So it's Sunday night and I'm in my room at the Coutyard Marriot, having just gotten in from dinner with Seton Hill friends at Lone Star, something that has become a bit of a tradition following graduation. Predictably, I am a bit sad that it is all over. I have such a wonderful time at these things. Students and faculty alike seem to be generally pleased with my contributions and I find friendly faces everywhere I go. It just totally rocks.
This year's highlights include (in no particular order):
Graduation -- I love this. Lee and Al and Mike A all get into their academic drag -- really fanciful outfits with cool floppy hats -- and there's music and ceremony. This time around none of my own students were graduating, but Shara Sansoucie (my apologies if I've spelled that wrong Shara), Audrey Curry and Venessa did graduate, and I've spent so much time talking with them over the past two years that I felt kind of like they were my students anyway.
Dinner with Walter Sorrel -- Lee very graciously included me in the dinner excursion with our guest speaker. Walter was great. A very down to earth, real, working writer. He produces four to eight books a year and has made it to the point where he is supporting his family at a middle class level with his writing. It was a lively time, with much laughter and interesting conversation. And the talk he gave to the student body afterwards was really useful. He managed to be brutally realistic about what it means to support yourself writing, while also injecting optimism and inspiration into the mix.
Meeting Doreen DeSalvo of Loose Id -- How cool is it to sell a story and the next week, hang out with one of the four co-owners of the publishing company?
Lunch with Ginger Buchanan of Ace -- This was totally unexpected, but evidently Ginger was a guest editor with the alumni retreat. I bumped into her in the cafeteria and she remembered me. Ginger is so much fun to talk to. Some of the students got to talk casually with her about their projects and then I got to grill her about the status of m/m in print romance. While I don't agree with her views, the discussion certainly provided me with a valuable data point.
Talking about warfare methods with the inestimable Timons Esaias.
Coaching Calie on how to interview a prospective agent.
Coffee in the break room thanks to Kerri.
There's more, I'm sure, but I need to do some fiction writing now, so I'll sign off. Goodnight everyone, and for those SHU students who are "blogstalking" me, thanks for your enthusiasm and appreciation, and for making my residency experience so much fun.
TTFN
Anne
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