Monday, August 02, 2010

There's a RITA in my house...

Right after the big win!!!
And a huge pile of laundry, a sink of dirty dishes, something sticky on the bathroom floor and a whole whack of emails in my in box - so reality has thoroughly rained on my parade.


A few years ago at one of the conferences I had gone to I remember thinking - I need a posse. A crew. A gang. Eileen has talked about this - about the importance of getting the girls together, kicking off your heels and gossiping and commiserating and dancing when the time comes. I'm not great at the meet and greet and I often say and do the wrong thing (for instance after walking into the Bantam Cocktail party with my agent, my new editor walked up to us just as I was grabbing a lovely crostini thing off a tray. In my mind it was HILARIOUS to put the whole thing in my mouth just before shaking her hand) And often at workshops I hear something and misunderstand it and without someone next to me to make a face or write something on thier notebook - I'm clueless. I try to be gracious and interested in all the people I meet - but sometimes, behind closed doors I want to vent and be mean, and confused and worried. And I want someone I know and love and respect to pour me a drink and say "I know! What the hell is going on?"

RITA on our table.
This was my first conference in five years and somehow in those five years I amassed an amazing posse. Between my critique group, new friends, old friends and the Drunk Writers, I would say I have the best posse around. I heard the screams and felt the love all weekend long.

As fun as winning the RITA was my favorite part of the night was watching Maureen and Stephanie react - it was like wild-eyed, open-mouthed, hands in the air excitement. Like they were this great roller coaster with me.

And I'm not lying - truly, I mean this - that was the real prize.

16 comments:

Maureen McGowan said...

It was the highlight of my conference to see you win, Molly. HUGE congratulations.

The other highlight was singing that rap song with you and Steph, that I didn't know, at the karaoke bar. Okay, maybe that was a lowlight. LOL. But both evenings were a highlight for sure.

Stephanie Doyle said...

For me the highlight was getting to share the excitment with both nominees.

Maureen - tell everyone what a great date I am!

But watching Molly win was just icing on an already frosting filled cake. I instantly welled up and struggled to fight back tears.

Molly - I just don't know how you were able to be so collected.

And I'm glad to know Rita made it home okay!!!! And now sits where you can always see it and remember... yeah... I'm that good.

Thanks for letting me trail along as part of the Toronto contigency! It was such a blast.

Maureen McGowan said...

I took the liberty of adding a couple of the photos.

And Stephanie was an AWESOME date. She even carried my shoe bag with the flats I wore across the sauna, I mean pathway, between the Swan and the Dolphin. ;)

Anonymous said...

Hurray Molly! Well deserved win.

(Good people attract good friends.)

Susanne

Anonymous said...

I wish I'd been there to cheer along... But the win was tremendously well deserved.

Anonymous said...

That is way cool - you sound like my kinda gal. :) I can just see Maureen's face all excited - wish I could have been there, too. I so want to hang out with some girlfriends. And congrats on the win - almost wrote "wine" - lol!

Cecilia Grant said...

Molly! Your win was such a thrill for me. I was telling everyone at my table, "I know her! We have the same editor! I had lunch with her just TODAY!"

Congratulations. That was a tough, tough field in your category. Now I will go to Amazon and find The Night Before Christmas :)

Maria Geraci said...

Congratulations, Molly! So fun meeting you in your "high" moment:)

Eileen said...

And you shall forever be known as "Molly O'Keefe, Rita Award Winning Author." Yay!!!!

Molly O'Keefe said...

I wish I could remove the Karoke experience of baby got back from my brain - a lowlight, perhaps of my life. Who kept forcing me to drink all that gin?

Molly O'Keefe said...

Steph was a great date - I can vouch for that. Though, she didn't put out. Or maybe it's because she wasn't my date? not sure.

It was great sitting at that table with you!!!

Molly O'Keefe said...

Susanne! Thank you! Do you go to Nationals? You were nominated for a Rita last year weren't you?

Molly O'Keefe said...

Cecilia - It was such a pleasure meeting you. Watching your face during lunch while your editor and the associate publisher of Banam Dell RAVED about your book was one of the most priceless things I have ever seen. You were so flattered and a little embarrassed and so totally thrilled. It was a very cool moment. I can't wait to get my hands on your book.

Wendy S Marcus said...

Congrats Molly!
I'm a little late to the party. Are you sick of being congratulated yet? I was at national, but sadly, did not stay for the RITA/GH gala. Maybe next year.

Anonymous said...

Wrong Susanne, Molly. I'm a fan since your Duets days.

Susanne

Tracy Wolff/Tessa Adams said...

Congrats, Molly! Your Rita win was absolutely fabulous-- and so well-deserved :) It was great meeting you at Nationals-- and I look forward to seeing you next year!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...