A Broad's Eyewitness
Account of
Nora's Special Evening
by Diane (aka DMbyrd)
We were seated in this huge ballroom, theater
style. The stage was center, raised and had two
huge screens on either side which showed what was
happening on stage to those in the back. The
backdrop was this muted lavender, the lights were
low (except those on stage, of course) and soft
music played in the background. There was this
huge, huge statue of the RITA (RWA's highest award
for published authors) in the middle with a stone
bench beside it.
They started with the Golden Heart (RWA contest
for unpublished authors) winners.
AFTER a few were given, they announced NORA was
being honored for Lifetime Achievement (gosh, she's
YOUNG for a lifetime thingee <G>) and that
excerpts from her favorite books would be read
throughout the night. A lady then came out, sat on
the bench and read a few pages from. . .
CARNAL INNOCENCE.
The scene that intros Tucker. I felt like I
could see him, the temperature in the room rose and
I could taste that beer he was drinking. I turned
to my friend and said, "God, I wish I could set a
scene like that."
She replied, rightly so, "That's why Nora's
getting Lifetime Achievement. Now shut up so I can
get back into that hammock with Tucker."
Ok.
After some more GH awards, another lady came out
to read from NORA's book. Again, it was like being
in that scene. I believe it was from one of the IN
DEATH's, since it was about Eve looking at a woman
lying dead on the street (sorry, Sue and all, I
haven't read the In Deaths, yet, I was waiting to
get them at the RWA Booksigning). It was eerie and
I felt everything Eve did as we saw the scene from
her point of view. This passage ended with,
"Homicide. Bag her." And I swear I had chills.
I opened my mouth to speak to my friend and she
shook her head. "Shhhhhhh!!" she said. "I'm Eve and
I'm going home to Roarke. Speak and interrupt my
homecoming and you are dead."
Then the RITA awards started. The first were
given out, then the hostess invited the editors to
accompany their authors on stage as the winners
were announced. It was neat to see these editors as
excited as the authors over the awards. One editor
accepted twice for an author (Lynn Kurland) who was
home awaiting the birth of her first child (news of
TWO RITAS would put me into labor!!! <G>).
Then another passage from one of NORA's books
was read. And I missed this one, because my friend
and I noticed this small lady in sequins walking
down the outside wall surrounded by people. We were
all so sure it was NORA. But, of course, it wasn't
. . .
The End . . .
After the last RITA was given, the last passage
from one of NORA's books was read. Then the RWA
President came out and gave a spill about the
requirements for Lifetime Achievement and then
about the Romance Classics channel and how it was
hosted by MORGAN FAIRCHILD. She said something
along the lines of . . . "And here to present the
Lifetime Acheivement Award to Nora Roberts is
Morgan Fairchild."
And of course, this tiny lady in sequins gets up
on stage while we're all gasping and ohhhhh and
ahhhhing. Then it's NORA's turn.
We're all on our feet, clapping like crazy and
she's walking up on stage, beautiful in this white
suit and perfect red hair and she's smiling and
we're all crying and clapping and some are jumping
up and down shouting (not me, honest-- well, not a
lot <G>) and the clapping goes on and on and
would have forever if we didn't want to hear NORA,
the GREAT ONE, speak.
Ladies, she's like God, Eve, Caroline, Savannah,
Laura, Maggie, Cassie, Regan, Dora, Deanna,
Brianna, Kate and Margo all rolled into one small,
beautiful, classy, THIN, young package. I got
goose-bumps listening to her talk. Her speech was
wonderful, showed her to be the great, humble
talent she is and made me proud to be in her field.
She left the stage to another standing O.
And then, she showed even more greatness . . .
After the awards, there was this reception.
It was in another big ballroom, had tables with
bowls of fresh white, pink tipped roses and pearls,
chairs covered in fabric, waiters with trays of
champagne and lots of centers with goodies
(chocolate, mostly; ice cream, these incredible
coffee-favored tarts in chocolate shells, fresh
fruit of all kinds and tons of fondue-- chocolate,
white chocolate & rasberry, and cheesecake). A
real string section was playing on a stage in the
center of the room.
There was a dress lent by Princess Diana on
display. That, I thought, would be the highlight.
Til I saw NORA and Morgan willingly giving
autographs and taking pictures with anyone who
asked!!!!!!!!!!!!
They were sooooo gracious!! Here's all this food
(read CHOCOLATE) and drinks (champagne was FREE)
and they are signing autographs and allowing us to
take pictures with them before they even got a
taste of food!
I was too shy to ask, but my friend wasn't, so
we had our picture made with them! (She pushed me
out of the way to stand by NORA and I ended up by
Morgan-- either way, I still look like a cow next
to them <G>).
I just got the pictures back today and I
screamed when I saw this one. The clerk looked at
me funny, so I showed her, then she called a crowd
over and we're all ahhhhing and ohhhhing over NORA
and Morgan and I'm telling how wonderful she is and
how everyone MUST MUST read her books and that I
actually shook her hand and met her face-to-face
(Nora, I think I sold K-Mart out of Finding the
Dream <G>).
WHEW!!! Is that enough, Sue? I know my powers of
description are no where near NORA's, but I hope I
answered your questions. I know I left stuff out;
I'm still so high about actually meeting NORA and
having PROOF!!
Gosh, she's a marvelous woman!
NORA, THANKS a TON for making my first RWA
National an event I will never, ever forget. God
bless and keep you!
Diane ;-)
ADWOFF > Newsletters > Edition
4 > A Special Evening
for Nora
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