STARTING OUT WITH A BANG

January’s  down – eleven months  to go. The new year  started out fast and furious  similar to  Sportster when  his frisky mood carries him through the house like a firecracker is  tied to his tail. The final days of 2013  wrapping up end of the year reports and planning  2014’s schedule.

First on my calendar, my seminar  at the Ovitt Library in Ontario, California titled, “What Makes A Good Story?” received such great reviews, I’ve been asked to return in June 2014.

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 I thoroughly enjoy sharing my knowledge and inspiration with other authors, or struggling authors  no matter what stage of their writing careers.  During this  writing  journey I  have embarked upon many generous  authors have shared  their wisdom and encouragement. I am forever grateful and  only hope I can pay it forward.

My second seminar of 2014, at the Family Motor Coach Association RV Rally in Indio, California broke all my attendance records to date, with an audience of  fifty- two people.  I am considering offering my seminars  in   August  2014 at FMCA’s rally in Redmond, Oregon and also the organization's  rally in  March 2015 at the Pomona, California. Oh dear, Judy, let’s take it one year at a time.

Riding high from the success of the two workshops,  I headed for the famous little town of  Quartzite, Arizona, migration area for thousands of snow birds and the perfect place  to  celebrate and accomplish  a lot of  R and R. ( Recreation and Writing ).

I spent a week at one of my favorite campgrounds in Quartzite, Hasslers RV Park on Main St. My first book  described this park with its many sculptures. At the time  of the writing the campground  was called Casa Del Sol because the original owner of the park  and the creator of the sculptures ,had sold the campground.  Now the park has been returned to its original owner and has taken back its original name, Hasslers.   Enjoy a few of the  many genius creations.

 

Shopping until you drop is  one of the agendas in Quartzite. This year I enjoyed the experience with my friend Julie and her cousin Chris , both who have  never  been confronted with such a phenomenal   feat.  The girls earned their badges, in my book, as serious shoppers because surely we covered every square mile  of the desert that had  an easy-up tent or a line of tables planted in the sand and loaded with unusual treasures.

Julie, Chris and I  frequented every restaurant time would allow. More than one afternoon we found ourselves at one of our favorite eating places, The  Beer Belly nursing our aching feet and sore backs, forced our surrender for the day. There we indulged in the best pulled pork sandwiches and great  country entertainment.

 

I also tested out my boondocking  skills. For those who are unfamiliar with the RV term, boondocking  is  the act of camping with no water or electricity or sewer hookup. Those who pride themselves as experts this style of RVing can last weeks in the desert or   anywhere  off the grid. Their rigs are geared with solar panels ,  propane heaters and generators that allow them to enjoy the comforts of TV, heat, computers, microwaves and hot water.

I lasted three successive days off the grid, as they say,and began enjoying the challenge of conservation before I headed back home. I’m not sure if boondocking will become a part of my lifestyle, because I do enjoy the amenities of  bountiful water and electricity  at my fingertips, but enjoying the solitude of the desert…aahhh…you don’t get this is a crowded campground.

 

What else is on my agneda? You might want to post the next three events  on your schedules

Why don’t you spend your Valentines Day at  The Canines For Independence  Valentine Graduation.  watching an emotional ceremony as the newest class of recipients receive their assistance  dogs? I guarantee  it will be a day you won’t forget. Mark it on your calendars, noon on February 14^th in Oceanside, California.  I hope to see you there.

The Dickens Festival on February 22^nd and 23^rd  will take you back in time to the Victorian era. I will be volunteering on Saturday  the 22^nd  at the booth of the  Inland Empire California Writers Club  in order to inform folks  of this great club for authors and aspiring writers.

And finally mark your calendars for March 15^th and 16^th and head out for Tuscon,
Arizona to attend one of the largest book festivals in the southwest, The Tuscon Festival of Books The 2014 Festival lineup includes Richard Russo, Alice Hoffman, Scott Turow, and Sandra Day O’Connor to name just a few. I will be signing book in the Authors Pavillion Sunday at from 11:00 am to 1:00.

Stay tuned for more in the blogs to come.

 

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