 Diary of a Mad Writer Posted by Joan Kayse Aug 13 2012, 1:19 am It should say “How I Went to Conference and Didn’t Bring Grayson a Present”. Yep, you guessed it. This is Grayson aka The Monkey Cat here. I thought I deserved equal time on this blog thingee Mom does since Cricket got a turn not to0 long ago. (Rubs paws with glee). Let’s get this puppy, er, kitten on the road! Mom had lined up a BORING topic on …well, who know what it was on, the point was it was boring. So I stole….er, borrowed…her diary from her recent trip to the RWA Conference in Anaheim, CA. Let’s just see what she was up to while we kitties languished in our naps back here. DAY 1: Flying out WAY too early. Really, planes are awake at 5:30? Wait in Chicago not too bad…they had McD’s Diet Coke!!! And $5 Skittles. Sheesh! Arrive at John Wayne Airport. Wow, the palm trees are SO pretty! Sorry, FL but they outrank yours. Hotel is nice, walk a freakin’ mile and half to the McD’s “just down the road” for a, you guessed it, Diet Coke. What’s that across the street? It’s feakin’ Disneyland! Time change claimed me 7:30 their time. Zzzzzzzzzzzz. GRAYSON: Um, what’s wrong with zzzz’s? And really Mom…this addiction to Diet Coke…we need an intervention. DAY 2:A Freebie day. My roomie Lisa along with Suz Ferrell and Jo Davis rent a car and drive to Laguna Beach. One word: AWESOME!!! Park by beach was gorgeous. Where does California get all these beautiful plants? The Pacific ocean is COLD but the sand was perfect. Looked around the artsy community and at the lifeguards…yummy. Enjoyed an Irish pub with the cool ocean breezes. Sigh.  LT and Me!
GRAYSON: Sand? Did somebody say sand? Oooooo…I love me some fresh sand. And what are lifeguards? Are they like tuna treats? Yummy, we like tuna treats…and salmon…and chicken. Day 3: Me and the bestie went to Disneyland, the original “House of the Mouse.” GRAYSON: MOUSE????? (Falls into pounce position) Tried to take it in stride as the birthplace of all that is Disney but…after many years of visiting the much larger and varied Disneyworld, a bit of a disappointment. Course, didn’t help that I got a park map in FRENCH! Plus was meeting Barbara Vey and her friend Sheila and sharing Mickey waffles. Tuesday evening, met with Banditas Jeanne, Susan and Suz for dinner. Nice, and relaxed and lots of fun. Was especially glad to see my little duckling from St. Paul. GRAYSON: (Spins in circle) Duckling? What duckling? Do they taste like chicken? DAY 4: Returned to Disneyland with Susan Sey, aka Duckling. Enjoyed spending time though she did get a bit grumpy. (Don’t care what she says, she looks like “Ta da! I am a Dwarf” presidential candidate. Disappointed that I couldn’t find any Mickey souvenirs for my baby cats. GRAYSON: Ears, perked up! Is that like prezzies???? What’s WRONG with that place! Enjoyed a drink with Kristan Higgins and the Literacy signing! It was HUGE! DAY 5: Down to business at the conference. PRO retreat turned out really nice. Big moment came with Keynote speaker Stephanie Laurens. Spoke on writers having control, having say on the path to getting their stories out. Think Norma Rae. The energy was, well,energizing! Ate chicken served with new perspective. (On writing pathway, not the chicken). Had a hallway massage, LOL. Couldn’t help but laugh when lady next to me said to surfer boy massage guy. “I can take a lot…..of pressure”
DAY 6: Great workshops. Sat in on Michael Hague. Lunch included….chicken and a bread basket with a note that said “Contains Gluten”. Really? Even my baby cats would know that! Agent appt. went fine. Asked for a partial of the Irish Myth Warriors first book. Hope for quick response. Hope for a YES! Attended St. Martin’s reception. Chatted more with Duckling, other interesting folk. Discussed self-publishing trend with a duo of agents. Interesting that THEY are forming their OWN pathway to this venue. Um, writers don’t need that now. Felt sorry for them and ordered them another drink. And wow, lobster pot stickers! Yummy. GRAYSON: (Stomach rumbles) What is this lobster of which you speak? DAY7: Kind of a laid back day. Went to some booksignings, chatted more with my peeps about self-publishing. Formulating plan, feeling excited. Decide that diversity is key to solid career. Hmmmmm. Went to a Goodreads presentation. Interesting, interesting, confusing, but interesting. Missing my babies so much! GRAYSON: (Sniff) We’re missing you too Mama! Lovely GH/RITA ceremony. Congrats to all the winners! DAY 8: On my way home! New energy! Have decided to self-pub my three Roman historical romances! Continue traditional path for Irish boyos at this point but ready for this new path! GRAYSON: (Running around, leaping, chasing tail, mewing) Mama’s home! Mama’s home! Better than tuna bites). Joanie opens door. Grayson sits watching her, twitches a whisker. GRAYSON: Sure am glad she’s back! LOVE that she is excited about this writing thingee she does….whole reason? Maybe she can stay home with me more So what about you? Have you found new authors in the self-pubbed world? What led you to them? Ever had to leave a pet behind for vacation? Do you bring your pet’s souvenirs? TweetPosted in Jo Davis, Joan Kayse, kristan higgins, Lisa Tapp, RWA conference, Self-publishing, Susan Sey, Suzanne Ferrell Comments29 thoughts on “Diary of a Mad Writer” |
  
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Yes, I am evil.
Hi Joan,
Wish I could have bee at Disneyland with you guys. I have been introduced to to a lot more self published books, but they were by established authors. Never had to leave behind a pet on a vacation. I have helped out friends who were away and they left me their keys to feed their fish.
I am sure the GR will love being looked after Jane
Have Fun
Helen
Mornin’ Jane,
Disneyland had plenty of “Disney Spirit” just not a lot of room!
I used to have an aquarium. VERY important to keep them fed, else they…eat each other :0
I hope you’ve discovered some of our self pubbed Bandits…Suz, Susan, Jo, Trish….their books rock!
Jane, congrats on the GR!
Joanie and Grayson
Great post love the pics looks like everyone was having lots of fun.
I have read many self published books and loved them and I do have a lot on the e reader that are new to me authors (just need more time to read them ). Please keep us posted on your books Joanie I can’t wait to read all about your Romans this is really exciting news whoohoo.
As for holidays I usually get someone to look after my pets and I have often babysat friends pets when they go away and yes I have been known to pick up a toy or two for my pets that I have left behind LOL
Have Fun
Helen
Great to hear you’re discovering new authors, Helen and I can’t wait for you to read about Jared, Damon and Bran…
My friend Lisa is baby sitting a minature dachsund this week. I’m not usually a weine dog fan but he’s pretty cute!
Sounds like you had a great time, Joanie! My pets usually go to camp when I leave town. They love it there which lessens the guilt I feel for leaving them. And, yes, there have been dog souvenirs on occasion.
Excited for the path your Romans are on! Can’t wait to read their stories!
HI PJ!
Awww…doggy camp… I’ve seen VERY elaborate boarding places for kitties on TV…pretty sure they aren’t here in Louisville. BUT my brother, despite his thin veneer of curmudgeon LOVES my babies and took great care of them while I was gone. I could tell cause they didn’t act stressed when I walked in.
And he takes care of my flowers great too!
Saw on FB one of your pups is poorly…hope he’s feeling better
Glad you had a great time at conference, Joanie – so missed going this year. Roll on Atlanta!
Meows Grayson from Jersey Girl and CC. When our parents go away we get a lovely lady who comes to visit and feed us twice a day. We think she’s called a cat sitter because she sits and plays with us. We love her so much we brought her a mouse last visit.
Presents? We get presents from one of our aunties and her doggies, but none after the holidays. Hmm will have a serious word about that with the parents!
Hi CC and Jersey Girl!!! GREAT Olympics! Ya’ll did good! (I KNOW there was major kitty input)
Most places out there only cater to the canine. Mom did find us litte stuffed chipmunks and flying squirrel. Sniff…they did not smell right so we showed them and ignored them
Hey Joanie!!
Laguna Beach was a blast, wasn’t it? You forgot to mention the Irish Pub where we had lunch. I do so love conference and seeing you and all my friends…Pouts…miss y’all already!
I did mention it Missy…we sat out in the breeze. What I didn’t mention was Jo running like a crazy woman from an incoming wave only to fluidly spin, aim her camera at a line of jogging lifeguards and SNAP LOL
I do miss you too…and all my peeps.
Bonjour from Montreal! And thank you so much for posting that fabulous picture of me in my Grumpy mode.
I still say I was looking disgruntled rather than subversive, but hey, if I’m called upon to take over the world someday, at least I’m ready. 
Miss you, Mama Duck! At least as much as your baby cats did!
Awwww duckling…..miss you too!
Kiss the Girl is out now under the self pub banner! It’s a great book and should NOT be missed.
You can find it at your neighborhood Amazon or BN.com Buy now, buy often!
Joanie looks like you had a great time. I missed seeing everyone. Seems like it’s been a lot longer than a year since the last RWA.
Congrats on trying out the self-pub route. I know a great graphic artist for the covers
.
With my kids living at home I have built in pet and house sitters. I did miss the kitty while we were in Scotland. I didn’t bring back any souvenirs for her, though. Hmmm…wonder if they have lamb treats.
Oh, what a fun post. When first married we got a beagle and she was our baby for over 12 years. That is also when we got to travel. I hated leaving her and was my happiest when I could find someone to come to our house but that wasn’t always possible. Places are so much nicer today than 40 yrs. ago but we don’t travel much anymore and since 10 yrs. ago we no longer have dogs but lots of cats. Usually having some one come in every second or third day works. I had an unfortunate event a couple of years back when my husband was at home with 7 cats and my daughter’s dog while I took a trip with my children. He had orders to pay special attention to my oldest cat but he failed to notice that my dearest alpha cat was not eating. I lost him a few weeks later and it was devasting for me. I haven’t been anywhere since.
Oh, Catslady…that’s so sad.
My brother does a good job and its better now that they have each other. Plus, I left window shade up so they could look outside. They HAVE to be on bird alert!
Hi Joan & Grayson,
No pets as of now, since Gerald the Orange
Tabby Cat left us years ago. So no souvenir
searches. Our grandchildren have given us
a granddog and two grandkitties! They are
on my Christmas list for this year.
Pat C.
Pat, it is almost as much fun shopping for fur babies as kids!
What about some new books from Amazon? HIGHLY recommend HUNTED, KISS THE GIRL FRAIL BLOOD and lots more from the Banditas and….maybe a Roman by then
JT and Grayson! What a fun post. Oh, I’m so sad I missed RWA! Sob, sob, sob. Just off to the Romance Writers of Australia conference today – that’s always fun. JT, LOVE that photo of our Smoov pretending to be a dwarf. You know, that beard is in her color!
We missed seeing you Anna! I mean Australia was only what? 19 hours from LA??? :0
Have fun at your AusRWA conference. Get Stepahine Laurens to give her Norma Rae speech.
And LOL…..I expectes Smoov to start reciting “Four Score and Seven Dwarves ago..”
Joanie and Grayson, what a great trip report! Very cute pictures, especially hat photo of Smoov.
We actually prefer Disneyland (when it’s not jam-packed with local teenagers breaking in line–so not a “happiest place on Earth” moment when they do that) to Disney World because everything we really want is right there in the Magic Kingdom.
I wish you luck with your Romans. It’s an off-market period, and I think it makes sense to take that out yourself.
In general, I’m still very leery of self-pubbed authors unless I already know something about their work or someone recommends them. I know too many raw newbies who get a few rejections, decide editors are idiots, and go indie when the actual problem is not editor idiocy but unrefined author skills.
We generally have a housesitter to take care of the dog, bring in the mail, etc., when we’re away. The dog likes her regular one because it’s so hard to train new servants, but she does condescendingly accept substitutes.
We bring home doggie gifts if we see something good. We did twice drive almost an hour north from Nags Head to Kitty Hawk to bring our late and still lamented yellow lab a bag of homemade treats from Salty Paws.
DL over WDW???
Bought my best Mickey treat from the GIFT shop in the Marriott.
I had my goddaughter as the emotional sitter for my kittehs last year, but this year she is 8 mo. pregnant and find it hard to roll on the floor to play
Sept 13th I become a Grand “Godmother”
Cute post, Joanie! I wish I could have gone to conference this year. I will go next year!!
Luckily when I went on vacation this year, I had my oldest son stay at the house with the fuzzy boys. I didn’t bring them presents. Just having time with Stephen was enough of a present. They love him.
My two love my brother too, especially Grayson…I think it’s a male thing.
Look forward to seeing you in Atlanta next year!
So glad the kitties got to post! So cute!
Fortunately I have a great pet sitter who checks on my fur kids when I am away. And this year they had the added treat of visits from my Mom and my youngest brother to cover the days my pet sitter was away at a dog agility trial. The pets LOVE a visit from Nana as it always involves lots of treats!
I don’t bring presents home for them, but I usually do have extra special treats put up for the days after I return from a trip.
Conference was a blast and it was so great to see you there!
It was great to see you too, Louisa though it was only for one brief time.
I thought the hotel was great..can’t wait to get the survey to give them A+++
And the weather…GOR-GEOUS!
We definitely need to plan to spend more time together in Atlanta! And the weather was so gorgeous I did NOT want to come home!
Loved your blog post and Grayson’s comments, Joanie. Sounds like you had a grand time at National!
Of course, I hope that I’m one of the recently published independent authors that our Bandita Buddies have found, along with Trish and Susan.