Disappointing News

I know I've mentioned that I sent MY SUNNY VAMPIRE to an agent back in June. I was very excited – I had pitched that book at Nationals in NYC. Time went on and I received no word. I sent a nudge in September and found out she never received the material. Hope surged upward once again. And again, time went on without a word.

I understand agents are busy and I did my best to be patient. But after six months, I issued another nudge.

Yes, my novel was rejected. But in a way it was a good rejection (if there is such a thing). She loved my writing, loved my characters, thought the romance and conflict were great, she just had a problem with my vampires and wasn't sure she could sell them in the crowded market.

It's disappointing because I love my vampires.

It's encouraging because someone (other than a friend or family member) loved my writing.

I still have other options out there for my vampires, but if I get the same response, I may have to "shelve" these stories until I'm prepared to publish them on my own. I refuse to put these stories under the bed.

In the meantime, I'll continue to edit SARAH'S TURN because it deserves to be polished (and I have friends that want to read it). I consider this round of edits to be practice, if nothing else, so that when I get back to GHOSTLY LIAISON, I'll be even better.

Oh, and if you had been following THE WRiTE CLUB, I'll have you know I almost made it to the finals (lost by two votes). The piece I entered was the beginning of GHOSTLY LIAISON and I used the pen name of Jamie Stuart – a name I kind of grew attached to and seriously considered using as a real pen name, until I discovered too many other Jamie Stuarts out there. So, I'll stick with Stacy McKitrick. At least my name pops up first when I Google that!

Expectations

You leave the house a few minutes later than usual.

You drive down the street and a car pulls out of their driveway. No worries. You’ll be nice and let them out.

He wants to turn left (you, of course, want to turn right). No worries. You can wait.

The school bus arrives at the corner and the guy can’t turn. When the bus leaves, a line of traffic is behind it. Meanwhile, you watch the minutes tick on by.

You finally get to turn right and stop at the light to turn left – behind someone who’s been waiting. The light turns green, but no expected arrow. You must wait for oncoming traffic before the guy in front and you can turn.

You eventually make the turn and proceed to hit every stinkin’ red light as you drive through your town. Well, except for one where you gun it as it changes to yellow (because you know that light takes too damn long to wait through).

You get into town and again hit the red lights. But you’re downtown and it’s almost expected.

A car drives up along your right (on a one-way street). You want to turn left at the next street. So does the other car. He cuts you off and you both turn. Then he stops to turn right into the parking lot on the corner. You step on the brake and bite back a curse.

You get to the parking garage and the little electronic doodad takes forever to recognize your badge.

You’re amazed your usual parking spot is still open. Ahh, but as you walk to your building, you hit every red light.

Wonder of all wonders, you make it to work on time. One minute early, even.

In the meantime, you’re amazed at how calm you’ve taken it all in. Because, frankly, you almost expect all that to happen when you leave for work later than usual.

Another Series Ends and New Orleans Food

Last night, my daughter, husband, and I watched the final three episodes of Angel. I enjoyed this series and I even cried a little at the end.

Then my daughter had to tell us how the story lived on in graphic novels and what has happened since the TV series ended. Kind of spoiled my image of Wesley and Fred being together again, so I'll try and forget about what she said!

Next week we begin Firefly. I'm looking forward to that.

Now, another story of our trip to New Orleans (because I can only remember them in bits and pieces and I don't wish to over-bore you!)

On our first night there, we wanted to go to a good restaurant that we wouldn't necessarily find on our own. So my husband asked the security guard at the hotel to recommend a good place (because the locals always know where the best places are). He pointed us toward Mother's.

We walked the few blocks (weather was soooo warm and luscious I could have walked farther and wouldn't have cared) and arrived at this small place where you go up to the counter and place your order, then they deliver it to your table in paper trays. Nothing elaborate, that's for sure. I almost wondered if we were steered wrong. The place was practically empty and we were second in line.

By the time we received our meal (which was excellent, by the way), the line was out the door and down the sidewalk. The place was PACKED. Talk about timing. Apparently, it's that way every night (we were there on a Thursday).

Mother's is a place I would definitely return to (they are famous for their ham, but we didn't get that – I mean, we can get ham at home!).

On Friday night we decided to eat on Bourbon Street (where all the crazies are, I swear). I decided to be adventurous and sampled some Cajun-seasoned food (Cajun shrimp Alfredo). I usually stay away from hot and spicy, but the waiter assured me it wasn't that hot. One bite and I smiled. Yum, yum, yum.

And on our last night there (Saturday), we returned to Bourbon Street for dessert. Yeah, the conference had a dinner, yeah it had dessert, yeah we ate it, but I had to have a beignet and we were leaving early Sunday. If I had known what a beignet was when we went out for breakfast on Friday, I would have gotten it then. More yums (and a very full stomach). The things are covered in powered sugar and if you're wearing dark colors (I was), be prepared to have them sprinkled white! Great pastries. Their taste & texture are very similar to funnel cakes – if you know what those are – but in a square puff.

While I did get my magnets at Hard Rock and Bubba Gump (they were across the street from one another), we didn't eat at either place (for a change). Well, I didn't eat at either. Apparently my husband did eat at Bubba Gump, but then he was on his own a lot, and he just wanted a place to eat and read.

Hope I haven't made you hungry now. Happy Thursday!

Luck, Conference, and New Orleans

Nothing like being away from home when your credit card gets hacked. Yep, that's what happened to us while we were in New Orleans for the FF&P Fantasy on the Bayou Conference.

On Friday morning, my husband's phone constantly pinged an alert. I was up and editing, he was in bed asleep. After about the tenth ping, I woke him asking him what it was all about (the bank alerts him when the card is being charged and since we were together and it was 8am, I was pretty sure it wasn't us).

Thank goodness all of the transactions were still pending. Still, now we have to get a new credit card. You never realize how many places you have that thing stored at (i.e. automatic billing for the cell phone) until you have to replace it. What a pain.

I know it could have been worse and thankful it wasn't. The guy at the bank said he was in New Orleans the previous week and got pick-pocketed. He told my husband, "Try flying back home without a driver's license." So, in that regards, I guess we're lucky that's all that happened!

Other than that unfortunate event, the conference went very well. It was small – or would that be intimate? – and made for nicer workshops (where you could interact more easily). Even the pitches were relaxed (compared to RWA where I felt like a basic trainee soldier being barked at by the Drill Sergeant). I got to meet lots of people I only knew by name (since I'm in the FF&P chapter of RWA).

And the highlight of the conference was the Vampire/Ghost tour we took Friday night. Even got some extra-curricular activity watching during that tour. As our guide was trying to relay some horrendous information about the house we stood at, a truck parked out front started blaring music and hopped up and down. I first thought the music was causing it to jump. That wasn't the case. Yep, I saw an ass in the window. When they were all finished, one guy and two girls came out of the truck and screamed "I love New Orleans!" before walking away. And here I thought they loved each other. They sure gave us a lot to talk (and laugh) about the next day. Great conversation starter!

If there's another conference next year, I will seriously consider returning. I had fun. So did my husband. He said he wouldn't mind accompanying me again. I think he just liked the fact it was warm and he could go walking outside (instead of on a treadmill).

Next convention – Romantic Times (April, Chicago). Leaving the husband home this time. Definitely not his thing.

Back Home

It was a long drive yesterday. Fourteen hours in the car. But we made it back and I even got one load of laundry done (the rest will be done tonight).

Even if I didn't need to be back at work today, my husband would have. The manufacturing plant with the company he works for is located in West Liberty, KY. And from what we've heard, the downtown is gone – tornado flattened everything. The plant is still there (it was up on a hill), and everyone seems to be accounted for (thank GOD), but now my husband has to travel to KY and see about moving computer operations to the distribution center.

I had a good time in New Orleans, though. The weather was definitely warmer. I will try and report something later this week. Unfortunately, I was bad with the camera and didn't take any pictures. Go ahead – slap my hand. I deserve it!

Oh – and my pitches went well. Pages were requested and I've already sent them out. I didn't waste ANY time.

Now…back to dressing warmer. Brrrrr.