She's So Shy

You’d think I’d be used to attending workshops by myself. That I’d stroll in, wave at familiar faces, engage in conversation, and have plenty of people to eat lunch with during the break.

Ha! You’d be wrong!

On Saturday, I went to an all-day plotting workshop hosted by LARA (Los Angeles Romance Authors). I arrived late (ooops—you can never predict how long a 35 mile drive is going to be) so I missed the socializing (not to mention the stale pastries and lukewarm coffee—okay, I know, I know—I’m making an assumption about that).

As we broke at noon, I tried to rev up the courage to invite the newbie at my left to lunch. From the questions she asked during the workshop, I knew I could clear a lot of things up for her, but....well....I kept my mouth shut.

By the time I reached the street to peruse the local dining options, she’d found a pal and they were heading off for lunch, chattering like magpies.

Okay. Here comes another one, I thought. I fell in step beside her, we reached the corner, and waited for the light to change.

“Looking for a place to have lunch?” I asked.

Turned out she was from the area and clued me in on what was available. Then I noticed her nametag.

MaryAnn. Association of Notary Publics.

Oh. She was attending a different function at the same hotel. I laughed and pointed to my nametag and she asked what LARA stood for. I explained I wasn’t a member (not sure why I thought she needed to know) but that we were all romance writers. Was it my imagination, or did she drift away quite suddenly?

As I walked along the street, I self-consciously removed my nametag and stuck it on my purse.

Anyway, I ended up sitting at a bar eating garlic fries, drinking a beer, and reading People. Halfway through the fries, I realized they probably weren’t a prudent choice for someone about to spend four more hours in close proximity with other human beings. As I paid my bill, I thoughtfully stole a handful of red-and-white striped peppermint candies from a bowl at the register.

Back at the workshop (the specifics of which I'll deal with in a later post), I reapplied my nametag and took my seat again. Newbie had returned and was conversing with a multi-pubbed author behind me. As I was about to join in, Newbie unwittingly insulted Multi-pub so I ducked and stayed out.

Afterward, driving over to my parents for dinner, I remembered my nametag and looked down to remove it.

Lily. Association of Notary Publics.

Huh?

When did I become Lily?

How long had that been there?

Was everyone laughing behind my back?

See? I shouldn’t be allowed out by myself.