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Deeanne Gist
Oh my gosh! Guess what? Tiffany Girl was chosen as one of Wiki Ezvid’s Top Ten Must-Read Novels! How fun is that? They even made a video trailer! Check it out and see who else was listed!
Also included in the article are 10 Great Historical Films, Popular Settings for Historical Fiction, 5 Real People Who Changed History and Why You Should Read Historical Fiction.
Deeanne's TIFFANY GIRL is a RITA Award winner and rated as a 'MUST READ' by USA Today!
I have superpowers—real ones. Like flying. At least, I do when I dream. Sometimes I execute my superpowers with grace, as in the case of flying. No need to make an arrow with my arms the way Superman does. No, no. Not me. I simply lift my chin, arch my back, and away I go. It’s glorious.
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Other times, I’m my old clumsy self, which was the case last night. My superpower was swimming. My stroke? The dog-paddle. You see, I don’t know how to swim. My parents were big believers in floaties and holding ones nose. When I went to college I took a swimming class because I figured a degree wouldn’t do me much good if I drown. So I know the basics, but I’ve not the strength, the endurance, or the athletic ability to swim so much as a lap. I can, however, float on my back. So, in real life, I either float on my back or dog paddle.
When I dream, however, my dog paddle is so strong and so proficient that even Michael Phelps wouldn’t be able to keep up. When I say I book-it through the water, I mean I book-it through the water. Head up at all times (so I can breathe and don’t need to hold my nose), and arms swooping down like a dog’s. I wish you could have seen me. It was glorious the way I sailed through the water. I traveled about thirty yards with each stroke and with hardly any effort at all. Sooooooo fun.
In last night’s case, I had teamed up with Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). We were saving the world from some evil mechanical Santa Clauses. That’s all I remember about the plot other than it was a life threatening thing and we were the world’s last hope. You’d think that teaming up with Robert Downing, Jr. would be the thing that stuck out the most. But no, when I awoke it was to the thrill that I had swam with supersonic speed and ability.
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It occurs to me now that swimming isn’t a superpower, it’s just something I can’t do so it felt like a superpower when I was able to in my dreams. (And clumsy or not, my speed was supersonic, if I do say so myself.) I wonder if tonight my superpower will be rollerblading. I’ve always wanted to rollerblade, but for the life of me can’t manage it. Have taken lessons and everything, but I just can’t do it. *sigh*
What about you? Do you have any superpowers?
Deeanne's TIFFANY GIRL is a RITA Award winner and rated as a 'MUST READ' by USA Today!
The kids back in 1994.
The first time I went to a RITA ceremony (and an RWA conference), we had four young children (ages 7, 6, 5, & 4) and were living from paycheck to paycheck. It was 1994 and only way I could go was if I shared a hotel room with three people I’d never met (but who were also attending the conference) and if I packed Graham Crackers and peanut butter in my suitcase for all my meals since I couldn't afford to eat out.
The culmination of that conference was the RITA awards ceremony. The RITA is named for founding RWA member Rita Clay Estrada and the ceremony is the equivalent of the Academy Awards for my industry. As a matter of fact, the entire ceremony was like attending the Oscars. The stage was lavishly decorated. The ballroom was packed. Famous authors bedecked in glamorous gowns announced the nominees as the nominees' books and photos flashed up on the screens. Finally, the presenter opened her envelope and said, “And the winner is …”
Founder of RWA, Rita Clay Estrada, whom the RITA is named for.
Once the winner was announced, screams of elation were heard above thunderous applause. A live band played music while the winner made her way up to the podium, a camera following her every move on two giant jumbotrons. A gorgeous blond handed the presenter a stunning 24k statuette which had been made by the same company who makes the Oscars. The presenter then awarded the statue to the winner, who gave her acceptance speech.
During that first ceremony, I was sitting way at the back beside people I'd never met and in a gown I’d borrowed from my sister-in-law. I was so inspired by those authors and thought, “Someday, I want to be the one making my way up to the stage for one of those gorgeous statues.” That night, I wrote my goal down in my journal, packed my bags and headed back home. In the 20-plus years that followed, I was nominated five times (which in and of itself is crazy-exciting), but I'd never brought the girl home … until last Saturday.
I was totally stunned when they called Tiffany Girl along with my name. I know everyone says that, but I truly was. I’d read every book in my category and they were so well written and very representative of the Historical category. But the music started, the presenter awaited, and my husband gave me a huge smile, a quick kiss, and a little nudge when I stared at him in shock.
Even after all the times I'd secretly imagined what it would be like, the reality was even better. Well, except for when I fell off the stage on my way out. I had on black velvet shoes with big bows across the instep. The stiletto of one shoe inadvertently slipped into the bow of the other shoe. I lost my footing, started to pitch forward, and screamed at the top of my lungs. I clung to the railing with one hand and my statue with the other. By some miracle, I gained back my footing.
Jennifer Lawrence falls at the Oscars. At least Deeanne Gist is in good company! Source
It had to be angels. I mean, how else could my stiletto have gotten out of the bow and onto the next step? A true, live miracle. No lie. And thank goodness because if those quick-thinking angels hadn't untangled me, I’d have done a face-plant and broken my nose. No WAY was I letting go of that RITA statue!!
Deeanne Gist and her husband, Greg.
When I finally reached the landing, I was so discombobulated, that I sat down on the stage right in front of everyone, threw back my head and gave a belly laugh out of sheer joy, relief, and embarrassment. The staff rushed over, assured themselves I was unharmed, then quickly whisked me back stage.
When my husband observed all of this from our seats, he turned to the man beside him and said, "My wife isn't very coordinated." Hahahaha. That's the understatement of the year! But it didn't dampen my joy or our celebration afterwards.
When the lights came back up, my dear friend, Kristan Higgins, swept Greg and I into a hug and then into her company. We celebrated with her; the recipient of RWA's Lifetime Achievement Award, Robyn Carr; Robyn's family; and Dianne Moggy of Harlequin. Meanwhile, a plethora of colleagues came by with hugs and words of congratulations—even people I’d never even met before.
Deeanne Gist and Author Kristan Higgins
It was a night dreams were made of and one I’ll never forget. Now, the RITA sits in a place of honor in my office. I get a tiny thrill every time I look at her and am so appreciative of RWA and of you, my readers, without whom I’d never have been able to experience this amazing night and so many others that have come along since I sat at the very back of that ballroom and made a wish upon a star.
Deeanne's TIFFANY GIRL is a RITA Award winner and rated as a *MUST READ* by USA Today!
To Qualify, Go On Scavenger Hunt!
Welcome to my brand new website! We've been hard at work putting together a site where you can get to know me and I can get to know you!
In celebration of the launch, I thought it would be fun to do a *SCAVENGER HUNT* and whoever finds all the items (and sends me an email with the correct answers) will be put into a drawing for ALL 9 BOOKS ON MY BACKLIST!
(Fair Play--Book 10--will NOT be included since it is not part of the backlist. Tempest in the White City will NOT be included since it is a short story and electronic only.)
All scavenger hunt entries must be emailed by midnight CST on Mother's Day, May 11, 2014.
So here's 6 items in honor of my new book that comes out on May 6th:
Once you have the answers, go to the "Contact" tab and email them to me. Then I will put your name in the computer-generated, random drawing. Good luck everyone and let me know what you think of the new site!
(To leave a comment, click on the speaker-bubble just above the title of this blog. It's a tiny little icon next to the "likes" and "shares" link. Do you see it?)
