In the infamous words of Jack Nicholson, "I'm back". Or was it Stephen King who should get credit for that?
No matter. Atlanta was absolutely fabulous. I reconnected with old friends and made new ones. I'm rejuvenated and ready to pound out the Great American Love Story. Notice I didn't say the Great American Novel. I'll let loftier souls work on that one. Call me shallow, but I'd be thrilled to write the next hot beach read and whore myself out to Kelly Ripa, if she'll have me.
Sunday- Day One... Since I only live 4 hours from Atlanta, I decided, being the clever girl I am, that I would drive. I could bring all the luggage I wanted, including a cooler, and there would be no mean airport people to tell me otherwise. I could even prove indispensable to my cps and pick them up at the airport. Somehow, that plan didn't work out and Mel and Louisa ended up taking a cab to the hotel. Not only did I leave just a tad bit late from Tallahassee, but all the trunk room in my little Suzuki Forenza was taken up with the suitcase, cooler, water bottles, beer, diet sodas, and all the essential munchies needed for the week. A girl has to have her priorities, right?
So I got to the hotel, excited to see Mel again and meet Louisa for the first time. As I handed over my car keys to the parking attendant, he asked for my name for the claim ticket.
"Maria Geraci", I answered, spelling it out for him.
"That sounds Italian," he said.
"It is," I responded. (Although there isn't a drop of Italian blood in me.)
"It also sounds very romantic," he said with a sly grin.
I laughed. "It is," I assured him.
And thus began the beginning of a beautiful relationship. The staff at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis actually seemed excited to have 2000 plus romance writers invading their turf. This was my fourth RWA National conference, and I think this was by far, the friendliest staff yet.
To read my Nationals "synopsis" go here.
More to come tomorrow...
An Eye on the Prize
5 hours ago
5 comments:
It was really good to see you again Maria. I'll have to check out that Nationals "synopsis" of yours. :o)
I asked one of the male bartenders if it's overwhelming having 2,000 women descend on the hotel, and he said that they were loving it, that all the women are very friendly, which made it fun for the staff.
It was GREAT to meet you, Maria! :)
I miss you already. :(
Maria, it was so great to meet you! Weren't the staff members just great? The service (for the most part) was second only to the treatment I got on a cruise last year.
It was fabulous darling-and I miss you already...sniff
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