Boston and the Revolution

The Massachusetts State House, located in the center of Boston at the crest of Beacon Hill is an interesting structure. The orignial portion is still there and still used. The newer portion is well-integrated.

After Boston, there are six State Houses to go before we will have visited all fifty: California, Washington, Oregon, Utah, Idaho and Hawaii remain. Both Idaho and Utah are being renovated and Idaho is closed to the public. Making the rounds of the State Houses has been an amazing experience in touching the history of this great nation.

Since the 2008 RWA Conference is being held in San Francisco, the California, Oregon and Washington State Houses will be on the travel agenda.

In Boston we not only visited the State House but also toured the US Constitution--used in the War of 1812 and docked at the Boston Naval Yard--Feneuil Hall, Quincy Market and The old State House. I love Boston. The flavor of the city reminds me of London--a blend of the old with the new.

Pedestrians consider the streets of Boston nothing more than additional sidewalks. They cross on the red hand and on the walking guy icon--! They cross anywhere they choose.

Adding to the wonder, we visited the town of Quincy to tour the Adams' residences. The properties are a remarkable preservation of history by the Adams' descendents and the National Park Service.

So I am steeped in the history of the nations birth and my head is full of the romance of past times. Stories pop pop pop in my head. If only I could write a book in a minute.

Because I am enchanted by all of this, I am lableling this post under romance.

Writing the Bones

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself into one.

Henry David Thoreau

RWA Conference

With copies of BROMPTON MANOR supplied by Avalon Books, the publisher, I enjoyed the heady experience of sitting behind one of the long tables with my book on display during the literacy autographing at the RWA Conference.

I did not have the line that Nora Roberts gets each year, nor the line Sherrilyn Kenyon attracted. But Ms. Kenyon was wearing an eye catching head dress--a life-sized (at least it appeared life-sized) replica of a black swan. I do hope the swan was a replica and not the product of a taxidermist--anyway....

To my happy surprise--always--several people picked up my book to purchase. The attractive cover is a big draw and a super sales tool.

I'm not sure of the exact number of authors who participated this year, but for earlier years I have heard the number 400. This year's event raised $56,o00 from the sale of authors books--all donated. The proceeds are given to organizations whose purpose is to promote literacy.

I feel privileged to have been a part of this wonderful event.

Come Out Of Your Shell

Observe the turtle -

He only goes forward when he sticks out his neck.

The Wild Ride Continues

American Library Association Conference--here I come. After my WOW experience at BookExpo, I am jazzing about ALA.

Monday, June 25 from 9:30 to 10:30, I will be at the Romance Writers of America booth signing BROMPTON MANOR.

Avalon Books, publisher of BROMPTON MANOR and many other wonderful books, has been supportive and generous in providing copies of BROMPTON MANOR for me to sign at both the ALA and Book Expo.

Henceforth, 2007 will be referred to as the year of my book.

Good reading and happy memories.

Me and BookExpo

A weekend in New York City--hmm. So, as a reason to make a trip to the grandaddy of big cities, I applied for an opportunity to sign BROMPTON MANOR in the Romance Writer's of America booth at BookExpo--a stupendous feast of a convention for people connected to the book business.

What a fabulous experience. A line formed in front of my table--one person in the line showed me her spreadsheet schedule with BROMPTON MANOR printed in the 9:15 box. Before my alloted signing time of forty-five minutes was up, I was out of books and my ego was struming a merry tune.

The hustle and bustle of New York City paled in comparison.

Warp Speed

When life speeds up, grab the steering wheel with two hands and enjoy the ride for a long as it lasts.