I registered for SiWC 2010 today.
I had to use the free wireless at McDonald’s to do it, but I was successful. I swooped into the restaurant like an avenging angel, ordering my meal with the speed and precise enunciation of an old-school grammarian, dared my drink to be too fizzy as I pressed the cup against the lever, and tackled a mother with her octuplets as I raced for the nearest unoccupied booth.
I slid along the plastic seat and whipped my laptop out before I collided with the far wall. I waited–allowing my fries to grow cold–drumming my fingers and hitting the refresh button with the speed of a sewing machine powered by a V8 engine. “Hot diddly!” I shouted, causing the poor employee to flinch and send the piping hot fry basket spiraling into the air, as the registration form came online.
I pounced – pounced like a grey whale sounding in the strait. With my credit card proudly waved aloft, I filled in the entry form between bouts of maniacal laughter. It was done! I won! I had registered for SiWC 2010 and got my first choice of agents for the pitch session and editors for the blue pencil session! BWA HA HA HA HA!!! *cue thunder and lightning*
My luck didn’t end here either. I was surfing through my blogroll and discovered a mini-contest being run by ‘The Authoress’: http://misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com/2010/06/special-tiny-treat-for-other-side-of.html. I chose 250 words from my WIP, crafted a lead-in sentence, and waited, poised over the keyboard until the clock struck 6 p.m. PDT.
I was successful again! In fact, not only was I one of the first ten to enter, I WAS NUMBER ONE! I now have the privilege of having my 250 words ripped to shreds by anyone and everyone who wanders over to her blog… Hmm… perhaps this is not something to get excited about… Wait, yes it is. It’s totally cool. Besides, it was a contest, and I won! *happy dance*
Feel free to check her blog tomorrow to see what sort of feedback I receive. Or, you could wait for my blog post because you know darn well I won’t be able to shut up about it. 
C.
Congrats on getting both things that you wanted! And I love your description of your McDonald’s adventure, I could completely envision the thunder and lightning startling hapless observers in the middle of a fast food restaurant.
Heh…. Can’t wait to see what happens next… Love the energy that you write with…. You go girl!
This made me laugh. Very nice image.
the speed and precise enunciation of an old-school grammarian
Hi Cheryl,
I just wandered over from the SiWC blog to say “hi” and congrats for getting your registration in so promptly. (Love your McDonald’s escapade!) I’ve been attending since 2004 and can guarantee you’ll have a fantastic experience. This year I stuck my neck out and selected my very favourite agent and editor so, like you, I’m now more excited than ever about the weekend. I can hardly wait for October… not that I want to wish away the summer that hasn’t arrived yet!!
Maybe I’ll see you there.
I LOVED my first SIWC last October and I know you will come away inspired and amazed. I was not firstto register. I may have been last, actually, since I registered Saturday morning of the conference. I am busy finding fellow writers to make the road trip with me next year, because my husband and our exchange student were not nearly as enthused as I would have liked. I’ll be watching for your name around the conference!
Cheryl, you are always entertaining. You should syndicate.
Geoffrey Zimmerman
Wow! Thanks for all the great comments and encouragement! You can bet your booties I’ll be posting anything and everything I learn at SiWC.
I suspect you’ll get sick of hearing about the conference LOOOONG before I tire of writing about it.
This will be my second year going to the SiWC. Let me tell you – it was a blast and I can’t wait for this one! I was filled with so much excited energy on the drive home that I wanted to turn the car around and go for another round.
Unfortunately, I haven’t registered yet – perhaps I should get on that STAT!