Riding the Ferry and Romancing the Reader

by Lee McKenzie

On Wednesday I took part in my very first public event as a published writer — a five-author panel discussion titled “Beyond Feather Boas and Fainting Couches: Writing Romance in the 21st Century.” As the title implies, it was a lot of fun! In addition to an audience full of readers, a number of attendees were aspiring romance writers. I remember so well the time when I was one of those people — someone who loved romance novels and dared to wonder if she could write one. Thanks in part to all the encouragement I received from so many of the published authors I met in those days, I made it! It was so gratifying to have an opportunity to give some of that back.

My trip home on Thursday required a ferry ride, which I always enjoy because I take my laptop and have an hour or so of uninterrupted writing time. At one point the captain announced that a pod of killer whales could be seen from the port side of the ship, so I did a quick save and scurried to the window to watch. Being a west coaster I’ve seen killer whales dozens of times, yet I’m always awestruck by their beauty and majesty. It’s amazing to watch the synchronized rise and fall of those dorsal fins and the occasional appearance of a tail that seems to playfully slap the water. It was the perfect end to two wonderful days.

Once home, I settled in for an evening of Thursday night television and two of my favorite shows — Grey’s Anatomy and Men in Trees. Oh my gosh, who saw Grey’s? I’m so glad I watched that at the end of a ferry trip and not right before I had to embark on one! And of course I’ll be on pins and needles till next week when we find out what happened to Meredith. What do you think? McDreamy to the rescue?

What can I say? We west coasters are hopeless romantics!

Wishing all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day in advance,

Lee

posted by Lee McKenzie @ 8:15 PM