I’m in the middle of packing and agonizing what to bring to RWA. Our son once drew the “Robinson Family Crest”—a mini van, a suitcase and crossed toothbrushes. We took the kids on lots of trips, and always tried to travel light (not easy with six people). My husband will never let me forget the time I went to Vienna with four suitcases (I was meeting my relatives for the first time and wanted to make a good impression. *g*). So I got accustomed to one carry-on.

But for this trip, besides making a good impression, I’m also trying to entertain a 2 1/2 year old, so I’m checking kind of a giant bag but bringing this cool rolling Liz Claiborne Work Bag (retail retail price $280, TJ Maxx $59.99!) on the plane with my travel docs, computer, a portable DVD player and about 1000 new things for Sadie to read and play with. I should even have room to bring back convention booty.

Once I get back, I’ll bore you with my WAR–uh,RWA stories and pick this month’s contest winner—you still have a chance to win stuff on the contest page . The answers I’ve been getting are marvelously creative, and someone is aaaalmost right.

If you’re going to Orlando, I hope to see you. If you’re staying home, keep cool! Where do you want to go next, and what’s a must-have in your suitcase? One random commenter will get a copy of Tempting Eden and other good stuff when I get home!

According to this fun site, I write like William Shakespeare. Uh, I hate to think what my high school English teachers would have to say about that. I plugged in the first couple of paragraphs from the latest thing I’m working on, and voila! Or should I say zounds? Anyway, go play.

I write like
William Shakespeare

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

The results from this year’s Bulwer-Lytton contest are here. Enjoy!

So, it’s seventeen days until I board a plane to go to my first RWA convention ever. And I’m both excited and pretty scared. I planned to make this a family/friend vacation even when it was scheduled for Nashville–I had visions of my daughters singing in some honky-tonk and doing the boot scoot boogie. Now I see them spinning in teacups with Sadie, my two-year-old granddaughter, and avoiding heatstroke in Orlando.

I am traveling with an entourage (not to be confused with the HBO series of the same name because we are not nearly as profane or buff)–my oldest daughter (Sadie’s mom), Sadie, my youngest daughter, one of my oldest friends and her daughter. I realized I will not be having dinner with them any night because of commitments, and that makes me even more nervous. Their human shield capability is what I love about them most. I am friendly, but I am shy. I think that’s a given for most of us who peck away in privacy.

My youngest daughter gave me a beautiful pen at Christmas to sign books with. I’ve got it in my purse already. Due to the terrifying genius of Rita-nominated Courtney Milan, my book excerpts are appearing in rather exalted company in this promo booklet.
I’m bringing pencils and magnets and bookmarks to pass out, too.

Next week my oldest daughter and I are going clothes shopping, as I usually spend my summers in bathing suits and jean shorts. Having summers off from school has left my professional wardrobe lacking in most essentials, but I’m happy to tell you I’ve got plenty of brand-new underwear in case I wind up in the hospital.

So, any conference tips to pass along? Ways to beat the heat and swollen feet? Don’t forget to enter this month’s contest.

Just a quick post to direct your attention to this month’s contest. I’ve described the hero Darius Shaw of Not Quite a Courtesan in Brava’s Lords of Passion (November 30) as an “adventurer.” What do you think he does? Guess away and I’ll post an excerpt on the Books page in August after I get back from RWA and send a randomly selected winner the beautiful coverflat, a signed copy of Mistress by Mistake (or Margaret Rowe’s Tempting Eden if you prefer) and some other goodies. A Margaret Rowe contest will be posted soon too!

It is a million degrees here in Maine. Stay cool and happy reading.