Conference time again

Someone just reminded me the RWA National Conference is once again less than a month away, and I won't be there--again. I haven't made it to a National conference since Dallas in 2004. I've lost all the momentum I had with editors and agents, most of the contacts with my fellow writers. But in the business we're in now, if you have the time, it means you aren't working so you don't have the money. And with the conference in San Francisco this year, that means it's expensive. Airfare, hotel, meals, registration--we're talking about $2000 or so to attend. Still, it breaks my heart that I won't be there this time. My first book is about to debut, which means I'd be eligible for my first-ever publisher party. Might even have been able to get my books in time for my first-ever book signing. Would have been my first National to attend as a published author.

Yes, I'm having a great big pity party over this one....

Meeting a guy from online...

Not that kind of meet. But my husband and I met one of my online writer friends and his wife for dinner. They were in town for a wedding, so we drove over and met them at the Texas Roadhouse. We had a great meal, a great time, and it was really nice to meet Josh Lockwood face to face. Check out his books at www.moonlitromance.com.

Away too long and sad news.....

My husband and I have been on the road all but three weeks so far this year. We spent 5 wonderful weeks in Florida, then to places all over Texas and to Shreveport, LA. I'm in West Texas now, on my own this time. I got to visit with fellow Noodler Stef Feagan last week, which was a rare treat.

Just a few weeks now until Double Exposure will be available on www.eredsage.com. I saw my cover in a two page ad in Romantic Times, so I had to pick up a copy of the magazine. It's in the July issue.

I'm getting ready to head out for the long drive home. Haven't seen my husband for ten days, so I'm ready to get back there. But he called me early this morning with the news that Willie, my 11 year old Great Pyrenees, had passed away. I've had Willie since he was 6 weeks old, and I knew he was close to going, but I hoped he'd wait until after I got home. It just breaks my heart. He has a mate, Dollie, and they've been together their entire lives. I'm worried about her. Tony said she's been standing guard over Willie's body, but somehow he has to get in the pen and move Willie so he can bury him. That won't be an easy task because Willie weighed 150 pounds.

I'm going to miss you, Willie. I'm going to miss you licking my face while I try to clean out the water bowls. I'm going to miss you looking up at me with those big brown eyes, so full of love and welcome. I hope you're now running free, free of pain, in a green field with birds to chase and ponds to laze around in. I love you, big guy.



Willie as a puppy


Willie doing his favorite thing...



Willie and Dollie