Aug 28, 2015

Of conference, babies and other things.

When you read this I will be at the RWNZ conference in Auckland with other Lovecats - Louisa, Barbara and Yvonne. I can't wait to catch up with my writing friends and indulge in talking writing for three days.
I'm also looking forward to the Awards Dinner on Saturday night. Being the contest coordinator I have the wonderful job of announcing winners.
Then there's the Koru, RWNZ's acknowledgement of their published authors. Yvonne is a finalist twice, and I'm also one. This is the one contest I have no idea who's won so that will be fun.

Right now I need this weekend very much.
If I ever get my bag packed that is.
Chaos is reigning. Why can't I take 50kgs on the plane? There are loads of books to go up for the goodie bags, let alone those shoes and clothes.

The last few weeks in my family have been all over the show emotionally. We said good bye to a good friend.
BUT we also said hello to an absolute cutey. Our wee granddaughter arrived in a big hurry two weeks ago, not waiting for anyone. All the plans of phone calls and driving the five hour trip to be there to babysit went out the window. It didn't matter. Baby and mum are doing fine, baby putting on weight despite her small start, and mum trying not to put on any extra kgs.



Our two and a half year old grandson is not happy, blaming mummy for bringing this baby thing home. Hopefully he'll come round soon. How could he not? He wanted the baby's face covered for this photo. :)



I also sold my eighteenth book last week. Breaking All Their Rules will be out in March. So now it's back to writing the next one - if I can come up with a story line. My muse has gone on holiday at the moment - another reason to be looking forward to conference. Surely someone will inspire me? The Blenheim Writers group have all told me to take a couple of months off and focus on other things. I'm trying. :) I did not work on writing last weekend and stomped around the house trying to be busy with other things. Even got to know the vacuum cleaner. Scary.

Do you ever have weeks where everything is up, down, all over the show? How do you get back on track?

20 comments:

  1. Awww, Sue! Congrats on the new grandbaby! She's utterly delicious!

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  2. Sue, huge congratulations on the grandbaby and the book too. Sorry to hear about saying goodbye.

    I've had some interesting ups and downs recently and I can tell you that spending time at the RWAus conference was absolutely the best thing. How wonderful to get that buzz from so many romance lovers and writers! I hope you have a ball at the conference and come home feeling rejuvenated.

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    1. Thanks, Annie. You are so right. I'm feeling a million dollars now after such a buzzy conference.

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  3. Hi Sue

    Firstly huge congrats on the new granddaughter they are such a joy big hugs to you all :)

    And yes I know that feeling well with everything upside down and round about and I don't like it I am sure you are going to have lots of un at the conference and the muse will be back congrats on the book

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. I found it, Helen, somewhere between talking to amazing people, attending inspiring workshops and celebrating the awards dinner.

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  4. Hi Sue, wow you sound very, very busy with wonderful things and sad things!! I'm with The Blenheim Writers group...take a break!

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    1. I'm trying, Jennifer, but it doesn't come easily. Especially now after conference when I'm on a bit of a high.

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  5. Congrats on the new addition. Baby is tiny and adorable. :-)

    My life is one big up and down right now. I never know where I will be from one week to the next due to Steve's work - things are a bit crazy at work for him right now and it's impacting our home life somewhat. I roll with it. :-)

    Have fun at RWNZ.

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    1. I like that, Deanna. Roll with it. Life does get hectic at times, doesn't it?

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  6. Congratulations on your new granddaughter! She's adorable and I'm sure she'll grow on her big brother!

    And have an awesome conference and fingers and toes crossed for you and Yvonne. Good luck with that packing! It looks like a clothes explosions at the moment but I'm sure you'll wrestle it into submission!

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    1. Yes, Sharon. and I did get what I really needed into a small case, then repacked in a large case when I decided I wasn't carrying a zillion books on the plane as hand luggage. The case rattled on the way home. :)

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  7. I hear you on the chaotic life and prescribe you a weekend at RWNZ conference with likeminded talent and inspirational lightbulb moments. Exactly what I need! (But am not there to get!) Congratulations on your beautiful new wee lady - and her big brother is pretty cute too. x

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    1. Missed catching up, Clare, It was a fabulous conference. Just the tonic I needed.

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  8. Conference this weekend if exactly what you need, both to celebrate your fab achievements (book finished, book sold, Koru finalist) and your family's (what cute grands you have!) and also to re-energise and fill the well. It's amazing what the muse soaks up from those weekends.

    But if you're not ready to start the next book, don't be afraid to make that time off to enjoy your family and to grieve your loss. The story will come to you and soon we'll be cheering you for your 19th sale.

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    1. Aww, Bronwyn, that's lovely. Thank you. I am feeling energised after conference but no story in my head, though that's no longer panicking me. I'm on leave from writing. :)

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  9. You're granddaughter is absolutely beautiful, Sue -- many congratulations on the new addition. And sending hugs on having to say goodbye to your friend. It's certainly been a time of upheaval for you. And, you know what? Listen to the Blenheim girls -- they're a smart bunch. We all need a time out every now and again.

    Hope you're having a ball at the conference. :-)

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    1. Isn't she a wee cutey? Love her to bits. And yes, I've decided I'm on leave from writing, this week anyway.

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  10. Sue, congratulations on your adorable new grand-daughter! Poor little grand-son, it must be devastating to have to share with a little stranger that can't play with him. Have a wonderful time at the conference and good luck in the Koru to you and Yvonne!
    Ups and downs? The Melbourne conference last weekend was a definite "up" - being bedridden ever since with the conference lurgy - not so much!

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    1. Sorry to read you got the lurgy, Kandy. Not a great way to finish a conference. Our conference was great, and yes, Yvonne and I did win our Korus. Awesome.

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