Hi everyone. Hope you are all well. I can’t believe that it is near the middle of November. My grandmother always said that when you are a kid, time can’t go by fast enough. When we are older, time goes by way too fast.
In trying to decide what I should write about, I would tell you the adventure I had this last week. Won’t discuss the politics situation, only to tell you that I was deeply saddened. By the end of the week, I was in complete withdrawal. But then again, I was heading to Las Vegas to the JAFF Writers/Reader get together (JAFF Con)
Didn’t sleep much Thursday, as I was nervous as to make sure I had everything. Only had a carry on and a personal item. (Sent the rest of the stuff road down with Jeanna Ellsworth/Burrill minivan). But, of course, I am always over prepared for things. It was the first time I was going to fly since 2015. Have times changed there. But there was a wonderful man who aided me with a wheelchair to get through everything and see me to the area where I would be board the plane. Only one person whom I met was unfortunately seated next to, was impolite. So for the most part, there were many wonderful people who made my trip phenomenal.
Once we got to the Air BnB. It was incredible. Pretty much a little resort and we had to ourselves. Only thing I was sad about was the weather wasn’t warm enough, so I didn’t go swimming. There was lots of yummy food all weekend, lots of laughs and then more laughs. Personally, I only got a few hours sleep a night.
It was nice to get to meet with some of authors I have only known on line. It was awesome put faces with names. I did have to laugh though. If you look at my personal Facebook page I think everyone could easily know I am a purple addict. Though I am 61, I refuse to ever grow up. As people came in and met others, they would ask each other their names or look at their name tags. Most would look across to where I was and say “Hi Mel.” I don’t know how anyone could pick me out of the crowd, I’m so shy and blend into the back walls.
Anyway, we had a great time, getting to meet people I’ve only known online for the first time in person. There are some really amazing people in our genre. There were some discussions, allowing us the ability speak with each other. It is weird that it has only been 12 years since I began publishing. As I told many people, when I began publishing, we rarely got a new JAFF story every other month. Now, look at how many new stories come out each week. I can’t keep up with all the new books (one of the times I get frustrated as a dyslexic, I want to read faster.
The self publishing programs have radically changed in the 12 years since I began. New programming, editing, formatting, and even stream lining the process for ebooks and paperbacks, cover design, and audiobooks. Each time I prepare to put out another book, it takes me a bit to learn the newest programs.
One of the things that really meant a lot to me is speaking to people who read mlty books. Last week was a difficult one for me, so it was a big blessing to be with so many wonderful people. If not for our readers, what would be the purpose of writing stories. So hearing people speak of one of my books touching their hearts, that is always precious. I did have to laugh at one of the ladies telling me she marks my stories as Lizzy’s going to get hurt. Yep, I tend to be a bit hard on Lizzy. I do have to laugh, I was run off from posting on AHA, as they decided I am “too violent”. But there are 4 things to remember that are in all my books…1) Darcy and Lizzy are always a love match who always end up with each other. 2) There is usually some violence and the perpetrator of said violence always pay the price for their misdeeds 3) the last paragraph has the title in a sentence. And last but not least (at least in my mind), on every cover, there is something purple.
If the stories which were in progress turn out half as good as were read to us, are in for some fantastic stories. It was great to meet not just readers and writers, there were narrators as well.
The 2 nights we were there, I was up late at night talking and laughing with others. And keeping updated with the escaped monkeys.Thank you everyone for being a part of our genre and your making it possible for Jane Austen and her beloved characters to continue to touch hearts all over the world.
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