The Best Convention Ever

You know how when you were about thirteen you suffered these horrible/wonderful fantasies about how Kirk Cameron, if he were to meet you, would love you and want to "go out" with you? Okay, well, hopefully that wasn't just me. Though I realize that some of you were far more likely to fantasize about Alyssa Milano or some other eighties hot chick than Kirk Cameron. But you get the idea.

Now, as a grown-up, these little day dream type things have changed. It's no longer about meeting television or movie stars...at least, not as much : ) (Yes, I am addicted to the entire cast of the SG-1 *hanging head in shame*) But now it's about writers. Actually for a long time, it's been about writers. It's just that I think it took me awhile to realize that authors were people too, out and about in the world and capable of being met, if that makes sense. Ever since the moment that I realized this, I've longed to meet the authors of my favorite books. Writing is such a personal and powerful form of communication. When you read something that someone has written, you feel like you know them or at least some part of who they are.

Laura Ingalls Wilder, my favorite childhood author, died in 1957. I remember this because my mom (sorry, Mom, if I'm revealing something you didn't want known) was born before that year. I always asked her, if LIW was still alive then, why didn't you go meet her? To me, this would have been the coolest thing ever. I remember my mom explaining that no one knew who LIW was then, or at least my mom as a very young child did not.

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to meet one of my favorite authors. And let me preface this story by saying it's a darn good thing that I don't live in CA because I suck at meeting famous people. Laurell K. Hamilton was at a sci-fi convention near my house and I went, hoping perhaps the crowds would part long enough to maybe allow me to see her close up for a few seconds. She's an awesome writer and a huge inspiration to me. Turns out, writer conventions are not like rock concerts. The famous writers actually walk around among you. I did not know this at first, so when I got there and saw that I'd have an opportunity to speak to LKH in person, I did so. Immediately. Not realizing that there would be multiple chances all weekend. And I sounded like a big idiot, tripping all over myself and shaking, sick with nerves. She and her husband were really cool about it. She told me that for her writers were like rock stars and that she'd behaved (not that she said exactly this way) pretty much the way I did at her first convention. I pretty much grinned like a doofus the whole time and said a few incoherent things. But I've seen her a few times since then at various signings (hers, obviously, not mine!) and she and her husband both have usually remembered me, which is the coolest feeling in the whole world : ) (They've said it's because I have a unique hair color -- I think that could be part of it and the fact that I made a memorable idiot of myself that first time probably doesn't hurt!)

And yes, I am getting to my point...Next spring is the annual (I think?) Romantic Times Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. Not only does it look like a really cool convention, but almost every single one of my favorite authors will be there!!! Kelley Armstrong, Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, Meg Cabot (whose blog I refer you to frequently), and Linnea Sinclair. And I get to be there too!!! Hopefully all my interactions with them will have a little more dignity this time : ) But here's the best part: I'm participating in a book fair while I'm there, which is basically like a big book sale, I think. So, they've listed all the authors participating on the convention page. Check it out here, click on the "Book Fair" link on the left hand side of the page and scroll down to the "K's."

I'm there! I'm listed on the same page as Kelley Armstrong, Meg Cabot, Laurell Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, Linnea Sinclair, and a whole bunch of fantastic authors. Wooohoooo!!!!!

I just had to share : ) Stay tuned tomorrow for "Obssessing over the Other Shoe."

Talk to you tomorrow!

P.S. Laurell Hamilton is going to be at a book store in the area in the next couple of weeks for a signing. I'm going to be attending, of course. Stacy G. thinks I should give her one of my books as she has been a huge inspiration to me. Which is true, she has. However, Stacy G. is a lot braver than I am and even contemplating this makes me feel all squeamy (my own made-up word) inside. Laurell does know about the book (I doubt she remembers with all the people she meets, but that's okay) and she's offered me some good advice in the quick casual conversations we've had. Not to mention that she once said "when" you get published, instead of "if" to me, right when I was first starting out. That was huge for me. What do you guys think? Should I bring a book for Laurell or not? Let me know!