From the Garret: Archives

Now I know how Sally Field felt...

As we walked into the Golden Leaf Awards dinner (where I was receiving the award for Best First Book of 2003), my friend Miriam Allenson said, "Are you a little nervous?  Because all of a sudden you're talking very, very fast."

Nervous, me? Nah, I love standing in front of FOUR HUNDRED people and trying to express my profound feelings of gratitude in a way that's both entertaining and heartfelt. Why should I be nervous?

"Do you think they'd just mail me the award?" I asked Miriam.

My category was, of course, the second to last one announced so I had plenty of time to work up a good case of butterflies. Suddenly the presentation screen lit up with my picture—much, much larger than life—and my book cover. My stomach did a somersault.

Lyn Wagner (Golden Leaf coordinator), me with my Golden Leaf plaque, Anne Walradt (dramatic reader).

Then Anne Walradt took the microphone. This was the moment I had been waiting for. Anne's job is to read an excerpt of her choice from each winning book and, boy, is she good at it! She made the moment where Kate's attention is caught by Randall's arm (yes, that's correct, his arm) sound hotter than a Texas chili pepper. By the time she was done, my ribs hurt from laughing.

Somehow I made it to the podium without tripping up the steps. I have no memory of what I said but no one stared at me in horror so it must have made some sense.

In truth, it was a huge thrill to receive the Golden Leaf Award. Both friends and strangers congratulated me with genuine warmth and good will. And I have a really nice plaque to hang on the wall in my garret….