In just a few more days, I’ll be heading out to join some of my writing buddies for a week of brainstorming, research, book signings, and lots of hugs and laughter.
My “to do” list was getting too long and unmanageable, so I divided it into four lists: things that MUST be done before I leave, things I need from the store, meals to prepare for hubby for while I’m gone, and lastly, what to pack. That last list has gotten longer every day. One would think I was going for a month instead of a week.
In the next four weeks I have four events scheduled for signing my newest release, SUNDAYS IN FREDERICKSBURG.
(See my NEWS & EVENTS page) Two of my co-authors, Margie Vawter and Eileen Key, will be joining me at Mardel’s Christian bookstore in Springfield, Missouri, and the Kingman Carnegie Library in Kingman, Kansas, and we get to sign with Kim Sawyer at the Kingman library. It will be SOOO much fun! So, in addition to the normal stuff one packs when traveling, several of the items on my “what to pack” list include those things I’ll need when interacting with readers and customers. Of course, I’ll need copies of my books, book marks, business cards, chocolate to hand out … but somehow another item was added to the list, and it’s definitely not my handwriting.
This little fellow’s name is SKEETER. He is just one of my 200+ teddy bears. Normally, he perches on a shelf above my desk, and occasionally offers constructive criticism on whatever I happen to be working on at the time. When he noticed I was making lists in preparation for my travels, it seems he thought he should go along.
I’ve tried to tell him it won’t be any fun for him, but he’s not convinced. You see, he thinks he’s a writer, too.
Skeeter: You need me. What if you get lost on the way.
Me: I have a GPS and a map.
Skeeter: But I need to help you brainstorm. We can talk about your next story in the car on the way. You see, I had this idea–
Me: Skeeter, I’m going to have my writing partners with me. They will help me brainstorm.
Skeeter: I thought I was one of your writing partners. Don’t I always tell you when you need to add more conflict or emotion into your stories and help you create characters?
Me: No, my crit partners do that.
Skeeter: But I can edit your manuscript for you while you and your friends are off antique hunting or prowling around in a museum.
Me: Uh, Skeeter, keep your hands…er, your paws off my manuscript.
Skeeter: I can go to your book signings and guard the chocolate for you.
Me: The chocolate is for giving away to people who come to the book signings. You don’t need to guard it.
Skeeter: What about that gift basket you’re giving away?
Me: What about it?
Skeeter: Doesn’t it need a bear in it?
Me: No.
Skeeter: (pouting) But…but…but…
I don’t want to hurt his little feelings, but he’s going to have to stay home…
SKEETER SEZ: heh heh heh, that’s what she thinks!
