Sunday, November 25, 2007

Catherine Lanigan speaks at RWA meeting in NW Indiana

Some people have a star hanging over their heads. They have an aura of greatness. Or genius, or maybe talent? Or maybe, just maybe, it's the slice pizza I had the night before. I don't know what it is. But yesterday I saw yet another example of it. I had the privilege to sit down to lunch with it. I laughed with it. I joked with it.

Have you ever seen the movies Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile? I had the great privilege of having lunch with their author, Ms. Catherine Lanigan, thanks to Joanna Waugh, President of Chapter 89 of my RWA NW. Indiana Chapter.

During her presentation, she didn't say anything too different than anything I knew (thank heavens. Means I'm learning something) Even down to the professor who told her she had no talent. (I had one of them too) the stories were hilarious--and bittersweet. Enough the stop a young, inexperienced writer to stop for ten years. I was already older when it happened to me, so I only decided to give up my dream for five.

What was amazing was the aura she had around her presence, the love shining in her eyes for her topic, the love she obviously had for her husband who sat in the background. I like to say, the man who watched her back.

If you have a chance, you should google the name Catherine Lanigan. She's an inspiration. She's a reason to keep going even when your instincts say "quit."

Instincts aren't all they're cut out to be.

By the way, did I give her a bookmark? You betcha.

Have a good day.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

How incredible cool, Pat!!! I LOVE Romancing the Stone - one of my all-time favorite movies.

You must have been thrilled!

DeNita
AuthorIsland.com

Jennifer Y. said...

How cool! Sounds like a great lunch!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND and Me!

Ellory said...

Hi there,

Just popping in to say
Happy Holidays from Author Island.

I'll be looking at your website when I have more time. :)

Unknown said...

How neat!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND

Anonymous said...

I think that's fantastik that you got to have lunch with someone who wrote such big time movies.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND

catslady said...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND

I think you're right about that - I also think that she's probably a very positive thinking person - something I have to work on more lol. I too will come back later when a certain party calms down lol.

Val said...

I wish you many more memories as this. Val nativegirlsthoughts.blogspot.com and Happy Holidays

Unknown said...

I just wanted to stop off and say how cool that must have been to have lunch with someone so talented. I am so glad you got the chance. I thought that was cute about you saying that you gave her a bookmark. You bet your butt I would have too! :) Thanks for the great writing that you do! Have a great holiday season!

Cherie J said...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND! FROM ME TOO! How cool! Sounds like a great lunch to me.

Lesa said...

She sounds wonderful. Thank you I will check the link out. I am always amazed when I read authors bios and they state that they had professors or writng instructors who told them to give up. I'm so glad none of them did including you. Maybe the professors intent was not to discourage but to get their promising students to try harder. Keep writing, Lesa

Lesa said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Great stuff!

Happy Holidays from Author Island!

Unknown said...

Good for you giving her a bookmark
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND

Anonymous said...

Happy Holidays from Author Island! What a wonderful story, Pat. I loved Romancing the Stone. One of my all-time favorite lines (that I've snagged for myself) is when Joan says she's a "hopeful romantic". That's me!

Lesa said...

Oh and happy holidays from me and author island...Lesa

robynl said...

Happy Holidays from me and AuthorIsland.
What a great memory to have.

blessedheart said...

Hello Patricia,
HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND and myself. I wish you joy and many blessings in the coming new year!
God Bless,
Rhonda :)

Ruth C. said...

When you know that you can do something - go for it - even if you think you can't - try anyway.

Don't let anyone say you can't, because if you believe them you really won't be able to do it.

Love those two movies.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM AUTHOR ISLAND

AND OF COURSE FROM ME AND MY FAMILY.!!!!

Wolfy said...

What a great memory to have, and thanks for sharing with us.

Happy Holidays from Author Island, and myself.