I just returned from a business trip – writer’s retreat with my literary agency Books & Such – in Charleston, South Carolina. We had never been to Charleston or SC for that matter, so Randy and I both went for four+day retreat.
Our hotel was not far from the church where the shooting took place several years ago, something that is still talked about by residents of Charleston. We also caught a glimpse of Fort Sumpter across from the Battery where a row of gorgeous old homes are still worth seeing—and still lived in.
I finally got to meet my friend, the lovely Tessa Afshar (who writes beautiful biblical fiction), reconnected with Rebecca Rene Jones (whose first book published since we last met), Julie Klassen (who writes wonderful regency reminiscent of Jane Austen), and chatted with Ann H. Gabhart, a fellow Revell author.
Of course, getting time with my agent, Wendy Lawton, is always a highlight for me. And there were many more people I could name, like Michele Ule, who was the master planner behind much of what went on, and Dani Pettrey, who I had never met, but now I need to read her suspense because when you meet someone and get to know them a little, well…it makes their books more exciting – even for a writer.
While there we took a tour of Charleston and went inside a couple of old homes—the one pictured above is on the Battery. In the other we were served an old-time tea with all of the proper plates and cups and food. We also took a tour of the Charleston Tea Plantation, the only tea plantation in America. Pretty interesting stuff there, and of course, this tea lover had to purchase some leaves and bags to bring home.
The trip was a little hard on both of us, but that’s probably because travel is harder than it used to be. And southern food is richer than we are used to. This northern girl likes it bland and less milky, thank you. For places to visit, it’s great! But I checked it off my places to ever live. 🙂
Before we returned home, the highlight of the trip was a two-hour drive to meet my long-time friend and critique/brainstorming partner, Jill Stengl. She and her husband also drove two hours to meet us and we had a wonderful time chatting. Jill and I have not see each other in 14 years! We have only met once in person—twice now—but many times online. Whose says friends have to be close by? Sometimes our best connections are long distance.
Since returning home life has been busy as usual. I have another business trip in one month – this time to Pennsylvania. I’ll post the information on my Facebook Event’s Page soon, but for those of you who live in or near Emmaus, Richfield, or Pottstown, PA, I will be at three separate book-signings from June 13-15. If you live in the area and can stop by, I’d love to meet you!
In the meantime, I’m still working on the next nonfiction book and the next novel. And The Heart of a King is being featured on a number of websites. It’s featured on the More to Life Magazine site here, Suzanne Wood’s Fisher’s website (with contest giveaway) here, and is a nominee for Interviews & Reviews Book of the Month. You can vote until May 30 (every day) here.
I wish you all a blessed spring, which is finally blooming here.
#writersretreat #theheartofaking #writing #travel #charleston #southcarolina #booktourcoming
