Cincinnati/Dayton, April 6, 2002

Nora checks in after completing week one!

Much easier day yesterday. Started with mid-morning TV. Off air before we start, the interviewer, female, makes the comment that she used to read Romance years ago, but feels that the books fill women's head with crap about relationships. I say, don't you think women are smarter than that? Don't you think they know the difference between fiction and reality? She sort of laughs and says no. She's shallow, she claims. So I say, well, I may be shallow, too, but I know the difference between a prince and a pumpkin.

Ha ha ha, cue music, and you're on.

Fortunately, the interview itself dealt with the book, how I got started, and the day's signing events.

From there it's off to Sam's for a signing. This one is way out there, but we get there early, deliberately, and start the event immediately so we can get it all done and make the Dayton signing on time. I get a nice mix of people--some who'd come knowing I'd be there, some who just happened to be in the store and got a nice surprise, and some who caught the morning segment.

Onto Dayton and Books and Co, for a TV interview with a woman who's putting together some extensive piece on the genre. She's spoken to several other local romance writers. She's very nice, questions are fine. Then she says: So, what do you consider romantic, personally. What do you do that's romantic?

I've had it with this sort of nonsense, you know. So I say: Let me ask you, if you had Agatha Christie sitting here, would you ask her what she considers mysterious, or if she's killed anyone lately.

The reporter blinks, pauses, and says, well, no, I wouldn't.

Would you ask Sue Grafton if she carries a gun?

Uh. No.

Then why do you suppose reporters always ask this? Why is it they continue to promote this foolish misconception about the romance genre? Like we have to be romantic women who walk around with hearts and flowers? This is a job. This is about story-telling, about a celebration of relationships. It's not about how romantic we are. And you could be the first to do a piece on romance without going into this foolishness.

So she nods and laughs a little--and says she'll see what her editor says about that.

I know they'll ask the question, get responses from everyone. I just hope they use mine, too.

Big crowd at Books and Co. This is such a special bookstore, run with skill and affection. I love coming here. Sharon, the owner, finds out minutes before the event that her son and dil have given her a granddaughter. We talk grandbabies, and she'll be driving to Philadelphia to see the baby first thing Sunday morning.

We have a good time, sign tons of books. Three hours later, my arm throbs like a bad tooth. I realize at the end of this event, we're going to have to toughen signing policy again, and make it a three book max, sign only, for books brought from home. I just can't sign twenty well-loved, well-read books in addition to new stuff and stock. My arm's going to fall off if I do.

Back to the hotel for drinks with some pals. A very nice way to unwind.

Up to my room where I order a steak. Gimme red meat! I eat, take a long bath, watch a little TV, remember it's spring forward. Go to bed.

At two am the phone rings. This voice says my room number, questioningly. Yeah? He says, he's sorry to call so late, but there's a cross with my phone and the next room, so I'll need to take my phone off the hook. I'm groggy and stupid and say, and then? Just leave it off until morning or until you need it again. Okay. Hang up.

Ten seconds later I'm: Huh? Call the front desk and ask about this. Nope, they don't know anything about it. Do some checking for me. Call came from outside the hotel. We're all baffled. Why would anyone call me room in the middle of the night and tell me to take my phone off the hook? Naturally, I'm thinking all sorts of stuff. Get up, check all the locks, wander around. I lose another hour's sleep wondering and worrying about this.

All's well this morning. Going to take it very easy today, organize my stuff, maybe get out for a little shopping.

The first week's in the bag!

Nora

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