Back from NOLA

All my good intentions of blogging while I was at RT? Arg. I was so busy with stuff and writing that it completely slipped my mind.

I got home yesterday and promptly crashed. It was a very long day of flying and plane transfers and it started way too early. But RT was good this year, if different for me than it has been in the past.

Typically, I work a lot, go to panels, and sit in the bar to socialize in the evening. The parties are just not my thing, and I'm not comfortable in huge groups, so a lot of the planned activities end up making me incredibly tense and not of the fun. The plan to socialize was shot, however, because of how truly crappy the acoustics were in the hotel. It was next to impossible to sit and have a decent conversation because of how loud it was. You couldn't even sit in the restaurant and talk to the person next to you because of the noise. So most evenings, I went back up to my room and wrote, because I have a ton of deadlines coming up.

That being said, I did get to meet a ton of great people. There were the usual suspects, people I adore that I only get to see at cons like Caitlyn Willows, Dee Carney, and ZA Maxfield, and then new people, like the irrepressible Sasha Devlin, my book signing buddies Cate Dean and Seleste Delaney, and Suzan Butler.

So do I have stories about craziness at RT? No, unfortunately. I do have new friends, however, and new authors to check out (some of which I already have, like the very talented Ryan Winfield). I learned quite a bit about self-publishing and marketing, and I got a ton of work done. For me, that's a win. A big win.

Last day before leaving for RT

Remember how I said last week I wasn't ready for RT? I'm still not. However, my to do list is much shorter, so provided I get through today and don't miss my flight in the morning, everything will be just fine.

I'm going to do my best to post while I'm there, but just in case, here's what I'm up to. I'm not on any panels, but I will be at the e-book signing on Saturday. I'm giving away jewelry, so be sure and stop by if you're there.

RT prep update

I am not nearly as stressed as I was on Monday. My swag is almost done (I'm giving away jewelry at the signing this year, woo hoo!), the self pampering has begun, and my stressful weekend has been eased.

I watched a packing video from Erin Knightley yesterday from last year and just boggled. For RT, she only used carry-on luggage. One suitcase and her purse. For eight days. And swag. It was astounding. I can't do the same thing (because I'm so short, I never take anything on the plane that I can't fit under the seat in front of me, struggling with the overheads is just not worth it), but I did pick up a few tips that will come in handy. I recommend watching.

Today, I have to run out to See's to pick up my suckers as my sweet swag, tomorrow is my facial, and Saturday is my haircut. Tuesday morning is going to come very, very soon.

Getting ready for RT

My reaction to the upcoming RT in three simple words.

I'm not ready.

I'm trying to avoid actively thinking about it, because then I start having a panic attack. The timing is atrocious for me this year. My kids have active lives, I leave two days after Mother's Day, and I have deadlines that are staring me down. I know I'll feel better once I actually get to New Orleans, but honestly, I'm probably going to be sick until I'm physically checked in at the hotel. Even the flight itself is making me hyperventilate because it's my first time flying with Southwest and the lack of seat assignments makes me anxious (not to mention I hate having to worry about connections and they were unavoidable for a cross-country flight from California to New Orleans).

I wish I could use it as a vacation time like so many other authors do, but truth be told, I know for a fact that I'll spend hours alone in my room writing and that I will never leave the hotel except to go to and from the airport. I'll be uber relaxed by the time I return home the following week, though. Getting away from the hectic schedule of my everyday life is always rejuvenating.

I just have to get to the point where I'm actually there, first.

Signing at RT

After taking last year off from conventions, I got in early to get a hotel for RT this year. I wasn't quite as quick on the registration, though, since by the time I registered a few hours after it opened, the slots for the Book Fair were already filled up.

No problem, I thought. I got put on the waiting list and basically resigned myself to taking it easier this year and not having to worry as much about promo. Plus, it would give me freedom to be a fangirl at the Book Fair, too, which I always love.

Not the case anymore.

Yesterday, I got an email letting me know that I now had a slot in the ebook section of the book fair. So guess who's scrambling to get promo settled quickly, lol?