May 5, 2008
The Coolest Thing by guest blogger Emily McKay
Written by Jaunty Guest in Jaunty GuestsSo here’s the coolest thing about being an author: meeting other authors. Pam Morsi was the first author I met in person whose books I’d read before joining RWA. I’d read (and loved!) Courting Miss Hattie back when I was in college. And then—several years later—I walked into my first RWA meeting and there she was! I was starstruck. I’m showing my age, but this was long before the internet world we live in now where you can “meet” other authors easily.
Now I meet authors all the time. And it’s always cool when you get to meet an author whose books you love. Or conversely, when you meet a writer, become her buddy, buy a book, read it and end up loving her writing.
Right now, for example, I’m reading Temptation of a Warrior, a book by the Jaunty Quills own Margo Maguire. (Okay, in all honesty, I haven’t actually met Margo or become her buddy, but I feel like I know her through Robyn and the Jaunty Quills.) I’m really enjoying it, which makes guest blogging for the Jaunty Quills just that much more fun.
With Temptation of a Warrior, Margo has created a great book, seamlessly weaving together familiar romance elements—an orphaned Regency governess—with the paranormal—a magically gifted, mysterious warrior. It’s like Jane Eyre meets the Arthurian legend. Best of all, she creates a world into which I can escape absolutely.
As I’m working on this blog, my everyday life—kids, sick mom, horrendous mountains of laundry—constantly intrudes. Bleck. But it’s nice knowing in just a few minutes, I can curl up in bed with Margo’s book and that will all go away.
Which brings me to the point of my blog … No, wait a minute. If I can get back to my book as soon as I’m done here, then what am I doing hanging around here?
So what’s the coolest thing about your job?
4:38 am | Share This
Shana Says:
Hey Emily, so glad to have you here today! I have to admit that meeting other authors is definitely something I love about being an author. Right now I’m at the end of a book, and there seem to be more things I can think of that I don’t like…like getting up at 4 a.m. to write! But it’s all worth it when I type “THE END.”
Margo Maguire Says:
Hey Emily - THANKS for reading my book! :heart: I’m so glad you’re enjoying it. And you mention me in the same article with Pam Morsi? I think I’m in heaven.
What I love about my job is making my own schedule. Coming from a regimented nursing background, it’s nice not to have to show up at 6:45 AM unless I want to.
RobynDeHart Says:
Hey, Emily, you could have mentioned reading one of *my* books.
But mostly I’m jealous that you’ve gotten to read Margo’s. As soon as I’m done with this book I’m going on a reading binge.
The coolest part of my job…hmmm, that’s a tough one. I, too, like meeting other writers and talking about writing - that’s one of my most favorite things in the world. And I love working from home in my jammies if I want. But I think the coolest thing is meeting readers/writers and talking about the books we love, not as writers, but as readers. Most of us went into writing b/c we were first readers and I still haven’t lost that thrill of getting excited when I read a particularly fantastic book and want to tell all my friends about it. And romance readers are just the best.
Emily McKay Says:
Yes, making my own schedule is another cool thing. Since I’m at home with my two kiddos, there aren’t many jobs that would allow me this kind of flexibility. But sometimes it does result in getting the writing done at crazy times. Shana, I hope you got tons done this morning to make getting up at 4:00 worth it.
limecello Says:
Hi Emily,
Hm… well nothing is very cool right now b/c I have 2 finals in less than 24 hours [and the first is only 6 hours away... omg ack] - otherwise, my internship was fun because I was a judicial intern, and got to observe cases from the front of the room and write judicial orders too :D.
Shirley Karr Says:
Hi, Emily! I agree, the great part about being a writer is making my own schedule and meeting other readers/writers. It was so hard for me to be cool when I got to sit next Jo Beverly :hyper: at my first National conference and she was teaching us how to play Regency card games. Very gracious lady as well as an incredible writer.
In my day job in the PR dept., one fun part is getting to talk to people from all over the country as well as Canada and Mexico.
Shana Says:
Oh, yeah! Making my own schedule is good. Of course, it can also be bad. 12 hours later, I’m back at work again. When am I off?
Emily McKay Says:
Shirely, what a cool story! I ocassionally see Jo Beverly as national, I don’t know her at all, but I always love how gracious and kind she is when I come up to her acting like a crazed fan.
callmeabookworm Says:
I’m a SAHM which means my job never ends and for perks, I get spattered with food and get drooly kisses
It’s the best job and the scariest!
Btw, a HUGE Mother’s Day Book Giveaway is currently happening on my blog. Hope you’ll stop by.
http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Emily McKay Says:
Oh, I *so* hear you on the food splatters and drooly kisses. That’s my day all over.