I am so excited—I am going to my very first Romance Writers of America National Conference in less than three weeks.
I made the decision last year to attend when I realized 2009 was Harlequin’s 60th anniversary year. That was one party I didn’t want to miss. I also have very fond memories of Washington, D.C. When we were kids, my mom found el cheapo plane tickets and said, “We’re going to Washington for Lincoln’s birthday weekend.”
February in D.C. is not the height of the tourist season, to put it mildly, so we had the place almost to ourselves. We hit all the high spots, including the giant pandas, which were the newest thing in the National Zoo, went to Ford’s Theatre, complete with black bunting in the Presidential box, and the First Ladies’ Dress exhibit in the Smithsonian. One of my favorite pictures is my sister Kate and I holding our special treat—a brand new stuffed panda for each of us.
I’m on the left, Kate is on the right.
I did more traveling when I was younger, but family and mortgages have a funny way of cutting into travel money. But this year, I started up an online saving account and dutifully socked away $25 a week and whatever else I could get my hands on. And my sister Kate is always up for a trip, so she signed on to be my roommate. She will be seeing the sights during the day and hanging with me at night.
Shopping for a formal dress for the RITA Awards was another hurdle. Try finding a dress that doesn’t scream either “Senior Prom” or “Mother of the Bride.” Since I have twenty years since the one and hopefully at least another fifteen years before the other, I was stuck. But after some fiddling with alterations and a trip to Nordstrom’s Rack, I have two long dresses and one cocktail dress.
I can’t wait to meet all my fellow Blaze authors whom I’ve only met online and get reacquainted with the ones I’ve met in person. Now all I have to do is figure out how much cash to bring for snacks, drinks—and a new set of stuffed pandas.
Marie
www.mariedonovan.com
P.S. As a fun summer reading giveaway, comment on this blog and I’ll pick one person to win a copy of my latest release, My Sexy Greek Summer. We may not be able to get to Greece this summer, but we can fantasize, can’t we?
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I hope you have a wonderful time Marie! With one child in college and another going in a year we spend vacation time locally which is not a terrible thing. We live close to many things we can do in a day trip.
Marie, I’ll be there!
I love going to the RWA conference. What’s funny is how many writers have spread sheets for the clothes they’ll need and when to wear them. The loops have been discussing clothes and makeup for a couple of weeks now. My best advice to you: Band-aids®. I don’t care if your shoes NEVER hurt your feet. Which reminds me that it’s time to start getting used to actual shoes because I spend eleven months of the year in flip flops.
Another fabulous product is Body Glide. http://www.bodyglide.com/ I THINK I heard about this from Jo Beverley via JoAnn Ross and I’ve been spreading the word ever since. Rub it on your feet/toes and it’ll prevent blisters. You’ll dance the night away at the Harlequin party!
Have fun at the RWA conference!
Have fun in Washington D.C. Hope the panadas are a cute as they was when you went as a kid!!!!
Hi Marie!
Enjoy your trip and conference!
how cool have loads of fun
great blaze authors
congrats on teh books
your books are very hot
have fun say hi to themf o r me lol
Marie, have a terrific time! I envy you! I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time enjoying your new wardrobe and meeting fellow authors and adoring fans!
And enjoy the pandas!
Oh enjoy yourself…. those conferences always sound like so much fun! Have a fun and safe trip!
Have a fun and safe trip! Unfortunately, I don’t take vacations. We do go on day trips though to zoos, museums, or kitschy local festivals.
Take comfy shoes, and if you can carry some take epsom salts. I often slip away mid day and soak my feet in the tub. It’s quiet, and I take 10 minutes to unwind. It does wonders and revives me very well. TMI, I guess, but the hotels are huge and we’re always on the go. Have a blast at the Blaze author signing…so many fans show up, it’s a real treat.
And I’m grumpy b/c I have to miss this year…I’ll think of everyone dancing at the HQ party though. They’re so much fun!
Bonnie Edwards
Have fun at your first RWA conference. Hopefully we’ll get to see some pics of you in those dresses.
Oh Marie! That pic of you and sis as kids is TOO cute!
Can’t wait to see you and every one in DC. I’ve never been and am coming in early Saturday to see all the sights.
I’m loving all these great tips for sore feet. I usually just take Advil and endure.
And Marie! I can’t wait to see your Rita Gown!
Not a blaze author, (I’m working on it) but I will be in DC for the conference.
Hi everyone,
Just checking in after being away all day. The IT servers at the day job have recently fought off a massive virus attack, so they would not look upon blogging with a kind eye.:-)
Maureen, believe me, I am a big believer in what they are kindly calling “staycations” these days. Fortunately there is always something to do in the Chicago area, even free stuff most of the time. I go to lots of festivals and art fairs.
Heather, LOL on the clothing spreadsheet. First of all I am not that hot with spreadsheets and secondly, that sounds like way more time than I would spend on figuring out clothing. Never fear about the shoes. I have bad feet inside and out, and if you happen to see a tall brunette wearing New Balance hikers with a nice business suit, that would be me.
Minna, Cheryl and Chey, thanks for the good wishes. I am sure I will have a good time.
Marie
kh,
All of us Blaze authors really appreciate your kind words. Keep reading and we will give you some great stories!
Fedora, I am looking forward to the pandas as well. Apparently the hotel is right across from the zoo, and my sister and I have added a day before and a day after to get some sightseeing.
Colleen and Jody, thanks for the bon voyage. I will be blogging again on July 25th and will give everyone an update.
Hi Bonnie, the epsom salts are a great idea. Although I am not sure about carrying unmarked white crystals through the airport…maybe I will find a pharmacy near the hotel
Jane, I will definitely post some pics of me all fancied up–minus the hiking boots.
Marie Donovan
Jillian, we are coming in late Tuesday and could do some sightseeing together! What do you look forward to seeing the most?
Liz, good luck with aiming for Blaze. We are a fun bunch. Please come introduce yourself. I remember back in summer 2005 right before my first book came out, Kate and I went to a booksigning with Tori Carrington (Tony and Lori), who were so gracious in cheering me on and even taking pictures together, which were up on their website for a long time. They are so nice!
Marie
Hi ya Marie!
WOOHOO! You lucky girl! Have a blast and a half at the RWA conference! It should be a great time from all the comments I have heard from other authors!
Blaze is one rare, unique series that is hot and tops in my book! Just absolutely love all the great stories, the authors who write them, and the great publisher who puts them out, Harlequin!
Ooo…what an awesome tip about using body glide from Heather MacAllister. I have worn a lot of shoes in my time that caused some really ugly blisters. I usually end up dancing in my barefeet. Lately, though, when my hubby and I go out somewhere to dance, I wear black flat shoes since it is night time and you can’t see your shoes that well anyway. My as well be comfortable than miserable!:-D
Definitely supply pictures of your gown! I love evening wear! That is one thing I miss is dressing up. When I was dating, my hubby and I went to all these fancy night clubs and restaurants. The beautiful clothes I wore was so fun! I had a white gown one time that I wore to a fancy Chicago restaurant that went up one shoulder and under the other shoulder and was floor length. It was a polyester knit that had layers to it and was just beautiful.
Oh and definitely save room for dessert! You have to tell us what you have!
Eat, drink and be merry! 
Have a great time and enjoy yourself!!
Don’t enter me in the contest, already have the book. It was really good!
Hope you have a great trip. Please enter me.
Have loads of fun!(H)
I love Harlequin Blaze!
I
Harlequin Blaze!
thanks to u ladies
any winner
It will be overwhelming, but in a good way. Take a few moments each day for a little quiet time. It will help. But party and have fun!
Very cute picture of you and your sister. Have fun at the conference.
Hi Marie!
So how was the conference? Would love to hear about your time there!
I am curious if a winner was ever selected for your contest above? Thanks!