One of My Favorite Weekends!
I had a fabulous weekend, spending Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday in the manor house at Bradford Woods for my RWA chapter’s annual retreat. It’s a wonderful time of sharing, encouragement and sisterhood for our chapter. Some attendees snuggle down with their laptops and write, others gather in the great room in front of the roaring fire and talk books and writing, share some of their current works in progress and the latest gossip and information about the industry, while others meet in the large classroom in the basement for a mini workshop or lecture on anything from writing sexual tension to punctuation. Of course there is the necessary bulk of chocolate on hand along with a few bottles of wine, yummy snacks, great meals served by the Bradford Woods’ chef and miles of wooded trails to hike. Over the years, rumors have also reported a ghost or two. It was an exciting weekend for our president elect, Sandy James, who learned that two of her books – Murphy’s Law and Free Falling have been nominated for Eppie awards. The Eppie is the equivalent of the Oscar/RITA/Edgar, etc., for the e-pubbed genre. Congratulations Sandy!!! Her husband Jeff is going to have to build a new room on their house just to display all of her contest wins, plaques, certificates and trophies! As if those two nominations weren’t enough :>D  Later in the day when she got home, she learned that one of her manuscripts in the new paranormal Amazon series that she’s writing – The Reluctant Amazon – is a finalist in the Dark Paranormal Category of the Where the Magic Begins contest. I loved the word she used in her e-mail to tell us … SQUEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!Â
My wonderful news from retreat is that my IRWA chapter sisters presented me with the chapter’s award, The Alicia, for dedicated service to the chapter. Yes, I admit – I cried, I was very honored. Being a member of this great group of women is one of the blessings in my life. Thank you Judith (aka Ann Morgan) for the nomination. The beautiful etched glass award is now proudly displayed on my desk at work.Â
I was one of the ones at retreat who spent time with my laptop – writing most of Saturday morning and afternoon. I was able to solve one of the stumbling blocks that I’d been dealing with for a couple of days and now that the bumpy road has been smoothened out … Wahoo!!! Now I can get on with telling the Deer Woman story. Double Wahoo!!!!!Â
Many thanks to Stacy Post for being our retreat coordinator/hostess this year. You did a marvellous job, Stacy. And thank you Judith and Nancy for sharing the “gargoyle” room with me — I always enjoy our times together and our mutual pep talks. You guys are the greatest!!
November 16th, 2009 at 11:21 am
Oh, Judie! Thanks so much for the beautiful “shout outs.” It really was a rollercoaster weekend, and one I’ll always remember.
And as far as the Alicia Award, I couldn’t think of a better recipient. You’ve done so much for IRWA, more than the members could ever repay. Fingers, toes, everything crossed that Deer Woman makes it to bookstores soon!!