After a wonderful ego trip in Chicago...a dose of reality today. Let me start at the beginning....

Border's Books holds regional meetings with all the district and store managers of a particular area. Ellora's Cave was invited to the regional meeting for the upper midwestern states and EC asked Jaid Black, Tawny Taylor and me to attend with them and to help represent the company. Honored, all three of us accepted and Jaid (being the founder of the company) gave a speech. Unfortunately, I didn't get to hear it as my flight home was at the same time. :(

The trip, however, was glorious. We were treated like celebrities every moment...by the terrific staff of the Crowne Plaza (the one right near the airport in Chicago), by the Border's personnel, and by our own EC bosses...Patty Marks and Jeania Uplinger. I practically didn't need that plane to fly home!

And then...reality. Every once in a while I check my sales ranking at amazon.com, more out of curiosity than anything else. Most of my readers purchase my books through EC (for the downloads) or brick and mortar stores (for the paperbacks). So yesterday, I go to www.amazon.com and check the listing for SECRET SUBMISSION. Imagine my surprise to discover a new review! I'm always eager to hear what people have to say about my book and even if they didn't like it, I like to know why.

Well, there are two reviews of SECRET SUBMISSION (DIAMOND STUDS has only one and IRISH ENCHANTMENT and TABLE FOR FOUR have none). The one that's been there a while is glowing, and the new one...isn't. I got trashed. No, more than trashed. I got beaten to a pulp, stomped on, and left in the gutter.

Now, like I said, I know what I write isn't for all people and I don't expect everyone to like it. But her one comment, about the fact that "there was no romance, not even the slightest bit," got to me. You can read her whole review here.

I had to think about it a while to understand why her comment ticked me off so much. Like I said, I know BDSM isn't for everyone. And that's when it hit me. It's not just that she's dismissing me, she dismissing everyone who's involved in the lifestyle as well. There IS romance in that book...a ton of it. But it isn't sweet and pretty, it isn't all hearts and flowers. And it isn't vanilla. It's softly gritty...it's the thorns instead of the roses (in fact, there's an incredible non-fiction BDSM book called SCREW THE ROSES, SEND ME THE THORNS that explores the psychology of D/s and bondage...plus a whole lot more). All my writings explore a different type of romance than the traditional.

I read through some of her other reviews and that became clearer...she's reviewed lots of books and I think it's wonderful that she takes the time to write down her thoughts. She admits this is the first BDSM book she's ever read...LOL...Secret Submission is rather tame compared to some of the online stuff...although it is pushing the envelope in print fiction.

To the readers of my books who also read this blog, I have a request. Take a moment and write your own reviews of not only my books, but of the books you read. Just a line or two is sufficient for amazon.com...although I've read other's reviews there that are huge! LOL Your comments help writers to understand how the world views their work. Plus, it's a great chance to let the world know your opinions.

Okay...off my soapbox and off to write a whole lot more BDSM... with romance!

Eight books in three years.

Who'd a thunk? Of course, only three of them are full-length works...so I guess that really comes down to a book a year, with five short stories thrown in for good measure. Except HOOKED is novella length, not short story....

Okay, so there's no rhyme or reason to my writing. I write what comes down the pike...tried my hand at two anthologies and might do a third, but only with Ruby Storm and Ruth Kerce...they're great partners to work with and we've already started discussing ideas for another set of stories. But it wouldn't come out for over a year, so I have no sense of urgency yet. And I truly think I write better...or at least more...when I have a deadline hanging over my head, self-imposed or otherwise.

I've been piddling at several stories, but none of the characters have yet grabbed me by the collar and screamed, "ME! Tell MY story!" That's sort of the only way they get page time. So I keep doodling, going from one started manuscript to the next (I think I'm up to five now) hoping that, this time, a character will step up to the plate.

In the meantime, I've been refreshing my batteries...or, going back to Stephen Covey, 'sharpening my saw' by scrapbooking with my daughter, playing solitaire (LOTS of solitaire...Spider is the current weapon of choice for idling away my time...), gardening and following hurricane news. I have relatives in Florida...Fort Meyers to be exact. So once again I've glued myself to the TV.

Today's a celebration day with the release of CABIN FEVER. So tonight, I'm going to kick back, relax and tackle that cast of characters tomorrow.

Till later, play safe!
Diana

I went to a terrific series of workshops today and learned a slew of 'stuff' about some of the new internet tools. Not only blogging, but RSS and podcasting and wikis as well. Lots I had heard of, but haven't yet had the time to play with. Guess I'll be making that time...although it will mean I need to set aside my latest story.

And what is the latest? LOL Depends on the day and my mood. I've thought about a sequel to Secret Submission...and actually written about 4000 words or so exploring Sarah and Phillip's move to a 24/7 relationship. Already have a title, too: Submission Revealed.

Then there's a Civil War historical novel I've been working on for several years. Thought I'd dig it out and give it another go. The story is a true one...about a man and his brother who enlist in the same Union regiment in August of 1863 and end up prisoners of war four weeks later. The story follows their first year in the army...from their capture at Harper's Ferry to the battle of Gettysburg a year later. I'm thinking of it for Cerridwen Press.

And then there's another one I haven't yet begun to write, but have been researching off and on for the past 6 months. More off than on. I had just about given up on it...but every time I do, the main character's name shows up in some odd place and gets me thinking again. We'll see where that goes.

Of course, I also have a fantasy novel I've been trying to start for two years...the synopsis is all set and I love the story, but can't seem to get the characters to sit still long enough to show me the opening scene. I've written about five starts...and not one of them is worth the computer space they take up.

See now why I might as well take some time to learn the whole RSS thing?

Till later,

Play safe!
Diana

What with all that's going on down south, I have decided to forego September's contest from my site. Those in Mississippi and Louisiana who have lost their homes need far more help than I can supply, but what I can do, I will do. Instead of holding a contest this month, I'm sending a donation to the Red Cross. Thank you for understanding.

Play safe,
Diana

All the news is about Katrina lately...and with good reason. How many Hollywood disaster movies have been made about the destruction of an American city? You'd think we'd be prepared for it, having seen it on the big screen so many times. But since Hollywood isn't known for its realism, we've dismissed just such a possiblility from our collective conciousness in our very human typical, it-can't-really-happen attitude.

And yet, it has. Not only the destruction, but the mayor of New Orleans is now calling for the abandonment of the city. I have a picture of him standing on top of a governmental building shouting out to the city, "Abandon ship! Abandon ship!" It isn't a pleasant image...watching an entire city turn heel and sink.

At the moment, dealing with survivors is the problem of the day. Where to put them...what to feed them...thousands of refugees streaming into surrounding towns, villages, cities. The next problem to creep up has been the looting. I don't think anyone begrudges those who steal to eat or to supply their family with basic needs...but just what the hell do those people think they're going to do with anything electronic? What are you going to plug it into? And by the time you get it through the water, will it be worth anything?

Someone in some news article concerning the looting said, "Disasters always bring out the worst in people." I beg to differ. Over the years, I have seen only the best sides of humanity emerge from some of the worst tragedies. Perhaps I'm naive...but I prefer to look at all those who have opened their homes, at those who have donated time, money, goods...rather than those criminal few who expect to make a quick buck. THOSE are the truly naive, because all they could want is being offered not only by huge organizations like the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, but by individuals. I know of one man with a boat who was in Florida. He filled his boat with ice, medical supplies, food...and headed over to do what he can. And he's not alone.

Those are the true heroes...the men and women who stop what they are doing and pitch in to help. And those heroes vastly outnumber the looters who are stealing for the sake of stealing. It is important to remember that. Roughly five percent of the population gets ninety-five percent of the media coverage. There are far more humanitarian stories than there are looting ones, no matter what the press says.

Donate to the Red Cross...give blood if you can. Help out the Salvation Army in your area. I hear Loew's building supply is matching funds for those who donate through them, up to one million dollars. Money is what is needed right now. Please give what you can.

Thank you...and BE safe...

Diana

I'm off to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio in two hours...I can't wait to see everyone at EC's headquarters! Don't know if they'll make this August booksigning a yearly affair, but I won't complain if they do. Gives me a chance to meet with fans and hobnob with the wonderful people who publish my books.

Originally I was going to bring my family along, but then we couldn't find a campground in the area. At least, not one within 20 miles of the bookstore. I'm surprised. So they're staying home and I'm bacheloretting it at a hotel for the weekend. I know. Big sacrifice. Actually, I really do enjoy my kids and have gone with them separately on mini-vacations this summer. It was a wonderful way to get to know them as teenagers. So much angst in those years...

I hope to see some of you in Ohio! Play safe,
Diana

Where did the month of July go? Did anyone see it? Or was that the blur I saw going past when I took a glance up from my computer?

So much time, so little to do.
Wait! Reverse that!

LOL -- Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and thought it charming...although Gene Wilder will always hold a special place in my heart as Willie Wonka. Johnny Depp has created a wonderful characterization as well...isn't it great when Hollywood can get it right TWICE?

Let's see...in the past month I've finished a short story that I've submitted for next year's Caveman series from EC (will let you know as soon as I know if it's been accepted or not). I've also begun research on a new historical fiction and begun rewrites on a previously written historical.

Now, I know what you're thinking...Diana Hunter writes contemporary bondage romance, not historical anything. But I'm a woman of many talents (or so my husband tells me ), and have had these other pieces roaming around in my head for a while. So while I wait to get CABIN FEVER back from my editor so I can do the final edits, I'm...playing.

Speaking of CABIN FEVER...my husband and his sister and some friends and I went wining recently (NOT whining...wine-ing) in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. If you don't already know, there are over 100 wineries nestled between, around and beside the lakes...and most of them make award-winning treats for the tastebuds. That day we rented a limo (we're not stupid...we don't drink and drive!!!), and visited nine wineries on the shores of the Seneca and Cayuga lakes.

Now, what does all this have to do with CABIN FEVER? Hazlitt Vineyards, a vineyard that planted it's first vine in 1852, has a wonderful white wine called....Cabin Fever! I was delighted to find it a sweet wine (my tastes run to the sweeter wines....give me a good port anyday!)...and I bought several bottles. On August 20th, I'm doing a book signing...and intend to give away a bottle of it in a special drawing for those who attend. You can find details on both my website (www.dianahunter.net) and on my newsletter (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dianahunter).

So I have been keeping busy, even if I haven't been blogging. To those of you who made it to the Romance Writers of America conference...I hope you all had a good time. Perhaps next year I'll be able to make it!

Till later...play safe!

Diana

People ask me how I come up with the characters who populate my novels. I've said before that, once I know they're name, I'm all set. Most of the time, the story just writes itself.

But every once in a while, a character will surprise me and change mid story. Then I know I'm doing more pushing than the character is. For example, I'm working on a short story for EC's Tales from the O-asis series for 2006. The main character is a bit of a rogue, and that's the problem. How do I keep him sympathetic in the reader's view, yet allow him the latitude he needs to be truly the dominant personality he has? I keep trying to take him one way, only to discover, half a page later, that the story's at a dead end. Why? Because the character has stopped talking and I'm trying to force him someplace he doesn't want to go.

Same thing with the heroine. I tried to give her a backstory that would account for her behavior, but she's having none of it. She wants the hero. Period. No hidden agenda, no childhood angst, no conflicts hiding in the wings. She wants him to fall in love with her. And everytime I try to get her to put up more of a protest when he takes her to bed, she turns to me and says, "Why? This is exactly where I want to be!" Ya gotta love women who know their own minds.

I expect to have this story finished by the end of the week...it has no name yet, although I've been toying with "New York Oasis." We'll see.

All right, enough gab. I'm off to get the two of them to finish this story...
Play safe,
Diana

With summer officially here (school's out!), I've spent the past several days getting to all the cleaning I don't get to otherwise. Amazing how much dust can accumulate behind things. Now I know why my grandmother insisted on moving all the furniture when she did spring cleaning!

I've also begun work on a short to submit for EC's Tales from the O-asis...next year's Cavemen series. Only about a third of the way through...will see if it comes to anything. Right now the hero and heroine are having an interesting conversation and feeling each other out, so to speak .

Other than that, I'm just getting my house in order!

Play safe,
Diana

Busy week! Just finished my first edits for CABIN FEVER...yes, I took a long time doing them. LOL If you read my last entry, you'll know what else I've been working on! But it's in to my editor now and soon she'll send it back for another go-round (and hopefully the last!).

HOOKED comes out this coming Tuesday or Wednesday, so I've started a contest for that. It's going well...lots of new people entering I haven't met before, and that's always cool. I love chatting with fans that have been around a while, too. Although I know everyone by their email addy rather than their name!

Now to get to work on the next novel...

Play safe!
Diana

IRISH ENCHANTMENT is now available in paperback! Hooray! I have often said, "Stitches in Time," the piece I have in that anthology, is my favorite of all my stories. Just a bit of fun...

June is a busy month as the school year ends for my two children...last concerts, recitals, dance performances...and so I'm a bit behind on my edits for CABIN FEVER. My goal is to have it back to Pam no later than the 25th...and I'll make it. I only have 70 pages to go. Of course, they're the toughest 70 pages in the book. The climax at the end and the resolution are always the hardest parts for me to write. I really like getting to know the characters in a book...and if I really, really like them...then I don't want the book to end!

But I know there are readers who are eagerly awaiting this plus-length novel (73K and rising). So I shall put my nose to the grindstone and get back to work...

Play safe,
Diana

I haven't been posting lately because things have been happening too quickly to keep up with them! HOOKED is supposed to be out at the end of June, but since I haven't seen the cover art yet, I'm waiting to do a big announcement. Don't want to get everyone's hopes up and then have to backpedal. So that's on one burner.

On another is DIAMOND STUDS...the anthology I wrote with Ruby Storm and Ruth Kerce. It's due out in paperback in July. I have seen the cover for this one...LOL...three gorgeous rear ends, only this time WITH jeans! The three of us are cooking up a great contest to celebrate it's release onto the shelves of the bookstores. That pot's simmering!

On the third burner is IRISH ENCHANTMENT, the anthology I wrote with Sahara Kelly and Tielle St. Clare. I have to admit, the short I have in that book, Stitches in Time, is one of my favorites. This book is also coming out in print...soon. Don't have a date, but I know we're close.

And of course, on the last burner is CABIN FEVER, which is a plus-novel currently in edits for Ellora's Cave. I'm about halfway through this series of edits and expect one more go-round after this one. Pam (my editor) and I are both very picky and don't want to release anything until we're both sure it's as tight (and sexy!) as it can be.

But of course, one dish is completed, off the stove and already the table, and that's an article in the July edition of Ellora's Cave newsletter on the confusion caused by the term BDSM. The term means so many things to so many different people...I figured it was my turn to take a stab at it.

So a great deal cooking in Diana Hunter's kitchen of erotic romance!

Okay...I know you've heard this before...but HOOKED is finished! Yes, again. At just a few words over 15K, it was decided that it should be longer so readers feel like they're getting their money's worth. LOL

So I've spent the past week polishing into a nice, little jewel that sparkles in all sorts of light. It's now a bit over 17K...and we'll see if that makes the cut.

So now it's back to CABIN FEVER...although I'm going to need to back up quite a few pages and get a running start again. One of the problems with working on two novels at once is keeping the characters straight. I don't want Tania to sound like Isabel...they're totally different women. Or Jim to sound like Daniel...one prefers the jungle of the boardroom, the other the jungle of the wilderness.

Am I teasing you? You bet!

Play safe,
Diana

A special hello to Joy and Linda and Paula and Debby! It was wonderful seeing you at the Border's booksigning in Farmington, CT yesterday. What a great time!

Mary Wine flew in all the way from California for her two signings...and boy are her arms tired. It was great to see her again. She's a wonderful go-getter when it comes to selling EC -- we have no better saleswoman than Mary! If she saw someone browsing in the romance section, she was over there like a flash, chatting with the woman and asking her if she might like to try something a little spicier. Nine times out of ten, the customer was at our table within a minute, ready to learn all about our books and Ellora's Cave! I love working with Mary!

Sarah McCarty is no slouch, either, let me tell you! When she saw we'd been put in the back of the store, she marched right up to management and demanded that we be given better placement, preferably right near the romance section. When Brenda came in from the EC bus to back her up, the manager didn't know what hit him! LOL Needless to say, we were in the center of the store where customers had to pass by. We let very few go by without a hello and many stopped just to see what the fuss was all about. Nice job, Sarah!

We had a great time and met many people from all over the world (including a delightful woman from Ireland who told us her incredibly romantic story about how she met her significant other...it has all the makings of a wonderful book!). I still can't believe Joy came all the way up from NYC to see us.

And now it's back to the laptop for further edits of HOOKED (this is going to be one special story by the time we get done with it. Many, many thanks to Pam Campbell, my editor, for all the time she's spent helping me polish this jewel!). Till later...

Play safe,
Diana

A great brouhaha is brewing over two recent blog posts (other blogger's work...not my posts). In the first, a fellow writer bemoaned the poor writing she found among erotic romance books. In the second, a gentleman announced that the publishing of ebooks, on the whole, was a failure.

We all know there are good writers who get published...and there are terrible writers that get published. But the glory of living in a democracy, is that, should you put any group of people together from any and all walks of life, give them a pile of books, and you will get an extremely lively discussion about which writers belong in which category. I'm not a fan of Charles Dickens (not that he ever wrote erotic romance, but no one can deny A Tale of Two Cities has romance as its backbone!), but my husband thinks Dickens is one of the best writers ever to exist. So is he a good writer or a terrible one? Depends on who you ask. The blog writer who bemoaned the poor writing is allowed her opinions. I don't have to agree with them.

As to the failure of ebooks as a viable publishing alternative? Hmmm...methinks he hasn't heard of Ellora's Cave! Or, for that matter, several of the ebook publishers that cater to the romance genres. The examples in his article came mostly from the non-fiction side of the aisle, although he did reference other literary forms. He also seemed to think that most ebooks eventually were printed out by the purchaser for easier reading.

He could be right on the last comment. I don't know how many readers actually print the books they buy online. I know I don't. I don't have a neat little reader-ma-bob either. I read them right at my computer screen. For some, I know that's a problem, but my eyes are in that in-between stage right now. LOL I use bifocals for distance and closeup work...but the computer screen is exactly the right distance away that I don't need assistance! That's why, if you ever see me, you'll find my glasses perched on top of my head in easy reach if I need to see something across the room or read a piece of paper. But if I want to talk to you, I have to take them off. Otherwise I'm doing the head-nod thing trying to determine which part of my glasses work best to see you!

So to answer each tempest in a teapot with a dash of my own spice: there are good and bad writers of every genre. Read the authors you like; ignore the ones you don't. And don't bury the ebook publishers just yet...they're still alive and kicking in my experience!

Play safe!
Diana

To paraphrase an old movie: what would happen if they gave a booksigning and nobody showed up?

Many thanks to Julie...our one and only attendee at the first stop of the EC bus tour! I'm afraid Borders didn't quite do the advance advertising we'd hoped...although the timing was also against us. Seems two major colleges in the area had their graduation ceremonies this afternoon...so everyone who would normally be in the bookstore was occupied. Even the mall next store which is normally one of the busiest malls in the Albany area, was empty when I went shopping afterward.

Oh, well. Jennifer Dunne and I had a great time talking with Julie and getting to know each other better as well. The EC bus is resplendent, of course...and many people stopped by to talk to the staff there. LOL I think Jennifer and I might have had more traffic if we had been out by the bus!

Still and all, it was great fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again in 2 weeks time in Farmington, CT. Several fans have already told me they'll be there...and I look forward to meeting them in person! Very cool.

My editor sent CABIN FEVER to me yesterday for the first go-round of edits. Darn point of view is shifting again. Not sure what got into me this winter that all of a sudden I keep head-hopping. One paragraph of what she's thinking...the next in his head. Enough to drive a reader to thinking she's watching a tennis match! Gotta fix that.

Off to work!
Play safe,
Diana

HOOKED is no longer a Quickie. With only 115 words to go before reaching EC's guidelines for a novella, I'm having another go at it and pushing it to the longer length. Wasn't a hard decision to reach...when I went to fill out the cover request and got to the question about the hero's appearance, I couldn't remember if Jim had blonde hair or brown. And what color were his eyes? I didn't have the foggiest.

Now, if the author can't remember the basic physical characteristics of her hero, how on earth does she expect her readers to remember? "More visual detail" is the mantra my editor hammers at me...and with good reason. So tonight, I shall be rereading it with an eye towards throwing in key phrases to give the readers a great visual image of hero and heroine.

Sooner or later, I'll stop tinkering with this story!

Play safe,
Diana

Have been working on the edits for HOOKED all week. I sent off one version to my editor...she sent it back saying the sex needed to be hotter. At the moment, it would get an "S" rating, not the more coveted "E" (for Erotic) one. So I figured, no problem...just have them play a little more, right?

I love it when my characters understand there's another whole level to a scene that I didn't even realize was there. Jim, the male protagonist, finally shouted it in my ear: "This scene is about sensation, idiot! Where are all the wonderful sensations I can put Tania through? Would you just write them in please???"

And like the obedient writer I am...I'm giving the Dom what he asks for...

Of course, now we're skirting the novella length instead of EC's guidelines for a Quickie....

Back to work for me...need to give that Dom something to do with his hands....

Diana

I spent both Monday and Tuesday getting caught up. DIAMOND HEAT is almost ready for print...Ruby, Ruth and I had to go over the galleys and spot any changes that needed to be made. Not too bad, I only found 2 mistakes I'd made and one that was a spacing error. Our changes are now in, so that should be released in paperback sometime over the summer. July, maybe?

I also started a business plan. When I sold my first manuscript, SECRET SUBMISSION, to Ellora's Cave, I had no idea that a writer's life was more than just writing the books. LOL Boy, do I know better now! Promotional items, webpages, newsletters, conventions...the list goes on. I begin to understand why JK Rowling is having trouble getting a book written!

So now I'm beginning to actually think of my writing career like a business...and that actually has brought about some exciting ideas. Nothing I'm ready to announce...but lots I'm considering for the website. Need to get a DBA (Doing Business As...) form and go from there. So much to keep in my head!

Today I'm hoping to find some time to work on the short story I have underway for the next Caveman series. It needs to be in by September. And my editor has told me I should have edits on HOOKED and CABIN FEVER back soon, so those will take up my time quickly.

Back to work! Play safe,
Diana

I do apologize for not posting yesterday, but when you read about my day, you'll understand why.

It all started early. Anxious to get home, Angelica and I headed down to the lobby to go souvenier shopping. We made our purchases, then noticed the very long line for the shuttle bus. After some discussion, we headed back up to finish our packing and head out. If we had to wait in line for the bus, with no guarentee that we'd make it on that particular run, we figured we'd best get in line now.

The checkout went smoothly and the clerk handed us a form to fill out for comments...boy, did we have comments for them! Believe me, the hotel WILL be getting an earful because we'll be sending our remarks by email...so we have lots of time to get the phrasing exactly right .

The first bump came at the airport. Curbside check-in. The attendant cannot find our flight...then discovers it's been cancelled and all the passengers shifted to a flight that leaves 15 minutes earlier. Grateful that we'd given ourselves plenty of time, we were not distressed at the news. Until he told us we were not showing up as passengers FOR that flight. In fact, we were not showing up at all. On any flight. Going anywhere.

Some tense moments followed as he tried first one thing, then another. Resigned to having to hassle with the ticket counter, we had picked up our bags and turned to go when he called us back. For whatever reason, our names, which hadn't been on the screen earlier, suddenly popped up on the flight when he refreshed the screen. Relief!

I gotta tell you, I love flying. I had so much fun! Especially banking...making those turns makes me feel like I'm on a ride in an amusement park. Way too cool. Just way too cool.

Chicago -- O'Hare airport. No problems landing. We go to leave the plane and the pilot is standing in the cockpit door saying farewell to the passengers. I swear, he's twelve. I'm not kidding. Skinny little thing who can't be out of puberty. There's a good reason they don't let you see the pilot until you're safely on the ground!

We grab a bite to eat (neither of us had eaten yet and it's now after 11:00) and head for the gate. Just get comfortable when the gatekeeper announces our flight is "over weight" and needs to be lightened by three passengers. Wish taking pounds off my thighs was so easy! They'd give a $250 flight voucher to any passenger who volunteered to take a later flight. LOL Angelica and I headed right for the counter. I'm no fool.

The later flight took off at 9:44 (it was now close to 3:00 pm). The airline would give us the flight voucher as well as a $20.00 food voucher and bump us to first class if we agreed to give up our seats on the scheduled flight. Didn't even need to discuss it. We agreed.

So now we have several hours to kill in the airport. A restaurant not too far away from the gate looked promising, but since we had time, we wandered a bit to check out the other places. Except those darn bags get pretty heavy after a while, so we went back to our original choice, the Chicago Tap & Grill at Gate G. I was wearing my "Got sex?" T-shirt and the waitress laughed out loud when she saw it. I turned around so she could read the back and she said, "Ellora's Cave? I LOVE those books!" I grinned and gave her my business card (everything else was packed...gotta start thinking ahead....) and signed it for her. She was so excited!Let me tell you, I've never had better service at a restaurant before! She hadn't read any of my books, but she sure knew EC! And if you're reading this...Hi, Diana! (yes, our waitress and I have the same first name!)

The restaurant was gracious and no one tried to kick us out, even as I sat there nursing a Coke after dinner and typing away furiously on my laptop (had a great idea for a short to submit for the Ellora's Cavemen series...wrote 6 pages waiting for the plane. See? You guys win by our taking the later flight, too!). But after a while it started to fill up and when tables became scarce, we decided to make a graceful departure.

Our flight was on time and things went well, until we went to get on the plane. We were first row...great seats! Only the idiot businessman in the seat across the aisle had put his briefcase into the overhead instead of under his seat because he wanted the extra leg room. But that meant OUR carryons had to go in the back cupboard. You know...the one all the way at the BACK of the plane...the one you can't get to until everyone else is already off? GRRRR. Not happy campers about that. But the flight crew was gracious and the city gorgeous beneath us in the dark. It looked as if someone had scattered brilliant amber diamonds on a black velvet cloth to see the lights of the city below. I watched until we climbed above the clouds and we couldn't see anymore.

We landed at home just before midnight. By the time we got our bags (which, amazingly, had been transferred to the proper flight!) and drove home, it was almost 2:00 am. As I said, I apologize for not writing yesterday, but now you see why.

Very soon I shall put the quiz up on my newsletter site for the wonderful readers I have. Some of you I met in St. Louis...you're ALL terrific. I won't spoil it and tell the wonderful surprises I have for you as prizes for this contest...but let me say, I was thinking of you at RT!

Take care and play safe,
Diana