Lara Santiago, Kristen Painter, Pat Dengate, Roxanne St. Claire, Leigh Duncan, Sandy Moffet, Maria Geraci at Dinner
You have no idea how thrilled I was to be asked to do a workshop for the Spacecoast Romance Writers in Orlando…in January. I’m from Wisconsin for crying out loud and this is a dream come true. Blue skies, brilliant sunshine, 80 degree weather. I left cold, gray Wisconsin to land in cool, gray Orlando. I didn’t care. I left my 50 pound winter coat at home and felt free. The sun would come out soon.
What I discovered was that I didn’t need the sun. This tremendous group of writers radiate the warmth I was seeking. The board took me out to dinner and we spent hours laughing and talking books, business, family and fun. Turned out the waitress was a huge romance fan (I had to ask her what she read, after all). Taking a page from my books on being prepared, author Leigh Duncan had two of her books handy to sign. The waitress was ecstatic promising to share with her sisters and daughter while she ran off to brag to her fellow workers about her good fortune.
Before
After
.
Just as a side note, I did get a pedicure with Kristen Painter. The woman taking care of me said in broken English, “Wax eyebrows.” I said no because you can’t even see my eyebrows, they are so light. But she said, “Too bushy!” Now I did state on my birthday blog that this would be the year I try new things, so I had my eyebrows waxed for the first and last times. After she was done she had nerve enough to say, “Now we do hair on lip.” I told her I liked my hairy lip. Can you tell any difference? Eyebrows were never a big thing with me.
Spacecoast Officers
Saturday’s workshop was amazing. The large group meets in a library (so appropriate) and starts off with good news of new sales, new status (PRO and PAN), new agents and new members. The support system is delightful to watch as everyone rallies to help each other through tough times while cheering on the successes. I have found this a constant in the RWA chapters I have visited.
When it got to be my turn to speak, I was so energized by the group that the time just flew by. We tackled the tough questions surrounding social media, dispelling the fears, making Facebook and Twitter a safe and fun place for authors and their readers to connect. Staying positive was the mantra of the day and several promised to jump into the deep end and give them a try. I’m happy to report that I’ve seen many members communicating on Facebook and Twitter since.
Spacecoast Chapter
My best advice is to be yourself and do what you’re comfortable doing. If you are unsure or nervous in anyway, it will show and for all that is holy, do not just keep repeating, “BUY MY BOOK!” You will alienate more than you can imagine.
After a lovely lunch, I’m happy to say that I won’t be returning to the frozen tundra for another week. I’m now in Ft. Myers, Florida, just soaking up the rays.
Bottom Line: Really authors, carry one (or more) of your books. You never know when you’ll meet a potential reader.
Giveaways
From Kristen Painter: My “advice for writers” post is live and I’m giving away a copy of Blood Rights. The giveaway runs through the end of the week.
Barbara, we loved having you! Thanks for all the wonderful advice. Enjoy the rest of your time down here in sunny Florida
Marcia, nothing beats the Florida sun. Visiting your chapter was like being on vacation.
I have to echo Maria! We loved having you!
Kristen, always a delight to spend time with you. Your group rocks!!
Barbara:
I enjoyed our talk from the airport. The advice you gave me and our Star chapter was fantastic! Thank you!
Debbie, I wish the ride was longer. Loved chatting with you and can’t wait to see your amazing soaps.
Thanks Barbara, I am taking your advice starting to implement it today . I will be in touch about the soaps.
A blast was had by all! Thanks for coming down here to the Space Coast and sharing your wisdom and warmth. You are always welcome in Florida, Barbara! And special thanks for the consulting services — you are brilliant!! xoxo
My favorite first private student. Who knew teaching could be so much fun.
Barbara,
It was great to meet you and chat at dinner. Looks like I’m catching flies in the pic, though-lol. Your advice was right on target and your presentation delightful. Come back and see us again soon!
xo
I think the picture looks more like we’re all having some great fun. Already looking forward to coming back.
You were so much fun! I enjoyed our chat about Stephen Cobert and John Stewart!
Thanks for coming down. Isn’t FL fabulous in the winter?
I’m hooked on Florida and am so ready to spend my winters here.
Barbara,
I truely enjoyed meeting you and listening to your talk…so informative and fun.
Thanks for coming Cheryl and for the kind words.
Barbara,
It was great to meet you. I enjoyed your talk very much. Hope you’ll come and visit us again one day.
Lara
As long as Disney World is in Orlando, I’ll be that way again.
Barbara,
I’m taking baby steps to expand my social networking skills, first, by “liking” more posts. My friends must think I’ve become Miss Congeniality. Thanks for all your great tips.
Baby steps are the way to do it. It’s not overwhelming and can be great fun.
I really enjoyed your talk, and learned so many new things. I’ve been tweeting away on Twitter, and might actually enjoy it now! Thanks for the advice about groups, blogs, etc. Can we expect to see you next winter?
You invite me and I’ll be there!
Great education on social media. Come back anytime. You’ve convinced me to be braver and learn to make Twitter and FB a bigger part of my work. Loved sitting next to you at dinner and listening to your stories and advice.
Oh, Sandy, I have so many more stories.
Barbara, I was fortunate enough to hear you speak at the WRW Retreat a couple of years ago, and have taken your message to heart. Thanks to you, I always carry book marks and have copies of my books handy.
Thanks soooo much for visiting us and hurry back!
Leigh, I love hearing success stories.
Sounds like you had a great experience and it sounds like a wonderful chapter. I’m from Florida so I love it there. I have a condo in Florida so I get back as often as I can. Loved your before and after shot. The after looks like you have a sunburn but your eyebrows look good. Your Friends From “Beyond Her Book” Party group on Facebook was really one of my first experiences with social media and now I can’t imagine what life would be without it. Barbara also gave a talk about social media to our chapter, Georgia Romance Writers, and she had a lot of valuable wisdom to impart. And, everytime I get a manicure and a pedicure, they ask me if I want my eyebrows waxed and I say no.
Smart choice about the eyebrows.
It was absolutely wonderful to meet Barbara. She is so generous with her advice and a pip to boot! Thanks so much for your encouragement for both myself and my alter ego!
I enjoyed talking to both of you.
It was wonderful to meet you, Barbara. Your advice was spot-on and being heeded by our group. Our Twitter Accounts are off and Tweeting. Thanks for your great advice!
Looking forward to seeing lots of #starfl on Twitter!
Thank you so much for visiting us here in FL. Your advice for Twitter and FB have already come in handy. I’m looking forward to expanding my followers/follows while bringing my Twitter page back to life. Poor thing’s been neglected for too long, lol. Wish I could’ve joined you all for dinner Friday and Saturday. Sure it was a blast!
Take care!
Kara
I’m still laughing about your waxing encounter, Barbara. What a wonderful group to visit – sounds like the sharing went both ways and everyone benefitted. You are the Twitter queen.
Barbara,
It sounds like you had a wonderful time. My niece does my brows. I complain that she hurts me. She says, “Aunt Susan you are just being silly.” I’m not.
I carry copies of my books everywhere I go. You never know when someone will want one. I have been known to give away way to many also.
Barbara, I have the same eyebrow issues that you do. Get them tinted. You would be surprised at the impact it makes. I’m not talking about looking like the Kardashians but just a little more emphasis for we women of a certain age.
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