Happy Landings

There is something to that old adage of falling into the manure pile and coming out smelling like a rose.  Well that's what happened to me this weekend.  I am a new member of the Utah Romance Writers of America, just joined about three months ago.  Well I tripped on down to Bountiful to the meetings, twice and came away the new Vice President, in a board of extemely wonderful women that I truly admire.   So being the newbie that I am, I decided to enter the Heart of the West contest.  I was flabbergasted to learn that my book, The Ghost was a finalist for the Golden Pen award.  I have to admit that I'm new and had no idea what that really meant. 

I'd just came back from the League of Utah Writers conference with a horrible review for my published novel, and not much better for the two stories I'd entered in their contest, one of them being, The Ghost.  Anyway, so I went to the URWA conference expecting a fourth place.  Not bad though if I truly thought about it.  Imagine my surprise when I was flying over on my broomstick and fell into the awards ceremony and came out with the greatest Honor bestowed:  The Golden Pen Award.  I cried, hugged and cried some more.  All I can say is a big thank-you to all the judges, and my career has recieve a needed boost.  Once again my thanks goes out to all the fine writers in my critique groups and my dear friends, and of course the wonderful URWA.  Thanks.

The Witches are Meeting

Well, here's another week and we're closer to Halloween.  I'm looking forward to the Utah Romance Writer's Conference this weekend.  What am I looking forward to, you ask?  Well there's going to be great authors there, Christine Feehan for one, but that's not the best part.  There are going to be tons of other writers there who are just a weird as I am. 

Weird is relative, if you know what I mean.  Okay, so paranormal describes most of us writers, doesn't it.  I'm looking forward to talking with Agents and Publishers, hoping to sell my two latest books.  Keep your fingers crossed.  The Ghost is a finalist in the Heart of the West Contest, I'll let you know where it ends up.  Also there's a big witches kiss and send it ceremony.  Something I've gotten my black cat, broomstick and hat all geared up for.  I forgot the potion recipe, but I hope someone else brings that.  This is where you throw the last page of your manuscript in the pot and burn it, sending the smoke out to the publishers making them just wish your story would drop into their lap.  Who wouldn't go for that.  So, here's to all us paranormal writers.  Good luck.

I'll let you know how it ends up.  Meanwhile, keep howling at the moon.