RWA Bound! by Christine DePetrillo

At the end of the month I will be attending my first Romance Writers of America Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida and I am psyched! I've gone to local chapter events and other writing conferences, but nothing of this magnitude.

Did I also mention that I've never been "away from home" by myself? Yeah, 40-something years old and I've never traveled alone.

You can call me a loser. It's okay. I agree with you. Why in the hell have I waited this long to go on a quest? Clearly, no one would entrust me with tossing the One Ring into the fires of Mount Doom. You thought it took Frodo a long time to make the voyage. Me? 40+ years people. 40+ years.

I'll know people once I get there and I've been to Disney World like nine times. I feel comfortable navigating my way around down there, but a part of me is a little nervous. I'm not going to lie to you. I'm a writer. I imagine scenarios. Like airplane problems. Getting lost. Terrorist attacks.

Or the worst... getting stuck sitting near a baby on the flight. Ugh. Let's hope that doesn't happen.

I plan to pack light and just take a carry-on bag. Summer dresses that I can roll up for easy, fuss-free packing. A pair of comfortable shoes and a pair of cute sandals. Maybe a set of Mickey Mouse ears.

Traveling alone should make for a streamlined experience, right? No one to worry about but myself. No husband who ALWAYS is the guy security wants to investigate further. "Step aside, sir." Every. Single. Time. But me? Who would find me suspicious? I'm sailing right through that check in.

I'm looking forward to the entire experience. Going a day early to bounce around the parks and get my Disney fix. Then I plan to soak in the fun of being around other romance authors and people who "get" writing. People who understand the dream.  People who, like me, enjoy weaving a good tale.

If you've gone to an RWA conference before, what tips do you have for me?

Toodles,
Chris
www.christinedepetrillo.weebly.com

   

I'm late by Barbara Edwards

I know I’m late. Not only am I late, I accidentally posted this on another blog. Thanks Pam for the correction. This time I did forget but for a good reason. it’s been a busy month.

Sunset on St George Island

Not only have I been writing, I’ve been at St. George Island State Park, Florida. We are volunteers here.

It’s been an interesting month. On January 13th we helped with a sea turtle release.  A loggerhead turtle and 26 Kemps Ridley turtles. A fun time and I’m writing in more detail on my

Blue Heron nesting

blog.

We also have been involved in controlled burning. This method of preventing serious forest fires  Is being used more

Ranger starting controlled burn

and more across the nation. I have more photos scheduled for my blog, too.

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Falling Leaves Give Me the Shivers!

Laura Breck

I’m staring out my window looking at the hundred leaves falling from the trees with each gust of wind from the north. Brrrrr. Winter’s on its way!

Although I enjoy crisp, sunny fall days, it’s the six-month period that follows fall that scares me. I’ve been working on my holiday story for the Roses of Prose’s annual December short story festival, and just the thought of the holidays—snow and ice and frigid temperatures—gives me the heeby jeebies.

That’s why I set my holiday story in Florida. That’s where I’d like to be in December. And January. Okay, from November through April, please. Writing about salty Gulf breezes and warm sugar-sand beaches has calmed the native Minnesota snowbird urge somewhat.

If you could spend the winter holidays anywhere in the world, where would you like to be?

Happy fall,
Laura
~Smart Women ~Sexy Men ~Seductive Romance
LauraBreck.com
~Dancing in a Hurricane is available in digital formats at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace
~Love in the Land of Lakes is available in digital format at Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon, and in paperback at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Createspace

Hot? Wildfire destroys campground by Barbara Edwards

Jonathon Dickinson State Park, Florida

Jonathon Dickinson State  park in Florida is a fine example of preserved wilderness. We've camped there several times and found the 'gators to be a huge attraction. They nest under a bridge over the inner road. Florida can be hot, but nothing is hotter or scarier than a wildfire. 

Nesting alligator, can you spot the babies?

 The day of the controlled burn was beautiful, the sky clear with little or no wind. The rangers had to burn the thick brush on the far side of the railroad tracks to prevent a wildfire.

Controlled burn across the tracks

The first hint of a problem came with a cloud of smoke and a ranger advising we get ready to evacuate if the fire kept building in the unexpected and sudden 40 mile an hour wind.

Smoke floats over the campground

My Husband, Bill, hurries to pack our equipment

My husband is no worrywart, but he decided not to wait to see if there was a problem. With years of camping under his belt he had our stuff loaded and the fifth wheel hooked up within ten minutes.
I helped while he also assisted people in the next campsite.
The ranger returned and told us to leave anything left unpacked.
Get out!
Within minutes the flames were jumping from grass tuft to bush to scrub and grass. We drove along the exit road and found the flames devouring the brush right next to us.

Campground burning

 We reached the edge of the campground and looked back.

Ranger's truck blocks the road back

The fire burned for hours

Sunset against the smoke clouds

Back in scorched campsite 

We were lucky. No embers damaged our roof and we spent the next two nights in the parking lot. When we returned to our campsite it was ashes.

Jonathon Dickinson State park has been rebuilt since the wildfire in 2006 and upgraded since our last visit. We plan to go back soon.

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