I am back from New York City, city of terrorist plots to blow up the Lincoln Tunnel and where subway employees get attacked with chain saws. You’d never know it from my experience. My sister-in-law, Rose, and my friend Katie and I had a great time! We saw my daughter, which is the best thing, and we did typically New York tourist things like visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art and walk through Central Park. We went to see Phantom of the Opera on Broadway and my high school classmate’s sister, Mary Stahl, who has been in POTO from the beginning of its Broadway run 18 years ago, gave us a backstage tour, so we got to see how all the special effects are done. The backstage of a Broadway theater is not glamorous, but it is fascinating. We had tea at the Ritz, which was glamorous.
Rose and I visited the World Trade Center site, which now looks like a place of rebirth rather than the devastation I saw when I paid homage there in 2002.

And, as I mentioned in my previous post, we went to see Beowulf & Grendel, the Gerard Butler movie that is experiencing a limited release in the US. Its NY opening at a little theater in SoHo, The Quad Cinema, was an event. First we gathered with other GB fans for dinner at Stouts, a restaurant near Penn Station. Who should I see when I first walk in, but fellow Harlequin Historical author, Terri Brisbin!


We had no idea the other would attend. In appreciation for the GB fans’ support of his film, the director, Sturla Gunnarsson, came to the restaurant and the theater. This whole event was a unique experience.

Let me tell you, there are Gerard Butler fans who are even more dedicated and enthusiastic than I am! And they are all nice, normal people. GB gave a great performance in the movie and the scenery (Iceland) was spectacular. It is well worth seeing if your city is one of the lucky ones. If not, the DVD will be out in August, I think.

So all that had nothing to do with the writing life, but I thought you would like to know…I also had my meeting with my editor at Warner, Melanie, and my agent, Emily, both lovely people whom I enjoy seeing. Melanie had not finished reading Blake’s story, so I still don’t know if it will need big revisions or minor ones. She didn’t like the synopsis of Wolfe’s story–not enough conflict between the hero and heroine, their backgrounds were too similar, and the plot revolved around secrets–other than that it was okay (g) So all that agonizing over an Indian heroine was for naught. No Indian heroine needing rescue from sati by Wolfe in Warner book #4, but I already have another even better idea. I’m not going to tell though. This one is a secret.

I am not upset with the rejection of my synopsis, by the way, because I agree with Melanie’s criticisms of it. Besides, rejection is all part of the writing life, no matter if you are published or not, and in this case it is a good thing. I want to write a great book, not a mediocre one, and it is Melanie’s job to see that I do!

We also talked business, about things like release dates (Blake’s story will probably be released Sept 2007) and covers (We’re looking for a sexier design) and titles. Or lack of titles, really. We still don’t have a title for Blake’s story.

I have not heard back from Mills & Boon about Mallory Pickerloy’s (g) story, but I should hear this week. Waiting is also part of the writing life.

Have a great week, everyone!