Wow! So, um… tomorrow is my birthday (because someone has to be born on the 13th – right?) – which I THINK is galvanizing me in part to write a blog post… because I’m SOOO lax at this. Although, I once read someone said they like it when blog posts are sporadic because then the post is usually great and they don’t feel pressured to read something every day on someone’s site. All I can say to that is I think almost six months between posts goes WAY beyond sporadic,  and I don’t think there’s going to be anything “great” about this particular post – beyond touting other people’s websites and blogs, whom I happen to think are great.  So, here goes nothing.

Firstly, another HUGE thanks to everyone at LARA for keeping me on my romance writing toes. I’ve signed up for the RWA Conference in Anaheim this year, and can I state that not only am I an RWA Conference virgin I am a TOTAL writing conference virgin?  Let’s just say I spent 11 years living in Israel, where writing conferences (in English) aren’t exactly abundant. I never came across one when I lived there. So I’m REALLY excited to attend a writing conference. My first ever!  I feel like I’m going on holiday!

I’m also exceptionally grateful to the delectable Anne Kemp who will be my roomie at Conference and whom I met for coffee and had a lovely chat with. She just published her first novel – Rum Punch Regrets, which I downloaded on my kindle. You should too! Check out her site, here.

Anne also introduced me to RWA’s Women’s Fiction forum, after helping me understand that my novel  – The Periwinkle Prophecy – does indeed fall under that category. And having been introduced to THAT forum, I was introduced to Sharla Rae’s site Writers in the Storm and her fantastic blog post about her first RWA conference and how (or how not to) pitch. Check it out here. It’s going to be my bible because I too will be pitching my novel for the very first time. I’ve chosen my editor and agent and am already freaking out. Lots of great tips in this piece and of course I’ll be attending Dee J Adams’ “Itch to Pitch” talk at our next LARA meeting on July 15 – just in time for Conference. I’ve heard her speak twice, now. She’s smart, informative and best of all – funny! It’s always good to have a good laugh even when you’re working, no?

For now, though, I’m deep in rewrites and edits of my novel (when I’m not deep in my day job). I still have to wade through research on iodine poisoning, work on  my “talk to” character -yes, I’m adding a whole new character to my book, thanks to my great friend (and screenwriter) who told me my book really needed one.  I also have to decide if my garish Vegas hotel should be named or not… and so much more.

Oh, and I’m desperately seeking Beta readers so if you’re a women’s fiction fan and want to read a book about  a driven journalist on a mission to find a beloved, renowned artist who has suddenly disappeared off the face of the earth and has to do it all accompanied by a strange, blue dog that shows up unannounced in her life and a whole slew of other obstacles, please let me know? It’s not 100 percent complete yet but the July 25 looming date of conference is a great galvanizing force. Funny, that.

And apropos of nothing (well of romance writing) – can I just say how wonderful it was to read another Women’s Fiction RWA members’ blog post on turning points? Robena Grant also grew up down under so I feel a kinship. She has a great post and some wonderful responses from people, too. Check it out here.

There are so many great writers on LARA and on the Women’s Fiction forum. I can’t list them all her but hopefully future posts will also allow me to highlight some of their great books, blog posts, words of wisdom and motivational tactics.

And now.. back to the day job.

P.S. Today’s cute graphic comes from Debbie Ridpath Ohi, whom I’ve been following for years – especially during my freelance writing days. She can write AND draw. So jealous.. Check out how brilliant she is here.