Today is the last day of short stuff’s summer school program, which means anything I don’t want to take a 4 year old along with me for has to be done today.  I think there’s only one thing left that I need to do – go shoe shopping.

She’s not so good at are shoe shopping when she’s not the one the shoes are for.  She likes to mix and match.  As in, mix shoes from one box with another box.  Guess she’s looking for that perfect pair.  And it’s hard to chase her around when I’m trying to slide my foot into a 3″ heel, or lace up new sneakers or boots.  Since I go barefoot more than I wear shoes (the joys of working at home!) I really don’t need shoes that often.  But I do need new party shoes for next week.  So today, I go shoe shopping.

I’m lucky she’s generally a great shopper -more than I am.  She begs me every morning “Mom, where are we going shopping today?  Can we go to the store with cookies?(Publix)  Can I get a new belt?(Walmart)  Can I play with the legos while I’m there? (Wine Warehouse) Can I ride in the beepbeep cart? (BJ’s)”  She has a way to entertain herself anyplace I need to go, and it usually doesn’t even involve begging me to buy herself.  Except Walmart, but it’s pretty easy to find something for less than $2 at Walmart.

I also needed to take the car in to get it serviced, but the hubby couldn’t free his morning schedule (translation – couldn’t get himself out of bed early enough) – so looks like she gets to do that one with me.  That’s one I prefer doing solo, so I can loose myself in a book while I wait.

Today’s conference update -

There is a trolley that runs downtown, and makes a loop every 15 minutes or so.  Stops right outside the Marriott, and one of it’s scheduled stops is the Aquarium.
http://www.atlantadowntown.com/images/havi…olley_mapLG.jpg
http://www.atlantadowntown.com/NewsTooheys_Trolleys.asp
Could be better than walking if you can’t get a cab or hitch a ride. And you can get a round trip ride for $2.50!

Eep.  This came through in my email a bit ago.

Unfortunately, Pamela Campbell, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, has cancelled her RWA Conference registration and, therefore, will not be able to meet with you during your scheduled editor appointment.

National office is working hard to get everyone set up with new appointments, but there just aren’t that many available this late in the game.   I sent in my preferred list – but bartenders, watch out, you’re going to get to hear me give my barstool pitch a few more times I think!

I emailed The Mall at Peachtree Center, and several cafes in it, last night to try to pin down store hours and which have free wifi.  The best option looks to be the Atlanta Bread Company – and they open at 7am.  I should have plenty of time to check my email and feed my twin addictions – caffine and ‘net.  They’re on the north side of the upper level food court, which puts them right near the walkway.

Ok, enough about whether I’ll be able to get online at the conference.  Let’s talk about deadlines.  Do you like them?  Hate them?  Do you work better or worse under the pressure?

I love them.  I love to make plans, but nothing gets me fired up more than having a drop-dead goal and knowing that it’s up to me to meet it.  So, I’ve got one week to finish up both the short I’m pitching to Ellora’s Cave, and a brand new pitch for the Blaze pitch party.  I’ve got the basics for the Blaze storyline, although I can tell already I’m going to have to merge a few characters – or maybe put them in a second book.  The short story just needs me to buckle down and finish it.

So I’m off to write.  Hope you’re meeting your goals and deadlines as we count down to conference!

I’m an active memer on several writers forums, and I’m noticing a trend on all the romance-focused ones.

Participation by writers who plan to attend the conference in Atlanta has become almost entirely focused on the upcoming conference.  Topics all seem to evolve into discussion of shoes (flip flops ok?), purses (do you need one?), parties (dinner at 9??), travel arrangements (who wants to share a cab), who plans to buy the workshop cd’s – and will you be my new friend?, and what tourist sites in Atlanta are not to be missed.  When you spend (on average) over $1000 to travel, sleep, eat, workshop, party, and network for 5 days and 4 nights, it makes sense that you’re going to be a bit single-track minded about the event.  I’ve become guilty of it myself – almost everything I plan these days is divided into either “pre-conference” or “post-conference” in my head.  Update the kids vacinations?  post-conference.  Oil change for the car?  Pre-conference.  Call the electrician to see why our power bills shot up 70%? pre-conference. 

Likely overwhelmed (and maybe a bit annoyed) by the constant conference chatter, writers who aren’t attending have hunkered down in their writing bunkers and quieted their chatter.  Non-conference talk – actual writing talk! – has died to a low murmer on a few forums.  Those not attending are probably long tired of hearing about who has what appointment, what parties they’re missing, and which headliner workshop they won’t get to hear first hand.  They probably don’t know how much we miss them on the forums and loops.  But I’m sure they’ll be back once the rest of us have conferenced ourselves out.  (Well, I hope they will!  Ladies – and babes, and gents - I miss you!)

I’m lucky Atlanta is so close to me; Dallas is way ‘cross the country from my east coast home, so my plans for next July are still up in the air.  But if I have to sit out next years RWA main event, I will get to taste first hand just what it’s like to have to listen to everyone else make plans for a party you will have to miss yourself.

To all the non-attendees – please forgive me as I become one of those writers who will spend the next 3 weeks gushing like a freshman invited to the senior prom.  First conference can only happen once :satansmoking: