Happy Days

Last week was a fun one. On Sunday I finished up a lovely visit with my mom in the panhandle of Florida. On New Year’s Eve we had a wild time. My husband went to bed around ten. I dozed on the couch, but woke up in time for the ball drop. Are we two crazy kids or what?

But one of two big events was on Wednesday afternoon. I checked into a hotel for three nights. The hotel is only about fifteen minutes from my house. I desperately needed some dedicated writing time to work on A Time to Swill the first Chloe Jackson Redneck Riviera mystery. On the way to the hotel I stopped at Wegmans and picked up the three “S’s” – sushi, salads, and sandwiches to eat while I was working.

It was a rare opportunity for me and seemed incredibly indulgent. I know Edith and some of my other writing friends go on fairly frequent retreats and always rave about them. Now I know why. I left the room once to go down for breakfast on Friday morning. I know this sounds extreme and it was. But I got up every half hour to pace around the room and clear my head. Since my room faced the interior of the hotel I had nothing to stare out at and distract me. Even that helped my productivity.

When I stumbled out of the hotel Saturday morning I’d written 16,000 words. I think most of them are good but they will need some polishing. Being out in the fresh air after all that time outside was a bit disorienting.

My other big event was Saturday evening. I moderated a panel at East City Bookshop in Washington, DC sponsored by OutWrite DC called Unspeakable Crimes: LGBTQ Mystery Writing. The three authors Brenda Buchanan, John Copenhaver, and Cheryl Head are all amazing people and writers. We had some laughs and some poignant moments too. I could have talked to them for hours. Their books aren’t cozies but are well worth reading. Thanks to Diane Kenty for taking these photos!

Sunday it was a return to real life – wash, bills to pay, spending time with my family, and of course writing. I’m a lucky woman.

Readers: Have you ever done something for yourself that seemed indulgent?