Pikes Peak Romance Writers

I love this group, even though I'm no longer trying to write romances! Our July monthly meeting on Sunday was a potluck lunch at a member's home, where those members who attended the RWA national conference in Dallas could pass on their post-conference glow to the rest of us. The chapter was well-represented at the conference. Pam McCutcheon was given the 2007 RWA service award for outstanding service to the romance community. Donnell Bell was a finalist in the Best Contemporary Single Title manuscript category of the Golden Heart contest. Laura Hayden designed and conducted the award ceremony, with the assistance of Allegra Johnston acting as "Vanna White" handing out the awards. Karen Fox serves on the national board as the representative of Region Four. And our chapter's Ways and Means committee sold out the plotting boards and writing clocks they brought to the "Moonlight Madness" sale. All our members who attended had stories of amazing encounters with agents and editors and informative and stimulating workshops. They were all bubbling with enthusiasm and recharged to plunge back into their writing careers. It was a pleasure to let some of that glow shine on me. Now, back to editing my latest manuscript!

Back from Vacation and Back in the Mix

I returned from my family vacation trip on Friday, July 13th, and jumped right back into writing activities with a signing at Book Sleuth in Manitou Springs, CO the next day. One of the store regulars had bought my book ahead of time, read it, and returned to have me sign it. When she walked in, I said, "Now that's what I like to see--someone carrying my book!" She was a pleasure to talk to, and she signed up for my email newsletter so she could find out when the sequel will be published.

Sunday afternoon, I hosted the Rocky Mountain chapter of Sisters in Crime for a potluck picnic on my shaded deck. The weather was lovely, but the company was even better. The eleven of us talked about our writing projects and successes and planned some future programs.

Tonight is the Pikes Peak Writers monthly Write Brain seminar, with Kay Bergstrom discussing dialogue. As VP, I help the Workshops Director organize these Write Brains, so I'll be there early to set up and late to clean up. I'm looking forward to hearing Kay's talk. She's always a hoot.

On Thursday, I'll be hosting the on-line PPW Write Chat, which is free and open to anyone. You don't have to be a PPW member. Just go to ppwc.net, find the announcement of my program, and click on "PPW Chat Room" to get directions for how to join us. It's really easy. I'll be talking about "How Networking Will Help Sell Your Book."

Then, on Saturday, July 21st, I'll take my turn on the Summer Mystery Reading Challenge on the reviewedbyliz.com blog. I'll check in periodically during the day to answer questions and chat on the blog about A REAL BASKET CASE and my writing life.