Hello folks . . . gosh, I miss you all. Let me bring you up to date on what is going on and why the Military Blog Police are looking for me.
In the 45 days since my dad came down with pneumonia, I’ve been away from home for 30 of them. I embrace change, travel, and diversity in my life, but right now I crave stability, home, and a routine.
This post will be like a Christmas letter from Mrs. I. M. Annoying. You know the kind I mean . . . she tells you precious Johnny received straight “A’s” in his Housefly Wing Removal class and precocious Susie won her preschool’s Gold Medal in the 500-meter macaroni necklace-making contest. She goes on to tell you Grandma Lucy delivered a litter of puppies. You hope that Grandma Lucy helped the dog deliver the puppies and didn’t actually give birth to Schnauzers herself.
We are moving Dad to a nursing home in Portland on Monday to be near my sisters and a boatload of other family members. I am headed to San Jose on Friday, one last time, to help with the transition. The cruel, yet at times merciful hand of Alzheimer’s Disease has made it so Mom doesn’t remember how frail Dad is.
Our daughter, Amanda, finished Basic Training and is now at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey where she is learning Arabic. I had one more of her letters from Basic to share with you, but at this point, I’ll just give you what she wrote about your letters to her Platoon:
“I got your package of letters on Friday, Madre. It was the coolest thing ever. We spent personal time reading the letters out loud. Everyone was so nice and sincere. It really made us feel important. It also reminded us why we are here . . . the letters gave us perspective. After eight weeks in Basic Training, that was very important. Please thank your blog readers on behalf of all of us.”
A couple of weeks ago, my husband attended a conference in Las Vegas and I tagged along. Freightliner Truck invited us to their annual customer appreciation party at the Bellagio. They host a party that blows the doors off all other parties. Knowing I hit a rough patch in the road, Keith Urban, the kind soul that he is, volunteered to be the entertainment so he could cheer me up. Wasn’t that nice of him?
Last weekend was the Writers Digest conference in Los Angeles. The speakers covered the craft of writing, pitching your book, and the rapid-fire changes in today’s world of publishing. The experience was fantastic, and in a future post, I will share snippets of what I learned.
In the “Pitch Slam” session at the conference, twenty literary agents sat at tables around a conference room. We attendees lined up for the opportunity to give a 3-minute pitch of our book to as many agents as we could during the 90-minute session. The tension in the air was electric. Bottom line . . . I pitched my book, In Search of Beef Stroganoff, to two agents and both asked me to submit partials of my manuscript to their agency. I am thrilled beyond thrilled.
I hope that by next week I will be able to return to my blog . . . and to yours . . . and peace will return to the land.
Take care . . . Robin
mskatykins said:
This is a brilliant update, Robin. I am so amazed at your ability to keep it together at a time when there is just so much going on in your life. I’m glad you’re okay and that things are coming together. Such wonderful news about your MS, I wish you all the best with it. 🙂 Great that Amanda’s package was well received and I hope your dad is feeling settled.
robincoyle said:
Thanks Ms. Katykins. I’m not so sure how well I kept things together. Lots of balls in the air . . . lots of balls dropped.
I hate to say this, but my dad had a minor heart attack. He is ok and they put a stent in because one of his arteries was 90% blocked. It is a bummer of a setback because he was making great progress.
mskatykins said:
It’s so hard. I can’t imagine how you’re coping so well. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sorry to hear about your father’s setback. But he sounds like a tough cookie, so let’s hope he’ll get better quickly. x
rtd14 said:
Congrats on the interest from the agents! That is great news!
I am sorry to hear about your father. I will keep him in my thoughts.
It sounds like your daughter will go far in everything she is doing! Hope to hear from you again soon!
robincoyle said:
Thanks! I’m excited about the interest in my novel. It may not go anywhere, but at least they didn’t scoff and send me packing!
I’m looking forward to getting back to my blogging and reading blogs routine. That should happen shortly . . . I hope.
Pete Denton said:
I’m glad everything is calming down a little. Great news about the “Pitch Slam” fingers crossed 🙂
robincoyle said:
Things have calmed down. Now the catch-up fun begins! Argh!
paigecoyle said:
I love you, Mom!!! I know you have been quite the nomad lately and anxious to be HOME… but I can’t tell you how excited I am that you will be in Boise on Thursday!! No more traveling for a while after this weekend, young lady. Well… until we go to Seattle for Paige/Madre bonding! 🙂 Love you! xo
robincoyle said:
I love you too, honey!!! Can’t wait to see you tomorrow. How great is that going to be!? Looking forward to our girls weekend in Seattle too. And, don’t forget about Vail for Christmas!
XOXO
Lynne Ayers said:
Peace be unto you Robin and may routine soon clog your days. 🙂
robincoyle said:
That is funny. I do believe my routine has my day log-jammed once again. Yeah!
Dennis Langley said:
I’ve been a bit MIA as well. But, I was good to hear about the conference and you potential submissions. I know it is a difficult time on the personal side. but hang in there. This too shall pass. I look forward to hearing more about the conference and your experiences there.
If Keith is busy with birthday parties, maybe Nicole would be available for wine and cheese at my cabin? 😉
robincoyle said:
Hope everything is ok with you and your dad.
I called Nicole and she hired a babysitter. She should be at your place in an hour or so.
Dennis Langley said:
Gotta go! Thanks.
4amWriter said:
Happy to read your post and hear that things are moving along for you. COngrats on the requests. That’s an amazing accomplishment.
robincoyle said:
Now if life can settle down so i can get the partials sent in! I think we are over the worst of it now with my dad. I’m home! I’m home! I’m home! Gawd . . . there is no place like home.
Tilly Bud - The Laughing Housewife said:
Good news all round, Robin! 🙂
Glad things are looking up, though I know it’s been tough.
Fingers all crossed for your book.
robincoyle said:
Thanks Tilly. I think we are through the worst of it all now. I’m home and loving it. Back to blogging in ernest tomorrow!
Elliot said:
Glad things are moving along for you, and congrats again on your daughter doing so well and completing the basic training. Look forward to seeing you back more often.
robincoyle said:
I look forward to being back at it. I think that might start tomorrow. Yeah. Finally!
Maddie Cochere said:
Robin! I had no idea you posted. My reader still hates me, so I check here every so often. Tim told me you had touched base, so I dashed right over. I think of you often, and am glad to hear things are not as intense, and you were able to get away. I’ll pray the move for your dad goes smoothly, and he settles in well. Keith Urban was a dear to play for you, and I’m thrilled you had interest in your book. But I knew you would. 🙂 Hope to see your smiling face back on a regular basis soon. Take care of yourself.
robincoyle said:
I’m sorry I’ve been such a bad blogging friend! I think we are over the worst with Dad. I got home today and it feels wonderful! Dad is off to Portland Wednesday. Phew. What a relief. It is sweet that Tim mentioned me. He is such a nice guy.
Speaking of nice guys, Keith is a dear. So thoughtful and giving.
I think NOW, I can get my partials off to the agents. I hope they don’t think I am a flake with the delay in sending it to them. Nothing I can do about it!
Hope you are well. See you around the ‘hood!
heylookawriterfellow said:
Be well, Robin. I’ll be thinking about you.
robincoyle said:
Thanks Mr. Writer Fellow. That means a lot to me.
Subtlekate said:
I meant to say I live just around the corner from Keith when he’s here. I’ll say I’m a friend of Robin’s next time I see him. He only comes up to my knee, so sometimes I miss him….Grins.
robincoyle said:
That is funny. He is a little guy. Big presence on stage tho! Do you ever spot him around town?
Subtlekate said:
Yes, when he was filming “The Voice” quite a bit, but usually no. I see Hugh Jackman more often. He lives right on Bondi and I see him and his family at the local cafes. He’s a sweetheart.
robincoyle said:
You hobnob with the stars! That is really cool. Tell Hugh and Keith I say hello.
Subtlekate said:
Goodness Robin, you have been around the world and back again. I am so happy about the book and your daughter, great things are happening there. I shall be reading your book soon, I know it.
I hope you have taken some time to rest and breathe. I’ve missed you and have been thinking about you 🙂
robincoyle said:
I’m looking forward to the day when I can stop whining!
I’ve missed you too. Hey, how is your surgery recovery going?
Subtlekate said:
So glad you see you poking around. I’m healing really well. Even doing yoga again.
robincoyle said:
I’m so glad to hear you are healing well. Good girl! Yoga is the best for healing mind, body, and soul.
When are you moving? Sorry if you blogged about it . . . but you know where I have been!
omawarisan said:
Great news on the book, good luck!
There’s not really anything more important than what you’re doing right now. Hope you can find a little bit of rest and a little joy in helping your folks when they need you.
robincoyle said:
A benefit from Mom and Dad being ill is the time we’ve spent together. Also, I love how my sisters and I naturally fell into step to help them out. No arguments, resentment, or guilt-trips over who has done more.
originalapplejunkie said:
So happy to hear from you Robin.
Congratulations on your pitch getting some callbacks! I’m sure the book is/will be wonderful!
Take care 🙂
robincoyle said:
Hey sweetie . . . it will be fun to be back in action so I can stop by your place to see what is going on with you. I hate being out of the loop!
Fingers crossed that the agents like what they see when I send them my partials.
originalapplejunkie said:
*crosses fingers, toes and eyes!*
diannegray said:
Wow – congratulations on your successful pitch. It’s really hard to stand up in front of anyone and give a pitch (let alone agents!) I’m so impressed!
I’m so glad Keith appeared to perform for you! 😉
robincoyle said:
The pitch process was nerve-wracking! I almost walked out of the room but forced myself to do it. I’m so glad I did. Once I started talking about my book, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.
valeriedavies said:
Congratulations on your book successes – and commiserations about all your challenges.
At least now you have the election to take your mind off both your hopes and fears!
And then maybe you’ll be able to settle back into your routine and we will get more bracing advice on how to prune our prose!
robincoyle said:
Good grief, I’ll be glad when the election is over. The ads are never-ending!
I’m so excited about sending the agents my work. Even if nothing happens, I consider them asking for partials an accomplishment. Oh, and I will be back with more pruning advice soon!
philosophermouseofthehedge said:
So good to hear from you! It’s nice you have a gathering of relatives where your dad will be – that will help him a lot.
You know we all send hugs to Amanda. So proud of her.
The writing conference sounds amazing – the response from our pitches is very encouraging. Impressive.
Sounds like quite a whirlwind you are riding! We’ll see ya’ next twirl around!
robincoyle said:
I can’t wait to share some of the things I learned at the conference. I took away some helpful soundbites . . . including easy to follow advice on how to pitch your book. The speaker on that topic cut straight to the chase.
Yeah . . . see you when my roller coaster ride is over!
EllaDee said:
I just knew that writers conference would be good for you but little did I imagine you would have such an incredible opportunity… congratulations. I’m not surpised though your pitch went well, you have a knack of engaging people, and that we all missed you is testimony to that also 🙂
robincoyle said:
What a nice thing for you to say! Thank you.
I’m looking forward to sharing some things I took away from the conference. In particular, the speaker (an agent) on how to pitch your book was fantastic. I took what she said and rewrote my book spiel. Then, I had the nerve to pitch my book to her at the Pitch Slam session. I must have learned her lesson well since she wants to see more!
EllaDee said:
She could hardly refuse after you took her own advice 😉 Clever you 🙂
robincoyle said:
Ha! It could have totally backfired. Thanks goodness it didn’t!
Polly Robinson said:
You must be exhausted darling ~ thinking of you ~ take good care of yourself x
robincoyle said:
I love it when you call me “darling.” It was a nice hug sent over cyberspace. Thank you. I needed that.
T. W. Dittmer said:
Don’t try to be tough through all this. Take care of yourself, as best you can. It’s good to hear from you.
robincoyle said:
Good to hear from you too. What a bumpy road this has been. I’m looking forward to a normal life . . . hopefully that will happen shortly. I hope things are good in your world.
jmmcdowell said:
Great to hear from you again, and I’m glad your Dad should soon be settled comfortably in Oregon. It sounds like a good situation for him and your mother.
And congratulations on the partial requests! Fingers crossed that good things come from them!
robincoyle said:
The Pitch Slam session was crazy. People were packed into the room like cattle and we danced on our toes while waiting in line. My heart, head, and soul wasn’t prepared for the pitch, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the result. As soon as I sat in front of the two agents, my brain kicked in and said, “Sell it, baby!”
Vanessa Chapman said:
Hi you! I know we’ve said similar things before about how surprised we all are about the lovely relationships we’ve built up with fellow bloggers, but I’m going to say it again – I never imagined when I started blogging that I would miss another blogger if they’re not able to blog for a while, or visit my blog, in the same way as I would miss a real world friend who has gone away. Glad you have popped back, and I’m glad you’ve managed to have a couple of fun and positive things going on amongst all the hard times. I miss Vegas too! (I lived there for a few years, a few years ago if I haven’t mentioned that before). Anyway, it’ll be lovely to have you properly back sometime soon hopefully. Love and hugs!
robincoyle said:
Very well said . . . It is a lovely testament to human spirit. Caring for people haven’t met, will likely never meet, or even have a phone conversation with has been a delightful blogging surprise.
You were a Vegas girl, huh? What took you to Vegas? What took you away from Vegas?
Vikki (The View Outside) said:
(((((Hugs)))))
Look after you, ok honey xx
robincoyle said:
I’m trying, but I’m not very good at that. Next week, when Dad is settled, will be much better.
Vikki (The View Outside) said:
That’s the trouble though isn’t us, most of us woman aren’t 😦
Xx
robincoyle said:
Yes . . . sad, but true.
annewoodman said:
Well, all sounds better than I could have hoped, with all you’ve had to deal with recently.
Congrats on the writers conference partial requests!
We’ve missed you!
robincoyle said:
I’ve missed you guys too! Reading blog posts was a delightful part of my day and it was unceremoniously ripped out from under me. Looking forward to when I am back in action.
My buttons are busting over the partial requests. Even if nothing happens, I consider it an accomplishment!
Jenny said:
Oh, Robin, you sound exhausted. God bless you. I am thrilled for you and the whole ‘pitching’ thing. I don’t think I could do it. Just thinking about pitching my novel to an agent scares the bejeebees out of me. I hope it turns into something grand. I like the title.
robincoyle said:
I am exhausted! And distracted! I hop from task to task and rarely accomplish anything. Darn it all.
One of the sessions at the conference was on how to pitch your book. I came away with a new outlook on how to talk about my book. I’ll be sharing the tips I learned in my next post. Oh, and the presenter was one of the agents I pitched my book too. How gutsy was that of me? Apparently, I learned her lesson.
The writers in the room were so nervous. You could feel it . . . I think we all wanted a belt of scotch to help our jitters.
robincoyle said:
Oh, and I forgot to say . . . I’m glad you like the title. A woman told me she would buy my novel simply based on the title. I take that as a good sign.
rcoyle@devineintermodal.com said:
If Grandma Lucy really had a dog who had puppies we would’ve visited her more!
robincoyle said:
Amen to that!
Carrie Rubin said:
Sorry things have been so rough, but the positive interaction with the agents is good news! By the way, send me an email with your mailing address if you’d like–I wanted to send you a signed copy of my book to thank you for all your help with your “Weak Words” series. 🙂
robincoyle said:
I would LOVE a signed copy of your book. What an honor! I am delighted you found the series helpful. I’m dashing off to send you an email.
Carrie Rubin said:
Great. 🙂
Madame Weebles said:
So good to read a post from you, Robin! How is your dad holding up? As for your mom, that’s the one good thing about Alzheimer’s, they don’t remember the bad things the way the rest of us do. I hope you and your family are doing okay, as well as can be expected. And I hope that the move makes things easier and less stressful.
And CONGRATULATIONS about the interest in your manuscript!! Such happy news! Sounds like you had a great conference experience, and I’m so glad for you.
robincoyle said:
Dad continues to make slow progress, but some progress is better than no progress so we’ll take it. He is SICK of institutional food. I take that as a good sign!
One of the agents asked me to send her two “strong scenes” from my novel. My immediate thought was, “Oh, God. Do I have any “strong scenes” in my work?” I’m tickled about it tho!
on thehomefrontandbeyondl said:
Missed you Robin- do you think you could get Keith to play at my next birthday party? Hope you get a little of that stability, home and routine back for awhile.
robincoyle said:
Next time I chat with Keith, I’ll ask if he is available for a private audience with you. I’m sure he will clear his calendar and tell Nicole to stay home.