Well, if you’ve been hanging around the romance-novel cyberspace community during the past week, you’ve probably heard about the Trash Talkin’ Romance Writer’s video. In case you missed it, check it out:
I thought you might enjoy hearing from the authors involved–why we did it, who did what, mistakes made along the way, etc. FYI: Diana Holquist (the brainchild behind this entire project) is trying to come up with a blooper reel, which should be a hoot. (If only I hadn’t deleted my bloopers. 
)
Anyway, the background–Diana, who is nominated for her book SEXIEST MAN ALIVE 
has done trailers for her books in the past. And she…well, let her tell it…Diana?
“Very few people outside the romance community have any idea what the RITAs are. That was my main goal: to get outsiders to understand how seriously writers take these awards. The excellent ads for the NBA finals were beginning to circulate, and it occurred to me that we were in a sort of “RWA Finals” contest for the RITA. Only every single romance author I’ve ever met is so darn nice, it wasn’t going to feel like a competition. It wasn’t like Rachel Gibson was going to start talking trash…unless…
I started watching NBA trash-talking videos on youtube, wrote a quickie script, held my breath, and e-mailed all the finalists. I thought they’d tell me to bug off, but they were all over it (see “niceness” comment above). Everyone just ran with the project–taking my little idea and making it better and bigger and funnier. They blew me away. When Susan Andersen e-mailed me her “do you hear yapping” exchange with Kristan Higgins, I knew that I just had to sit back and let everyone’s personalities shine. Toni’s dress was the clincher. I danced around my house giggling. It was amazing working with these women. Even their performances were without exception brave and silly and awesome. Everyone brought something to the show. Next time, we’re installing metal detectors… “
See, the thing is, Diana is still under the impression that everybody is really nice and was just having a good time. 
Obviously she doesn’t know Kristan Higgans–who is nominated for her book CATCH OF THE DAY. Kristan had this to say:
“I am deeply ashamed at my participation in the RITA Trash Talking video and would like to take this opportunity to blame my fellow nominees and their ruthless peer pressure in making me do it. Rachel, Sarah and Jennifer…kudos to you for rising above it all! As for the rest of you…I hope you’re proud, you back-stabbing, ladder-climbing, foul-mouthed women, you!”
Foul-mouthed? Moi?!?
Okay, okay, so maybe she knows me from another life or something. Anyway, she went on to add…
“In truth, it was tremendous fun, and I laugh myself silly every time I see it. It was a unique way to get to know the other nominees, and I can’t wait to meet everyone in San Francisco.”
Now, Rachel Gibson has been one of my favorite authors since before I ever sold–co-nominee Susan Andersen has, too, so you can bet I was absolutely stunned and thrilled to land on a short-list with those two! Rachel’s “publicist” bit is one of my favorite parts of the video and was a fiendishly clever way for her to be involved in the fun!
As for Susan, well, I never knew when I got involved with this that I’d be giving one of my favorite authors a headache…
“I was nervous about doing this when Diana first proposed it. It sounded like a hoot, but I tend to get that deer in the headlights thing going for me when a camera is turned my way.
Since there was no one around to make me self conscious, though, it actually turned out to be a kick. And I’m so blown away with how funny and natural everyone else on the video is. I kept saying, “Oh, man that’s so good! Oh, man, that is so GOOD!” and wanted to redo my part. I never even got out of my jammies for my portion. When I first dragged out my camera and tripod, I only intended to do a test shot. Before I knew it, however, I was cookin’ and then totally addicted.
On the This-babe-needs-a-keeper front, I took I don’t know how many takes of my reaction to Leslie’s sword where I kept saying “That’s not even a real swear word.” I’m thinking this just doesn’t make sense–then finally went and checked the storyboard.
Oh. Hmmm. Never mind.
Color me stupid.
Never! Disdainful of yapping puppies, perhaps, but never stupid.
Toni Blake got to be the best dressed one of us in the video. We just didn’t realize how much she went through to look so fabulous. “When filming my part, we kept having to stop because I couldn’t breathe – it would seem that the strapless bra I was wearing constricts my lungs. Which was kind of a good thing to find out before Rita night :angel7: “
Toni also said said exactly what I’ve been thinking…
“This was great fun to do and has really allowed the authors involved to “bond,” even though we don’t know each other very well. We’re all indebted to Diana for coming up with the whole idea, and to Lindsey Faber for putting the video together!”
Lindsey managed to pull all our individual snippets together, blend them seamlessly, and add the fun graphics, voiceovers, etc. And she got to play Rachel’s publicist! 
for Lindsey!
As for me…all I can say is, man, I wish I’d lost that 5 pounds before doing the video. Thousands of people have gotten a load of my flabby arms! Ahh, well, it’s a month ’til Rita night. Guess I’d better do a few more reps on the bench press.
Absolutely the only thing that could have made it more perfect would have been the involvement of Sarah Strohmeyer and Jennifer Greene. Next time, you two…right?
I’m hoping these fun and talented ladies will stop by today so please make them feel welcome here at Plotmonkeys!
PS: Dear Author is conducting an informal poll on who should win this category in the Ritas. Feel free to go and vote for ANY of the fabulous nominees!
Leslie Kelly used to say she wanted to be a doctor when she grew up, but then she discovered Nancy Drew books. Being a flashlight-under-the-covers-nose-in-book reader throughout her childhood, she couldn’t think of anything else she’d rather do as an adult than continue to lose herself in fictional stories. Her real life marriage of 20 years to the man of her dreams is a constant reinforcement that happily-ever-afters really can happen…and that they’re worth writing about. Living in Maryland, Leslie spends her non-writing time laughing a lot with the above-mentioned romance hero and their three daughters. Though an author of more than thirty sexy, contemporary comedies, she has recently branched out to write dark romantic suspense under the pseudonym Leslie Parrish.
Destiny
Dirty Little Secrets
Once Upon A Valentine
Through The Night
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Great video, and what a fun time it looked to be. Good luck to all the nominees.
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I love the video and what a nice way to get to know each other. So when who ever wins, I can assume the “it’s really an honor to be nominated with all these wonderful women” speach will ring true??
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The video was pricless, no matter who wins, you all just kick butt!
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I love the video! I’ve told several of my friends to go pull it up on you tube.
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I watched it the other day and had to watch it again here. It’s hilarious! I love it! Leslie, your part with the sword–too funny!!
Have a terrific day everyone. Love you guys,
Cher
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Well, after just being here last week, I hope you guys aren’t tired of me yet, but when I remembered Leslie was blogging about the video today, I had to stop by (and play with the fun graphics some more.) :wave:
And Ev, despite how totally corny this sounds, I have to say, it truly IS just an honor to be nominated
The last couple of months have been tremendous fun, and getting to know all these fun women while making the video has been an enormous and unexpected perk! 
And whoda thunk our little video would have over 5000 views in less than a week! Wow. I think it calls for a Snoopy dance, don’t you?
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I really am working on the blooper video. I just have this nasty deadline, and if I don’t turn in a book next week, my editor really will start talking some trash…
But I will get it up there and let you all know when I do. The clips are priceless!
Thanks, Leslie, for the great post.
–Diana
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This was so fun to make – and I’m giddy over the response. I feel really lucky to have been able to participate. Some other interesting facts:
I’d never edited video footage before doing this project! You guys didn’t know what a risk you were taking…
My brother did the announcer voice. He’s a huge sports fan, and initially scoffed at the idea of romance authors trash talking. But he ended up getting really into it. You may see more of him in the blooper reel.
My publicist part was filmed covertly – the only place I could find with a podium was the local library, and they don’t allow video cameras.
Anyway, I had a blast. I hope you’ve have awesome 2008 releases – I’m counting on doing it again next year!
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That video was just too funny!!! Makes me wonder what kinda world I’m trying to get into…
Good luck to all of the finalists, wish i could be there for the big announcement.
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I loved the video!! I love the whole trash talk idea for romance writers, I mean why not…lol It was very funny
Congratulations to all the nominees!
Of course I’m routing for Leslie :wub:
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Look…I wanted to make this video but then I received some “very questionable” emails and there was talk about me going down, me and my stinking tiara, and how it might be in my “best interest” to stay off the small (okay, teeny tiny) screen. I got the message. Big time.
All I can say is I’m glad my feet right now are in Michael Kors (read Payless) sandals instead of cement. Cement is murder on a pedicure.
Whew! Those gals scare me.
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Thanks Leslie for sharing the video! You were all funny but I loved your part! :giggle: Was that your backyard where you were sitting on the lounge chair? It is beautiful. Looks like a great place to relax.
I’ve only read two of the books nominated. You have my vote Leslie! Good luck. :pray:
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Hi again!
The Dear Author link works great & it was very easy to cast a vote for Leslie!! Go Vote!
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I’ve seen the video a few times now, but I still laugh every time. All of the authors involved did a great job with their own pieces and they were blended together so well. Congratulations to you all, as well as Lindsey for putting it all together.
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Oh Leslie that was great! Loved it!
What an honor to be in such great company – I’ve read half of the books and loved them all (but secretly, Leslie, I’m rooting for you)!
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Hello monkey buddies,
Les, I loved the video…it was so cute and funny…I love the line “This is the big time baby!” It made me laugh…hopefully, I get to meet some of these ladies in SF…Thanx for putting it here again because I couldn’t get the sound for the first time this was here in the jungle…
BTW, still waiting on Heated Rush…can’t wait for it to get here…
Carly, Amazon is late again…I will have to make a trip to Walmart and see if they have Hot Property…it doesn’t matter if I have two…I will just give the other one to my friend…her TBR pile is off the chain…summer is the only time she gets to read, but with two kids…ahem…3 kids (hubby included) it is hard for her to find the time…I will keep hounding her though…she really needs some me time…
Jules, I am thinking about you…hope to see you swinging around here soon…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
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It really has been a kick getting to know my RITA finalist sistahs through this video. Well, okay, Leslie and her sword scare the crap out of me. I’m calling her Ma’am, in hopes she won’t hurt me. And Kristan? Not going down any dark alleys with that chick lemme tell ya.
But I’m so looking forward to meeting everyone in San Francisco. And I always thought that “honor just to be nominated ” line was probably a lie. Turns out it’s very true, especially when you’re in the company of so many kick-ass finalists.
http://www.plotmonkeys.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/signs-winner.gif
Well, that’s the question, isn’t it?
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Okay, clearly I’m tech challenged. I thought you just dragged the little seizure-producing buzy things into the body of this message, but that didn’t work for me. I was going for the *And The Winner Is* one.
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I think it is a funny video…
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Yay! Susan and Diana and Toni and Sarah came by! Welcome to the jungle–hope you’ll come back!
And I’m so glad everyone’s enjoyed the video. It really was such fun. And yes,honestly, having been nominated a couple of times before, I can honestly say that just being a Rita finalist is a HUGE thrill. Winning would be lovely, but it’s one moment for one night. The excitement of being a finalist goes on for months. And being in such fabulous company is genuinely exciting.
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Just have to click on it, Susan… :grin1:
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Thanks for the votes everyone–but seriously, I wasn’t plugging for myself.
Well, kinda for myself.
But for everyone else, too.
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Hey! Cool. Who knew?
That is the question, isn’t it?
And you’re right, Leslie–just being nominated IS a thrill. This was my first (last? Just the start of many?) and it’s simply a lot of fun. Being part of this video made it even more so. ~SusanA
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Great idea and story. hopefully, I will be able to check out the video soon.
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The video was PRICELESS.
I just finished reading Catch of the Day by Kristan Higgins it was so good I couldn’t put the book down.
Welcome to the Jungle ladies :
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Good luck to all the authors. I loved the video and have read all the books but the Higgins one which is on my tbr. Lotsa good reading.
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What a hoot! It is really cool that writers are so supportive of each other. I have noticed that a lot of authors thank other authors on the acknowledgment page in books- yes, I read those pages too!
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VOTE FOR LESLIE! (That was my total 6th grade campaign right there.)
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