Guest Blogger: LA Banks

Whoooo Hooo! Being at RT is one of those annual experiences you don't want to miss. It's like a huge family reunion, or at the very least, like a fun high school reunion on steroids.

As an author, this is where you meet the fabulous people who show you some love--those readers whom we all bow to, because were it not for their love of books and their fav characters, we wouldn't get to do what we do (much love!) So, this year in Pittsburgh is no different. At this 25th Anniversary bash, I have seen friends from across the country--stopping in the halls and screaming, "Girl, how the hell are ya?!" Actually, that’s one of the highlights for me, just cruising the halls, seeing who came, catching up, bumping into folks, and generally laughing all week. We do paaartaaay here, be clear: this is a "don't wanna miss" event!

Yesterday, I sat on a panel with crazy MaryJanice Davidson and Dakota Cassidy, along with Monique Patterson (St. Martin's Press, Senior Editor), and authors Cheyenne McCray, Kelley Armstrong -- can I tell you the twosome first mentioned cut up so badly that my face literally hurt from laughing. MaryJanice got started, which just became irreverent contagion that spread to the audience, and there was no such thing as control. We'd lost it. The conversation went wild, albeit managed to somehow stay on topic--go figure? Yeah, we were a disruptive bunch. Probably has something to do with those who write paranormal. But before that particular panel devolved into sheer mayhem, the vampire crew hooked up and paneled together--Caridad Pineiro, Kim Harrison, and Rosemary Laurey, moderated by Jeanne Stein. Good people, good fun, everyone came out of the room buzzing about the discussion. I think that's when you can tell if things went well... folks keep walking and talking about what went on and carrying the conversation out into the next session.

But, alas, my age and fitness level told on me. Last night I went up to my room, called my daughter to be sure that my 17-year-old hadn't completely lost her mind in my absence and to be sure all my parental "look outs" had scouted no sign of a party taking place in my home -- and then was so exhausted from coming off deadline (maybe it was relief that no young men had crossed my threshold or there was no teen party taking place), that I passed out. My intentions were good. I was going to get up in an hour and go down to the Ellora's Cave Ball. Instead I woke up to the Eleven O'Clock News going off! OMG! It is a sign of age when you have to take a nap and set an alarm clock to get up for a party. (Shaking my head.) But tonight I will be ready, I will not lie down, I will never surrender. I will be at the Faery ball, dammit! Plus, I must make it to the Vampire Ball--what self respecting writer of vampire slaying could miss that? However, I am going to blame my stamina issues on the adrenaline rushes that we mothers get from our kids while on the road... you know, the phone calls filled with mystery and hysteria, the strident voice that shouts, "OMG, Mom, call me!" So you, as a responsible Mom, break away from the session, call your child, where you are informed that your child hates her English teacher. Okay. That call just took 3 years off my life, but I'm cool, LOL. Then you go back to your panels and other events, constantly double-checking your cell phone... not being a diva, being a frazzled mother (I wish I had Wall Street or Hollywood-level calls incoming that required my immediate attention, LOL... nah, just a Mom having teenage angst moments.) Nice thing, though, I did get a call that my boo made FIRST HONORS. Big Grin. So, as they say, it's all good.

Now, back to panels, gonna go kick up my heels and laugh some more. Hiding from my homegirl, Pat Simmons, LOL... love her--she's hunting me down to make sure I show up on time for interviews... but how is that possible when you bump into so many friends enroute to everywhere? Thank you, RT, for having this for us all! Big shout out to Liddy Midnight (my co-wife--that's a loooong story, LOL), Cindy, Rene, Michelle, Kimberly... I shouldn't have started, the list is too long and I'm gonna get in trouble for forgetting somebody. Oh, yeah, and I'm trying to avoid Mona at Frozen Light--her jewelry creates addictions and takes advance checks! Every conference, I leave with something I swore I wasn't gonna buy; forget willpower :)

LA Banks