Clearwater Beach, Florida
It was a sacrifice, but being the dedicated writer that I am, I left the misting rain and cooling air of West Virginia and headed to the sunny skies of Florida for the Books at the Beach writer con. It was a doubly special trip because I finally got to meet Barbie, my book-guide/PA. Barbie has to love me because I am a horrible writer to try to wrangle. Poor girl does her very best to keep this overly relaxed story-teller on task with writing nudges and marketing advice. She's as smart as she is patient and she knows me well enough to accuse me of being a beach tramp*.
*Truth be told, she used a much harsher word than tramp, but since I'm never paid for my visits to the beach, I technically must maintain my amateur "tramp" status.
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| Saturday signing with PA, Barbie Pomales |
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| Me with my book-carrying husband and Minion Monkey from Donna Antonio's IMHO review blog. |
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| Books at the Beach Authors 2021 |
Oh, and...Happy Halloween!
All during October, my husband and I have been watching horror movies in celebration of the creepiest of all the holidays. Here are a few of our favorites this season if you're in need of any suggestions.
Midnight Mass (2021) Netflix mini-series. The story takes place on an island. I would be the first to buy available real estate here, so this is the horror scenario that could trap me in real life.
The Vigil (2019) Scary, but unrealistic in my life. Get paid $200 to sit all night with a dead body? Hard pass. This chick would never bite. (In looking up a link for this movie, I came across Vigil (2021) and added it to my watch list.)
Malignant (2021) Decent movie, but be ready to suspend belief a time or two. No worries about this one giving me nightmares because honestly, the odds of this ever being realistic are slim to none.
Image by GraphicMama-team from Pixabay
Looks like you had a great time in Florida! I avoid scary films - I make up much worse twists for the characters and scare myself much more than the filmmaker intended 😂
ReplyDeleteOnly some of them keep me up at night, though all of them keep me out of the basement after dark.
DeleteCool you got to hang out with her and a bunch of other authors. Don't worry, I would blind people at the beach as well.
ReplyDeleteI have two colors: red and white. White is much less painful.
DeleteYeh for the beach! I hope you didn't have to deal with any of the red tide....
ReplyDeleteI added Midnight Mass to my list. I've heard some good things about it. Maybe from you on my blog? :)
I didn't notice any red tide, so lucky me.
DeleteI just started watching Midnight Mass, so it wasn't me. Last night's episode made me mad, but I'll stick by the recommendation. LOL
What a fabulous getaway. You and your hubs look adorable.
ReplyDeleteBeing a beach *bleep* is good for the soul!
Cheers, friend.
My husband would readily agree that he is adorable. LOL
DeleteThe beach is so very good for the soul.
Sounds like a blast!!!
ReplyDeleteI woke this morning with a nightmare about vampires! Damn, but I guess it is Halloween month!
Some of the worst dreams I've ever had were about demonic vampire-like creatures. They weren't blood suckers, they were energy drainers. I woke up once with my arm numb and it took a long time before I felt re-oriented. In my dream the vamp had grabbed my arm and drained it making it numb.
DeleteOh gosh, this sounds like so much fun. I blush to admit, I haven't been to a conference in years.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't either. I think my last one was about four years ago.
DeleteEven if you aren't lying on the beach today, hope you're having a great one.
ReplyDeleteI'm far from the beach or sunny skies, but here is a good place to be too.
DeleteIt was! My favorite part about book cons is meeting friends I've come to know online.
ReplyDeletehehehehe, that sounds like a REAL sacrifice, also sounds like a lot of fun!! it's nice to have a book carrier to keep you company!!
ReplyDeleteYou know, sometimes you have to do the hard things like time at the beach and spending time with readers.
DeleteFlorida sounds fun and seems you had a lovely time!
ReplyDeleteI now understand why people fall in love with Florida.
DeleteHaha! Those Florida gals do tend to speak their minds (my daughter is one of them). I love Halloween Month! But I tend to stick with the funny stuff, Hocus Pocus, It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, etc.
ReplyDeleteMy husband likes actions; I like comedies...horror is our middle ground, so we watch a lot of it!
DeleteI live in a tropical country where we get the sun all the year around! Happy Halloween.
ReplyDeleteAdd that to your list of blessings- or at least I would. LOL
DeleteI'd go in a heart beat, ignoring migraines and such.
ReplyDeleteI had not seen your name before. I will be back.
Migraines. Ugh. My family was cursed with them. I was so lucky to not have them.
DeleteThat would be awesome to have you back!
My daughter and SIL always watch The Shining on Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI blush to admit, I avoid horror movies like the plague.
Hope your evening is restful and your day creative and productive.
Hugs
Girl, I'm so white, most makeup lines don't have a foundation light enough for me. LOL Glad you had fun. I envy your freedom to travel and take part in book gigs. One of these days...
ReplyDelete