Here in the northeast, it's somnolent weather. Which is fancy writer talk for hot and humid wherein one is prone to dozing at the first opportunity. Weather saps energy and initiative so it's a good thing my work involves staying inside and making stuff up.

It also helps that I'm currently researching things Carribbean and piratical and at least getting virtual sea air. But more on that later. I did promise a recap of the Long Island luncheon, so you get the quick version today.

Ferry rides there and back were fantastic and reminded me why it is I love having ships in my stories. There's something about being on the water (in joke for Jane S -- on a BOAT. A BOAT. On the WATER.) that puts one in a different frame of mind.

I went with my chapter sisters, Shirley, Jane and Melva. Despite one of Jane's car windows getting stuck in the open position right before boarding the ferry (packing tape and plastic sheeting to the rescue)and almost accidentally being stowaways -- it took all four of us to figure out how to handle passage for passengers in the car, but all was done in proper fashion, we had a great time getting to know each other better and enjoying some time on deck.

As soon as we got to the hotel, we began circling the tables like vultures to see if there was assigned seating (only for the editors/agents) and then to see who was sitting where. I ended up at a fabulous table and could have sat there yapping all day with my tablemates. I'm not going to name-drop as I'm self-conscious about that, but the best-best part was getting to see a dear family friend after far too long. Okay, that and getting requests for partials on both books from Dorchester and also from agent Maura Kye-Casella from the Denise Marcil agency. Talk about esteemed company.

Wonder of wonders, I actually won one of the raffled gift baskets, and will now share my strategy for such auctions. I bid on those baskets with tea things in them. I loves me some tea.

For those who know my esteem of artist Elaine Duillo, yes I was a slobbering, stammering idiot when introduced to her. Especially since she remembered a letter I'd written her upon her retirement, also gushy, but I am a raving fangirl here.

I'd hoped to use this post to recap the Long Island Romance Writers Luncheon this past Saturday, but the darned phone went off and family sutff requires me. Feh.

Recap will have to wait for tomorrow. I will say though, that I got a lovely mention (albeit misspelt) on Bertrice Small's summer newsletter:

http://www.bertricesmall.com/newsletter/index.htm

Note to Camilla -- I've tried three times to respond to your comment but for some reason my computer feels compelled to eat the response. May be a post of its own, but short version -- I think that's a very big part of things. I love historical romance dearly and I don't think happy ever after has to mean exactly the same ever after or in a bubble ever after. But more on that later.

"Don’t write what you know—what you know may bore you, and thus bore your readers. Write about what interests you—and interests you deeply—and your readers will catch fire at your words." ---Valerie Sherwood

Today's quote was found at: http://www.susantaylorbrown.com/quotes.html

Very apt that I found it today -- and how much do you want to bet that's going to find its way into an appropriate font and printed on specialty paper for my office? I'm currently reading a new (as in released this year) historical romance by an author who is usually a favorite (no, I won't give name/title) and am overcome by a big dose of "meh." The "I will finish reading but after that straight to the UBS bag" sort of meh. Which I don't entirely like having.

So it's likely time to dip into my stash of old favorites. Could be time for a Sherwood, at that. Never mind the accusing glares (oh yes, books can glare) of read but to be reviewed books that are right next to the desktop. Never mind the smaller stack of books that need to be read for review. Never mind the books still with their perfect, intact (okay, I admit it, I like to rub unbroken spines before opening a new book for the first time) spines still with the straight from the Waldenbooks bag aroma. Never mind the box of books from yesterday's library book sale (except for the big thick ones on the histories of soap operas and sitcoms -- which I have zoomed through in the last 24 hours) I need me some swash and buckle to fill myself for the writing week to come.

Especially since I am headed for the Long Island Romance Writers Luncheon on Friday. Hopefully some good networking, definetly some good company. Hmm, can I call diving into a nice thick classic historical "training?" Maybe after the grocery shopping. There is still the real world. But the quote definetly does apply.