By Robin L.L. Allen

(From the May 2004 issue of the Update.)

Last week, I commuted to work with Julia Quinn and Debbie Macomber. A few weeks before that, it was Suzanne Brockmann, Jayne Ann Krentz, and Patricia Gaffney. Well, those were the big names—there were lots of others, like an RWA member who’s both a published author and a certified tax preparer, and the St. Martin’s and Warner editors.

And no, I have not resorted to kidnapping the NYT List in order to use the HOV lanes. (Hey, there’s an idea . . . !) I’m talking about speakers on tape from the WRW library.

I dreaded going back to work because it include a 57-mile commute in each direction (Fredericksburg, VA, to Washington, DC). Schedules and location kept me out of car or vanpools and therefore out of the HOV lanes. Even on the best day, commuting took a minimum of an hour and fifteen minutes each way. What ticked me off the most was that for two and a half hours a day I couldn’t even think about writing. Or could I?

“Well, at least you can listen to books-on-tape,” one friend reassured me. Not me. Last time I tried that, I was so caught up in the story, not only did I miss my exit, I had no recollection of most of the drive home—I could have left tread marked corpses and flaming 18-wheelers behind me without ever knowing it. Not a good scenario for a daily I-95 commute!

BUT—tapes. I had heard about the WRW library, but always figured I did not have time to listen to tapes at home, and would probably wander off to do laundry and miss the relevant information anyway. Actually, I hoped I would be spending my time doing something even more useful, like Finishing The Damn Book. Not to mention the fact that my kids prefer Elmo in any form to Tax Tips for the Part-time Writer.

Yes, I had tons of excuses ready for not listening at home, but since I was already trapped in the car maybe I could try a couple of tapes. I dug out my library list and started highlighting possible topics of interest. Then I stepped back to stare at the now-bright-yellow pages. My wish list was a whole lot longer than I had expected. Some were “must hears"—like the Keynote from the 2002 RWA Convention. Others were more at the “Huh-I’d never go to that in person . . . wonder what it’s really all about?” level.

I started ordering them five at a time, figuring that would give me one tape a day for a week. Logical. Reasonable. But it didn’t take into account this past winter’s weather, the inability of any municipality in a tri-state area to clear the streets of snow, or the infamous Tractor Guy. There were days I listened to three tapes in the morning.

The amazing thing was I found my stress levels dropping. I wasn’t wasting time sitting in traffic; I was listening to people I respect and admire on topics I was interested in. And staying sane during three-plus hour commutes. And, it turns out, learning a lot.

I’ve learned that mileage to and from chapter meetings, not just conferences, can be taken off your taxes if you are conducting your “business of writing” in a professional manner. For me, coming from Fredericksburg, that’s over $350 a year I can now deduct with a little bit of back-up paperwork.

From comments that editors or authors made during the Q and A sessions after a talk, I’ve learned which editors are looking for atypical stories for their houses.

I get tips on the in-and-outs of publishing politics and marketing from NYT bestsellers. So, tell me, is the regional marketing representative from your publishing house on your Christmas card list yet?

I am secure in the knowledge that some authors have viable careers doing a page a day, four days a week, while others do 35 pages a day, six days a week, which leaves a comfortably W-I-D-E middle ground for the rest of us.

Probably 70 percent of the speakers I’ve listened to referenced the same four books. Does it surprise anyone that I’ve now put four certain books at the top of my “to get” list? (Reference books? Yup, I know how to take those off my taxes, too.) When two different speakers on unrelated tapes suggested listening to “anything Julia Quinn presented on dialogue,” I went down the library list and found her tape—and discovered not only do I know a whole lot more about dialogue than I thought—I am doing it right! And I’ve had fun. (Fun commuting? Geez, there’s a concept!!) I’ve cried with Suz Brockmann’s stories of how 9-11 made her believe in romance more than ever before. Laughed with stories of newly bought authors calling the publishing house back “to make sure they really meant it.” Groaned along with tales of crooked agents. Nodded along with “mom tales” of things kids have done that author-moms then turned into storylines. Do the other commuters on the road think I’m insane? Probably. Do I care? Nope.

There are some down sides—topics handled in a dull manner or by people who are just really poor public speakers. There’s the occasional misleadingly titled panel. That’s what the fast-forward button is for. The biggest drawback is the lack of a binder from the conference that has all the handouts. Luckily, most tapes include an email or web address to send off to for copies of the materials referenced.

The tapes usually run about 45 minutes, including questions. You can stop, rewind, or as mentioned fast forward. I’ve listened in 10 minute spates between traffic reports, or for 2 hours straight pausing only to change tapes. Some mornings, I just listen to the radio, but usually I find myself grabbing a tape. Why? Because I’ve found they are really making a difference. I’m more confident in what I write. I’m beginning to understand where my weak spots really are—and better yet, where my strengths really are.

I started out joking with friends and family that my commute was now professional development time. Six months later, I’m writing more and I’m less stressed from the drive I have to make anyway. It looks like I wasn’t kidding.

Chapter membership provides a wealth of resources to authors of every level. I think the library is one of WRW’s most under-used treasure troves—both books and tapes. You’ll be surprised at what you find. Check it out!

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Robin L.L. Allen has been an active WRW member since 1996. She’s been Program Chair and currently serves on the Program Committee and Taping Committee. She writes contemporary romantic suspense.