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Nora Roberts's |
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Shoes' (aka Ginny) Report from Eatontown, NJ
Nora is fabulous. Borders is not fabulous, but Nora is. Borders had some horrendous rules, but Nora changed them. I couldn't get Northern Lights signed because I bought it at another store, so I had to leave it in the car. Bought Blue Dahlia there, though, so that was an approved book. Originally Borders said I could only have Blue Dahlia signed if I also bought Northern Lights and had that signed, too. Nora said no way. Blue Dahlia is a new release, if they buy it, I'll sign it. Borders also said that there would be no posed pictures, we could snap candids if we wanted. Nora said no, my fans like to have their pictures taken with me, and I don't mind, so leave them alone. THANK YOU NORA!!!!! You rock. But Borders did have a big welcoming sign over the front door, and some chairs (maybe 20) set up. People were having to stand in the aisles and couldn't see over the displays. Finally they wised up and moved a couple of display tables so people could see. And then, there she was! And she looked wonderful. You couldn't tell she's been fighting a cold. Beautiful ice blue blouse with black pants. Very classy. The blouse looked like silk, but I don't know fabrics, so it could have been anything. But you know, she looks like somebody you'd be friends with. My friend hadn't seen her before, and agreed that Nora looks and acts like somebody you could go have coffee with. Of course, in Nora's case, it's champagne. But she's still so down to earth, you know what I mean? I'm not explaining this well. But it's a compliment, nonetheless.
And wouldn't you know it, the first question out of the box was when is Eve going to have a baby? Nora groaned, we all groaned, and then Nora asked "do people pay you to ask that? Every single time, somebody asks me about Eve having a baby." We cracked up. Somebody else asked about the title for her next hardcover, and she said "We were still dicking around with that before I left for the tour." Then she heard what she had said, and said "Who said that? What I meant was we were having discussions about that before I went on tour." More laughter. Some lady who teaches writing at a local community college asked what tips Nora had for new writers, and Nora replied that she would be a terrible teacher, because she doesn't follow any rules. She is sure there are some, but she doesn't know what they are. She called herself an "instinctual writer." The lady then asked if she ever speaks to colleges, and Nora said "I'm a writer. That's my job. Occasionally I do speaking engagements, but I'm not a speaker. I'm a writer." I asked her an easy one—what inspired her to set a story in Alaska. She gave the GMA answer—that she wanted to paint on that canvas, the vastness, the blue and white of it, the cold, and to see what life would be like in a small town in that setting. So Northern Lights is scene driven. Alaska is actually a character in the story. After a few more questions, she sat down to start signing.
I told you all the part about how she recognized me. How flattering is that!? I think I need a star on my office door now. lol I thought it was way cool that I sent her an email and she answered me. (I'll never wash my computer again. lol) But to actually say "I know you." Wow. Still grinning. Go me.
Meeting Roni was a hoot. She's great. And there was one other Adwoffer there—Honey something—who said she hasn't been on the board in a couple of years. We told her to come back! And Roni and I talked up Adwoff to all who would listen. lol
Of course, dinner was a rollicking affair, with the waiter Mikey being waaay over the top. But I had my face in the ribs, and didn't pay too much attention. lol It was just a great "ladies night" of laughter and chatter and "Nora talk".
All in all, a wonderful night.
ADWOFF > NORA'S TOURS > Northern Lights Tour > Eatontown, NJ > Shoes' Report
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