I’m going to take a page from my pal Rhonda and deem this Whine about it Wednesday cause I might as well call it what it is. Saturday I’ll be in Huntsville for a Reader’s Luncheon. I like these events. Romance readers are, for the most part, very nice, very interesting people. It’s THE BASKET that’s problematic.
Every author is supposed to bring a basket filled with goodies, usually built around a theme. Participants can buy raffle tickets for a chance to win the baskets. Each author has to get up in front of the crowd and “showcase” her/his basket and tell what’s in it. You should see some of the baskets these authors put together with some clever, catchy theme, chock full of stuff that has the crowd oohing and ahhing, and it’s beautifully, artfully displayed. Then there are the kind of pitiful baskets where you see the audience exchanging furtive glances that silently shout, I hope I don’t get screwed and stuck with that one! It’s tremendous pressure — like a friggin’ float competition for a parade.
I’m going to give you two guesses, and the second one doesn’t count, which one of those categories by basket falls into.:wallbash: The smart thing to do would be to collect tidbits, things, here and there when you find them throughout the year — at least that’s what one veteran “uber” basket turner-outer told me once. That’d be grand but I don’t like to shop and even if I bought this stuff ahead of time, I wouldn’t be able to find it on the fateful day.
Since I’m whining, I might as well do it up right. I’m not artful. All of my imagination comes out in words. I’ve got a couple of buddies who could take horse manure and arrange it to be eyecatching and lovely. I, on the other hand, am not so gifted.
I need to work on this book. I’m driving soccer carpool tonight. I’m starting swimming lessons in between the carpool gig. I need to work on this book. My hair is being cut and colored. I need to work on this book. I have to pack for and be ready to leave for Huntsville Friday morning. And I need a damn basket to take.:cursing:
I’m seriously toying with the idea of an I Suck At Shopping basket. No candles, no chocolates, no picnic sets, no bubblebath…just a high-dollar gift-card to Barnes&Noble because the recipient is, after all and foremost, a reader…:bowdown:
Is it not almost elegant in its simplicity?
Brilliant or lazy?
Will I be lauded or have rotten fruit figuratively sent my way?
What say ye?
Bring your book, give me a budget and I will take care of your basket. I already have the shrink wrap bags. :mrgreen:
Comment by Rhonda — May 2, 2007 @ 5:44 am
No clue, Jen.
What are in these ‘ooh-aah’ baskets? Bath salts? Wine bottles? Broadway tickets?
Comment by Ellen — May 2, 2007 @ 5:48 am
You do know if your basket isn’t utterly amazing it will ruin the entire event, right? :happy2:
Some authors do get carried away with this. Those are some lucky winners indeed. Yet there is something attractive in your B&N gift card idea…
Pity I’m not eligible to win…
Comment by Kimberly — May 2, 2007 @ 6:51 am
I like the Gift Card idea wrapped the card in a nice box. Some people might like better money to buy new books that things that they might never use. I might be wrong but that is my opinion. :?:
Comment by Barbara — May 2, 2007 @ 7:34 am
Okay, there’s nothing for it — I’m going to put together a basket. I’ll just eat the hours that I’ll have to put into it. I’ve decided on a theme and I’ve made a list of items.
Comment by Jennifer — May 2, 2007 @ 7:37 am
I like gift cards, but there’s something to be said for the big showy basket too.
What’s your theme? Maybe we can help you come up with some goodies for it.
Comment by Andrea — May 2, 2007 @ 8:05 am
You could have let Rhonda do it.
Or next year, why not ask one of your artsy friends if she’d do it for you? Offer to barter for her services — she does the basket and you bake her a couple loaves of homemade bread or something like that. Or you could just pay her outright.
Or… the “I Suck at Shopping” idea does sound cute.
Comment by Marilyn — May 2, 2007 @ 8:05 am
I’m back from shopping and I must say once I committed myself…I’m very pleased. I’m giving away a “Glamourous” bag. A red dianne von Furstenburg tote bag, sunglasses, silk black and white Anne Klein scarf, red lipstick and nailpolish, Casino Royale dvd, hand-etched martini glasses, martini shaker, sleep eye mask, and a copy of Vogue. :thankyou:
Comment by Jennifer — May 2, 2007 @ 11:38 am
That sounds fabu! And you said you weren’t good at this…
Comment by Andrea — May 2, 2007 @ 11:50 am
I was pleased, Andrea. sometimes I slip up and surprise myself. I’d rather like to keep it.
Comment by Jennifer — May 2, 2007 @ 12:18 pm
Well, if I happen to win it, we can take turns wearing the scarf, how bout that? :lol:
Comment by Andrea — May 2, 2007 @ 12:35 pm
I want the Casino Royale DVD! I’m in lust with Daniel Craig. :love2: :love2: :love2:
Comment by Marilyn — May 2, 2007 @ 2:20 pm
Marilyn, we watched Casino Royale on our writing retreat and we were ALL in lust with Daniel Craig. :mrgreen:
Comment by Rhonda — May 2, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
I’m partial, but I think it turned out well. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for one of you.
Comment by Jennifer — May 2, 2007 @ 8:45 pm
Well, that does sound like a nice basket. You do know how to shop.
I like the scarf, that is very original for a basket. :cooldance: :lightbulb: :cooldance:
I am not a big fan of health product’s basket. I wish I live in Atlanta because this basket sounds like a winner. :cooldance: :cocktail:
Comment by barbara — May 3, 2007 @ 5:52 am
The black and white scarf looks very chic with the red bag, Barbara. Of course, Girl informed me when I picked her up from school that pink was the Glamourous color and red was more Elegant. I must admit to being ignorant of these fine distinctions and I’ve got to roll with Elegant Glamour I suppose. :mrgreen:
Comment by Jennifer — May 3, 2007 @ 7:41 am
I won the basket! I won the basket! :cooldance: So, now do I really have to share the scarf??
Comment by Andrea — May 6, 2007 @ 8:46 pm
Andrea, I’m still just freaked at the odds that you won my basket — and I’m thrilled!! No, darling, wear the scarf in the spirit of being glamorous and no sharing required. :thumbsup:
Comment by Jen — May 8, 2007 @ 10:40 am