Learning New Things
It’s always a tradeoff, traveling away from home. Even when I’m doing my job, meeting new readers and other writers, the time away does eat into my personal writing time. I need a cave, with great music, scented candles, “immortal” supply of ice cubes, neck and shoulder rubs and lemony shower gel. If I could just live in that cave 24/7 I’d be happy. My characters and I would get along just fine. 
But that would mean I’d be writing for me, and I’m not. I’m writing for you, those that read my posts and my stories. You are the reason I have a job, and I never want to forget that. So, I go to conferences, learn and network, and come home newly invigorated and ready to tackle my writing jobs. I get to tell my stories about honorable men and the women who are worthy of their love and are lucky enough to be chosen by them as life partners.
Networking!
Me and JD Hart
The highlight of my trip has been getting to meet my narrator, J.D. Hart and his beautiful wife, Cherokee. These people have such a loving spirit that is a rare find. I’ve gotten to see behind the scenes places in Nashville, told stories about the days of Elvis as well as other huge stars, and actually gotten to meet and shake hands with some of them. What a treat.
Sometimes people become fast friends when you meet them in person. I have yet to meet someone online and then meet them in person and have the friendship not only hold up, but grow. Collaborating with J.D. on the audio books has been one of the greatest joys of my writing year. Any artist who gets to share his or her work with another artist, and have them take their art and change it, make it even better through a blending of talents, is lucky. I thank my lucky stars every day I have been given this gift.
I don’t travel again for another month, and trust me when I say I’m looking forward to being home. But I have so many happy memories, stories shared and friendships started or strengthened, enough to keep me chuckling for weeks—all the way to Thanksgiving and my next big adventure. Stay tuned for that one!
Adventures…
I’ve chronicled some of the specific things J.D. and I have done in my post for The Realm. I think you’ll see why I have such fond memories. But I’ve also heard stories of hope, recovery from loss, business things that will help me do my job better, details about promotion, success strategies and forged alliances and friendships for future questions I don’t even know to ask.
My beautiful home in Sonoma County awaits, along with two very pampered Dobermans and the man who has been by me for the last 43 years and still calls me beautiful, my Silver Fox. I go home to the house he constructed for me, built for me so I could dream and relax and do all the crazy things I get to do every day. We get to grow old together, get to build our new bright garden together, and watch our family prosper and grow.
The Important Ones!
These and all the connections and friendships I’ve deepened and created are what’s most important in life. When I remember that, and remember to say thank you to all those who have enriched my life, like all of you, I get back ten-fold. It is truly an honor and such a joy to be your friend, your colleague, and your romance writer for life.
