My script, “Pack­age Deal,” just won the Romanc­ing the Script com­pe­ti­tion here at the RWA con­fer­ence in Orlando, so I’m hav­ing my lit­tle taste of Hol­ly­wood. At the Oscars, the stars always say that it’s an honor just to be nom­i­nated. Whether they all mean it or not, for me, it is pro­foundly true.

Being a Golden Heart final­ist is one of the great­est thrills of my writ­ing career. What­ever hap­pens at the awards tonight, I am hon­ored that RWA has rec­og­nized me this way and hon­ored to be among amaz­ing peo­ple who make up the 2010 class.

Last month, I wrote my Golden Heart accep­tance speech to remind myself not only to savor all the pride that I feel but to humbly thank those who have brought me this far.

Thank you, RWA, for guid­ing and sup­port­ing writ­ers every step of the journey.

Thank you, Wash­ing­ton Romance Writ­ers, for giv­ing me my first and always writ­ing home. You are dear to my heart.

Thank you, Austin Romance Writ­ers, for being the oasis when I wan­dered in the desert.

Thank you, Clone Army, for try­ing to be quiet when it counts.

And thank you, my beloved hus­band Matt Rife, for always, ALWAYS say­ing, “I believe.”