Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Good Wishes & GoodTimes

Today is Stephen Parrish's fiftieth birthday. A good many of you read Stephen's blog but if you don't -- you should start. I don't recall how a first found his blog, but probably a followed a link from a comment he left on someone else's site or one of the bloggers I enjoy recommended him. However I came across him, I knew I'd found a like minded soul when I read these words in his profile ... I write novels. I seek publishers. Everything else is conversation.

Stephen is many things. A wine connoisseur, an Army veteran, a talented writer and storyteller, an advocate, a My Town Monday Marauder, a proud father, and a good FRIEND to not only me but to all writers out and about in the blogosphere (published or not). Stephen is always quick to promote another's novel or to offer an encouraging word to those of us trying to achieve that goal. Never one to shy away from a controversial topic or to state his view Stephen's posts spark some great debate in the comment trail. Check him out and wish him a Ha
ppy Fiftieth Birthday today.


*******************************


So this weekend is the annual Frontiers In Writing Conference here in Amarillo. As part of that I will be hosting author extraordinaire -- Bob Mayer who is the keynote speaker this year. As his host I will be picking him up at the airport tomorrow, introducing him before his workshops and keynote speech, and generally being his guide while here in Amarillo. I look forward to meeting him and I'm especially hoping for the chance to discuss the novels he co-wrote with Jennifer Crusie. As a man writing women's fiction I'm always eager to talk to another man who has ventured into that realm. Also, I have read the two novels they penned together and enjoyed them both.


And if you missed it back when the two of them blogged together go back and check it out. They shared some great stuff. You can also read Bob's regular blog here, or Jennifer's here.



So is there anything y'all would like me to ask Mr. Mayer? If so, drop your question in the comments and I'll do my best to work it in, but in the meantime check out his site and pick up one of his books. You won't be disappointed.

P.S. -- I'll try to pop in and do a post or two using the conference hotel's Wireless, but don't hold me to it.

15 comments:

Stephen Parrish said...

Since I'm older than you, and will probably arrive in Heaven before you, I'll arrange for red carpet treatment when you join me. We'll have an old-fashioned Texas BBQ, German beer (don't argue), and beach umbrellas.

Charles Gramlich said...

Big 5 0. I'm not far away myself.

Danette Haworth said...

I don't remember how I found Stephen's blog either, but when I saw the Enter/Do Not Enter photo in the sidebar, I knew it would be good.

Terrie Farley Moran said...

Happy Birthday Stephen and I am here to tell you it just keeps getting better as the years roll by!

Travis, forget the blog. Have a blast at the conference and TELL US EVERYTHING when it's over.

Terrie

Tena Russ said...

Lovely, Travis!

xoxo,

Tena

Barbara Martin said...

Stephen, how about a Heineken? I have one chilling in the fridge. Happy Birthday, and many more so you can keep looking at those beach umbrellas.

Yes, Terrie is correct, life does get better after 50, and better still...

Barbara Martin said...

Travis, have a blast this weekend. I'm sure you'll learn what you need from Bob. Ask him about helicopters, guns and covert activity. We will all be waiting to hear how the weekend went.

Jess said...

Great links, & have fun at the conference!

Kristen Painter said...

I think I scared Bob once at a St. Martin's party. Or maybe scared isn't the right word. I just know in my heels I was about a head taller than him and he had a very deer in the headlights kind of look as I was talking to him. Headlights being fully euphemised in this context. If ya know what I mean.

Miladysa said...

Reads like exciting times ahead Travis - enjoy :-D

I shall nip over to Stephen's blog and wish him a happy birthday.

Michele said...

We just hosted Bob out here in Orange County last month at our OCC/RWA meeting...He had some fun stories to tell. I'm sure you're going to have blast with him!

Melissa Amateis said...

Wow! What an awesome opportunity to network and ask questions one on one. Here's hoping there are no uncomfortable silences on that ride to and from the airport. ;-)

Lexi said...

Have a great time at the conference! And Bob is a hoot! Enjoy your time hosting him! Looking forward to hearing all about the conference.

Phats said...

I totally misread that and thought he was 15 and then I was like what is travis doing reading a 15 yr olds blog isn't that a little weird. haha


Happy Birthday dude i don't know

Clare2e said...

Have a great time, and please report as you're able. And on behalf of the conference attendees (and I've been at plenty, great and not-so), Thanks! for helping out with the backstage necessities so the rest of us can just show up and complain about the brand of hot tea, the font in the program, the length of the lanyards, etc. And between all that, hopefully learn some things and meet some great people.