Whew! I’ve had a busy week, and I’m not caught up, but It’s Friday so I’m throwing a party. Looks like it’s a Mad Men theme—but no smoking! All you sociable people, please circulate and encourage the wallflowers to join in.
The buffet table is in the corner; help yourselves. It’s a magical thing, whatever you want is there. Same for the bar. Don’t hold me responsible for the after effects.
Let’s talk … comments, comments, people! Don’t be shy. Introduce yourselves—name, rank, serial number. If you’re a writer, what are you working on? If you’re not a writer, but you come here often, I’m curious why you do. And if you just stumbled in here because Google erroneously thought you’d be interested, have a bite to eat, fill your glass, or at least grab a cookie on your way out.
Feel free to open all my closets, cupboards and doors; you never know what you might find here.
Some of the most witty, intelligent, talented and beautiful people stop by here. Hopefully, you’ll meet them at the party, but if you get caught up in Nekkid Charades, or stuck in the line to have your palm read and missed them, go visit them at their places:
(In alphabetical order, because I’m just so darn diplomatic.)
• Christine Ashby
• Danielle Cross
• Cathryn Grant
• Joseph Grinton
• Lisa Katzenberger
• Candice Kennington
• Jennifer Neri
• Cynthia Newberry Martin
• Mireille Noël
• Karen Schindler
• Tricia Sutton
• Cristina Trapani-Scott
• Pamela Villars
• Judy Clement Wall
• Kasie West
I’m first! I’m first! Neener, neener. I hang out on your blog because I think you are fantastic and because I miss seeing you in person at writer’s group. And because when you have a sea of rabid fans I’ll be able to say I was one of the first!
Candice,
Dagnabbit, I thought I was first. Were you hiding in the bathroom?
I’m glad you’re here, anyway. I missed you.
I was hiding in my car across the street because I don’t like to be the first one at the party. So once I saw Candice and Tricia arrive and also saw that I wasn’t the only one in exercise shorts, I knocked gently and then came on in. What a great idea–party Friday!
Cynthia, clothes don’t matter here. Notice the Nekkid Charades? Have a glass of wine and keep your eyes out for fabulous details.
Rabid fans???? Oh, my lord! I’ll have to hide out at Jalal’s beach house.
I saw that you’re beta-reading for two friends. And you know you’re going to have to record the audio version of my book, right?
I hate being the first one at a party. It seems so eager. But since I am, I might as well be the last to leave. The person still on your sofa long after everyone else has left, long after you’ve gone to bed. So where’s the wine? Got meatballs? I didn’t know your medicine cabinet could hold so many products.
Anyhoo, since you asked (and you already know) I am writing a family saga novel about a bunch of loones (write what you know). I am finished and working on touch ups. The touch ups lead me to a page, which leads to a re-write, which leads to a neverending story.
Thank you for inviting me to the party. Did you by chance invite Johnny Depp? Brenden Fraiser, maybe?
Keep everyone laughing, Tricia. Do those funny voices you do at Peeps.
Oooo Johnny Depp. Of course, he’s on the list, he was at My Perfect Day dinner, wasn’t he?
And obviously you have a thing for Brenden Fraiser. I remember you nominated him for the filmed version of my book. You’re going to be soooo disappointed with my portrait.
I’m so relieved you guys came in! I always fear no one will come.
I was just thinking how wonderful it would be if I could get all my writer friends together for real … I’d lock the doors and keep you there for days!
Well, hi there! I’ll have a beer. And can you please point me to the dance floor?
I write women’s fiction and I’m nearing the end of rewrites on my current novel. I think. My goal was to get it wrapped up by the end of the year, but I’m starting to realize it may need more time than that. The more I learn, the more I discover how much there is to fix!
Nice to meet you all, wish I could stay longer, but I’m going out of town for the weekend. I’ll drop by again later, I promise!
Lisa, thanks for fitting us in before you go have some real fun. Take some food with you.
I’m going to start a read-through of mine on Monday and I’m almost afraid to do it. I know I’m going to discover the same thing you have. It’s never done!
You can do it – perhaps paste the phrase “good enough” somewhere where you can see it.
Because your “good enough” is probably most people’s A work.
I hope you won’t be eating those words.
I’m back. I just had to press publish on my new post: hot tub in a walk-in closet. Normally, I wouldn’t mention it at someone else’s party, but somehow it seems to go.
And Linda, did you notice wordpress just added a “get shorter link” tab on our edit post page? I wonder, not that I care about stats of course, but I wonder if we use wordpress’ short link if that will show up in our stats.
‘Scuse me. I have to go check on the kids.
You have a hot tub in a walk-in closet? Hmmm, if I had a walk-in closet, I’d consider that (oh, the joys of an older home!)
Yes, I used the shortlink in my Tweet and my stats showed that one person came here from Twitter, so I’d say it registers. Though, like you said, who cares about stats? (Tricia’s hyperventilating now.)
What does the shortlink do? Is it like tiny url?
Since I’m here, I figure I don’t have to do the research myself.
Yes, it’s like tiny url, exclusive to WordPress, so supposedly the Twinks to your blog posts will be good for centuries. Just look for it next to the Permalink at the top of your posts in your Dashboard.
I am late to the party, aren’t I?? Fashionably so I hope!
I do not understand at all this shortlink, if any of you feel up to educating me??
Welcome, Jennifer, new life for the party.
You know how to go into your WP Dashboard, right? So when you write a new post now, right above it, where they show you the Permalink, there’s now a new option to Get Shortlink. If you click on that it will give you a shortened URL perfect for using in your Tweets … or anywhere else, I guess.
For those of you who don’t Twitter, every character counts off your 140 limit, so shortened URLs are usually necessary.
ah, thank you! I don’t twitter…but good to know!
I realize that not only am I late, but it is the day after.
Think of me as the friend who comes to help clean up the mess!!
Oh, party time is relative … you know how we writers lose track of it anyway.
Yay! Another party! Thanks for inviting me Linda. Finishing your novel is definitely cause for celebration! Yikes, this reminds me I still need to catch up with Pamela’s friends from several weeks ago…it’s a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it:)
Any roasted peppers to go with the meatballs? Or did Tricia take them all?
Tricia-BTW, if I happen to see Brenden or Johnny I’ll send them your way. If you see Brad Pitt, please escort him over to me. Thank you dear.
You want it, you got it at my buffet. Yummm roasted red peppers, my favorite sandwich right now is Italian roast beef, with red peppers and mayo on sour dough.
Yes, I’m still working my way through Pamela’s party list, too. We’re just caught in one giant blog web, aren’t we? So much fun.
Brad can come as long as he leaves Angelina at home. We already have a major imbalance of the male to female ratio here. But Meryl Streep can join us, we have a lot to talk about.
Yes, Angelina must stay home! I think I just saw Meryl heading into the bathroom…
I realized I never really answered the question as to why I visit your blog. It’s pretty simple–I love the way you write, and I love the warm and friendly space you’ve created here. Every time I leave, it’s with a smile on my face. You’re quite the hostess, Madame!
For the rest of the partygoers…Nice to meet you all! I am always thrilled to meet new people and adore doing the “pop in” visits
Feel free to stumble into my place whenever you wish. I typically write poetry, but sometimes just like to chat, too. There’s always room for more at the table, I have extra cots in case you’re too tired to leave, and the coffee’s always brewing.
I think Meryl’s trying to escape me.
I love that you love my “warm and friendly” blogspace. And it’s infinite … never gets too crowded. But I have to say that a really big plus is that I never have to clean it!
I’ll take Alan Rickman, but straight, please.
I didn’t know you could have him on the rocks!
You always fell for the bad boys in school, didn’t you?
Still do, and trying unsuccessfully to change…
Party??? You know how I love a good party. Linda, promise me you’ll elbow me in the ribs if I start to talk too much.
Nice to meet everyone. I write YA fantasy and am waiting for my agent to get back from maternity leave so she can send my new little book out on first rounds.
Anyway, must go tackle Candice now, I haven’t seen her in a few weeks.
Talk, Kasie, talk! Just don’t flash those dimples too much or Johnny, Brad and Brenden will be hovering around you all night.
I’m back. I just don’t want to miss anything. I came in the back door, from your twitter shortlink.
Okay, sorry to talk with my mouth full. I’ve written 2 novels and some stories. I love to write–could do it all day, but at some point I put on my exercise clothes to either exercise or attend a party.
Hate to eat and run but I must go read my post over to see if I need to change anything.
Now, now, Cynthia, are you editing already published posts again?
I can totally relate to editing already published posts. It’s really dangerous to go back a few months – I want to rewrite everything.
I’ll even want to rewrite this shortly.
LOL just yesterday, I edited one I wrote several months ago!
Just sticking my head in, well, actually getting a glass of wine. I did make a few tiny changes to that post. Boy, it’s gotten crowded in here. This is some party!
Have two, Cynthia. Yeah, it’s wild. A bunch of women writers and their imaginations … who knew?
LOL! I do that all the time. There are things I just don’t see until much later.
–signed the party latecomer
Hmmm, are we all perfectionists or it there a writerly OCD?
writerly ocd!!
Cor, I was first on a list for a change! Hello lovely people! How nice to be invited…if only I’d known I would have had my hair done and bought a new frock… everyone is looking spiffing, I feel rather under-dressed in my Friday night pjs…
Well done, Linda, on finishing your bestseller. I am full of admiration. How does it feel?
Oh, I see we’re wearing our imagine-caps tonight. I have a bestseller and rabid fans! Absolutely Fabulous, darlings! Next thing, you’ll all be asking me for jacket blurbs for your own novels.
Don’t worry about the pjs, isn’t that what writers usually wear?
HEY!!!! I see lurkers in the corners. Come on now, introduce yourselves. Use a pseudonym if you must.
How’d you do that?
It’s magic.
Hey Linda,
I ran out and got these new shoes just for the event. [holds one up] what do you think? Are these me or what?
[the clear lucite platforms with the goldfish in the heels were tempting...but I passed....now if they had lit up......)
I love these little canapes you're serving.
mmphrrwoufofy [sorry] I mean, how many folks are you expecting?
Here comes the wave again…wooooahhhhhoowooo….that was great…be back after I limbo to start the bunny hop….
Your shoes are perfect. They just scream, “Karen” oh no … wait … that was Danielle. You stepped on her toes.
[...] Friday everyone! Guess, what? There’s a great party going on at Linda’s place today…wanna come? Good food and drink for all, but most importantly a wonderful, warm, [...]
Umm..hope you don’t mind if I invited a few guests? Couldn’t resist…
OUCH Karen that hurt! But I’ll forgive you because they are oh-so-cool.
Not at all. I’m sure your friends are “oh-so-cool” like you and Karen.
Hey calliopespen,
Sorry about your foot, I usually dance so LIGHTLY….it must be because of all the naked celebrities…it’s kind of distracting…
But I’m glad I bumped into you, I’ve been meaning to thank you for pointing me to voxpoetica. I followed you either from here or from Judy’s (zebrasounds) and followed you home. Your cool site introduced me to a few other cool sites ….and from there I met Annmarie and got some of my words published on voxpoetica…so THANK YOU!!! :0)
(I love cross pollination like that)
And Linda? Since Judy’s on vacation and can’t be here today can I wrap up a piece of that cheesecake for her and put it in my fridge til she gets home? Judy LOVES cheesecake.
oh hey, they’re starting naked twister…but it looks like some of the guests are a bit chilly…
Linda, can you adjust the a/c a little?
:0)
Sure take as many pieces as you want. It’s self-replicating.
Okay, I’ll turn it up a skosh, but it’s 100 degrees outside.
Karen, that’s fabulous that you found your way to Voxpoetica. Glad I pointed you there. Now I’ll have to go hunt down your work. It may be hard after several glasses of wine, especially this cheap wine I’ve been drinking after reading Pamela’s post a few days ago….http://pamelavillars.wordpress.com/2009/08/17/can-it-get-easier/
Anywho, I have to commend you for your flexibility. I suck at Twister.
Linda, you know I’m party phobic, right, and that at mine I stayed in the bathroom, remember?
But, a party of writers and all women so far, I can handle – with a frozen margarita, lots of salt.
(Just excuse me for a moment, I’ll be right back….)
Ms. Newly Hatched
Well, Meryl’s hiding out in my bathroom. Take her a drink, if that’s where you’re heading.
Also, where did you get the wonderful Twitter widget? I want one.
That’s in your Dashboard too. It’s in the list of widgets. Just drag it over and enter your Twitter name (if I recall correctly.)
Sorry to be a pest, but it’s that amazing fuschia and turquoise graphic I crave. Is there a website to find graphics like that?
Yes, that’s where I found it, but I’ll have to give you the link after I find it again.
Silly me – I just Googled and voila!
Thanks.
Oh great, because I’ve had too much wine already and who knows what site I might have sent you to!
Oh, and have I ever told you how jealous I am of your hair color?
Oh, thank you.
Mother Nature, what can I say? I’m grateful.
Oh my, so many people! Did I see Brendan Frasers name? I bet I could like him very much. I’ve been told he majored in Art History.
Ah okay, onto the real people here… Hi Candice, Hi Linda…I don’t think I know anyone else. Either way, ‘Hello…I’m Jessica. I’m a writer (now you all say “Hello Jessica”)… and I struggle with prepositions and dangling participles.’ (hangs head, nervously twines paper napkin). hehehehehehe…
I wrote a book, a memoir that involves past lives. I’ve just sent it off to a publisher a contact recommended. I’m not holding my breath, but everything is crossed like the scariest yoga pose ever.
I don’t drink wine, but that’s only
cause it makes me loopy, fast. Well, loopier than normal. I’m bad enough on caffeine.
I love Linda’s writing and can’t wait to read the finished story. Cheers for the invite. : D
“Hello Jessica” We’re all struggling with something here. I think Karen’s struggling with Tom Hanks, right now. Looks like she’s got him in a headlock. Brendan’s here, also some guy from Hereos, dark, curly hair. Don’t eat or drink anything, just stand there showing off your shapely self. Toss that hair.
That would be Heroes … see, too much wine for me.
Hello Jessica, welcome to the party.
And it wasn’t Tom Hanks I was wrestling with it was Paulo Costanzo, but I can see why Linda made that mistake if all she could see was the top of his head……
I made a big pitcher of iced tea, so we can teetotal together….
Oh look, they’ve broken out the pictionary AND the 80′s trivial pursuit…..
P.S. did you ever see Blast from the past with Brendan? that’s a fun movie.
Oh, is that who that is. You should have introduced us. Jessica likes sweet tea.
is it too early to break out the Scattergories game? Instead of my slip showing, my nerdli-ness is showing.
Oh, I love games. Watch out though, someone’s sure to slip in x-rated categories.
I can handle x-rated Scattergories… I have an 18 year old taking a Human Sexuality class … and telling me all about it. In detail.
Are you learning anything?
Nothing new…but I’m learning to not blush.
Ô! A PARTY! Thank you for inviting me. A was in holydays in Quebec City. I just arrive in my house but even if I can feel my feet anymore, I am coming! I will bring for you my best rosé, a lot of amuses-gueules and croustilles for everybody! And, of course, I will dance with you the song of the words… and play games!!!
ô! Is Brad Pitt there? I will bring more croustilles!
Come, come, Mireille. Yes, Brad is here and you will charm him, I’m sure.
ohhh! My breath caught! Another quebecer?? Can it be? Mireille, are you from Quebec?
I am so in for the board games!
Hello, Jessica. Hello, everybody. My name is Ann. I’m a writer, reworking a YA romantic science fiction novel. (When will that not look silly?)
I drop by Linda’s virtual home when I can. She’s so personable, I’m hoping it’s contagious.
Now where’s the food? No minds if I keep a stack of treats by the game, right?
Hey, Ann, glad you could make it. Fill your plate and pick your seat.
YA romantic science fiction, don’t think I’ve see than one before. At least you know how to describe it. Some of us are waffling.
I brought breakfast!!!!! Chorizo and potato hash, eggs benedict and lovely whole grain pancakes, all made by my personal chef…er…husband. I missed last night’s festivities, but I figure it’s the weekend and in cyberspace does time really matter? Thanks for inviting me Linda. I was saying goodbye to one of my good friends who is moving away, so I’m sorry I couldn’t make it last night. It sounds like it was such a great time with all these lovely writers and Brendan, Brad and Meryl.
I’m a fiction writer and poet. My first novel should be ready to go in the next month or two and I’m going to put the finishing touches on a poetry chapbook today. It’s all been one big, long learning experience. I come to Linda’s blog for the same reason many others do. She’s warm. She’s talented and I love reading her posts. She and Cynthia (I know you are here in your workout clothes somewhere) never cease to put me in that cozy writerly place with their words. I totally appreciate that, especially in the midst of the chaos of life. Cheers and good morning partiers.
P.S. Surivorscribe (aka Cristina Trapani-Scott) I need to change that eventually.
Thanks, Cristina. I’m here, just resting a little behind the sofa.
Ooooo Eggs Benedict, my favorite! Let me just grab a Mimosa.
Welcome, Cristina, everyone’s still here. Though we’re in different states of … whatever.
Didn’t find out about the party until I saw the note on Danielle’s front door, but I thought I’d just drop by and leave some cupcakes for when you late-nighters rouse yourselves… I’m off to brave the rain, let me know when the next one is?
But, before I scamper off… is that chorizo I see…?
Hey, Joseph, our first male brave enough to take on Brad, Brendan, Johnny and these other guys no one bothered to introduce me to.
Thanks for the cupcakes, coffee’s brewing. And tea, of course, for us civilized folk.
Where’s the coffee? Where am I? What happened last night? No wait; don’t tell me. Police. I think I remember the police. You invited them, right?
Coffee’s ready, just don’t stand close to me while you drink it. And the police were looking for Cynthia … because you know … we always suspicioned she had a dark side, but it’s okay, she hid behind the sofa.
So glad Joseph dropped in. Since he’s too shy to tell you about himself, I’m do it for you: He’s an exceptional poet. Truly amazing. Go visit him and you won’t be disappointed
I’m all red-faced now. I thought the police were part of the entertainment. I think Tricia did too. Whatever the case, they were awfully good at Twister…..
More coffee, please….
I visited Joseph, Danielle. You know I’m not very knowledgeable in verse, but even can I can tell his poetry is wonderous.
Okay, so you’re saying you guys corrupted the police last night? Lordy.
Wow, you guys really tore it up in here. Anyone still up for twister? No, too hung over? Can’t say I blame you, sounds like it was a great time!
Wow, did you read through all that? I decided to post a recap the next day because the comments section got so big on that post. Hope you had a good time where you were.