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April 25, 2006
The glamourous writer's life
My brain is melting
So I know we don't bore you with the blah blah details of the writing life very often, but I have to say that my brain is melting and I wanted to tell you why. This weekend I went to my first-ever mystery conference, Malice Domestic in Washington, D.C., and then to Oakmont for the Mystery Festival (and Mary Alice and her team are so amazing, I can't even begin to tell you how wonderful they are - if you're ever in Pittsburgh, check out her store! And check out the bathroom, where all the authors signed our names on the wall!).
Today I drove the 492 miles home. And opened my computer to find 492 new e-mails.
Hence, the brain melting.
But I wanted to report in on the fun. I sat on a panel called The ChickLit Mystery with authors Susan McBride, Harley Jane Kozak, Elaine Viets, and Nancy Martin. We had a total blast discussing, describing, and dishing on so-called "pink" mysteries.
(Oh, that's us - Nancy, Elaine, Susan, Harley, and me in order, in the pic)
And to you, the man in the audience who asked what a Kegel was?
[I grabbed the mike before the whole thing could go, you know, south, and said: "It's a type of pastry."]
Well, Kegel man, I had guilt ALL THE WAY HOME worrying that you are going in your local bakery and asking for a cinnamon-frosted Kegel.
I'm a bad person.
And that anecdote about accidentally giving the gorgeous Italian waiter my room key instead of my credit card? Don't tell Navy Guy.
And to my darling readers who drove so very far - 400 miles!!! - to see me in Oakmont?? I don't have the words. Seriously. Except, maybe, you're nuts. In a great and wonderful way.
okay, unpacking. and laundry. and then packing to leave Friday for the fab Chicago North Spring Fling conference where I have to be the annoying one who tries to give a speech while everyone eats their lunch.
Somewhere in there, I'm going to work on the book. Seriously. Really, I am. Just as soon as I scoop my melted brain cells up off the floor. And Susan? Shouldn't we be looking for the river? I blame our being lost on the talented writer and artist (but not so talented navigator) Jonathan Santlofer. Jonathan, if you're reading this, go finish your book. Seriously.
Happy Memorial Day week, everybody! I hope you are all getting all the sleep I'm not.
Alesia
Posted by Alesia at 10:59 PM | Comments (8)
Comments
You're going to be in Chicago (and I am the lazy writer in the midst of a deadline that isn't attending the conference)? And I am going to miss it?
Damn. Double Damn. Well, enjoy the city... and I hope I'll catch you next time you are in town.
Posted by: Bethany at April 25, 2006 11:40 PM
Welcome back, Alesia! Hope you manage to squeeze in some sleep...
Posted by: Michelle C at April 26, 2006 5:27 AM
A cinnamon frosted Kegel. hahahahahahahahahahaha. That is CLASSIC.
Posted by: laurenjharwood ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 26, 2006 9:00 AM
Alesia, you deserve a road-tripping medal for all the driving you did this past weekend! Thanks for hauling me around. I owe you. What fun we had! Now I'm off to find the river and a little bakery where I can get a cinnamon-frosted kegel. Yummy! ;-)
Posted by: Susan McB at April 26, 2006 9:34 AM
Wait a minute. You got lost? Again? Did I read that right? Are you sure this was a mystery conference? Something about kinky bakeries and handing off room keys makes me seriously doubt it.
Posted by: cindy holby at April 26, 2006 10:50 AM
Oh, sure, Cindy. Send me to a freaking retreat in the DELIVERANCE zone and then complain when I get lost. ha!
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at April 26, 2006 1:20 PM
Ah-ha! Thanks, Cindy, for the scoop, as it's good to know Alesia gets lost without any help from me or Jonathan Santlofer, as she was always blaming the navigator! Though, personally, I think it's MapQuest, and I want to wring those people's necks almost as badly as Bill Gates'. Grumble, grumble.
Posted by: Susan McB at April 26, 2006 3:51 PM
Yes, it was mapQuest's fault on the other trip, too. bad bad mapquest.
Posted by: Alesia Holliday at April 26, 2006 7:23 PM
