Second and, uh, secondmost? I was lucky enough to get to hang out with my fabulous agent Michelle Wolfson last night. She texted me and asked what I was wearing and after several obnoxious answers got a real one so she could dress accordingly. However, what I didn't tell her is that I always wear my absolute highest heels when we are going to be together so I can get pictures like THIS:
I AM TALLER I AM TALLER HA HA HA HA HA HA I AM TALLER.
Third and thirdmost, several people have asked about the writing retreat I am going to this weekend. Mostly along the lines of, how does one get invited to such a thing?
Here's how I am told it went down.
Maggie Stiefvater: Who else should we invite to the Great Lodge of Dead Animals?
Tessa Gratton: How about Kiersten White? I don't really know her but she seems funny on twitter.
MS: Sounds good to me. *sends email that makes Kiersten's heart skip a bit when she sees the sender's name in her inbox*
Here's how I secretly suspect it went down.
MS: Well, Neil said no. Again.
TG: What about [insert fifty names of authors cooler than I am here]?
MS: They all have something else going on that weekend.
[long, long pause]
TG: Hmmm. Well, there IS this one girl.
MS: Oh yeah?
TG: She always responds to my thoughtful and clever tweets with really bizarre bordering on obnoxious but strangely funny things. Emphasis on strangely. Less emphasis on funny.
MS: So she's weird?
TG: Very.
MS: So if we get her here and she drinks a lot...
TG: Bound to be entertaining.
MS: Good enough for me. *sends email to Kiersten*
Which is why I haven't yet told them that I don't drink. Best to do that when I've already claimed a spot on the couch and they can't make me leave.
Anyway. In my case sometimes it pays to be obnoxious on twitter. I had actually planned to do some sort of writerly retreat thing this year, which made it even nicer that other people planned it and invited everyone and organized it all so all I have to do is show up and disappoint them that I don't get drunk. I know several of the authors, and am very excited to get to know the ones I don't.
If you love the idea of a writing retreat but don't know how to get invited to one, I say: organize one yourself! Preferably one that is not in Missouri in February. (I have to wear SOCKS, you guys. SOCKS. The horrors! The horrors! Maybe I really will start drinking...)
Or you can always just stow away in Carrie Ryan's luggage, which was my alternate plan before I got an official invite.
27 comments:
Um. I'm still not gonna wear socks. No way. NO WAY.
Welcome to the world of socks half the year....well, at least 1/3....bare is better, that's my motto. (with feet at least) : ) Enjoy! Sounds like fun....I mean, work. Totally work....right?
Maggie Steifvater is amazing!
This is great :) I love the stories and personal experience. Very fun.
Sarah Allen
(my creative writing blog)
Several things:
1) You and Michelle are adorable together!
2) Is it sad that when I looked at the picture my first thought was--hey, she wore that dress to SCBWI LA. I SWEAR I only remember that because I love the dress. *fears restraining orders*
3) Have fun at the retreat. Can't wait to hear ALL about it. ;)
4) My word verification is thill. Which so needs to be the new "Chill." I think I need to make that happen. If for no other reason, so that my friends can say, "gosh Shannon, stop trying to make Thill happen"
Eek I hope this retreat isn't in the middle of the snowpocolypse! My mother-in-law lives in Missouri and said they are getting 12-20 inches of snow this week...she also then told me that she needs to go to the grocery store. Why she didn't do it before the snow started, I have no idea.
And if it doesn't go well you can always take over for Yen in the next Ocean's Eleven sequel. They always need someone to squeeze into luggage.
Umm, I think I would define success as being invited to this retreat. Have fun!
I live in the area you are going, and watch out, we're in store for a big snow storm. But you are going to be a bit more south so hopefully it won't be as bad where you are going. Although everyone from my town may be migrating down there if its an ice storm like the one in 2007 where we lost power for like, a week! Don't worry, we'll all come stay with you guys. I'm sure you won't mind!
Advantage of being short: Makes stowing away in luggage a viable option.
Though that can be uncomfortable. Congrats to you for getting a legitimate invite!
Sara Zarr's speech was AMAZING! I was lucky enough to be in the second row, front and center at the event.
Have fun at the writer's retreat! :)
MO isn't that cold... Well, there is a huge snowstorm coming in, does that count? :P
I really really love Sara Zarr.
And I am totally jealous of your going to this retreat. But not that it's in Missouri. You can totally have that. I've been there in the winter and the cold actually hurts!!
Kiersten, your enthusiasm toward socks shocks me! You too, Beth.
Also LOL on the Maggie/Tess convo:-)
Can't wait to meet you:-)
That is exactly how it went down.
I nominate you to write the script for whatever funny videos we make.
Have fun at the retreat. I'd so love to go.
Tessa--I KNEW IT. But crap it all, I've blown my cover by revealing my teetotaling ways too early. Don't uninvite me!
Frankie--Beth and I will wear our bare feet proudly. That's why we're roomies.
Shannon--It's a good dress : )
Everyone who heard/read Sara's speech--Smart, smart, smart smart lady.
Everyone who is jealous of the retreat--Please read the San Diego weather forecast for this weekend, and then the Missouri forecast. It is SUCH A SACRIFICE (to go and hang out and have a blast and write with so many freaking awesome ladies).
First and foremost-you total cheater!! I'm wearing higher heels next time. I had to wear those all day. And maybe I'll stand straighter. And wear a tiara or something.
Secondmost (or however the counting scheme goes) I totally forgot what I wrote on that household memos post but I trust you have been taking my advice not only in the literary world but also in the unloading the dishes tithe top shelf so Hot Stuff must fetch things for you world. You may thank me later.
Thirdmost, it was SO GREAT seeing you and Hot Stuff last night. Thanks for driving down and for all that candy!!
But ... but ... you can wear fuzzy socks! And you can wear fluffy fuzzy socks that come in fun colors! And some of them are even sparkly. So how are socks a bad thing?
yeah - when they called me I said - no kiersten deserves my spot ;) ha!
A writers' retreat sounds almost as good as a writer's advance.
As for the socks, beach girl? They go on your feet.
Oh, THAT's why they are so hard to hear through!
Kiersten, Maggie and Tessa in the one room together? Start running, boys and girls, for an explosion of sheer awesomeness is about to occur.
I'm suspicious. Have you been bugging my conversations with Tess?
Also, that is how we chose many of the authors to go to the retreat. We're going to sit on the table from a safe distance and see if we can get some good Jerry Springer and/or Youtube footage.
MY CLEVER PLAN TO BE FAMOUS.
Thanks for the link to Sara's keynote. That was fabulous!
And congrats on the Whitney nomination!
Enjoy the snow. Utah misses you ;) .
I'd have to stand on a full on ladder to be taller than anyone! :) Congrats on the Whitney nomination! I saw your awesome book on the site today!
Thanks for answering my email. I wasn't sure if it was something random in our neck of the woods or what. Now that I know you will be hob-knobbing with the bestest, I'm super envious.
Have a great time. Look forward to hearing all about it.
Post a Comment