drag queens + karaoke = win #rwa09

You can view the whole album here. I must warn you, some pics are not pretty. Most–are well worth looking at.

So after the literacy signing on Wednesday night (I’ll post those pics later, I just figured we should start off with a bang here) a group of Romance Divas decided to hit the drag (bar) like we did in Dallas a couple years ago.

We hit the jackpot when we found Remington’s. Seriously, this place was dream come true for us Divas. They welcomed us women with open arms. And we accepted their welcome gleefully. Here, let me show you:


Lisa and I got pulled up on stage to dance back up….
Chelsea is our other backup dancer…
took this one with my cell phone. She was my favorite!

After the show we trounced upstairs and took over. A couple of regulars (who could really actually sing) didn’t seem to appreciate our version of karaoke. You know what version I’m talking about right? The ‘I can’t really sing but who gives a rat’s ass because this is fun’ version. Pictures…let me show you them.

Vivienne Westlake owning the mic
Me and Christina “singing” I’LL THINK OF A REASON LATER (though, truth be told, we already have our reasons…)
and me and Jen “singing” COPACABANA. Yes, we put on quite the show…
I think I was a mic hog which is honestly, quite unfortunate.

A good time was had by all. My fave part of the night (besides being molested by a Drag Queen) was when the New Yorker (Jen) busted out the cabbie for going way out of his way to get us to our destination. She pulled out her iPhone map and he nearly died. He said, “Sometimes the cheapest way isn’t always the best way.” Uh huh. Tell that to someone who doesn’t live in Manhattan buddy.

More pics soon….

yes i’m name dropping, get over it!

Boy have I missed you. Seriously. Even you. And especially you. *wagging brows* Yes you. Don’t act like you don’t know who I’m talking about.

I got home at midnight last night, hugged the kids, changed the sheets on my bed and fell asleep. I had a tired. I needed to wash the airport grime off of me, but couldn’t even muster the energy for a shower.

This morning it was back to work. Hm. That kinda sucks. I took two days in DC after conference to wind down and not feel rushed getting home, but now I need another day to wind down from traveling.

Okay, really, I just need to win the freaking lottery. Yeah, yeah. Don’t we all.

I plan to post lots of pics this week at some point or another. (must find the time to download…)

Highlights of conference:

Being on a panel with 4 really amazing women: Seriously, these chicks know their stuff. Can’t believe they let me sit on the stage with them. All the feedback we received after the panel was positive, so that’s pretty awesome. Of course, who’s really gonna come up to us and say “That freaking sucked.” But I’m going to ignore that and believe that people told us they loved it because they loved it.

Seeing old friends and meeting new ones: I got to meet Katiebabs! Yay me! And Micki Nuding (who I now have a crush on but must wait in line behind Kitteh because apparently she gets first dibs. Whatever. Rocki will always get first dibs, but then that means I’m at least 3rd in line, so outlook is pretty dismal.) Finally got some face time with Colleen Gleason. I’m pretty sure we’re soulmates. Just ask her. If she says no, she’s just trying to play it cool. And there were many, many others as you will soon see in the upcoming pics. (if I get them downloaded. Sigh)

Being stopped in the hall and hearing: OMG I recognize your tattoo from twitter! Yes, that’s pretty freaking cool.

Being mistaken for Feisty. That is the best compliment ever.

Luncheon with Deidre Knight. I heart my agent.

Meeting Jade Lee. That woman is awesome. Plus she couldn’t keep her hands off my tattoo which makes her my #1 fan. (and not in a creepy Kathy Bates way)

Asking Nora Roberts for directions to the bathroom and seeing the mortified look on this other woman’s face when I did it. What? Nora doesn’t have to pee? Seriously. I had already introduced myself to Nora earlier in the week when I tried to pry her shoes off her wee little feet. So now we’re as tight as Joan Rivers’ face.

Getting a brand new story idea that I can’t wait to write. It’s so awesome. It’s a YA Urban Fantasy and if the idea works like I plan, it will be 3 books. Will commence writing today. Just get ready–you ain’t seen nothing like this!

Assisting Maria Geraci with her first Literacy Signing. (and by “assisting” I mean I was her wine bitch. I was also Robyn Carr’s and Colleen Gleason’s wine bitch as well. I’ll be taking applications for Wine-bitches-in-training for next year’s signing.)

Drag Queen Karoke. Pictures will follow. I sang two songs, (I’ll Think of a Reason Later and Copacabana) both sucked, (I had help so I didn’t suck alone) but I had the best time.

The Harlequin Party. Holy Smokin’Hot Dog was that fun.

This little Greek cafe called Medaterra. I ate there 2 or 3 times I think. It was so damn yummy.

Touring DC with Maria after the conference. By the time we were through, I was a pro at this metro traveling stuff!

There is definitely more, but these are just a few of the things that I truly enjoyed this week. Especially after a bad start on Tuesday. Trust me when I tell you, you just don’t wanna know. It’s laughable now, but on Tuesday? It totally wasn’t. BTW, I just have to give a shout out to Kitteh and Jax for saving me Tuesday. I owe you both, big time.

Today I plan to take my boys to see Harry Potter and then if it will ever stop raining, I’m going to go walking tonight with @jennchrstman. I’m kinda going through withdrawals!

DC day 1 #rwa09

Okay, yesterday was a big blur of grungy travel, poor planning, and sheer exhaustion.

I finally got into my room at 4 after a tiring check-in process. Then I filmed a super sekrit interview which y’all will see soon, but no comment on it until then. Then I had dinner and drinks with Colleen Gleason, Merrilee Whren, and Terrie McLaughlin. Then I had one more glass of wine with Colleen, Janice Lynn, and Lindsey Brooks. But I was tired, so I couldn’t stay awake any longer.

Besides, Maria and I had been two ships passing in the night, so I needed to see her!

I slept hard (thankfully) and am just about raring to go now. Will report in later when things really get rolling.

Oh. just in case you don’t follow me on Twitter… there’s a plunger in the hallway on my floor. I’ve named him Kyle. I’m thinking he may be here for a while…

ugh

it’s currently 2:30 a.m. and I’m awake because of a storm that has descended upon the house. It is crazy mad!

My flight for DC leaves in 4 hours. That sucks because I hate being tired and flying. Oh well, what can I do?

The good news is, I officially have packed a carry on bag only for the conference. Go ahead, be in awe. You should be. I know I am.

I’ll be very busy this week but I promise to update the blog as much as possible. And I’ll be twittering. I promise.

I’m going to try to sleep now.

G/N (or would that be G/M?) blogosphere. Sweet dreams.

too sexy for my shirt

I’m busy finishing edits, doing laundry and packing so I can head off to DC tomorrow for the RWA Conference!

Sorry. Just don’t have time to blog. Here, let me entertain you with this lovely little gem: Monty Python’s Knights of the Round Table, an interpretive dance by the original members of Star Trek…

(video embedded in original post)

silly universe, trix are for kids!

Y’all know I get daily emails from The Universe. Lately dude has been deadly with his goodness. Here’s today’s note:

You know how every once in a while you get that feeling when you feel light as a feather, and YOU KNOW with every fiber of your body that everything is exactly as it should be?

Melissa, that’s exactly how you make me feel.

Tallyho,
The Universe

and at the bottom of the message, there was this little gem:

Melissa, you are on track, you know exactly what to do, and everything is going to be “A OK.”

You better not be foolin’ with me, dude. Got that?

I received some good news yesterday, but I can’t share it yet. (No it’s not a book deal, so don’t go jumping to conclusions.) I will share as soon as I can.

Anything going on with you guys? Big plans for the weekend? Who am I gonna see in DC?

gearing up for RWA

Had a busy work day today, trying to tie up loose ends before next week. You see, I’m going to be gone all next week for the RWA National Conference in DC and I can’t wait. Don’t worry–I’m not going to leave you hanging. There will be tweets and blogs and pictures, OH MY! I’m really hoping for another karaoke night like we had in Dallas, though nothing will ever top Drag Queen Karaoke.

So, can you believe I’ll be on a panel? That’s right…me, Mel Francis will be on a panel. Like an expert. Pretending to know what the hell she’s talking about.

If you’re not meeting with an editor or agent Friday, July 17 from 9:45-10:45 then you’ll want to join us in the room Delaware B for our discussion on I SOLD TO NY…NOW WHAT? and maybe together, we’ll discover the answer.

The panel of experts includes: Maria Geraci, Crystal Jordan, Lilli Feisty, Kate Pearce, Lynn Rae Harris and, of course, me.

Don’t miss it. There’s no telling what this group of miscreants experts will do.

I am also doing a very special interview on Tuesday. Stay tuned for more info about that. You won’t wanna miss it, that’s for sure.

To file away in the ‘has she lost her bleepin’ marbles’ file: I’m thinking of trying to do a carry on bag only. Yes, I’m aware I’ll be there for a full week. Yes, I’m aware I’m a chronic over packer. Yes, I’m aware this probably won’t work. and Yes, I can hear you laughing all the way through the internetz. So glad I have your support.

I’m going as Maria’s +1 (I’m always her +1) to the Berkley party on Friday. That will be fun. And I have a lunch planned with my lovely agent where I plan to worship her like the goddess she is.

What else?

I have plans to finally meet Colleen Gleason (that cyber stalking internet friendship has really paid off) and Book Chic (who is bringing me his copy of my book so I can sign which will be my first official autograph request and seriously I’m all verklempt about it!)

Hmmm. Guess that’s all for right now. Just gotta spend the weekend tweaking final changes/edits on LOVE SUCKS! and get it to awesome editor by Monday so I can be home free for DC!

If you’re planning to be there, let me know! I’d love to connect. I’ll be easy to find: I’m the one with the great cleavage and the very open laugh who will probably be at the bar w/ other women w/ great cleavage and really great laughs. And we’ll be laughing. We’re always laughing.

it’s that time again…

The moment y’all have been waiting for…

The RWA Conference (much tamer) version of Girl’s Gone Wild aka Who’s Tits Are These?





And I’ve exhausted all my teleporting abilities for a while now. My body is just so weak…need fuel.

Thanks to all my co-conspirators who made my teleportation possible. Until next time…

teleporting has its rewards

Sure, teleporting is tough. It can really beat up a body, you know? But no matter how tired and beaten up I am, I always manage to come away with a good story. And pictures.

Like being able to stalk Bobbleheaded Darth while I was at the RWA Conference…

Yes, I have pictures:
Pic 1: Bobbleheaded Darth battles the Risotto. It was an ugly fight, but Bobbleheaded Darth comes out on top.
Pic 2: Bobbleheaded Darth cozies up to Robin Rotham. and really who wouldn’t? But we find out later that Bobbleheaded Darth has an alterior motive…
Pic 3: Bobblehaed Darth wants Robins boots. It was a valiant battle…but Bobbleheaded Darth had to admit defeat (or would that be de feet?)

Pic 4: Even though Bobbleheaded Darth was not registered at the conference, he still took advantage of the goody room. Of course, he’s the Dark Lord. He doesn’t have to register at the conference. You should be grateful he didn’t blow the conference up with his awesome Death Star.

So there you have it. More tales of teleporting…Stayed tuned for one more post…that’s right, I saved the best for last! Coming up…Who’s Tits are These: San Francisco Style…

tried to keep it a secret

But damn these digital cameras…

I guess I can’t keep it a secret any longer…I have a super power.

That’s right. I can teleport.

Yesterday afternoon, after my awful run in with Mr. (lack of) Enunciation at the DMV…I teleported to the RWA Conference in San Francisco and hung out with some of my favorite peeps.

Picture 1: This is me with Barbara Vey (who is the loveliest person on earth) and Kristen Painter…who is lovely to me in a “I want to wear her skin” way. Yes. It’s a girl crush. I’ll admit it.

Picture 2: Like OMG! Here I am with Jo Marie Landis and Lara Santiago! Like seriously! Holy cow! I’m not sure how I stopped myself from going all ‘fan-girl’ on them. I think maybe the only thing that stopped me was the fact that I wasn’t quite used to wearing Kristen’s skin.
Pic 3: Me and Nic Montreuil…one of my favorite people in the world. I was a little disappointed she didn’t ‘my pretty pony’ it this year with blue hair, but I kissed her with tongue anyway. I love her THAT much.

Pic 4: the moment I was done for the night. These women plied me with so much wine, I almost couldn’t teleport home. This is Louisa (my CP) and Jen (my hot little muffin of love). I am so glad I got to see them, because I have missed them both terribly. And by the way, they really liked me wearing Kristen’s skin. Not sure what that was all about.

So there you have it. I can teleport. I know you’re freaking out a little over my super power, and I don’t blame you. It took me a while to adjust to it myself.