Florida Trip

So now that I’m back from our three week vacation and that my life has returned to normal, I thought I’d share with you all a few picture from our Florida adventures.

My mother came along for the first week of the trip. Our first trip together. Many memories were made.



For the first leg of our trip, we visited with my sister-in-law in Ft. Myers for a week. This was taken at a local Manatee park.

Then we spent an afternoon having a few drinks at the beach. Me and my mother enjoying multiple margaritas. Yummm! 

Mom's first time at Walt Disney World.

Meeting Winnie and Tigger is always the highlight of a Disney trip :)

After my Mom left we continued to enjoy our trip. This was taken in Downtown Disney.

We stopped by Universal Studio's to try out the new Transformers ride.

Now off to Daytona for a little writing research. This was definitely one of the best days of my life.

A three lap ride-a-long around the Daytona International Speedway going speeds of 170MPH. Can you believe it? I smiled for days.

I also got to touch and take my picture with the #48 Team Lowe's, Daytona 500 winning car driven by none other than Jimmie Johnson. My favorite driver. Skwee!!!

This is Daytona's version of the Hollywood stars for Daytona 500 winners. This one's of Jimmie Johnson first win in 2006. His 2013 one wasn't there yet.

This was one of my favorite trips yet.

RT Convention 2013 Recap

I did it again. I survived another RT Convention. And let me tell you, that is not an easy task!

KANSAS CITY, MO - 2013

Since the pre-con class I signed up for didn’t start until Tuesday, I thought ahead and emailed the Kansas Speedway in hopes of getting some kind of tour to do a bit of research. I didn’t think I’d hear back from them but to my surprise, they were over and beyond accommodating. The Track’s PR Rep contacted me, and we set an appointment for me to visit.

As a writer of stories revolving around racing, this look into the NASCAR world was a fabulous opportunity, but as a longtime fan of the sport, this look into the NASCAR world was a monumental SKWEE!!!! moment in my life. It was so spectacular I can’t even describe it…

The Pre-Con Plotting class with Cherry Adair was a great experience. The woman can plot a story in minutes. She even thought up one of her next stories right in front of us. Cherry also met with us one on one to talk about our own plots and what we could do to improve them. Although her methods may not be for everyone, I got a lot out of this class, and I seriously recommend taking this one if you ever get the chance.

Cherry Adair & Me

The convention portion was intense. So many authors to meet, connections to make, business cards to hand out, workshops to go to, socials to attend, and networking to do at the bar. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep all week, but with all I’ve learned and the friends I’ve made, it was all so worth it.

Riley Darkes & Me - Friend from SavvyAuthors.com

Waiting in line for the Teen Party

Me & Stacey Kade

Kiera Cass after making the NY Times Bestsellers list

We found a lost pass at the RT Gala

One of the exciting things that happened to me this year was that I was named a finalist in the American Idol Writer Contest hosted by agents Nicole Resciniti & Louise Fury.

During the finals, I was a complete ball of nerves. I didn’t win, but I got some great feedback and a friend got a sweet offer from one of the agents. All in all, I’m glad I participated.

My biggest goal this year was to conquer my nerves and actually pitch my story to agents face to face, and I’m happy to report that my nails are still intact. My 10 min pitch appointment was kind of a fail. My nerves got the better of me, and I blabbered my way through the whole thing. But when came time for the pitch-a-palooza, I found my confidence. A few full requests and a few partial requests later, I walked away bursting with a sense of success.

My big fan-girl moment (yes, I fan-girl once in a while... Don't judge me) was ending up in an elevator with Jennifer L. Armentrout. I'd been in her presence before and even spoke to her last year, but for some reason, after following her success throughout the year and admiring her work (when I say admiring I mean, pouncing on every book she’s ever written) I froze, said nothing and left the elevator feeling like a total idiot. But later I got to talk to her in the hotel bar, when a friend brought her down to meet me. SKWEE!!!!

Jennifer L. Armentrout & Me

Again this year the amount of books and swag I got was insane… Look at all this stuff!! (Lookout for Giveaways)

Swag & Books

And now that I’m home, exhausted, overwhelmed, yet grateful of my experience, I’ve marked my calendar yet again for next year. RT Convention 2014 in New Orleans… here I come!!

Sleep… who needs it!!!

My Hectic Life & A Giveaway

Hi. It's me. I'm still alive. It’s been such a busy few months, and we have entered THE craziest month of the year. Let see. Let’s recap some of the highlights shall we.

Besides all my usual crazy life stuff  and my full time job, I was able to find the time to go to a book signing… very exciting. I got to meet Cassandra Clare, yes THE Cassandra Clare. The genius behind The Mortal Instruments (the first in the series becoming a big motion picture in 2013, but I’m sure you already know that) and The Infernal Devices.

She was in Toronto visiting the sets of the film, and dropped by the Indigo bookstore for a scheduled book signing. It was a full house.

Cassandra Clare, Toronto 2012

I have to thank my hubby for accompanying me on the 5 hour drive to Toronto, and for waiting in line for another 5 hours with me. He’s a keeper!

As a BIG, and I mean HUGE, fan of NASCAR, I couldn't resist planting my butt on the couch and teeter on the edge of my seat to watch the last big race of the season. Homestead Miami. I did it hard core with subscriptions to driver scanners and the whole bit. Unfortunately, my guy had some unfortunate car issues and didn't get the cup this year, but hey... there is always next year, right?

www.jimmiejohnson.com

 Go Jimmie Go!

But the biggest killer was that, for the past three months, I've been taking a Savvy Authors editing/mentoring workshop given by Heather Howland, Senior Editor at Entangled Publishing. I learned so much and am working hard to incorporate all of that knowledge into my manuscript.

Now, we're in December… need I say more? 

Work Christmas parties, friend’s Christmas parties, Family Christmas parties, oh and should I mention Christmas? There is also New Year parties and…. You get the picture.

So, because I’m not your typical schedule blogger, I wanted to host a little giveaway just to show how much I appreciate those who stuck around for my little rants or random posts in 2012. You are the best! So how about a giveaway for the book of your choice… how does that sound?

For a maximum value of $15, you can pick any book you want at the Book Depository. Giveaway open internationally a long as the Book Depository ships to your address.

Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading about your busy month.

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