My Conference “Squee” Moment & Other Stuff
First, for those of you who stopped by the blog yesterday, I wanted to give everyone an update on how Julie’s dad is doing. He went in yesterday for a triple bypass and everything went very well. He’s in the hospital and now starting the recovery process. Thank you everyone for all your wonderful thoughts and prayers for Julie and her dad! You all are AWESOME! 
Another big THANK YOU to Donna, Cher, and Paula for your reports on the RWA San Francisco conference. It was such fun “seeing” the conference through someone else’s eyes. You all did a great job on making us all feel as though we were right there with you, and you’re hired for next year, too! 
Since I didn’t take my camera to conference with me this year (the first time ever — I’m usually the taking snapshots of everyone!), I don’t have any pictures to share. Carly did take one of the four of us Plotmonkeys, and hopefully she’ll be able to put it up sometime today. I think it’s the only picture the four of us took together this trip! I think that’s because for the most part we were holed up in our rooms plotting like good little Plotmonkeys. We really kept our appearances to a minimum because we had so much plotting stuff to get done.
A NOTE FROM LESLIE:
I’m home and I’ve got one!
It was such a joy and pleasure to meet in person so many people that I’ve corresponded with on-line and here on this blog. So many people came up to all four of us to tell us how much they enjoy reading our blog — a lot of them weren’t regular “posters”, but they were regular readers, and that’s all that matters to us. We were warmed by so many warm hellos and greetings, as well as amazed at how many people out there read our blogs on a daily basis. If you’re one of the ones who read the blog but don’t post, come on and join the fun! 
Now, we’re coming up to my conference “squee” moment, and I have to say ahead of time that for the most part during this conference I didn’t want to do a whole lot of stuff outside of the hotel room. Yes, call me a loser, LOL. 
There were a few parties I ducked out of because I just wasn’t in the party mood, and I think Carly drew the line when I told her that I really didn’t want to go to the Reader’s Choice Award reception (where I was nominated for best single title for BORN TO BE WILDE), because I honestly, truly, didn’t expect to win. I mean, c’mon, I was up against our own Leslie Kelly, Susan Mallery, Kelley St. John & Lori Wilde. But, I did want to be there for Leslie, because SHE’S NO ANGEL has been such a good book for her this year (with a RITA nod, too!) and I thought if anyone was going to win, it was going to be HER. So, imagine my utter surprise when MY name was called. It took a few seconds for it to register that *I* had actually won. Wow. (i.e. my Squee Moment :giggle
Then came the part I dread the most — making a speech. I dread public speaking, and this was in front of a crowd of at least 50 or more women. Somehow I managed to get my award without tripping up the stairs, and make a speech thanking the three most important people in my writing life — my Plotmonkey sisters, Carly, Leslie, and Julie.
So, needless to say, I was surprised, stunned, and excited that readers enjoyed my book enough to make it a Reader’s Choice for Best Single Title. Other than the RITA (a gold statuette), I think the National Reader’s Choice Award is the 2nd most covetted award — it’s absolutely gorgeous. We call it the “headstone” because that’s exactly what it looks like. It’s big, and heavy, and your name and book title is carved into the marble-like stone. Here’s a picture of what mine looks like:
Winning the award (while not expecting to win at all!), was just what I needed to give me that kick in the pants to get back to work on the next Wild book! 
Now, for a bit of “off topic” stuff. How many of you are watching the show So You Think You Can Dance? I’ve watched it all season, and I have to say that I think this season of dancers have been, by far, the absolute best. We’re down to the final four in the competition (from left to right in the picture below: Twitch, Katee, Courtney & Joshua). Last night was the finale, and tonight they crown the best dancer of them all. Personally, I’m rooting for Katee. She’s been fabulous throughout the entire season — though I have to say that the other three have been equally as good. Katee is just a personal favorite for me!
So, if you’ve been watching So You Think You Can Dance, who are you rooting for?
First I wanted to say that I’m so glad to hear that Julie;s dad is doing well. I’ll continue to pray for his speedy recovery.
And congrats Janelle on winning the award! How exciting that must have been!!!!!
It’s safe to say that I’m proud of you, and all the Plotmonkeys for that much. :mrgreen: You’ve all had such an amazing year and I’m glad I,ve been able to keep up with all you ladies!
Here’s to many more years of laughter and success!!
Comment by Alicia Tags — August 7, 2008 @ 6:22 am
Congrats on the award. It was great stopping by your table and saying hi. I got sidetracked and never did make it to all the Plotmonkeys although I did have everyone highlighted to visit.
Comment by Ann M. — August 7, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Glad to hear Julie’s dad is doing better. Julie- make sure he does those danged breathing exercises. They are very important to his recovery.
Janelle- I don’t know why you were shocked that you won. Your book was great, as were the others. What shocks me is that anyone could actually choose one over the other to vote for.
Comment by ev — August 7, 2008 @ 7:54 am
Great news about Julie’s dad. Thanx for keeping us updated.
Wow, Janelle, you go, girl! Major congrats to you, but you shouldn’t be shocked. Not one bit. I’ve loved your books for years, so I’m thrilled for ya.
Carly! I saw your post at my blog - I did make it to the P’s, but you were one busy lady. I’m so sorry I missed out on meeting you. It was one of my (few) disappointments about the event. Oh well, there’s always next year, right???
Comment by Stacy ~ — August 7, 2008 @ 8:48 am
Janelle~
How wonderful for you!! I’m thrilled you won such a coveted award (even if they do call it a tombstone!) I’m a chapter three of Born to be Wilde and loving it. I hate to put it down and that’s always the sign of a good book!
On SYTYCD - I am so impressed with the top 4 dancers! I think Courtney will be bumped out first, Twitch will have a job for the rest of his dancing career with whatever choreographer he chooses, Katee will teach and Josh will walk away the winner, inspiring him to take further training. I expect to see any and all four on Broadway. Last night was absolutely crazy. They barely had breathing time before the next frenetic routing began. I’m really looking forward to tonights show and bringing back the favorite routines plus all the dancers returning!
Comment by Barbara-Jo — August 7, 2008 @ 8:55 am
Julie, I’m so glad to hear that the surgery went well. I’ll continue to keep your dad and family in my prayers.
Congrats Janelle!
You totally deserve the Reader’s Choice award. I’m with Ev, the hardest thing must be picking the winner from all of the writers.
Comment by Liza — August 7, 2008 @ 8:56 am
Carly has to FIND her camera. Waah!
Comment by Carly — August 7, 2008 @ 9:02 am
So happy to hear that Julie’s Dad is going to be okay. I will continue to keep him and his family in my prayers.
CONGRATS JANELLE. I loved Born To Be Wilde so it is no surprise to me that you won. I bet your glad Carly made you go to the ceremony. LOL
I have never watched So You Think You Can Dance. I know shudder. The only reality shows that I have watched lately are The Bachelor/Bachelorette (of course not until they get down the last five) and Nashville Star. I loved the winner this year and had picked her to take it all the first week. LOL Hubbie hates it when I do that. :giggle: I also like America’s Next Top Model and honestly can’t figure out why.
Comment by Patty L. — August 7, 2008 @ 9:03 am
I am so glad that Julie’s dad is doing well….
Today is the last day of summer school for the oldest boys, then I have them until the day after Labor day (and August is crazy…tomorrow is hubby’s birthday, next Thursday is mine…with our anniversary in between and then middle boy’s is on the 21st).
Comment by katie — August 7, 2008 @ 9:22 am
Still sending up :pray: for Julie’s dad and her whole family. So glad he came through.
Comment by Silver J. — August 7, 2008 @ 9:48 am
So glad to hear Julie’s dad is doing better. Thanks for letting us know!
Comment by Jodie/Alannah — August 7, 2008 @ 9:59 am
CONGRATULATIONS, JANELLE! I didn’t know you had even been nominated! The award does look like a headstone. :giggle:
So glad to hear that Julie’s dad came through the surgery with no problems and has begun the recovery process. I sent prayers up all day yesterday so I guess they must have helped.
If I go to D.C. next year I’ll definitely put on my reporter’s hat again. :-)
I haven’t watched “So you think you can dance?” so I can’t speak to that.
But my husband and I went to see Dark Knight yesterday. With all the hype, what a disappointment. Aside from Heath Ledger’s incredible performance–which was certifiably creepy to the nth degree–to be perfectly honest, I almost went to sleep during the last half of the movie. Literally! I was nodding off. It was way, way too long. And will someone please tell me why they introduced another villain in the last quarter of the movie? Why did they have Harvey Dent turn into Two Face? Why did they kill off Rachel? Why did they have Lucious turn on Batman and resign? I didn’t understand why Lucious was so upset with Batman. What did all of these plot points serve? How did they make the movie better? Because in my opinion, they didn’t. They just kept throwing stuff at the audience instead of sticking to the core of the story.
I kept thinking to myself, WHEN is this movie going to end?
For those out there who loved this movie please don’t throw things at me. The above is just my opinion.
Tell Julie I’m thinking about her and still sending up prayers.
My nephew has been visiting here this week with my M-I-L and boy has he disrupted the harmony in our house. Thank God he flies back to NJ tomorrow.
Have a great day all,
Cher
Comment by Cher — August 7, 2008 @ 10:29 am
Congrats on the NRCA Janelle! I’m so happy for you!
I absolutely LOVE So You Think You Can Dance. And no matter who wins tonight, I’ll be sad for the others because they’re all so damn good. I really love Twitch. He’s just been fabulous this year. But then again so has Joshua. And Katee is just a phenomenal dancer. And look how far Courtney has come….
See my dilemma? Can’t they all win? :giggle:
Comment by Jaci Burton — August 7, 2008 @ 11:23 am
Good thoughts being sent to Julie’s father for his quick & successful recovery.
Janelle, Congrats on your unexpected win (& Leslie’s nom)! After your family’s move to OR (which, I’m certain, was difficult) it must be a nice “up” for the year. When time allows, would it be possible for any of you to provide “upcoming book” news, if any?
Patricia
Comment by Patricia — August 7, 2008 @ 11:24 am
Congrats on your award!
And yes, I’ve watched every episode. I’ve pulling for Twitch.
Comment by Patricia W — August 7, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
I am so sorry that I missed you guys in the city last week. My daughter ended up getting sick as soon as we hit the beach house last week. Nothing is more scarier than being in a strange town trying to track down medical care. 70 miles one way to the near urgent care facility. It made me realize what we take for granted at home.
Comment by Ardie — August 7, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
Janelle, your squee moment was absolutely one of mine, too! I am SO thrilled that you won the NRCA. You completely deserved it and I loved being there to watch you accept it!
Comment by Leslie — August 7, 2008 @ 1:12 pm
Thanks for updating us on Julie’s Dad. I’m so glad to hear that the surgery went okay. Here is hoping he has a smooth quick recovery. Please keep us posted on his recovery.
Since getting all those wonderful books at RWA I’ve had a reading bonanza!! I’ve breezed through Leslie & Jill Shalvis’ Blaze books, good reading & yummy H! Now I am reading Carly’s Hot Property. I just started it but I know it is going to be good. When you have all these great choices it is so hard to decide which book to pick up and read!.
Cher, I haven’t seen any of the Batman movies, just not my choice!! Sorry you didn’t enjoy it more. Enjoy the return of the harmony in your house when your nephew leaves!
Everyone enjoy the day. I am off to have go see my two youngest grandkids and have lunch with them.
Comment by Donna M — August 7, 2008 @ 1:58 pm
Thanks for the good news about Julie’s dad! And Janelle, huge congratulations!! A well deserved squee moment! (And you were up some terrific contenders!!) Loved the photo of the four of you!
And we just started watching SYTYCD recently–my daughter’s rooting for Katee, too!
Comment by Fedora — August 7, 2008 @ 2:20 pm
Thanks, Les, for posting our picture. I always forget what a GIANT I am until I see a picture of the four of us together, LOL.
Comment by Janelle — August 7, 2008 @ 3:20 pm
Congratulations on your award, Janelle!
Comment by Estella — August 7, 2008 @ 3:47 pm
You guys look great!
Comment by katie — August 7, 2008 @ 3:48 pm
Janelle congrats on the award, great going.
Julie your dad is still in our prayers. Glad he is doing good.
As for the show I am having trouble picking I would like two of them Twitch and Katee they all are so good this time it is hard to pick.
Comment by Brenda M — August 7, 2008 @ 4:33 pm
As for SYTYCD - I’m definitely rooting for Katee as well. I’ve missed most of the episodes, but I love the final four. Definitely hoping Katee wins!
Comment by limecello — August 7, 2008 @ 4:39 pm
Congratulations, Janelle! I love the look of the award. There’s just something about stone that I like.
My prayers are still with Julie’s dad that he make a quick recovery.
Comment by Karin — August 7, 2008 @ 5:00 pm
Hello jungle buddies and
,
Right now it is 11:48 p.m. for you on Thursday for you guys…it is 12:48 p.m. here on Friday, the opening day of the Olympics…I just wanted to pop in and say hello…
Jules, I am so glad that your dad is recovering nicely…
Janelle, congratulations on winning the National Readers Choice Awards…that is an awesome squee moment for you…nice surprise…I didn’t know that Les was up for another award, so thank you for telling us all about it…
Les, can I get a copy of the pic with all four of you please?
I have to go now, but I will try to check in tomorrow…
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Hey Carly, I got the pic….thx a lot for sending it to me…
Janelle, I don’t really watch that much television, so I haven’t been keeping track of your show…I hope that your choice wins though…
Comment by Paula R. — August 7, 2008 @ 11:52 pm
that is great Janelle, love the book
Comment by kh — August 10, 2008 @ 2:40 am