Sheila Roberts's Blog, page 8

YOU DON'T WANT IT? I'LL TAKE IT!

     One woman's junk is another woman's treasure, and our little community of beach babes proves that every year with our annual swap party. Oh, the treasures! Purses, home decor, dishes (including a cute little fish-shaped serving platter), barbecue equipment, storage bins, candles, clothes. Something for everyone.
     And for little Sheila? Two camp chairs, which will come in handy at the new place we're building. The lot already has a fire pit and I'm envisioning hot dog roasts a plenty. I also scored a brand new yoga mat which will come in handy when I try to do floor exercises on my concrete condo floor. I'm going to try some beginner yoga, too, and see if I can master downward dog. Or is it upward dog? Downward spiral? Anyway, I'm going to be working hard to stay fit this winter and that will help.
     Of course, there was much nail biting in suspense as we waited to see who'd won what, and much shrieking and elation every time someone won a coveted item. And a little mock jealousy afterward (as you can see by the picture below), much of which was fueled by wine. But there was plenty of salmon dip and crackers, chocolate, and other goodies with which to console ourselves.
     So, how does one run a swap party? Well, there are many different ways. My gang from the old neighborhood just brought things and we took turns picking what appealed to us. The beach babes have their own system. Everyone receives a certain number of poker chips with her name or initials on them. Then we go around and "shop" putting a chip on each item that appeals to us. If we really want an item we might blow all our chips that one thing. If only one person's chip is on an item then it's hers. If more than one woman has laid down a chip, they all go in a dish and our hostess has someone draw the winning chip from it.
      Any leftover items get donated to local charities. At the beach we have a committee happy to take our goods for their yearly garage sale which raises money for the Woof-a-thon - a benefit for the town's pets. And if that doesn't work out, there's the thrift store run by the food bank. All proceeds from that go toward helping people with financial needs. So this is truly a win-win-win party.
     How about you? Got some decorations you've grown tired of? Have you outgrown that oh, so cool top? Maybe it's time to host a swap party of your own. Christmas is coming. You might get just what you've been wanting. And you won't even have to ask Santa for it!

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN AUTHORS GATHER?

Plenty! Lots of laughs, fun... and brainstorming. (I'm sure you can see by my friend
Susan Wiggs and I that brainstorming is, indeed, hard work!) Also pictured are other authors you probably have enjoyed reading. Here's the line-up, from left to right, Kate Breslin (then there's me, of course), Lois, Dyer, Susan Wiggs, Elsa Watson and A.J. Banner.
Earlier this week we all went to the charming Washington town of Port Townsend for  a brainstorming getaway. While we did go out for lunch and dinner, our day was completely filled with helping each other pull our next projects together. When you get that many writers in one room the creative vibes bounce off the walls. I've got to say, I'm very excited, not only about my next Christmas book, but about the other novels we worked together to shape. Writing a book is a solitary job and ultimately it's the author who crafts the story, but sharing ideas really helps with the creativity. Sometimes you get a whole new vision for your project.
After talking business over dinner we did take time in the evening for chatting and playing a round of Taboo - a great game for wordsmiths!
It was a treat to do all this in charming surroundings. We hung out at The Palace Hotel, which, in the town's wilder times, was the house of ill repute. Each room, done up with wonderful antiques, is named after a different shady lady. This town offers beautiful views and lots of charming shops and wonderful restaurants. So if you're ever sight-seeing on the Kitsap Peninsula be sure to add it to your list of places to visit.

PNWA Interview with Sheila Roberts

Check out Sheila's latest interview with the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. 

PNWA INTERVIEW WITH SHEILA ROBERTS

Check out Sheila's latest interview with the Pacific Northwest Writers Association. 

So What Do We Do At A Writers Conference?

   Last week I was in San Diego for the annual Romance Writers of America conference where a couple thousand women converge to learn the craft of writing, make business connections and consume copious amounts of coffee and chocolate. (And the bar gets a fair bit of action, too.) Parties and power lunches abound and the diet gets thrown out the window.
     It's a treat to see all my favorite people in the business - writing pals such as Nancy Naigle, Lisa Hendrix, Pam Binder, Brenda Novak, and Shirley Marks, and my buddy Susan Wiggs, to name a few, the great team at my publishing house, Harlequin, my wonderful publicist Nancy Berland, and my lifelong friend and agent Paige Wheeler. And I so enjoyed making new friends like the gorgeous Carla Neggers. Most of these people I only get to see in person once a year so this conference is always a treat. The frosting on the cake this year was getting to visit with readers and even a member of my street team at the Literacy for Life book signing event.
      Lots of brainstorming goes on at these conferences, where authors come to learn new ways to grow their readership and improve their books. In between, we have some fun sight-seeing and partying. But in the end, the purpose of the conference is business, and as writers we take our business seriously.
We all want to write the best story we can, hopefully one that will encourage and entertain you, our readers. Because, after all, you're the most important part of this business. What would we do without you?!

SO WHAT DO WE DO AT A WRITER'S CONFERENCE?

     Last week I was in San Diego for the annual Romance Writers of America conference where a couple thousand women converge to learn the craft of writing, make business connections and consume copious amounts of coffee and chocolate. (And the bar gets a fair bit of action, too.) Parties and power lunches abound and the diet gets thrown out the window.
     It's a treat to see all my favorite people in the business - writing pals such as Nancy Naigle, Lisa Hendrix, Pam Binder, Brenda Novak, and Shirley Marks, and my buddy Susan Wiggs, to name a few, the great team at my publishing house, Harlequin, my wonderful publicist Nancy Berland, and my lifelong friend and agent Paige Wheeler. And I so enjoyed making new friends like the gorgeous Carla Neggers. Most of these people I only get to see in person once a year so this conference is always a treat. The frosting on the cake this year was getting to visit with readers and even a member of my street team at the Literacy for Life book signing event.





   
      Lots of brainstorming goes on at these conferences, where authors come to learn new ways to grow their readership and improve their books. In between, we have some fun sight-seeing and partying. But in the end, the purpose of the conference is business, and as writers we take our business seriously. We all want to write the best story we can, hopefully one that will encourage and entertain you, our readers. Because, after all, you're the most important part of this business. What would we do without you?!

The Family Plays Together...

 ... has the cops called on them. No, just kidding. Although Gerhardt's family reunion did get pretty wild and crazy with karaoke performances loud enough to scare the wildlife (oh, wait, that was us), crazy luau costumes, and strange nighttime prowlers. (Glad I was happily and ignorantly asleep when that one happened.)
     These days it seems we're all busy and going a million directions. It can be hard to stay connected, especially from one generation to the next. A yearly getaway can be a good answer to that problem. All trapped together in a mountain cabin we were forced to spend time together. (Not that it was a hardship. I enjoy my husband's family.) This year we had a special treat with Gerhardt's half-sister from Australia joining us. Great fun. Of course we had to sing "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" for her. It was recorded by... somebody. Not us because by that time I'd used up all my iPad memory recording many other memorable performances. So I guess you'll just have to take my word for it that I was fabulous. :)
     And so another family reunion is a memory and we're all looking forward to gathering at Christmas, when there will be much pandemonium again as we fight over gift gags and tacky presents.
     I guess on that note I'll bring this blog to a close. Time for bed. Tomorrow I fly out to San Diego for the Romance Writers of America conference. Hoping to see many of my buddies there. And who knows, maybe a reader or two will join us at the Marriott Marquis hotel on Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30 for the big book signing party. If you're in San Diego this Wed be sure and come by. Probably all your favorite romance authors will be there signing books!

THE FAMILY THAT PLAYS TOGETHER...

 ... has the cops called on them. No, just kidding. Although Gerhardt's family reunion did get pretty wild and crazy with karaoke performances loud enough to scare the wildlife (oh, wait, that was us), crazy luau costumes, and strange nighttime prowlers. (Glad I was happily and ignorantly asleep when that one happened.)
     These days it seems we're all busy and going a million directions. It can be hard to stay connected, especially from one generation to the next. A yearly getaway can be a good answer to that problem. All trapped together in a mountain cabin we were forced to spend time together. (Not that it was a hardship. I enjoy my husband's family.) This year we had a special treat with Gerhardt's half-sister from Australia joining us. Great fun. Of course we had to sing "Tie Me Kangaroo Down Sport" for her. It was recorded by... somebody. Not us because by that time I'd used up all my iPad memory recording many other memorable performances. So I guess you'll just have to take my word for it that I was fabulous. :)
     And so another family reunion is a memory and we're all looking forward to gathering at Christmas, when there will be much pandemonium again as we fight over gift gags and tacky presents.
     I guess on that note I'll bring this blog to a close. Time for bed. Tomorrow I fly out to San Diego for the Romance Writers of America conference. Hoping to see many of my buddies there. And who knows, maybe a reader or two will join us at the Marriott Marquis hotel on Wednesday from 5:30 - 7:30 for the big book signing party. If you're in San Diego this Wed be sure and come by. Probably all your favorite romance authors will be there signing books!

Travels With Sheila

     Travel, as they say, is broadening ... especially for the hips! Especially when you're traveling around Germany, land of chocolate, Schnitzel and the world's best pastries. My husband Gerhardt and I love the country and the people. (He grew up there and we lived there when we were first married.) We try to get back every few years to see the wonderful friends we've made. On this latest trip not only did we enjoy catching up with old friends but we made some wonderful new ones as well.
     Our time with Ursula Rudor was inspiring. She and her husband were pastors in the East for many years before the wall came down - not a cool time to be a Christian. But they were steadfast, and she has many stories to tell, stories that remind me how thankful I am to live in a free country.
     We had a great time with our pals Sybille and Gundi, and Sybille's sweetie Fred, who made roulladen for a dinner party we were able to attend. Yum! (And thanks friend for the headache remedy. You're a doll!)
      We spent several hours at the home of new friends Wilfred and Gabby. We enjoyed tea and sightseeing with Siegrid, and Christina, also a new friend, invited us to join her English class. One of the women there gifted me with a beautiful Schultuete (a cone filled with goodies that children receive on the first day of school). I thought this sounded like something fun to adopt over here - a good way to get kids excited about going to school. The women asked if we did anything for our kids the first day of school... "Do you have a little party?" they asked. I replied that no, the ones who party are the moms!

     The food was spectacular, the architecture inspiring and the views breathtaking.
     All in all, our visit to Germany was wonderful. It's almost a perfect country. The only things to complain about? German drivers. (Guys, seriously, do they teach you to pass on a curve on a hill in driving school?) And the pay toilets. (Even when I'm shopping you're going to make me pay for the privilege of using the potty? Seriously?)
     Well, nobody's perfect. And I guess I can spare the change. Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland. Ich liebe dich.
     And now, back to my diet.

TRAVELS WITH SHEILA

     Travel, as they say, is broadening ... especially for the hips! Especially when you're traveling around Germany, land of chocolate, Schnitzel and the world's best pastries. My husband Gerhardt and I love the country and the people. (He grew up there and we lived there when we were first married.) We try to get back every few years to see the wonderful friends we've made. On this latest trip not only did we enjoy catching up with old friends but we made some wonderful new ones as well.
     Our time with Ursula Rudor was inspiring. She and her husband were pastors in the East for many years before the wall came down - not a cool time to be a Christian. But they were steadfast, and she has many stories to tell, stories that remind me how thankful I am to live in a free country.
     We had a great time with our pals Sybille and Gundi, and Sybille's sweetie Fred, who made roulladen for a dinner party we were able to attend. Yum! (And thanks friend for the headache remedy. You're a doll!)
      We spent several hours at the home of new friends Wilfred and Gabby. We enjoyed tea and sightseeing with Siegrid, and Christina, also a new friend, invited us to join her English class. One of the women there gifted me with a beautiful Schultuete (a cone filled with goodies that children receive on the first day of school). I thought this sounded like something fun to adopt over here - a good way to get kids excited about going to school. The women asked if we did anything for our kids the first day of school... "Do you have a little party?" they asked. I replied that no, the ones who party are the moms!

     The food was spectacular, the architecture inspiring and the views breathtaking.

     Well, nobody's perfect. And I guess I can spare the change. Auf Wiedersehen Deutschland. Ich liebe dich.
     And now, back to my diet.
     All in all, our visit to Germany was wonderful. It's almost a perfect country. The only things to complain about? German drivers. (Guys, seriously, do they teach you to pass on a curve on a hill in driving school?) And the pay toilets. (Even when I'm shopping you're going to make me pay for the privilege of using the potty? Seriously?)