An Introvert's Guide to RT

Are you an extrovert or an introvert? Here’s one basic definition. Extroverts gain energy by being with people, whereas introverts gain energy by being alone. According to that definition, I have elements of both, though I tend toward introversion. I like being with people, but I also have a strong need for my alone-time. Writing gives me plenty of that!

Except during events like the RT Booklovers Conference. Then I’m surrounded by other people at all times, and I want to take advantage of every precious moment in the company of other romance fans. I want to talk and hang out at the bar and attend workshops and reunite with old friends and meet as many new people as possible. But the fact is that I’m basically a shy person. So if you're like me, how do you balance my reserve with my desire to get the most out of this – or any – event?

Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years.

1.     Give myself permission to retreat to your room to recharge. For introverts, the need for some time when you’re not “on” is real. A little bit goes a long way.  Even a half hour break can renew your energy and make your that much more sociable.

2.     Smile. Two thousand readers and authors chatting and milling around can feel overwhelming. But instead of holing up in a corner, keep that smile on your face. A smile relaxes people, while will in turn make your more relaxed.

3.     More is not necessarily better. It’s easy to feel pressure to do everything, see everything, talk to everyone. Of course - you don’t want to miss a thing. But if you overextend yourself,  then you won’t really enjoy anything. It’s better to thoroughly enjoy a few things than to scatter your energy too far and wide.

4.     Remind yourself that it’s okay to feel awkward. Even the most poised and confident person feels uncomfortable and gawky at times. Everyone has their awkward moments. If you can laugh it off, you’ll enjoy yourself much more.

5.     Remember there’s no such thing as perfection. I used to be shy about talking because I didn’t want to make a fool of myself. But people aren’t that critical. If you smile and are basically friendly, you can make a fool of yourself several times over and no one will mind. They might even find you entertaining.

6.     Breathe. Seriously. A nice deep breath now and then makes all the difference.

Since today is the first real day of RT, I’ll be putting all these words of advice to the test.  If you see me, please say hi. I’ll be smiling and very happy to see you. So back to my first question. Are you an introvert or an extrovert -- or a bit of both?

CHICAGO!

As you may know, I was in Chicago last week for the RT Booklover’s Convention. I could go on and on about how much fun I had meeting new people, seeing friends I made last year, laughing and laughing with the other Naughties who were there, talking to others in the industry like editors and publishers…it was so great. But I'm not going to blog about all the dirty naughty things we did and said, or about all the wine we drank or the taxi driver whose day we made by talking about fellatio in the back seat. I mean, we were talking in the back seat about fellatio.

No, I'm just going to blog about CHICAGO! And my imaginary friends who accompanied me.

My husband came with me to Chicago (he's real, not imaginary) a few days early and we stayed downtown so we could do some sightseeing. I knew once I got to RT I wouldn’t set foot out of the hotel (okay I did once, but that was just to go buy more wine, hence the above noted taxi ride) and I wanted to see some of Chicago since I’d never been there.

I have to tell you one of the main reasons I wanted to see this city is because I’ve written a couple of books set there – Breakaway and Rule of Three. Yes, I wrote books set in place I’d never actually been. These days with the internet it’s surprisingly easy to do. Of course you can include a lot more detail and description of places you’re more familiar with.

In Breakaway, Jason Heller plays for the fictional NHL team the Chicago Wolves. He takes Remi on a date to Navy Pier. He takes her on the Ferris wheel and builds a stuffed bear for her and they eat at the Billy Goat Tavern. In fact, the book takes place in the spring, at the end of the hockey season when his team is struggling to make the playoffs, which is pretty close to this time of year!

When I walked down Navy Pier I kept feeling like I’d been there already, and I kept thinking about Jase and Remi being there, how she was so nervous being up so high on the Ferris wheel, how Jase kissed her when they were right at the top, and the “puck bunnies” who approached Jase in the restaurant for autographs in *ahem* naughty locations.

I started to tell this to my husband and he just gave me a weird look and said, “You know they’re not real people, right?”

And I laughed and said, “Of course I know they’re not real people!

Except they are real to me. I didn’t say anything more about it, but I was still thinking about it as we wandered through the little shops and as we had lunch. I guess it added a little to my experience. J

We also went to the John Hancock Observatory, on the 94th floor. What an amazing view from up there! Lake Michigan was beautiful, although the beaches were empty. And that reminded me of Kassidy and Dag and Chris in Rule of Three. Right down there was the beach where Dag and Chris rubbed sunscreen onto Kassidy’s body! Ahem. Yes, I know they’re not real people either.

We took a boat cruise to look at the Chicago skyline and learned a little about the history of Chicago. We had deep dish pizza at Pizzeria Uno. We went shopping on Michigan Avenue and I drooled over the Jimmy Choo shoes in Nieman Marcus. We went to Millenium Park. And we went to Buddy Guy’s Legends, a blues bar. I found Chicago to be a very clean city with friendly people and beautiful architecture. In fact one of the reasons I think I liked it so much is because it reminds me of home. It turns out that at the turn of the century, the city where I live (Winnipeg) was one of the fastest growing cities in North America, being a central hub for the railroads. Many architects from the Chicago School came to Winnipeg to build buildings (Jase tells Remi about this in Breakaway). Winnipeg has stood in for Chicago in a number of movies, especially movies set in older times, because we have a neighbourhood where all those turn of the century buildings have been preserved. Also, Winnipeg is known as the second windiest city in North America. :-)

I’m so glad I got to be a tourist for a few days in Chicago. Some day I will definitely go back and see more of it! And I’ll probably write at least one more book set there so I have more imaginary friends there.

Anyone else been there? Live there?What do you think of Chicago?

We're baaaaack!

THINGS OVERHEARD AT RT

Kinsey, PG, Erin, Meg and Kelly are back from RT! (Well, this is being written Saturday night, so as long as our planes don't crash, we're back). (Not that any of us are nervous flyers. Just sayin'.) We had a blast and met lots of great people and even brainstormed titles and covers and crazy parody story ideas (just wait!). Here are a few pics and some things overheard at RT for your entertainment. Some of them are out of context and may or may not be dirty. Some of them are totally in context and are definitely dirty!

Our NNN poster!

I love you but I don’t want to bruise my hand right now.

Put your finger here.

Tie it tighter.

Everyone has to do it once.

I don’t know where we’re supposed to put it.

You don’t have to stick it in anywhere. Just kiss it.

I have a flogger and I’m not afraid to use it.

I’ve got the vibrator and the lube.

We need medication but we’re not on it.

Do not play with them unless you know where Dawn is.

If you don’t pace yourself, Saturday night will be a waste.

I grow on people. Eventually.

I have a box.

All of us at this table have a box.

Kinsey & Kelly going to the Gangster Ball

I found one in my bra last night.

It was in the freezer because there was wax spilled on it.

You need to come to my room - I have something I need to give you. It has a prick on it.

Lorelei James gave Eliza Gale a cowboy cocksucker.

My pants are around my ankles and I`m too tired to notice.

He pays me to pimp him out.  

Pull ‘em out, pull ‘em out and show everybody!

Erin and Viv Arend

Why is it coming out of his mouth?

I’m banging it.

I've been deflowered.

I don’t think I’m getting a happy ending.

Get down on your knees.

I got to grab Kelly’s ass, my trip is complete.

I have to unbutton my sweater more.

PG's newest tattoo - it's an N cubed, if you can't quite make it out

It’s so small we can’t twist it off.

Give it to me, I can twist off anything.

It’s too hard to pull it out.

If I can’t go to the bar I can’t write it off.

I have a tool.

Your thing is not popping up on my thing.

Where should I put it?

You owe me a goat.

You can feel my charger any time.

If you can’t tweet it, it’s not really happening.

It comes right off.

I’m pretty sure we can take him down.

You all are some high maintenance bitches.

Reader Kim's NNN pedicure

I can handle a man with a giant sword.

This American money confuses me.

“Where’s my husband?” “I don’t know but he just left my room.”

Everybody should be having hot dirty sex.

If it could have come out,  it shouldn’t go in.

I have to get the wine bottles out of the bath tub so I can take a shower.

I have a present for you between my legs.

She took a boy up to her room and taught him how to spank.

I just signed the stomach of a married man.

It’s not the sex you have to research, it’s all the other stuff.

And...

I love RT!

Smutketeer-NNN Cover Model Karaoke Party

Revelations from RT 2011

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Home Alone Bash, Day Two!

Heh. The other Nine Naughty Novelists have NO IDEA what they've gotten themselves into. Leaving Syd and me home alone, with the keys to the blog and the liquor cabinet unlocked. Lemon Drop, anyone? *rattles mixer* I was in Los Angeles last week, on a reconnaissance mission for the seven of nine attending RT. Here's proof: See the Hollywood sign, way back there in the distance? I was totally there. But now I'm here, home again, and ready to live vicariously through the seven of nine Naughty Novelists who are at RT this week. I've already collected a few tweets, and hope to add some photos and additional tweets throughout the day.

A few tweets to whet your appetite...

(Just so you know, PG is referring to my Romance Trading Cards, LOL.)

And since the Seven of Nine are in La La Land, let's have a contest based on locale! Where should they go while they're in LA? Post your suggestion in the comments today, and I'll draw a winner tomorrow morning. And don't forget to stop by throughout the day for more updates on the Seven of Nine and their adventures!

ETA: Juniper's first booksigning! Also, Meg Benjamin won the RT Indie Press Romance Award today - haven't tracked down a photo yet, but CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Dear RT Roomie

I can’t believe in less than TWO WEEKS  we’ll be at RT! I’m so excited (and nervous as hell) about going to RT this year. It’s going to be amazing to meet the other Naughty Nine (boo that Kate and Sydney won’t be there, but they’ll be posting “Home Alone” updates from all of us!).

For my RT roomie, I thought I would share some things you need to know about me while we are sharing a hotel room at the convention:
1. I am terrified of flying. At this point, I'm not entirely convinced that I will make it there without the plane crashing. I may kiss the ground when I arrive in LA. And I will be searching out any leftover booze on Sunday morning when I have to leave.


2. I am not a morning person. If you talk to me, I will hear you but I probably won't answer. Please don't think I'm being rude, but it's nearly impossible for me to form coherent thoughts let alone verbalize them until I've been up a couple of hours and have had a few cups of coffee.

3.  On the other hand, I'm not exactly a night person either. I used to be, but years of getting up at 6:00 AM to go to work have resulted in me calling it a day at about 10:00 pm. However, in the adrenaline rush of the convention and parties, and perhaps with some extra caffeine, I may be able to stay up later—maybe till 11:00. :-)

4.  I am high maintenance. This means I will hog closet space, bathroom space and bathroom time. I will bring way too many clothes and shoes that I won't wear, and will take up space with my makeup, lotions, potions and hair care products. I apologize in advance! It might be a good idea for us to have a bathroom schedule to ensure fairness and no hard feelings.

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4. I am a shy, reserved introvert. I can do a pretty good job of acting like an extrovert, but it exhausts me. If I have to go back to the room alone to curl up in a little ball, once again I'm not being rude, I just need to reenergize with some alone time.


Okay, this is tongue in cheek but somewhat true! I'm so excited about RT and I really hope to meet as many people as possible, especially all my "on-line" friends—fellow authors, readers, industry professionals, anyone who wants to say hey! Love to meet you!