Memories Are Made of This

Deb and Colleen worked so hard for us. Thank you ladies!
















Pennies, Gina and Janet Rubin (these girls both have a wacky sense of humor, definite trouble together).











Our critique group, The Penwrights, aka pennies. Gina, Janet, Mike Duran, Kelly Klepfer, (from the back right) Michelle Griep, Vicki Cato, Ane, Reni Bumpas and Terri Thompson). A few members are missing. What a love fest we had. We bonded big time.











(Gina snuck this one up). Reni was thinking of writing Muslim chick-lit. Ane didn't like the idea by her expression. We had a lot of fun in the room too. We're a bunch of weirdos.











This year's conference theme was New Beginnings. I found it to be quite appropriate - for me, especially. Gina has been telling me for months, no for years, that I write suspense. I argued with her, refusing to see it.

I love women's fiction. Deb Raney is my favorite women's fiction author, and a mentor. She's taught me so much. Then on Friday evening, Deb shot me down. She had a cohort. Colleen Coble. They both told me what I write is romantic suspense. Me. The Queen of the Big Honkin' Chicken Club. Sheesh. I guess when you have the Divas of Women's Ficiton and Romantic Suspense tell you that you don't write WF but RS, you gotta believe them. But does this mean I have to turn in my crown?

Of course, Gina, being the wonderful crit partner she is, didn't gloat - too much. *wink*

I really do have to thank Deb and Colleen, though. During the brainstorming session we had Friday evening, they gave me some wonderful ideas and encouragement - to soften the startling genre news. ;o) Both are wonderful mentors. It's hard to find words to fully thank you.

Deb, I've known you and learned from you for four conferences. Each one has taken my work up another notch.

Now I'm pulling out some of Colleen's novels to learn more from. :o)

And then there is my separated-at-birth-sister, Diann Hunt. Her critique encouraged me further, and gave me some wonderful new ideas! Thanks, Diann!!

I had a blast doing the conference preparedness course, but was unprepared for the sweet things so many said at the conference about it. One person gave me chocolate and another a hand made pair of earrings - coffee cups no less! She sure has my number. :o)

But for me, the highlight of the conference was when they were announcing the names of the people who had been nominated for Mentor of the Year and I heard my own name mentioned. I had told the Lord that if nothing else, this year I wanted to go as a servant to help others. I've been on a two year journey with the Lord about priorities. I learned it's all about Him and not about me. So I came to Dallas asking Him to make it about Him. I received so much more.

The wonderful worship brought us right into God's throne room. That was awesome. And all the wonderful Loopers whom I've gotten to know over the last year online, I got to hug and look into their eyes ... and when I did, I saw Jesus.

There are so many of you who I grew close to recently and feel like I've known you for years. Robin, Heather, Alice and Betsy - how much fun to burn up cyberspace with you!

So to everyone I hugged, I can't wait to hug you again in 07 in Dallas! And Lena, I'm hot on your trail, redhead! :o)