
Okay, so I didn’t really have the opportunity to blog from San Francisco, but I promise to make up for that now. My feet are still throbbing from all the traipsing about the city during my “tourist” days, and my brain is throbbing from all the fabulous networking, socializing and learning during my conference days.
Saturday, 7/26I arrived Saturday, having flown down a few days early with Shannon. Unfortunately, we checked in, only to discover the power had been out in the hotel since 8am that morning. Thankfully, we were able to get up to our section of the hotel, although, a hotel attendant had to escort us up the one working elevator with a lantern, since it was pitch black inside. After the power and water finally came back on, we kicked off the trip with a ghost tour of the Pacific Heights neighborhood.

(View of the Chinatown gate and St. Mary's church from our hotel window.)
Sunday, 7/27Sunday brought a hour-long wait in line to jump on a cable car headed for Fisherman’s Wharf. Once down near the waterfront, we ducked in to the Buena Vista Café for their famous Irish Coffee. Yum! And strong! But it was just what we needed to stave off the foggy chill.

(Nothing like an Irish Whiskey to start off the day!)
I think it’s safe to say that we grazed our way down the waterfront. From the Irish Coffee, to gourmet cupcakes at Kara’s Cupcakes to clam chowder served in Boudin’s famous sourdough bread bowls. Good thing we were walking so much or my conference clothes probably wouldn’t have fit once the conference started.
Strolling along Fisherman’s Wharf, we happened upon San Francisco’s “Bush Man” – a street “entertainer” who sits behind branches and jumps out to scare tourists. Kind of funny to watch when it’s not you screaming like a little girl at a growling bush. ☺

Sunday evening, we returned to the waterfront via a sardine can, otherwise known as a streetcar. That was the last time we took anything other than the Muni or city bus. It was painfully – and yes, I mean painfully – obvious that only tourists took cable cars and streetcars. Well, tourists and people who enjoy the feeling of being pressed up on all four sides against random strangers. Sadly, a little more action than I’ve had in a bit. LOL! We escaped the moving sweat box and jumped onboard the boat that carried us out to our night tour of Alcatraz Prison. Oh, and just a fyi to anyone planning to take that tour. When the sign on the boat deck says “Wet Area,” don’t assume it means a mist from the water. No, apparently, the Pacific Ocean recognized me and chose the moment after I snapped a few photos to burst up on deck and fully embrace me. Yes, for any of you on the tour that evening, I was THAT person who was doused right in front of my fellow 300 passengers. Oh well, the best photos are the ones that come with a good story.



The tour of Alcatraz was very interesting (and damp – or, maybe that was still just me). But, being “me,” I barely made it through being locked in solitary confinement (with a handful of strangers) without whispering ominously into the inky blackness, “GET OUTTTTTTT!” But, considering I was already the “wet” one on the tour, I decided to allow someone else to take the title of “freak.” ☺
Monday, 7/28Monday, we ventured into Chinatown. We bought tea and a couple other souvenirs then ducked down an alley to watch fortune cookies being made, before stopping for authentic Dim Sum.

(Carolynn Estes, Me and Kelli Estes at the Chinatown gate.)

(The Fortune Cookie Factory in Chinatown.)
We wandered on into North Beach (Little Italy), where we scoped out an Italian restaurant suggested by Paul (thanks Paul!) and bought cannolli at Stella Pastry. Of course, I had to visit both St. Mary’s Church (oldest Catholic church in SF) and The Shrine of Saint Francis. We returned later for dinner at “E Tutto Qua” Italian restaurant. Absolutely fabulous and all homemade!

(In the church of the Shrine of Saint Francis)
Tuesday, 7/29On Tuesday, after taking the Muni out to the Mission District to tour Mission Dolores, Kelli, Carolynn, Erin and Serena arrived, and we began seeing the trickling in of more conference attendees. Tuesday night, Kelli and I met up with Jane Porter, Megan Crane, Liza Palmer and Michelle Rowen for drinks and dinner. I honestly don’t remember the last time I laughed so hard. Those women are not only extremely talented writers (hint, hint, go buy their books!), but fabulously hysterical!

(Left to right back row: Me,
Jane Porter,
Kelli Estes; Front row:
Megan Crane,
Michelle Rowen having drinks at The View bar.)

(
Liza Palmer and Me)
Wednesday, 7/30Wednesday brought in all the rest of the conference goers and lots of our local writer friends. By that evening, all of the published authors gathered (500+) for the annual Literacy Book Afterward, Kelli and I were off to the Chick Lit chapter party where we got to socialize with the rest of our chapter members, as well as great agents and editors. By the time we hobbled back to the hotel, my feet were basically independent of the rest of my body. Well, aside from the fact that I could feel my pulse beating forcefully in my heels. That can’t be good. We didn’t get far, before meeting up with more writer friends, and ended up staying up longer to catch up.

(Left to right:
Simone Elkeles,
Dona Sarkar, Me,
Heather Davis, Kelli Estes,
Theresa Meyers,
Pat White.)

(
Wendy Toliver and Me)

(Me and Michelle Rowen at Literacy Signing)
Thursday, 7/31Thursday officially kicked off with workshops and networking.

(Kelli Estes, Carolynn Estes, Me,
Shannon McKelden)
Later that evening, we went to the Top Of The Mark bar for drinks and a great view.

(Left to right:
Ciara Stewart,
Erin Eisenberg, Kelli Estes, Carolynn Estes, Me,
Serena Robar and the limo we took to the Top of the Mark bar.)

(Left to right: Ciara Stewart, Serena Robar, Me, Erin Eisenberg, Carolynn Estes, Kelli Estes enjoying cocktails and the view from Top of the Mark Bar.)

(Schmoozing back at the hotel bar. Left to right: Dona Sarkar, Erin Eisenberg, Serena Robar, Carolynn Estes, Kelli Estes, Me.)

(Gathering an even bigger group of writer friends from the Seattle area. Left to right: Dona Sarkar, Erin Eisenberg, Heather Davis, Serena Robar, Carolynn Estes,
Shelli Stevens, Kelli Estes, Me, Pat White.)
Friday, 8/1Friday meant more workshops, more networking, and my agent and editor pitches. I came away with a request for a full manuscript, and three requests for partials (a couple of which were just through happenstance of being in the right place at the right time). ☺ Then there was Friday night. I can now say that I’ve not only met and been entertained by, but also have taken a shot from a “gender illusionist.” Yes, these were ladies, technically born male, but “altered” to be transgender. Never have I gone out for a nice dinner, had a blast being entertained, and left feeling extremely so crappy about myself. Nothing like feeling the ugly duckling among a handful of beautiful, er, men. Sheesh! But, I’d still definitely recommend AsiaSF to anyone visiting the city.

(Left to right: Carolynn Estes, Me, Kelli Estes at AsiaSF Restaurant.)

(Left to right: Erin Eisenberg, Serena Robar, Shannon McKelden, Carolynn Estes, Me, Kelli Estes all enjoying dinner and a "show" at AsiaSF Restaurant.)

(Did I mention the "entertainment" at AsiaSF is a bevy of "gender illusionists?")


Saturday, 8/2Saturday, brought more workshops and basically a brain ready to implode from all the schmoozing with old friends and new. I shipped home four large Federal Express boxes full of 58 new books I’d received from the free publisher book signings during the conference.

(The 58 new books I'm adding to my "to be read" pile.)
We then gathered that night for the final closure to the conference – the Rita and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony, which is basically the Oscars for romance writers. Everyone dressed in their best and spent the remainder of the night enjoying the dessert reception and final chats with friends – most of whom we won’t see again until next year’s national conference.

(Me and Carolynn Estes at awards' ceremony.)

(Left to right: Erin Eisenberg, Shannon McKelden, Serena Robar, Me, Carolynn Estes, Kelli Estes after the awards' ceremony.)

(Left to right:
Lenora Belll, Me,
Delilah Marvelle, Kelli Estes.)

(The fabulous
Marley Gibson.)

(Left to right: Me,
Nadine Dajini, Shannon McKelden, Kelli Estes, Carolynn Estes.)
Sunday, 8/3Then, finally, on Sunday we jumped aboard BART and returned to the airport to fly home. For as much as I love the national conference every year, it’s always nice to get home, fall into my own bed and catch up on lost sleep. But, all the same, I’m already looking forward to next summer’s conference, which will be held in Washington, DC. ☺ For now, it’s time to focus on my book and put nose to grindstone to send out the requested material. Those requests made it all worth it!
Labels: RWA 2008 National Conference, San Francisco, writing