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| Michael Hauge |
By Friday things had shifted into high gear at the RWA
conference. I spent Friday in two
double-length workshops given my screen writing guru Michael Hauge. If you
frequent this blog, you’ll know how I rave about his approach to storytelling.
I’d heard his workshop about internal conflict and romantic comedies before,
but I always get something new out of it. And in the afternoon I listened to
him give a breakdown of Pretty Woman, showing how it applied to his ideas –
something he’s never done before, so
it was really worth attending.
At the end of the second session, I decided to buy Michael’s
book, Writing Screenplays That Sell, as I don’t have a copy yet, and I asked
him to sign it for me before I left. When I told him my name, he said: “Fiona?
Like the princess!” Consider me completely won over. (I don't care that she's green - the crown is all that matters!)
In between my day of workshops was the annual Awards
Luncheon with speaker Robyn Carr. Another inspiring and entertaining speech!
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| Robyn Carr at the Awards Luncheon |
I had just enough time to nip back to my room and get ready
to go out to dinner before the Harlequin party. Donna and I joined Jennie
Lucas, Lynn Raye Harris and Jenette Kenney for dinner at the Hyatt to toast
Donna’s status as a “RITA princess”. The champagne was our unofficial sixth
guest, as it got a chair of its own at the table. Here we all are, looking
pretty and serene before a night of partying.
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| Jennie, me, Donna, Janette and Lynn |
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| And for the RNA bods: Jennie and Lynn's shoes! |
What can I say about the Harelquin party at RWA? It's simply the best night out ever. Let'a just say that everybody dances like there's no one looking. All night. Since a picture says a thousand words, I'm just going to post some of mine:
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| Hyatt ballroom at start of the party |
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| The cupcake dessert table - DIY decorations |
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| Jennie Lucas caught in the act with her cupcake! |
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| Dance your hearts out, girls! |
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| Donna Alward, me and my lovely editor Lucy Gilmour |
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| "We're lost in music..." |
I had just enough time to nip back to my room and get ready
to go out to dinner before the Harlequin party. Donna and I joined Jennie
Lucas, Lynn Raye Harris and Jenette Kenney for dinner at the Hyatt to toast
Donna’s status as a “RITA princess”. The champagne was our unofficial sixth
guest, as it got a chair of its own at the table. Here we all are, looking
pretty and serene before a night of partying.
