMq8oOjrZ9Q8TnxOK53O70M0egU/s200/Connelly-Lisa.jpg" /></a><br /><div>• <a href="http://www.elisabethnaughton.com/2010/05/18/golden-heart-spotlight-lisa-connelly/">Lisa Connelly</a>’s story, <em>The Sinners</em>, is a finalist in the Novel with Romantic Elements Category. Lisa is insanely talented and she’s my cousin. (You know how, growing up, there was always a cool cousin you wanted to hang out with? Yep, that’s her.) We live about 300 miles away from each other, so we were each writing for a couple years before we finally figured out we were on similar paths and connected. I’m so grateful that writing brought us together. </div><br /><div>• There are lots of fun items on the schedule, but some of the highlights for me are the Literacy Autographing, dinner with my Ruby Sisters, and, basically, any event where dessert is served. The keynote speeches are always moving and inspiring, and this year, they’re by Nora Roberts and Janyne Ann Krentz. Sabrina Jeffries is emceeing the Awards Ceremony, and though I have no idea what the theme will be, I'm certain that there will be plenty of laughter and tears.</div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3n5-pmI5f8MV4tRT7GLAxOrVW1XOZpK43e9eGrnmSRholYU7pkNqwHjgBlhljU8n1JkpFhQ8kgNlDfmjaC6bUyjnJB63jmIcNM0gTu2_OyoBDNr7ihX-WIn4S_GGTlMz81aSJyAYQ5o/s1600/PDR_2027.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495235542996617570" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy3n5-pmI5f8MV4tRT7GLAxOrVW1XOZpK43e9eGrnmSRholYU7pkNqwHjgBlhljU8n1JkpFhQ8kgNlDfmjaC6bUyjnJB63jmIcNM0gTu2_OyoBDNr7ihX-WIn4S_GGTlMz81aSJyAYQ5o/s320/PDR_2027.jpg" /></a><br />• I’m really eager to see all the friends I’ve met at past conferences and those I’ve gotten to know through writing loops. As much as I love a good Yahoo! group, there’s nothing like chatting in person. Or making new friends. </div><br /><div>• But for me, the best part of Nationals are the intangible and unexpected things. Like when an author you love sits in the chair next to you, introduces herself (as if you didn’t already know her name) and asks you about your current story. Or an agent in the lobby says your shoes are adorable. (Thank you very much!) Or you’re sitting in an incredible workshop and you realize RWA just might be the only organization whose members give so generously of their time and talent.</div><br /><div>I promise to post a recap with some pictures after Nationals, but for now, I leave you with a peek inside the preparations for Nationals, created by and starring <a href="http://www.jeannielin.com/">Jeannie Lin</a>, author of <em>Butterfly Swords</em> (Oct. 2010 Harlequin Historical).</div><div><br /><object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/XA-uPe9lVUY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><br /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/XA-uPe9lVUY&hl=en_US&fs=1?rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480"></embed></object></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-39653220150087852002010-05-14T15:32:00.003-04:002010-05-14T15:49:27.209-04:00The Waiting Game<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvmkM25n-mR83PMBXlP8PRZjsUYUz3A_HIkfW5a_hLeiAlumaE7RXU4exj3yR_wqcBYCGcAtvD_IjhCZ0jdfelTko8d8EfMXH5rj7CXRZQpB0b1SEcktpoEKXNq4jA8kcpRCuhSAPB6Y/s1600/j0427829.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471214744215635778" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbvmkM25n-mR83PMBXlP8PRZjsUYUz3A_HIkfW5a_hLeiAlumaE7RXU4exj3yR_wqcBYCGcAtvD_IjhCZ0jdfelTko8d8EfMXH5rj7CXRZQpB0b1SEcktpoEKXNq4jA8kcpRCuhSAPB6Y/s320/j0427829.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>Tom Petty had it right, I think--<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMyCa35_mOg">the waiting is the hardest part</a>.</div><br /><div></div><div>Readers anticipate their favorite author's next release. Writers await news of their latest project. Over at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, everyone's commiserating. Why not stop by and share whatever it is you're waiting for?</div><br /><div></div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/rss/index.php/free-for-all-friday-while-we-wait/">Friday Free-for-All: While we Wait</a></div><div align="center"> </div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-78841520874963360532010-05-09T13:40:00.003-04:002010-05-09T13:50:51.685-04:00This made my Mother's Day . . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt6lB5zfFj82MpTpZKoJLuLnexsfkw2c2Mcd28jpOxdz-S9YX1RJ2tgiShzmroTYHhyAXY_byecobjWslbO_Qe1HlxNHnqRD8BMUKh5K4UvaAnMroE9ZwnJHa3ZDb1tVtCWXiZvOKRJc/s1600/working+on+my+novel+sleep+mask.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469326791436377762" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWt6lB5zfFj82MpTpZKoJLuLnexsfkw2c2Mcd28jpOxdz-S9YX1RJ2tgiShzmroTYHhyAXY_byecobjWslbO_Qe1HlxNHnqRD8BMUKh5K4UvaAnMroE9ZwnJHa3ZDb1tVtCWXiZvOKRJc/s400/working+on+my+novel+sleep+mask.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Well, <a href="http://www.marygreen.com/product/working-on-my-novel-silk-satin-sleep-mask-1450.cfm">this</a>, plus the huge breakfast of pastries, eggs, waffles, and bacon. Thank you, and Happy Mom's day to all!</div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-64392305573239691732010-04-01T15:48:00.006-04:002010-04-01T16:45:38.452-04:00Come On, Lucky Seven<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-ufmnRmFJFnglJDRSqXSmxsBuVgPcGDCIL5a53QUYVn3icPJ0IwUj4AOfbly-i9FLNmgjc8J_fmKw33zNexOcrP4DGYlYExyUAKQMJHFshyphenhyphenXumxgX9ywhwWObqOePWLG908W3zROGaA/s1600/j0399968.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 256px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5455271225743930562" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-ufmnRmFJFnglJDRSqXSmxsBuVgPcGDCIL5a53QUYVn3icPJ0IwUj4AOfbly-i9FLNmgjc8J_fmKw33zNexOcrP4DGYlYExyUAKQMJHFshyphenhyphenXumxgX9ywhwWObqOePWLG908W3zROGaA/s320/j0399968.jpg" /></a> <div></div><div></div><br /><div>I'm not a superstitious sort.</div><div></div><br /><div>Sure, I have my lucky <a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2009/11/setting-record-straight-theyre-not-all.html">writing pants</a> and my lucky chair (which is falling apart, but that's a story for another post). And I have a lucky <a href="http://annebarton.blogspot.com/2008/10/contest-update-and-explanation.html">necklace</a> that I wear when I need an extra bit of confidence. But the logical side of my brain knows that these objects merely provide a modicum of comfort. They do not possess supernatural powers, nor do they influence the outcome of events in my life.</div><div></div><br /><div>Or do they? Dang it, I hope I didn't just jinx myself.</div><div></div><br /><div>Here's the thing. For the past eight weeks, I've been working on revisions to <em>Midnight Promises</em>. Today, as I polished the last scene, I happened to look down at my page and word count:</div><br /><div></div><div>Pages: 377</div><div>Words: 77,777</div><br /><div></div><div>I almost fell off my lucky writing chair. What are the odds of having that number as my final word count? And what does it mean?</div><br /><div></div><div>I'd like to think it's a sign. A sign that something really wonderful will happen. But the truth is, it's just a freakish coincidence, and I shouldn't read too much into it.</div><br /><div></div><div>I will <strong>not</strong> get hung up on the numbers. If I need to add thirteen words (a very unlucky number) to my story, I will do it.</div><br /><div></div><div>And then I'll find a way to delete thirteen others.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7628309822045112604.post-33218896297327062162010-02-24T23:00:00.000-05:002010-02-24T23:06:52.876-05:00Cry, Baby!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAl-a3zgftMtAuibJC-PbbtRZ_tUtM093p2i6MTHI9CVQoxCBsE1uwQ3oNZr3QB4_vNUbNQZixRaFIglrdLXslAPEpAv72BnYcezZfZqpFTRtGk9Tp6XvrRbYrt4IgFrwhHFaQRCfbP8/s1600-h/j0427822.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 214px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441927050106727522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhAl-a3zgftMtAuibJC-PbbtRZ_tUtM093p2i6MTHI9CVQoxCBsE1uwQ3oNZr3QB4_vNUbNQZixRaFIglrdLXslAPEpAv72BnYcezZfZqpFTRtGk9Tp6XvrRbYrt4IgFrwhHFaQRCfbP8/s320/j0427822.jpg" /></a><br /><div></div><div></div><div>When was the last time you had a good, hard cry?<br /><br />All my favorite books make me cry, and I'm blogging about the phenomemon at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood. <a href="http://www.rubyslipperedsisterhood.com/rss/index.php/cry-baby/">Come on over.</a> I've got tissues!</div>Anne Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16687871315529405605noreply@blogger.com2