Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The Wedding Planners at RWA
Three of The Wedding Planner continuity authors (aka The Wedding Belles) attended the RWA National Conference in San Francisco and recently returned home - Linda Goodnight, Melissa James and me. Linda and I had met in Dallas, but it was the first time either of us had met the delightful Melissa James. We weren't as organized as last year's Thursday night dinner, but we managed to connect at several events.
At the Harlequin Mills & Boon Meet and Greet on Thursday morning, the three of us came face to face. I thought Melissa James had red hair so didn't realize it was her until I noticed her name tag. It was great to finally come face to face after years of emailing on the loop and late night chats via Yahoo IM. Linda, of course, hadn't changed at all!
The three of us shared a cab with Harlequin Romance author Claire Baxter to Noe Valley, a neighborhood in the city, where we attended the Harlequin Romance authors tea party at Lovejoy's Tea House. The place would be perfect for a wedding shower or baby shower!
That night the three of us bumped into each other again at the Harlequin Party held at the Four Seasons. We ate, drank and danced the night away. The Wedding Planners would have given the thumbs up to the event!
The RWA Conference closes out on Saturday night with a glittery, Oscar-like awards ceremony honoring the top judged books of the year. Moments after winning the RITA for best Inspirational Romance, Linda Goodnight was all smiles as she's congratulated by Susan Mae Warren. Looking on in the background is Melissa Endlich, a Harlequin editor.
Congrats to Linda on her RITA win from all the Wedding Belles!
The Wedding Planners was never far from my mind during the conference. And on Saturday afternoon, I had a wedding planner moment when I was meeting with my agent at the Westin on Market. We were sitting outside sipping ice tea when I noticed a flurry of action near the door to the hotel. I noticed women in matching full length midnight blue gowns. I put down my glass, grabbed my camera and told Annelise I'd be right back. After all the effort I'd gone to with posts for this blog, I couldn't believe a wedding party had almost fallen into my lap.
I took these two pictures then returned to my agent to finish up our chat. But my gaze kept straying to the brides and her attendants as well as the groomsmen who soon joined them as the walked by. And there were a couple of ah moments with toddler boys dressed in beige linen short outfits joined the wedding party. They were just too cute, but I'd already put my camera away by then! I just wished the other Belles could have been there to see them.
I just hope the six of us can meet next year in at the RWA Conference in Washington D.C. But that might take some expert planning ala The Wedding Planners to make that happen. Still a writer can dream and think what if...
Labels: conference, melissa m
5 Comments:
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It sounds as if you all had a blast! Fantastic! I'm sorry I missed all the fun (I've been on vacation for 2-1/2 weeks for those who are reading. It was great, but it's good to be back).
And I love that a wedding dropped by! What a perfect ending! (And yes, I am using a lot of exclamation points, but...some situations just call for them). LOL
Take care, everyone.
- August 6, 2008 at 9:22 AM
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What a serendipitous moment you had. How lucky can you get.
- August 6, 2008 at 1:21 PM
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Wow! That you were there when the Wedding Party was gathering was awesome! And to get together with all the "Belles from the Blog" is truly a joy. Glad to hear you had such a good time.
- August 6, 2008 at 1:57 PM
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And congrats to Linda as well!
Peace, Julie
- August 6, 2008 at 3:43 PM
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It was a very fun time! And so funny to actually come across a wedding party like that.
Thanks!
- August 7, 2008 at 7:01 AM
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