Monday, September 3, 2012

Getting Ready for Colorado Gold

I'm pretty excited to be attending the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers Colorado Gold Conference this coming weekend. Since I'm scheduled to help at registration on Friday, I'm heading to Denver Thursday afternoon so I don't have to travel down at the crack of dawn Friday morning.

Thursday evening, I plan to enjoy a mini writing retreat. Even with a break later in the evening to watch the president's convention speech and grab a sandwich, probably in the lobby bar, I'll still have four good hours of writing time before fatigue forces me to go to bed.

The lineup of conference workshops is outstanding, as usual, so I'll be busy Friday after my work shift is over, all day Saturday, and Sunday through lunch. I'll also have an agent pitch appointment on Saturday. The food is always good, the Friday night book sale an even bigger temptation than the desserts, and the chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones priceless.

My hubby tolerates my writing-related trips just fine, especially since he gets the same level of cooperation when he takes his bridge tournament trips.

There's only one member of the household who is disturbed by our travels.


Yes, Katie Kitty gets upset as soon as the suitcase comes out of the guest room closet. If the lid is open, she sits inside, shedding her cat fur all over our clothes. If the lid is closed, she claws at the zipper or parks on top and gives us dirty looks. My kids couldn't do guilt trips like this cat does.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pat - Oh, how interesting that Katie finds ways to tell you exactly what she thinks! I hope you have a wonderful time at the conference. It all sounds great. And good for you to set aside writing time too!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Katie figures if she stays on the bag, you won't be able to leave without her.

Rosalind Adam said...

I love writing conferences. They're so stimulating. Your cat is adorable. Our two haven't quite worked out the suitcase/going away link yet!

Emily R. King said...

Have fun time at the conference! Too bad Katie Kitty can't go with. She's a beauty!

Donna Volkenannt said...

You have a busy week ahead of you, but it all sounds inspiring. Katie Kitty is adorable. And you're right about pets and guilt trips. Our black Lab Harley whines if he's not included in a trip.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Margot, the chance to spend some quiet time with my computer is another powerful incentive to go early.

Alex, Katie hates riding in the car, too, so she just wants everyone to stay home.

Rosalind, writing conferences get me going again...even the agent pitch appointments are fun now.

Hi Emily, I'll have plenty of fun and will come home ready for a long nap.

Donna, I used to own a pug that got put in a kennel when we traveled. He hated that, and when we brought him home, he'd sit with his back to everyone for a couple of hours and refuse to play or jump on anyone's lap. It was funny and a little amazing that he could do such a good job of showing his displeasure.

J.A. Kazimer said...

Hey Pat,

Excited to see you again. I had such a nice time hanging out with you last time at meal time. Who's the pitch with and what are you pitching? Best of luck and we'll see you at registration on Friday!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Ah, yes, J.A., I remember it well. So much fun! Connecting with friends is the number one reason to attend conferences, isn't it?

I'm not sure who my pitch is with. I can't even find my note on my 1/2/3 choices. My efficiency in these matters is amazing. :D

I have two mystery/suspense manuscripts that I can pitch, so I'll probably decide which one after I see which agent I get. Not knowing what the heck I'm doing helps me be spontaneous in my presentation. See you Friday!!

Stacy S. Jensen said...

Have a great mini-retreat and conference!

Pam said...

Hey Pat
Sounds like a very productive conference. Good luck on your pitch. If you can say they are fun, 'you've come a long way baby' Congratulations! Katie is being her adorable self. It's my sister's cats that leave their fur in my suitcase for me to take home to my cats.Love 'em