10 THINGS I DID AT NATIONAL
Last night I wrote my blog but the pics wouldn’t upload 
:cursing: and I couldn’t figure it out. 
I thought I’d try again this morning and went to sleep. 
This morning I have a migraine that is killing me … This is what it feels like: 
:wallbash::wallbash::wallbash::wallbash::wallbash::wallbash::wallbash:
I can’t begin to try and deal with the pictures and screen. :cry: I’M SORRY … there’s no blog … well there IS a blog minus pics. 
Here you go … forgive me! :cry:
Back to bed … lights out …
ADDED: Julie to the rescue…Carly sent me her pics and I’ve posted them. Enjoy! And remember to come back tomorrow for a guest blog with JULIE KENNER!!!
*****
I’m still exhausted. Too exhausted for a long blog so I’m going to let the pictures tell their own story. Copying Leslie’s blog … 10 Things Carly did While at the RWA NATIONAL CONFERENCE:
1. PLOT – we met with Cher Gruber who bid and won a plotting session with us through Brenda Novak’s Juvenile Diabetes Auction.
2. PLOT – I now have a new three book story plotted. My upcoming schedule tentatively looks like this:
SEALED WITH A KISS – 9/07
SEDUCE ME (reprint of Erotic Invitation) – 12/08
HOT PROPERTY (LAST of the HOT Zone books) – 7/08
And then
3 new HERO DRIVEN CONNECTED STORIES … woo hoo!
3. LITERACY SIGNING – where they didn’t have copies of CROSS MY HEART but only had SIMPLY SEXY …
4. PARTY WITH THE GODDESSES
5. ATE
6. DRANK – felt like I had intravenous DIET PEPSI for 6 DAYS!
7. CONVINCED my editor we wouldn’t walk to dinner or take the train thing, so while waiting for a cab, we hooked up with a LIMO!
8. HUNG OUT WITH PRETTY PEOPLE
9. HQN AUTHOR SIGNING where they DID have CROSS MY HEART …
10. Emcee’d the RITA and GH ceremony and didn’t pass out!
Hey, congrats on not passing out while MC’ing! I do presentations in front of much smaller groups - we’re talking 20 to 45 people, and I get incredibly nervous and feel rather ill until it’s over. Hosting a big event like that is amazing…but not my dream LOL.
Can’t wait to see those pictures - sounds like you had a great time
Comment by Stacy ~ — July 17, 2007 @ 6:12 am
Carly- I hope you feel better soon. I had to call in last week to work with a migrain, so I can definately feel your pain. Get better!!
Comment by ev — July 17, 2007 @ 7:25 am
Carly was a great Emcee and it was fun seeing almost all of the Plot Monkeys - I hope Leslie will be in S.F.!
I need to remember to take the day after getting back off or maybe the next few just to recover. 
Migrane: Try pounding large glasses of ice water - Vitamin water is good too. If not, there’s always meds … feel better.
Comment by Yolanda — July 17, 2007 @ 8:04 am
Carly did a wonderful job emceeing, it can’t be easy to be in front of all those people.
Today is back to real world, I have to work 11-5.
Barb
Comment by BadBarb — July 17, 2007 @ 8:25 am
Thanks for sharing your time at nationals with all of us. Can’t wait for the new books. Hope you get to feeling better soon. Caffine helps when I get a migraine….well caffine, dark, and a cold room.
Comment by Liza — July 17, 2007 @ 8:33 am
boy take care of that migraine..ive suffered horribly with them for years.. i know how bad they can get…(HUGS) the trip sounds awesome.. love the pics.. makes me wish even more that i can go to one someday…
Comment by Jolene — July 17, 2007 @ 9:16 am
Looks like it was a lot of fun. Take care of that migraine. I understand as I am a sufferer as well. Glad you’re back.
Comment by Michelle — July 17, 2007 @ 9:24 am
Carly! The word to describe you on Saturday night was POISED. :thumbsup2: I marveled at your calm, clear voice and elegant presentation. And I’ll never forget your hug on the way back from the stage! One of those snapshot moments sealed in my memory. I know I did ten things at Nationals worth sharing, but all I can remember is Saturday night. Every writer in RWA deserves one night like that - it would be my wish for every one of my friends. My only sadness was that my buds Leslie Kelly and Cami Dalton weren’t there. :cry: I’m still trying to come down from my cloud and write.
xoxo
Rocki
Comment by Roxanne St. Claire — July 17, 2007 @ 10:11 am
Welcome back, Carly! Sounds like a wonderful time! Go lie in bed for a while and feel better!
Comment by Fedora — July 17, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Just finished “SHE’S NO ANGEL”….very fun. I was up for two hours with my two and a half year old for some unknown reason. So, I haven’t focused more. One thing I didn’t do last week, was clean a lot!
Comment by katie — July 17, 2007 @ 10:57 am
More reasons why I am SO sorry my list from yesterday didn’t have the same title as this one. I would have loved to be there to share all those moments Carly and so wanted to see you emcee! I am sure you did a great job and I know you looked amazing!
Stacy I will definitely be there next year.
Rocki…see above. Just win again next year!
Comment by Leslie — July 17, 2007 @ 11:00 am
I’ve been living vicariously through everyone’s pics and blogs of Nationals across the internet. Thank you! What is that food picture? I’ve got my head tipped sideways and my nose pressed against the screen but can’t quite make it out. It looks like it has lots of chocolate!
Comment by Kendra — July 17, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Carly take care of yourself. Get lots of rest.
I hope you feel better soon.
Congratulations Rocki on your win. How exciting.
Loved the pics, maybe one day we all can be there.
Comment by Patty L — July 17, 2007 @ 11:34 am
Hi Carly~ Hope you’re feeling better soon! You did a fantastic job Saturday night and it was so great to meet you - and Janelle and Julie - at the conference. Missed you Leslie, and hope to see you next year
Can’t wait to read all your new books Carly! Take care!
Comment by Robin — July 17, 2007 @ 11:36 am
Glad you had a good time at RWA. A limo - how cool! Hope the migraine goes away soon.
Comment by Kelly — July 17, 2007 @ 12:36 pm
Carly,
Feel better soon.
I hope you feel better. Have a cocktail :cocktail: so you can get some sleep.
Comment by Elisa V — July 17, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
Carly, (HUGS), I hope your migraine is gone soon. Take care.
Thanks for sharing some of your trip to RWA with us. Love the pictures.
Rocki, I’m glad you are still floating on Cloud 9. It must be amazing to win an award like that! Enjoy!
Comment by Donna M — July 17, 2007 @ 1:07 pm
Carly, you did an amazing job at the Rita’s. If we didn’t know better everyone would think that you did things like that all the time. Rocki said it perfectly…poised.
So sorry that you aren’t feeling well and hope you are better soon.
For me it was back to the day job today although I seem to still be in conference mode. Scene’s from the days and night flash through my mind. I had a great time and while I can’t wait till next year I need to recoup still from this year.
Comment by Vicki — July 17, 2007 @ 1:55 pm
Oh…and BadBarb it was great to meet you.
Comment by Vicki — July 17, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
Carly,
Hope your feeling better soon. You look beautiful in all the pictures, I love your hair!! It sounds like a fun but busy trip, we’re glad to have you home blogging with us!!
Comment by Tina Martinesi — July 17, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
Hope the headache subsides quickly.
You look amazing in that black gown.
Was that the emcee outfit?
Congrats Rocki!
Where’s Janelle? :love2: Where’s Julie?:love2:
Leslie She’s no Angel is a good book!:love2:
Comment by jeannie — July 17, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
Carly did a PHENOMENAL job as the Emcee of the RITA awards. She was beautiful and poised and very, very nervous - LOL. However, after clutching Jacquie D’Alessandro’s alligator purse (complete with pearl necklace and rhinestone tiara!) for a few moments, she was much, much calmer. I love this picture, taken just before the RITA’s started!
Comment by Janelle — July 17, 2007 @ 4:57 pm
And meant to say, even though a few of you didn’t see me at the conference, I swear I was there, LOL! I was just keeping a low profile. Actually, I’m in one of the pictures above, the very last one with Carly and Rocki — I’m the giant blonde on the right. My hair has grown out so much, so you all might not recognize me, LOL!
In fact, to prove that Julie and I were really at the conference, here’s another picture of all three of us
Comment by Janelle — July 17, 2007 @ 5:07 pm
Thank you so much again for the wonderful plotting session and lunch at national. Your advice and help is invaluable. If I do sell this book to HQ for the BLAZE line it will be because of you guys and not because of my writing. Without the wisdom and knowledge that you gave me in regard to my story, the plot, the characters and the BLAZE line in general, I would still be fumbling around tying to make it all work. You’re amazing writers and wonderful women and I’m so glad I know you. Thank you so much for your generosity and warmth during the time we spent together. You were so very nice to me and I’ll never forget it. The three of you are truly a blessing. I bow to you.
Cher
Comment by Cher — July 17, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
Oh, one more thing. Carly, I hope you feel better very, very soon. My dh has migrains so I can understand what you’re going through. Take care.
Cher
Comment by Cher — July 17, 2007 @ 5:20 pm
That really is an Alligator purse, isn’t it??
Comment by ev — July 17, 2007 @ 6:50 pm
Ok, I know this has nothing to do with todays blog but I’m very confused
I finished She’s No Angel which I loved if you haven’t read it yet I highly recommend it
….but I kept waiting for the cannoli
did I mix this up with someone elses book???
Comment by Tina Martinesi — July 17, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
Carly I hope that headache goes away soon. I truly enjoyed meeting you and Julie during the conference.
I would have met Janelle, but… All I ever saw was a stack of books and no author… hmm. 
Glad there is evidence of your presence Janelle. 
Comment by Lynn Matherly — July 17, 2007 @ 11:37 pm
It was such a pleasure meeting you at nationals, Carly! You are one of the nicest authors I’ve ever met! I’m sorry we didn’t get a picture together, and I was bemoaning on my blog yesterday that I didn’t get one of your books signed. :wallbash:
Looking forward to seeing you next year! :love2:
Comment by Jaci Burton — July 18, 2007 @ 8:18 am
Karen, Sorry about your migraine–hope it’s now disappeared. I’ve had one of the eye, which sent me scurrying to call my Internist, who sent me to the eye doctor. Very scary.
I’ve read great things on the blogs about your Emceeing of the RITAs, & knew you’d do a fabulous job. Most importantly, what is always said from people who have met you is how nice you are.
Glad you arrived home OK, & hope your health is now back to normal.
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — July 18, 2007 @ 8:31 am
One more quick question, have you been given any possible release dates (or even the year) of the upcoming 3 “hero driven connected stories”? Are these for HQN? (Just want to keep my list of Publication Releases up-to-date–LOL.)
Patricia A.
Comment by Patricia — July 18, 2007 @ 8:57 am
I hope you find this reply … the probable release dates are:
Hot Property - 6/08 and then the first of the new hero series 10/08 … and then HOPEFULLY but no guarantees, the second hero book 4/09 and the next one 10/09 so you’ll be getting books faster. Fingers crossed! And yes they are for HQN!
Comment by Carly — July 18, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
Jaci, no way would you want to wait in line for anybody after signing for two hours, LOL. But thanks! We’ll catch up soon!
Comment by Carly — July 18, 2007 @ 7:12 pm