This Saturday, the Heart of Dixie Chapter of Romance Writers of America is hosting its annual Reader’s Luncheon. The luncheon, held in Huntsville at the Von Braun Civic Center, is a great deal of fun. This year we have the fabulous Julia London as our keynote speaker and I was lucky enough to be selected to introduce her. For years I have read her books and loved them so I am really looking forward to meeting her and having her as our guest.
By the time the luncheon actually starts, there will already have been almost twenty-four hours of fun. Some of my favorite parts of the luncheon weekend are the pre-luncheon events. Many members of our chapter get together on Friday afternoon to create the goodie bags for our guests. This is always so much fun since everyone is full of energy and excitement in anticipation of the event. This member has a new hair style, that one has a great dress to show off her newly fabulously thinner figure, while another member has gorgeous new shoes-always a huge hit in our group! Another reason that I enjoy this time so much is that I get to hear lots of news about what is going on in everyone’s lives. Graduations, weddings,new babies, oh my!
After all of the goody bags are ready, many of us will have dinner together and hang out. At this point, those who were not available earlier, join the fun, including many of our author guests. The socializing often gets exponentially more hilarious as the evening flows on. [Yes, those are liquid sounding words on purpose.]
Many authors and readers have been attending the luncheon for so many years that it is almost like a family reunion where someone else does all the cooking and cleaning up, leaving them to concentrate on having a good time. It is a fantastic atmosphere! Like the pre-luncheon events, the luncheon itself is also a lot of fun, which may seem like an odd thing to say, since it is the purpose of the weekend. But hosting the luncheon itself is just a small part of a weekend filled with enjoyment and camaraderie with fellow writers.
Have there been times your life that the preparation for something was as much fun as the actual event?
Sorry I won't be with you guys this weekend but I have paid dearly for my son's education (we won't be able to retire for a long time...) so I am going to watch him graduate on Friday. I love all the girls and guys at HOD - they have become my best friends and people I admire. I have never been associated with such a brilliant bunch of people; kind of makes me jealous. You and Pantster have welcomed me with such kindness and I appreciate it! I hope you all have a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteOk, yes I had a lot of fun in college (back in the seventies) and I do remember working on one event which will have the two of you rolling in the floor laughing at all of us Tigers. I wrote on the school newspaper and it was decided that, as a lark, we would promote a cow, yes a black and white cow like Chick Filet's cows, for Homecoming Queen. We had such fun doing the promotionals: Bessie - Not Just Another Drop in the Bucket. It really ticked off the uh social clubs and we went at it like fiends. The day of the elections was hilarious - we had pictures and everything. Guess what? Bessie won! Gov. Fob James refused to crown her on the field but she got a cowbell outside the stadium with Homecoming Queen on it. (Paul Harvey covered it!) I still remember how much fun getting her elected was. Go ahead, laugh...we may be a cow college but at least we could laugh about it!
Aw, Cheryl won't be there! Hilarious about the cow, though! That should really be in a book.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing everyone -- though my eyes are crossed and my conversation skills might not be so good since I'm on this evil, evil deadline.
SO, I guess I should be working on my speech, huh...
ReplyDeleteSince my Amazing Child has recital the same day as our luncheon, I'll be doing my best to be in two places at once. I will have pretty shoes and running shoes...
I got the goodies for my basket yesterday!!
ReplyDeleteY'all make me want to start writing so I can join the group!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you, Cheryl!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for this weekend. I look forward to it all year. I love meeting readers, celebrating what we all love to do and knocking back a few drinks with my friends. :-D
Kira
Getting ready for Christmas is definitely more fun than the day. By then I want to crawl in a hole and sleep until New Year's.
ReplyDeleteCheryl, we will miss you! How dare that F-O-B disrespect Bessie! Visit the spot where she was belled and make a picture.
Michelle, we can always use an artist!
Looking forward to seeing the rest of you.
Great post! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm in prep mode now but am looking very much to the great fun we will all be having very soon! ;)
I'm so excited to be one of ya'll this year!!! :) Last year was my first time to come to the luncheon (which was also when I met and knew I could never live without HOD), and the luncheon was terrific even without all the pre activities. I'll be there tomorrow afternoon this time, though! Looking forward to it!!!
ReplyDeleteYea, Kim! The world is better with you!
ReplyDeleteI know yall will have a great time. HOD is lucky to have Alicia Pace helping run things ;). She's a party girl from way back.
ReplyDeleteCheryl-That Queen Bessie story is toooooo funny. You will be very missed this weekend. I hope you have fun as the proud Mom. :-)
ReplyDeleteLynn-I am sorry about the evil deadline but it will be great to see you. I am sure your conversation will be witty as always.
Kimberly-Good luck with the speech. I am sure you will do your usual terrific job of being two places at one time. It will be like a Double Mint commerical-Twice the fun!
Debra-I can't wait to see your basket. I know it will be fantastic!
Kathy and Kira-Looking forward to seeing y'all too! And the tasty adult beverages.
Kim-Yea!!! More Kim-time is a very fun thing!
Glad you will be with us tomorrow.
Michelle-Glad to know our antics look like such fun.
Anna-Thanks for the recommendation. Coming from you Party Girl is high praise indeed.
Pantster-Aren't we cancelling Christmas this year???