Lynn Raye Harris

I meant to post this yesterday, but it turned into such a crazy day of errands and etc, that I never got the post written. So, RWA peeps, last post (I think) before we all converge on Orlando next week.

If you’ve been to a huge banquet before, you might know everything you need about table settings. But just in case, I’m gonna tell you all about what the etiquette expert who visited my RWA chapter last month said.

The banquet tables at the luncheons and dinner will likely be big and round. They will be crammed with dishes, glasses, and silverware. Which glass is yours? Which bread plate? It seems logical, and yet you sit down and that bread plate could be yours — or it could be your neighbor’s because the settings are so close.

Relax, I’m about to give you the secret: the glass is to your right. Everything else is to your left. I repeat, all extra dishes are to your left (clearly, your plate is in front of you). The glass is the only thing on the right that belongs to you (of course the silverware on the right of the plate is yours; I’m talking about big things that might be confusing). Easy, right? If you remember that place settings are designed for right-handed people, you’ll see it makes sense. (If you’re left handed, it’s not fair, but this is the way it’s done. Majority rule.)

What other things did the etiquette expert say? So much I can’t remember it all, but here are a few tidbits.

1. Work from the outside in on your silverware. It’s permissible to keep your knife if you only have one and you’ve used it to cut salad before the main course arrives.
2. You will be served from the left. The servers will clean up from the right, so make sure you have your knife and fork on the right, angled across the plate to indicate you are done. Don’t put the fork on one side and the knife on the other. Don’t prop the knife across the top of the plate. Angle them both across the middle, like they are the hands of a clock pointing at 4. It’s easier for the servers.
3. Don’t put your napkin on your lap until everyone is seated. You may be standing up and sitting a few times before everyone sits. Oh, and men should stand whenever a woman arrives at the table. Women don’t have to.
4. Don’t eat until everyone at your table is served. (Hey, I’m just reporting it!)
5. Do not leave your spoon in the soup bowl or cup. Lay it across the top.
6. Break your bread and butter the piece you are eating. Don’t slice it and put a slab of butter in the middle. (Seriously, I’m just reporting it! If you aren’t concerned about the Junior League or the Debutante Ball, do it your way if you must.)
7. If you must get up during the meal and you plan to come back, place your napkin on your chair. If you are all done and leaving, put the napkin on the table.
8. If someone asks you to pass the salt or pepper, pass them as a set because someone on the other side of the table might want them both. Likewise, if the packets of sweetener are closest to you, take what you need and pass them.
9. Don’t talk with your mouth full (who doesn’t know that one?).
10. There are two styles of eating which are permissible. American and Continental, or European. American style is fork in right hand, switch to left hand to cut meat, switch back after cutting. Continental is fork in left hand and knife in right. Stays this way through the whole meal. The knife is used to push food onto the fork. (I eat this way; learned it in Europe and it makes more sense to me. Both, however, are acceptable.) Do not grip knife or fork with your hand over the top of the handle. This is rude. And, well, more appropriate for a caveman. (Sorry Geico Cavemen!)

That’s most of what I remember. It all makes sense, I think, though I probably wouldn’t have thought to pass both the salt and pepper if someone only asked for one. Oh, and pick them up by the sides, not the top — no one wants your germs.

Finally, the thing the etiquette expert said was the most important? Graciousness. You can get away with a lot if you are gracious.

So that’s it. I’ll see you next week!

Next week, around two thousand people (mostly women) will be converging on Orlando for the RWA National Conference. For many of us, this is a been there, done that a hundred times adventure. For quite a few, it’s the first time. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, you may be thinking about how you’re going to interact with all these people. Many writers are introverts, and introverts tend to be drained by the thought of so many people in one place. I’m one of those introverts, but I’m lucky enough to be able to put on an extrovert face for a few days.

Still, it’s not my true nature, and I sometimes get overloaded. So here are my tips for mingling as an introvert.

Talk to people. Seriously. (If you’re a first timer, get the orange First Timer ribbon and wear it proudly. People will help you.) You are a writer at a writers’ conference. The one thing you have in common with everyone is writing. So asking someone what they write is a good conversation starter. At my very first conference (Dallas 2007), I went to the Kiss of Death AGM. I knew no one. I even went into the room too early because I didn’t know I was supposed to wait outside. No one told me to get out. Instead, Connie Cox took me under her wing and asked me to sit at her table. I had a good time talking to everyone at the table that night. I don’t remember everyone’s name, unfortunately, but they were wonderful to this newbie. A couple of nights later, at the Death by Chocolate party, I met a woman from Nashville who I hung out with at a few other events after that (I wish I could remember her name! I gave her my card, but I don’t believe she had one). I also met Debbie Giusti and Juliet Burns, who were so gracious to me.

Smile. Smiling transforms you from a nervous, lost wanderer into someone interesting and approachable. A smile is friendly. A smile makes you seem confident. Don’t force a smile on your face. Think of something that makes you happy — your kids, your pets, a joke — and smile naturally.

Don’t be afraid to be alone. Seems counter-intuitive, but it’s not. In Dallas, I sat down at a table to myself in the coffee shop in the lobby and called my husband. Then I sat there with my drink and just watched people. At the table next to me was a woman I was sure I recognized, but I was too shy to ask. But she recognized me too, because she finally asked if I was Lynn Raye Harris. It was Nalini Singh, back before she became NALINI SINGH (in all caps because she’s so fabulous and writes those great paranormal and urban fantasy novels). We’d “met” via our blogs and chatted quite a bit, so it was great to meet her in person. She invited me to sit with her and her friend — a woman who’d sold a historical to Avon not that long before. Her friend was the amazing Anna Campbell, whose first book hadn’t even come out yet. They were marvelous and friendly, and had those great accents.

So if you see someone you think you recognize, ask! You never know. I wasn’t brave enough to say, “Hey, are you Nalini?” Because, telling the truth here, I always think that no one knows who I am. I still think it, even though I’ve published a few books now. I see people I recognize, and who I’ve chatted with online, but I think they won’t know me so I don’t approach them.

Which leads me to this point: if you see me and you want to say hi, please do so. Tell me who you are, and don’t think I won’t know you. If we’ve chatted here on this blog, or if we’ve chatted on Twitter or Facebook, etc, all you have to do is tell me that. If you’ve read my books and emailed me about them, tell me. Don’t think that I don’t want to talk to you, or that I’m too busy (or, worse, that I’m too important — I’m not, I assure you!) Come say hi to me.

On another note about talking to people: if you see someone you know and speak to them, don’t assume if they don’t respond that they are ignoring you. Conference is so busy, so jammed up with sights and sounds and people, that it’s easy to get tunnel vision. If you speak to me and I don’t respond, I didn’t see you. Honest. I may not always have time to stop and talk for a few minutes (you should see my schedule this year!), but I will respond if I know you were talking to me.

Another aspect of mingling is to ask people about themselves. I already told you to ask what they write. But also ask where they’re from, what they do, how they like the conference, etc. Being interested in people is one of the keys to being interesting. No one wants to talk to someone who only wants to talk about herself.

And, finally, part of the art of mingling is knowing when to retreat. If you’re feeling burned out, anxious, or frustrated, go back to your room and take a break. Conference can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time. Take the time to be alone. Take a short nap. Read (you’ll have plenty of books to read, believe me!). Write. Conference is the place to get inspired, to learn, and to dream about the future.

Hope to see you next week! I’ll be at the Literacy Signing on Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 and at the Harlequin book signing on Friday, July 30, from 9:45 to 11:15. I’ll also be giving a workshop on Saturday at 3:15 with Blaze author Kira Sinclair. And of course I’ll be around the rest of the week.

I said I’d talk about the things that make my life easier at conference, and so I shall. There is no rhyme or reason to this, just a list of things I’ve found indispensable. You know to pack things like your phone charger and all that, so I won’t waste time talking about it.

No, what I mean to talk about are the things I really, really can’t travel without.

1. Hand sanitizer. Really, I can’t say it enough. I must have my bottle of sanitizer so I’m prepared at all times. Like when I shake hands with someone right before sitting down at the luncheon table. It’s not personal, but germs are evil and the sickest I’ve ever been was after the conference in San Francisco in 2008. OMG. If you shake my hand and whip out your hand sanitizer, I won’t be offended.

2. Moisturizer. The good stuff. Hotels can be havoc on the skin, what with the forced air all day. I use Clinique Night Surge Youth, or some such combination of those words. And no, I don’t typically have dry skin.

3. My mom showed me a thing I might not be able to do without. It’s Clinique All About Eyes Serum. It’s a roll on and claims to de-puff instantly. Which, trust me, you might want at conference. (Another related item is Visine, for the redness you might get when you aren’t sleeping as much as usual.)

4. My new must-have: Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer. I get the one with SPF. This stuff keeps your makeup from melting and running. It’s amazing! Whether you wear liquid makeup or mineral powder, it works wonders.

5. Redken 05 Touch Control mousse. I have limp hair. This stuff gives me body.

6. Redken Hot Sets 22. Spray this on after blow-drying moussed hair. Use hot curling iron. The curls stay and don’t fall out the way they usually do! (Though if you are one of those people with great hair that is naturally full of body, doesn’t need washed except once a week, and holds any style effortlessly, I may just have to hate you. Or your hair anyway.)

7. Elnett Satin Extra Strong Hold hairspray by L’Oreal. Never, ever stiff. Combs right out. Holds style. I believe you can only get this at Target.

8. Band-Aid Friction Block Stick. It looks like deodorant, but it’s for your feet to keep your shoes from rubbing. I carry this like I carry the hand sanitizer.

9. Courtesy of my friend Marilyn Puett, the Playground Monitor, I have discovered Miss Oops. This is a dry sponge that gets deodorant marks off the lovely black dress you just pulled over your head.

10. Gel inserts for high heels by Dr. Scholls. I get the ones with arch support.

11. Ear plugs (or cotton balls in a pinch). Because hotels sound different than home. And because your neighbors can party late into the night when you’re trying to sleep. (If they make it through your earplugs, don’t be afraid to call the front desk and complain. Provided it’s truly late, of course.)

I’m probably forgetting something, but that’s most of it. The necessities that make my life easier while traveling. With the exception of the roll-on eye de-puffer, since I’ve never used it before — though I’m about to go get a tube.

My number one tip, however, is to stay hydrated. For me, this means drinking plenty of water. Staying hydrated keeps your skin nice too. Moisturizer isn’t only a cream you rub on the outside.

What are your travel necessities?

I’m seeing lots of tips about what to pack for the RWA National Conference in Orlando. There are some good suggestions out there, and some that have me blinking and wondering why someone would suggest such a thing. So I decided to offer my suggestions on wardrobe, which is based solely on me being a prissy, girly, shoe-loving, wanna-be fashionista. I say wanna-be because I know I don’t have “Sex and the City” fashion sense. I want it desperately, but I lack the SJP teeny tiny body and the pocketbook to go with those clothes, handbag, and shoe choices.

(If you want packing and other tips, visit my friends at The Writing Playground. They’ve been talking conference all last week, and I think they’re doing so this week as well.)

Okay, so what’s a wanna-be fashionista going to wear all week? Dresses and sky-high heels, y’all. (The flip flops travel in the totebag I carry, just in case the feet can’t hack it anymore.)

Why would anybody be so crazy as to do this? Because I want to a) project a professional image, and b) when I dress up, I feel good — and this is important for an introvert who’s venturing into conference land. Oh, and c) I already wear baggy, comfy clothes all the time because I stay home and write — this is my chance to get out and dress up a bit!

Yes, I am likely to bring 5 to 8 pairs of shoes, not counting the flip-flops. Yes, I know I have to make it all fit in one bag and one carry-on because I prefer not to pay for a second bag (unless flying Southwest, at which point all bets are off!).

The way you fit 5 to 8 pairs of shoes in a suitcase is this: make the clothes less bulky. Pack underwear and Spanx (gotta have those!) in the shoes. High heels take up less room than loafers, especially if they’re strappy (or mine do anyway! Guess it depends on your shoe size). Bring microfiber. This year, I’m doing less microfiber than usual, but it all still fits. This is what I will bring:

Outfit for Tuesday night dinner with other authors
Dress for Wednesday.
Dress for Wednesday night Literacy signing.
Casual clothes for after party.
Dress for Thursday.
Dress for Thursday night event.
Dress for Friday.
Dress for Friday night event.
Dress for Saturday.
RITA/GH dress, which is bulky and which friends are sticking in their garment bag for me.
Sunday go-home wear. Casual.

I will also bring one or two extra dresses, just in case. Naturally, there’s underwear to go with all that. Jewelry goes in the carry on. Toiletries, of which I bring many, are in a zipped case that hangs on the back of the bathroom door. I zip the case and stick it inside a giant Ziploc so nothing leaks on the clothes. If I have room, I also pack a few wire hangers that I can leave behind if I want. Why? Because there are never enough hangers in hotel closets when you have 2 women in a room together.

I also bring two sweaters, one in white and one in black (I wear one on the plane), because conference hotels are notoriously cold. I do not bring workout gear. I know I won’t find the time to do it. I also don’t bring a bathing suit. I have yet to have a spare moment to hit the pool, so I just don’t bother packing one. I used to bring one, and the workout gear, and it was nothing but a joke. You may be more disciplined than I with your workouts, and you may make time for the pool, so plan accordingly.

Yes, you can bring Capri pants, slacks, microfiber tops and one pair of sensible shoes that go with everything. No one says you have to wear dresses, not even to the parties. But that’s what I like to wear, and I’ve told you why. I feel professional, pretty, and confident. Dress the way you want to be known; project the image you think of when you picture a professional writer (and your picture might be different than mine; just know what that image is and dress accordingly). Don’t be afraid to trot out some color either. I see lots of suggestions to build a wardrobe around black. It’s a good suggestion, and I’ll have my fair share of black, but I also have some colorful dresses too. Sometimes, adding colorful jewelry, scarves, or even shoes to that black outfit can really make it pop.

Ultimately, these are just my suggestions about what works for me. You may have other ideas about what makes you feel confident and professional. I dress like I’m going to a job interview — which means I’m ready for anything, including that impromptu on-camera interview I had at RT in Ohio.

(Notice there was no mention of clothes for touring the parks. That’s because I’m not. If you’re doing that, I’d definitely bring sensible shoes, some shorts or Capris, and some cotton shirts. No microfiber because it doesn’t breathe — and you’ll want the fabric to breathe in that heat, believe me.)

Later this week, I’ll talk about some of the little necessities that I find very helpful. One week to go, y’all!

For some reason, in the weeks leading up to conference, I always have conference dreams. Last night, for the third time, I dreamt that I’d gone to conference and forgotten to print out the schedule I’d made that has all my events on it. I don’t know why I keep dreaming about forgetting my schedule! But I do. In last night’s dream, I actually missed an event because of it. In a previous dream, I left the RITA/GH ceremony to go to the powder room — and couldn’t find my way back. And I really wanted to get back because they were serving dinner and I hadn’t eaten yet!

(And, unlike in most quest type dreams, I actually made it back with assistance from a hotel worker.)

In last night’s dream, I was rooming with Kimberly Lang (which I am not really doing this year) and we had both brought so many of our shoes that we had piles and piles of shoes in our room and couldn’t find our clothes.

Then I kept wanting my picture taken with famous authors and the person taking the picture always messed it up. I didn’t get one shot of me and Nora. Then there was Michael Jackson — don’t ask how or why he showed up in a conference dream. I still don’t know.

So those are my silly conference dreams — and I’m sure they aren’t over yet with only a few days left until I depart for Orlando. Do you have conference dreams? What’s the silliest thing in your dream? Can you top Michael Jackson?

We’re up to the final day. I’m exhausted telling you about it, so imagine the exhaustion of being there. I slept in, thankfully, then made it downstairs in time to meet some of my Southern Magic chapter mates for lunch. We went to Murphy’s Pub, where several of us regaled Christy Reece with tales of Twitter and finally convinced her to join. By afternoon, she’d done so and I became one of her first followers.

Here’s Marie Campbell and Christy Reece:

We had a great time at lunch, but then it was back to the hotel. I ran into several friends and spent time catching up, then finally ended up in the bar with Janette Kenny, Sandra Marton, and Michelle Willingham. And that, dear readers, is where I stayed until time to get ready for the RITAs. My feet were tired of walking, and I was having too much fun talking.

The RITA/GH ceremony was a lot of fun, as usual, and two of my chapter mates, Danniele Worsham and Kim Law, were up for the Golden Heart award. Kim won, and we’re very proud of her in Heart of Dixie.

And now the pictures….

First, here’s me with fellow M&B author Kimberly Lang

Now our shoes (we’re kind of known for this in HOD)

And now all the members of our chapter who went to conference

The whole week was great fun. It went by too fast, wore me out, and I can’t wait until next year! At least it’s only a drive to Nashville. This means I can take more shoes since I won’t have an airline-imposed weight restriction. Don’t tell my hubby…..

Be sure to come back on Monday when I’ll be telling my First Sale story over at Dear Author!!

We’re up to Friday now. My brain was beginning to be fried, and I was certainly exhausted, but there were more fun things to do. First, I had a presentation to give with Crystal Jordan, Maria Geraci, Melissa Francis, and Kate Pearce. Our workshop was called “I Sold to New York…Now What?” and we talked about what a new author can expect in that first year after selling. It was well-attended, and people asked lots of great questions. My initial nerves went away when I realized how interested people were, and how cool my fellow presenters were (I had only just met them!). I realized that I actually like giving workshops; now I need a great idea for next year.

After the workshop, I attended a Mills & Boon Meet and Greet. It was great fun to talk to the authors and editors, but nothing was more fun than meeting Jeannie Lin who sold on Wednesday and won the Golden Heart on Saturday. She was understandably quite happy when I met her; I can only imagine what she felt like Saturday night. After the meet and greet, we went to the Awards Luncheon where Eloisa James inspired and made people cry all at once. She is a fabulous speaker, and I was certainly moved.

Later that afternoon, I attended the Harlequin Spotlight where the editors from all the lines talked about what they were looking for. The best surprise of the day: my cover emblazoned across the screen for all to see — and the cheer that went up in the audience when Executive Editor Tessa Shapcott said how they’d bought me from their contest. Not sure if it was a friend who started it, but I’m grateful for the enthusiasm. I felt very humbled by it.

At 6:30, I met Tessa and fellow author Kate Hewitt for dinner. We had a lovely meal at a place called Pesto. I’m afraid I gushed over the food — we can’t get real Italian food in my part of Alabama. This was the real deal, just like I’ve eaten in Italy, and I was in culinary heaven. Then we went to the Harlequin party at the Ritz-Carlton. I wish I could show you pictures, but I forgot my camera. *sigh*

The party was loud, fun, and fabulous. Most requested song? “It’s Raining Men.” Biggest group dance? “Thriller.” The bar was open, the desserts were flowing, and the DJ was the same guy from San Francisco (and he will be in Nashville too!). It was totally, totally fab. I talked and danced so much, and didn’t get to bed until about 1AM. The next morning, my thighs and calves were sore. (Note to self: get into dance shape by next year.)

Tomorrow, the RITAs.

Um, Thursday. Yes, that’s right. I’m tired just trying to remember! Okay, so Day 3 (officially Day 1 of conference) dawned bright and early when someone had a hair-brained idea to have breakfast at 7:30am. Bear in mind this is really an hour earlier for me. And I had to get up even earlier than that to be there.

So, breakfast with the HMB newbie loop! What fun! Fiona Harper and Donna Alward are officially on the list of people who make me giggle. Especially Donna. Good gracious. But do you think I managed to take even one picture of any of the lovely women present? No, it was too early.

After breakfast is a bit of a blur. There was Janet Evanovich and a great Q&A about her writing life, and then at noon it was time to meet the other Presents authors and editors in the lobby for drinks before adjourning to the Lebanese Taverna for lunch at 1:00. Here’s a pic of me and Janette Kenny, who just debuted with the fabulous Pirate Tycoon, Forbidden Baby:

And Kate Walker and Jennie Lucas, looking all cool and elegant:

Lunch was fabulous; we talked quite a lot, ate Lebanese food, and discussed our favorite books: Harlequin Presents.

Probably the biggest highlight of my day, aside from spending time with such wonderful people, was my tour of the Washington Post. This was a special tour for HMB authors and editors. We walked around the very quiet newsroom, saw Bob Woodward’s office, met a Pulitzer-winning journalist, and peeked into the offices of the late Katharine Graham and her son, Don Graham.

Best of all, we sat in on Story Hour, which is when the various editors of each section get together and discuss the stories for the next day, what will appear on the front page and why, etc. In fact, they made a change while we listened in and a story about President Obama speaking to the NAACP moved to the front page while a story about the Maryland GOP’s financial woes moved to the Metro section. The reasoning was fabulous and it was a fascinating discussion to be allowed to listen in on. I’ll never look at the WP the same way now that I’ve sat in that room and watched the paper come together on screen.

The day finally ended with The Golden Network Dessert reception where I was booted to alumni status for having sold a book in 2008. (We won’t discuss my brief appearance at the Harlequin Pajama Party or the trek across the lobby in leopard print pajamas that preceded it. The shame, the shame.)

Now do you see why there’s so little sleep happening at conference? It’s non-stop activity. But I wouldn’t trade it!

Tomorrow, the Harlequin Party…..

Duh, just when I said I didn’t have any pictures of the ladies from breakfast, three of them are in this photo with me. Donna Alward is beside me (I’m in the yellow Hawaiian dress), Fiona Harper is all the way at the other end, and Barbara Wallace is all the way at the back, half hidden by Shirley Jump and editor Kim Young. For a much better explanation of who is in this photo, see Donna’s post at The Pink Heart Society.

Day Two (Wednesday for me) began quite early when I and my roomies had to leave our overflow hotel and return to the conference hotel by 8AM. We made it, stashed our luggage in friends’ rooms, and I took off for breakfast with the Harlequin Presents authors. It was my first time meeting several of them. I knew Jennie Lucas and Kate Walker, but met Janette Kenny, Sandra Marton, and Sharon Kendrick for the first time. I also met editors Tessa Shapcott and Sheila Hodgson. We had a great time talking and eating, and I immediately felt comfortable and welcome (and yes, even a bit starstruck — Sandra Marton and Sharon Kendrick! I knew Kate Walker already, so wasn’t as apprehensive, but wow, talk about Presents royalty, yes?).

After breakfast, the ladies adjourned to tour DC, but I had a workshop to prepare for. Kimberly Lang, Linda Howard, Linda Winstead Jones and I gave a talk at the Chapter Leadership Seminar about rescuing your RWA chapter and making it fabulous. Let’s just say that shoes were a part of our program. No, shoes have nothing to do with rescuing your chapter, but they do have everything to do with our obsession at the Heart of Dixie RWA. We do everything in fabulous shoes when at all possible.

The big event of the day, however, was the Literacy Autographing that began at 5:30. After a very quick trip to see some of my Pixie Chick sisters in Harry’s Pub, I headed for the exhibit hall with my box of 15 books, bookmarks, autograph stickers, and some Hershey’s kisses. I’ve been to the autographing before, but never as a published author. Because my book isn’t available in stores yet, I had to take my own copies (hence the 15). I found my table, got set up, and prepared for a lot of sitting and smiling and maybe selling 2 or 3 books.

Beside me was the fabulous C.S. Harris, who was nominated for a RITA. I tried not to be fan girl, but she was wonderful and I couldn’t help but gush about her historical romances written as Candice Proctor. She was very gracious about it. One of the big pluses about the signing was seeing old friends. Here is a photo of me with Alison Cunliffe, who I’ve known for about 15 years now and once toured through Germany and Austria with.

The signing lasted for 2 hours. It was noisy and busy, and yet there were many times when I simply sat and talked to the writers on either side of me. Yet somehow I managed to sell all 15 books. I was quite surprised about this, especially since only about 5 of them were to friends. There were also two ladies who simply wanted my picture. I’m not sure why, but I smiled and gladly let them take it. By the end of the signing, I was ready for the next phase — party with the Presents authors. I didn’t get any photos of that, but we ended up in the lobby bar for burgers and drinks. It was quite fun.

I can’t remember when I crashed into bed, but I’m guessing it was around midnight. Here’s me at the signing. Tomorrow, my Day Three report.

Wow, DC was extraordinarily fun! I did so many things, y’all. Talked to lots of people. I had a blast! I used to live in DC, so touring wasn’t high on my list of things to do. But one of my roommates, the lovely Pamela Hearon, managed to finagle a tour of the Capitol for us. I’ve been in the Capitol many times, but it’s so beautiful I was ready to go back. And I’m glad I did!

The day started in the Rayburn Office Building where we trekked to Pam’s Congressman’s office and dutifully turned over all our liquids, signed a guest book, met the Congressman, and took a photo with him. Yours truly even managed to give the man a bookmark. Hey, he asked why we were in town. I do have to say that he was wonderfully gracious considering all the ladies in the photo, with the exception of one, were from Alabama and couldn’t ever vote for him if so inclined. Nice man, truly.

After our tour, several of the ladies split off for sightseeing while Pam, Kimberly Lang, and I went to lunch at a place called Bullfeather’s just down the street from the House office buildings. (Lunch was on the Marriott, btw. We were asked to stay in another hotel for one night and given quite a nice incentive to do so: a free room, cab fare, and $100 cash.) Later that evening, we all met up again and went to the Occidental to celebrate Kira Sinclair’s birthday. A quick walk to the White House, and then we were headed back to our hotels for the night.

That’s the end of Day One in DC. Tomorrow, I’ll tell you about my presentation at the Chapter Leadership Seminar and my experience at my very first Literacy Autographing!

One more thing: today, I’m also blogging over at Kate Walker’s blog. She’s giving away a tote of signed books! Come say hi!