“The life of a romantic novelists appears to be one ongoing party.” Or so a friend commented when I confessed I was off to my winter ‘works do’ in London last Wednesday. (Yes, I mean the Romantic Novelists’ Association Winter Party held at the IMECE in London on 21 November 2012!!)
“We have our moments,” I replied. Swallowing thoughts of long hours spent chained to my desk, typing away in my cold office, battling my way through edits and proofs, concepts, first drafts, second drafts, hundred-and-thirteenth drafts and so on. Of course, battling is an overstatement but… you know what I mean!
Anyway, a writer’s life can be lonely and overwhelming so occasions like the RNA Winter Party are merely a just equalizer, a chance to meet friends and let your hair down. Too right!
Here are a few photos of my debut RNA outing!
Glamming up and getting in the mood ~ with Mandy Baggot and Sheryl Browne!
Oh, looking a bit whited-out. Try again (said the photo-taker) and go in the middle, Nicky.
Happy to oblige! (With Anna Bell, Jan Bridgen and Mandy Baggot but having lost Sue Fortin somehow!)
Apparently, authors say ‘Whiskey’, not cheese. See, I learned something!
Meet the crew: Mandy, Sue and Sheryl!
Circle of pain. Whose feet hurt the most? Whose shoes are the worst torture instruments? I reckon mine, but Mandy did go barefoot for longest. Clockwise from 12 o’clock: Sue Fortin, Jan Bridgen, Mandy Baggot, myself and Sheryl Browne.
Ok, ladies, you can take them off now…
Mandy: “Where’s my phone?”
Sheryl: “Where are my keys?”
Mandy: “Are you hungry?”
Nicky (from the sideline): “We are taking a taxi, right?”
Sheryl: “Shall we get some dinner?”
Mandy: “I’m not walking.”
Sheryl: “Is it time go go?”
Mandy: “Where’s my phone?”
(We took a taxi back to the hotel, and we had a lovely snack-cum-dinner in the bar until almost midnight, and no more walking was done!)
The company was excellent. The canapes were delicious. Conversation sparkled. Time flew by. Until next time, my friends!
Nicky Wells: Love & Thrills 