From Nora -- added on Tuesday,
April 11, 2001 @ 7:30 A.M. |
Judy
|
Andrea
|
Jill
|
Kathy
|
Donna
(added 4/13 @ 12:30 A.M.)
Question: How many muscles in the human body
will ache during week four of book tour?
Answer: All of them.
It wasn't rainy and cold in Boston as it had
been advertised. We had the sun, and temps warm
enough to remind us it's spring. This, combined
with a solid nine hours of sleep, had me starting
the day in pretty good shape.
We drove out of Boston--and I have no idea in
what direction. Jason's been taking good care of
this little detail. In about an hour, we arrive at
Spags--a kind of down home general store the size
of, oh, St. Louis.
I've never seen a place like it, and really wish
there'd been time to poke around. This was
scheduled as a stock signing, but ... Spags was
enthusiastic and advertised. At least 75 people
were waiting in line for me in their book
department. As we had four other stops, ending with
a formal, I had to move fast, sign fast. Tons of
stock as well, and very appreciative staff. They
gave me gorgeous flowers.
Back in the car and off to the next store.
Willow is a beautiful indy. Big and bright. Lots of
stock to sign before we're back in the car and
driving again. It's hungry time, and we decide to
grab a quick bite before the next stock signing.
But the cafe across from the next bookstore closes
the kitchen at four. We're too late!
We cross over to The Paper Store where people
are waiting. I don't think they actively
advertised, but maybe just let the word out to some
of their regulars. Sign, chat, find a clutch of my
Uniball gel pens! Woo-hoo. Take pictures, sign,
chat, and Marianne finds out there's a pizza
parlor. Orders a little pizza for us to eat on the
next drive.
Nothing's ever tasted better.
Another hour or so--through very pretty country.
Trees, hills, rock. Reminds me a little of home. We
arrive at the mall and the Book Smith. Looks like
they advertised a little, too. A lovely group of
women meet me just inside the mall doors with signs
welcoming me--in Irish. I wish I'd had time to talk
to them for more than 30 seconds. We're so behind
now as the stock signings ran over and the drive
time was a bit more than expected. I have a line of
readers here as well, and I'm signing at lightning
speed.
The owner of the Book Smith chain is there, and
so happy with the event we had at his store on the
Cape. Wants me back in the fall, just to
vacation--sign a little. He promised me Irish pubs
and music and gorgeous weather and charming inns.
It sounds good--but the thought of traveling
anywhere now makes my brain hurt.
We'll see after I get home and recover.
Rush out and head to Worcester and Tannuck for
the formal. We're a few minutes late. No way around
it. And again I don't have time to explore a really
wonderful, interesting store.
Basically walk in and up to the mike to begin
Q&A. A lot of writing questions at this one.
Then it's sign, sign, sign. Between the five stops,
I imagine I signed at least a thousand books. Lost
count of the pens I went through on this one day.
Discover this store has a restaurant, with bar!
Grab a bite and a drink with Marianne and some
reader pals. A nice interlude that smooths out some
of the frazzles.
Then Jason drops us off at our hotel here.
I don't have to head out early today, but
haven't even looked at the schedule. A little
afraid. LOL.
Nora
From Judy
Saw Nora again last night at the Tatnuck
Bookstore in Worcester, MA. This is a beautiful
bookstore in old building with high ceilings and
wooden floors. Lots of knickknacks and a nice book
selection. It also has a restaurant in where I met
Jill and some of her family for dinner. This time I
was late since I tried to find my way via Internet
directions. Not a good thing. Next time I call.
Thanks to Jill's brother-in-law for getting me home
easily and safely.
The signing began a little after 7 since Nora
was running late from a few surprises she
encountered during her stock signings during the
day. She did about a 20 minute Q&A. Yes, the
Seth and pregnant Eve questions came up. She handle
them with good humor. There was about 150-200
people there and the wait wasn't bad at all. Jill
and I met Donna (The Tuites) from the
messageboards. This was her first time meeting Nora
and she was very excited. When we finally got to
see her , she remembered me and my family from
Saturday. She signed a baseball book for my nephew
Matty. She wrote that the Red Sox were going win
the world series this year. (OK, I can dream a
little, can't I?) She's a big Baltimore fan and the
Red Sox were playing them at Fenway last night. She
thinks the Orioles will struggle this year. She
took pictures with all of us and was her usual
wonderful self.
Jill, Donna and I ended up hanging around the
restaurant after the signing. Nora and Marianne
stopped in and had drinks & their dinner with
us. We talked about the tour and how she wished she
had more time to visit the places she goes. We
talked about her books, writing etc. She is so easy
going and so appreciative of her fans. She's happy
that the rest of her trip is mostly driving (except
the day trip to Buffalo) and that she'll be heading
home soon.
Fashion Report: Nora wore a black pant suit with
a gray top and gray scarf. She had on black
slide-on micro fiber shoes that looked very
comfortable. She also was wearing the necklace she
bought in Boston the other day. It was silver slide
necklace made of diamonds. It had an antique look
to it. Very pretty. She also had on beautiful
silver bracelet with some kind of gem stone in it
(sorry, didn't catch the gem).
Saturday: Nora had on a marine blue mock turtle
neck with black pants. She had on a fushia, almost
tweed like, blazer. She had on her comfy black
shoes. She wore silver bracelets and a long
necklace with a big gem stone in it. She also had
on a pretty pin that looked like a starfish. Very
appropriate for the Cape.
From Andrea
Hello there!
Following is my attendee "report" from last
night's signing at the Tatnuck Bookstore in
Worcester, MA:
First off, I'm extremely glad that I decided to
make the drive up from Hartford to attend the
Worcester signing. It was worthwhile even just to
see this terrific bookstore, complete with huge
selection, gift shop areas, and a wonderful
restaurant! I thought they did a fabulous job of
organizing the whole thing, and didn't hear any
grumbles from anyone.
I have to stop and say right here that I went
away from the signing last night with the feeling
that Nora's readers are some of the nicest people!
Everyone was very friendly, and more than ready to
jump into a conversation with otherwise complete
strangers about their favorite books, or whatever
else came to mind. Although mostly a female
audience, (I think the Men-In-Tow, which includes
sons as well as husbands, were kind of circulating
outside of the center of things) it was a wide
range of ages. I met some young ladies who were
probably not far out of high school, as well as
some who were AARP'ers!
There were probably at least a couple hundred
folks who showed up for the signing, but everything
was so well organized, that no one had to stand in
line for terribly long.
Nora arrived (a little behind schedule, but
again, there was not a groan amongst when they told
us so) looking very sharply dressed. As I've
noticed that many people seem to be interested in
her wardrobe choices for the signings, I did take
note. She wore what seemed to be a gray shell
sweater under a very nice black pant suit, a silky
gray-silver scarf draped around her neck over the
jacket, and lovely accessories of a diamond (?)
pin, with a pendant and earrings as well. I assume
they were all diamonds, but I guess I have always
thought it rude to ask such things.
After a few brief opening words, she opened up
the floor to questions, but not before preempting
them by saying she would *not* listen to the
"Are-Eve-and-Roarke-going-to-have-a-baby" question
again. When one woman let out a little plaintive
moan in the front row, she politely asked her to
stand up (which she did, her head hanging a little
in feigned shame but unfeigned embarrassment), and
asked if she had kids. She answered that she did,
and Nora said, "And what happens to your sex life
after you get pregnant and have that baby?"
Everyone laughed, and the point was certainly made
for us all. ;)
She also headed off the expected "Seth"
question, and beyond a few items about a number of
the trilogies she has done (i.e., are there going
to be more?), she was also asked about her
background, her family and their travels, as well
as about the idea that the "In Death" books might
be made into a TV series. (She said that they are
"talking" about it.)
Regarding her travels, she said that she not
only had been to Ireland several times, but had
just purchased 25 acres in Clare (sp?), at which
everyone properly ooo'd and ahhh'd in envy. When
asked about her earlier works though, and if she
had seen those places when writing about them, she
said that with two small children, she could hardly
leave them with Spaghettio's and the microwave, and
flit off somewhere to do research! Most of her
earlier works were based on research through books,
National Geographic, the Internet, and her own
imagination.
Okay, as I was indeed the "eager-beaver" in the
front row asking all of the writing questions, I
certainly can't leave out those parts. There were,
however, a few questions asked (not only by me)
more about writing in general than about her
specific stories. I was really thrilled that she
gave these questions very honest and thorough
answers. I have a feeling that she would be an
excellent teacher, in that she doesn't pull any
punches, but also doesn't say that her way is the
*only* way to do things.
When I asked how she goes about adding the
texture and description to her books, the thing I
thought really made them a cut above, she said that
it "depends". I was somehow expecting this answer,
but she did elaborate by saying that she does a
"quick first draft", and then will polish it by
doing 3 or 4 more drafts in which she will be
continually adding more flavor and texture to the
story. (Starting to sound like a souffle, isn't
it?)
Another woman asked if she had started writing
with the thought that she would begin as a
"romance" novelist and move into being a mainstream
fiction writer later, or if it had just "happened".
Her answer more or less was that she just *wrote*,
and had never written them to try to fit into any
specific genre.
I asked another question, this time about the
origination of "J.D. Robb". Was it as much the idea
of her writing a type of story that was a departure
from her previous works as much as not wanting to
saturate the market with her name that prompted her
to write under a pseudonym for the first time? She
said that her publishers had wanted her to take a
pseudonym for the last couple of years, as she had
been sitting on the first "In Death" books, and she
didn't wish to publish under another name. Finally,
she said, her agent called her and said "Pepsi,
Diet Pepsi, Caffeine Free Pepsi". She said she
realized at that point that it was all about the
marketing, and finally said "OK" to J.D. Robb, and
the series finally came to be.
It was from this question that she also
expressed that the most criticism she had gotten
from writing her "suspense romance" stories (not
just J.D. Robb stories, I suspect) had actually
been, of all things, from romance writers! Not
suspense or mystery writers, but romance! She
obviously had little patience for those who
obviously criticize her books because they don't
fit into a specific little formulaic structure of
what "they" feel her stories should be.
I guess that's why it's called ART!
As Nora said, "If it works, then it works; if it
doesn't read well, then that's something else."
I know this report is terribly long, but forgive
me. I really got a great deal out of last evening,
and drove home with a million ideas running around,
along with the motivation Nora gave me too. When I
got my books signed, I indicated that I write, but
my major downfall was the lack of nun-induced
Catholic discipline to "just sit down and do it".
She said, "take ONE hour a day, and just write. You
can always find one hour a day." She then said how
one of her best friends, who had five kids, had
done so, and she now has 50 published books!
(RUTHIEBABE!)
You're right Nora, I *can* find an
hour......thank you for the words of encouragement!
P.S. Hope you enjoy the fudge! *grin*
Andrea Thompson
From Jill
That was so much fun. Met up with Judy again and
we met Donna who we did not know. I now have 2 new
best friends.....Tatnuck is a cool bookstore; it is
an old mill with the machines sitting around and
the original floor. It has a very good small
restaurant where I met some of my family and Judy
before the signing. Nora is looking tired; she had
done signings at 5 places that day. We all went
through the line together so we could get a pic to
send back. Nora has some new jewelry--go
figure........A lovely necklace of diamonds and
platinum--kind of antique style--and a bracelet.
She had shoes on. She got a fabulous gift from
someone that I did not see (the 3 of us were back
in the bar by then). Is is a framed counted cross
stitch piece about 8x10, it has a border of Celtic
knots and in the border it has a quote from Aiden
Gallagher---something about there is magic and it
is in the heart. It is beautiful.....
Jill
From Kathy
She was so gracious while I stood there like a
star struck teenager. I told her I was a big fan.
Like she hadn't heard that before! And that I
collected her books. She signed my copy of The
Villa, and I shook her hand. It was great!! I
already read the book; only took a day and a half.
She never disappoints me; I loved it!
Thanks! Nora
Kathy
From Donna
Nora was at Tatnuck Booksellers in the middle of
beautiful downtown Worcester,
Massachusetts....affectionately known by me as
Hell...last night and I was there! This was the
coolest thing that happened to me since I met my
favorite soap opera actress in 1994.
She was scheduled for Q&A at 7:00. I arrived
early, getting a good practically front row seat.
Sitting there eavesdropping on conversations,
chatting with people I'd never met before...but it
was great because we all had one thing in common,
we LOVE Nora Roberts.
She looked great! A description of her outfit,
shoes and NEW jewelry are coming. Wait till you
hear about the necklace and bracelet she bought.
Nora's crazy over the necklace, but I am in love
with that bracelet. But I digress.
She looked tired, but was still really up for
the Q&A. The inevitable Eve/pregnancy question
came up. She was hysterical how she handled it. She
had the woman stand up and then asked her....do you
have children? Yes. How was *your* sex life after
you had a baby? Bahahahaha. Some other questions of
note. What is your style of writing? Nora writes a
1st draft all the way through without making any
changes at all. Then she takes that draft and
rewrites it into a second draft; after which, she
polishes it up into the third draft and voila!
What's coming up for the O'Hurleys? There will be a
book about Ben and a book about Chris, Abby's sons,
in 2003. YAHOO! How about those MacGregors? Daniel
is nagging Nora that there are still three
grandchildren who haven't done their duty to the
family. Stay tuned for more MacGregors. YAHOO! Her
next trilogy is set on an island, interestingly
enough, off the coast of
Hell....er....Massachusetts. The first book will be
out in June (I think). And Seth's story WILL be
told (even though she already has told it three
times). <g>
The best, absolute best, thing about the Q&A
was a question from someone stating that the
2JeanBs from the Sanctuary board had suggested Seth
time travel to marry Eve and Roarke's daughter. Or
it might have been something like that, but I
missed the rest after she said the 2JeanBs. I was
almost beside myself because I thought it was
Jeanne here in Massachusetts. After Nora ended the
Q&A and began the autograph session, I walked
over to ask if she happened to be Jeanne. Nope! But
it was Jill and Judy from this board!!! It was
great to meet them. We chatted until it was our
turn for the autograph line; Nora's publicist (I
forgot her name! Geez, I hate that) took pictures
of us with Nora. I asked to check out Nora's shoes.
Bahahahaha. She showed us her new jewelry, signed
our books and my bag. Nora even signed a baseball
book for Judy's nephew and wrote the Boston Red Sox
were going to win the World Series. Now that's a
great writer for you....she had me believing it!
Hee hee.
Jill, Judy and I went over to the restaurant
located in the bookstore to have a drink, chat and
get to know each other. These are such great women
and it was my pleasure to be hanging around with
them. But it gets even better than that! Jill went
out to see if the signing was done, probably at
around 9:00 I guess. She talked to Nora and came
back to say that *maybe* Nora was coming into the
restaurant and *maybe* she would join us. Well,
holy cow! Next thing you know, in comes Nora and
her publicist....a very, very nice woman who, I'm
sure has a great name, if only I could
remember....and they sit down right at our table,
get served a ton of food and start eating and
chatting just like they've known us forever. Do you
know how hard it is to act cool and calm all the
while your brain is shrieking HOLY S***, IT'S NORA
ROBERTS every ten seconds?? I hope I pulled it off.
It was so much fun I can't begin to even tell you.
We shared French fries....after all a day without
French fries is like a day without an orgasm. Nora
drank champagne. I tried to keep my mouth from just
hanging open in adoration. We chatted about
everything in the world. Or so it seemed. Frankly,
I was so busy trying not to scream at the top of my
lungs...OMG, YOU'RE NORA ROBERTS....that I might
have forgotten a subject or two that we talked
about. Judy and Jill were great! Judy tried to line
up signings for Nora in Massachusetts next year. It
was even BETTER than when I met my favorite soap
star. Nora is so real, such a real person. She and
her publicist (God, what *is* her name???) spent
the better part of an hour with us. We all strolled
out together. By then I was feeling really cool;
after all, I'd just spent almost an hour with Nora
Roberts. We get outside, there's the chauffeur with
the black caddy and the door open ready to drive
Ms. Roberts to her hotel. I was wishing he'd get
the door to my Honda for me. Hee hee.
It was a GREAT evening. I was so excited when I
got home, I couldn't get to sleep till after 12:00.
Then I woke up at 3:00 and started thinking about
it and got so excited I couldn't get back to sleep
until almost 5:00. LOLOL.
I have to make plans to get to Boonsboro next
year.
ADWOFF > NORA'S
TOURS >
THE
VILLA
TOUR >
Worcester
Nora's The Villa Tour
2001 