Road Trip Therapy

Okay...I can't figure out how to put captions with the above photos. So, I'm going back and re-entering this text. As for the top photo, that's Cindy Woodsmall and Amy Wallace (l-r) and below them is our friend, author Beth White. Okay, now on with my post.....

Two of my friends and Atlanta neighbors—authors Cindy Woodsmall (left) and Amy Wallace (center)—recently asked me if I'd like to go with them on a road trip to Mobile, Alabama, to do a fiction workshop and book signing at Cornerstone Books and Gifts, the city's largest Christian bookstore. Knowing it would be a 6-hour drive each way, and that it would take me away from home for a day and a half, it really took me a long time to decide whether to do the event or not. I finally felt led to go, and I'm really glad I did.

Fiction writing is such a solitary endeavor. Not only that, but it is extremely difficult to "make it" in the industry. Therefore, the rare chances I get to spend with other authors—talking about our books and promotions, talking about our publishers and agents, discussing our latest projects—it is always totally refreshing and rejuvenating to me.

This recent trip was no exception. We had a gas, getting crowns and "BK Joe" at Burger King; calling Cindy's husband, Tommy, to have him pinpoint the next Starbucks along our right; brainstorming about our books; and spending a wonderful evening and day with fellow author Elizabeth (Beth) White. Beth and her husband, Scott, not only invited us to stay at their wonderful "beach" house, but they even had a party for us with a bunch of lovely people there in Mobile the night before our signing.

By the way, if you like great fiction, I encourage you to check out the wonderful novels written by Amy Wallace, Cindy Woodsmall, and Elizabeth White.

This trip was so much fun, I just emailed Cindy and Amy, inviting them to meet me for coffee and a little more therapy!

Later. CM