One of things I got to do at the RT conference was participate in a chocolate and book-signing event on Thursday. I signed 100 books in a little under 20 minutes…they went fast! It was so fun!!
Last week I attended the RT Booklovers Convention. My first time, and I had a blast. Got to spend time with so many cool writing friends (shout-out to Susie Warren, Rachel Hauck and Alena Tauriainen), chat with Bethany House folks who arranged a great “chocolate festival” event (shout-out to editor Raela Schoenherr and marketing veep Noelle Buss) and eat food. Lots and lots of food (shout-out to some of the best bbq I’ve ever had).
I also got to hang out with an awesome friend who recently moved to Dallas (shout-out to Clay Morgan). And it was while I was on my way down from my hotel room to meet him that I encountered the pirate in the elevator.
Not a real pirate.
But a guy dressed like a pirate. The Orlando Bloom sort—long blond hair, ruffly shirt, black boots. No sword, though, which had me disappointed but also a little relieved. After all, we were alone in the elevator. And it was slow. So, soooo slow.
Like, I swear, it took us forever to get from the eighth floor to the first floor. The elevator sorta chugged, like an out of breath athlete in the final moments of a race.
And the whole time we’re in there, this pirate guy got more and more agitated. He told me he was late for a photo shoot (I’m guessing he’s a cover model—there were quite a few roaming around the conference) and he shifted his weight from boot to boot, crossed and uncrossed his arms, released these long, melodramatic sighs.
And I’m getting a little concerned because what if Impatient Pirate Guy loses it right here in the elevator with me?
…and the elevator breaks?
…and we never make it to the ground floor?
…and my poor friend waiting for me never knows the reason I don’t show up is because I’m stuck in a dying elevator with an irate pirate?
(I’m a writer. This is how I think.)
Then, finally, as we actually do reach the first floor and the doors actually do open, I think to myself, “Phew. Okay. Good. The pirate is gonna make his photo shoot and I’m not going to have to calm him and/or find out if my fear of getting stuck in an elevator is serious or not.” And the pirate practically runs out the doors.
Until, just a few steps away, he stops, turns back to me, smiles and says, “Hey, have a great day.”
I say, “You, too.” And off he goes.
I love it.
And I love the little life lesson huddled there. The reminder that it takes less than seconds to acknowledge the people around you, no matter your hurry. To smile. To wish them well.
And if you’re dressed like a pirate, all the better.
Comments 11
Only you, Melissa! Only you would get stuck in an elevator with a pirate. LOL Great story and great reminder. Now to go put on my puffy shirt…
Author
Haha!! The whole elevator ride I was waffling between giggling and trying not to be freaked out by how agitated he was. But then he gets off and says so nicely “Have a great day” and I realized you can’t judge a pirate by his impatience. 🙂
An Orlando Bloom pirate? On an elevator? Elevators aren’t my favorite thing, but I would’ve liked to have been a fly on the wall. 🙂
Author
It was pretty great! And that was only one of the great costumes I saw during RT. Definitely a different sort of conference. 🙂
And you didn’t take a photo? Oh, man. I’m so disappointed! Glad you’re enjoying your adventures though!
Author
Haha why didn’t I think of snapping a photo??
This has nothing to do with the pirate, but I’m just curious. What are your favorite book/writing conventions?
Author
Ooh that’s a great question! I think it partially depends on what kind of conference you’re looking for. If you’re talking a craft-related one, where you go to learn and attend classes, then for me it’d be ACFW–American Christian Fiction Writers. It’s awesome as far as classes and networking. I’ve been to some smaller ones, too, like the BRMCWC–and there’s something nice about that smaller feel. So far, the writer focused ones I’ve attended have all mainly focused on Christian publishing since that’s my own niche at the moment…
What was awesome about the one I went to last week, though, is that it was a reader focused…there were some craft-related classes, but the over-arching goal was to connect authors with readers. And it included all publishing–mainstream, inspirational, indie. And it was huge! It’s the only one I’ve ever attended that’s focused around readers and where, as the author, I was there less to learn or grow in the craft and more to meet readers. So that was really cool.
Other than that, I’ve heard great things about RWA, BEA and ICRS…
Fabulous, but I want to know what happens next. I’m reading your newest book, just a few good pages in, so if you hurry you can have this ready for a good read for us by, maybe, Christmas. Thanks.
Author
Haha well mainly what happened next is I got off the elevator and went to hang out with my friend. LOL! But I’d like to think the pirate made his photo shoot and will be appearing book covers all over the world. Haha!
I love this post. I love the takeaway you were left with. That has so much truth. Sometimes it’s the small things that brings on a smile.