Lynessa Layne's Blog: The Dark Side of Light - Posts Tagged "june-2021"

I took two weeks off in June for summer vacation with hubs and our kids in Florida. Here's what I learned:

1. Book shows aren't as big and scary as I thought.

- I attended the Tampa Indie Author & Book Convention (T.I.A.B.C.) at the Double Tree on June 5th.
- I wanted to attend as a regular book lover and see what one was like before I committed to signing up for an author table at an event. Very glad I did.
- There are some amazing authors and book show table displays and swag. Gotta up my game!
- I loved seeing how different genre authors presented and spoke to potential fans of their books. I was very impressed, and not a single author left me feeling unimportant or iffy.
- Anyone who thinks authors don't buy other authors' books is mistaken...we ended up with a dozen books for the kids, me and hubs (this was an all-genre book show).
- Following such an enjoyable event, I'm confident I can overcome my Aspergers issues for an upcoming event hubs has been pitching to me to attend.

2. I miss Tampa, and I wanna go 'home'.

- We lived there a few years ago, and have been in Alabama ever since, but hubs, the kids and I decided on this trip that we really want to move back.

3. Universal Studios has lost its dang mind on food and beverage prices!

- A bottle of water was $4.00. Water. Really?
- Not one snack, much less meal, was under $10. I have 5 kids. Add that up for a two-day, two-park pass.
- We DID have a blast on the rides and at the shows.
- Freedom...nobody bothered us about masks...nobody. In fact, about 98% of people there were 'normal' (mask-less), and it was wonderful.

4. Orlando traffic SUCKS.

- If you're planning on going to any of the theme parks, leave your lodging no later than 7 a.m. Not even joking.
- Parks open at 9, but if you're not on the road by 7 a.m., you won't get through the ticket gates before 10:30 a.m. Ask me how I know. Smh.

5. Saint Augustine is like a magnet for happiness.

- The food. OMG. The food. Don't go if you're on a diet...unless it's a see-food diet! So many delicious dishes and atmospheres to consume!
- The history. So much history in America's oldest city (continuously inhabited anyway...Pensacola was actually founded a few years prior to St. A.). We loved the Pirate & Treasure Museum, The Colonial Experience, Ripley's Castle (original Ripley's odditorium)...even had a couple of paranormal experiences there! A phantom fire that 300 visitors SAW and SMELLED...evacuated with fire alarms, the fire dept. showed up and inspected. Nothing. This was not the first occurrence. Our tour guide had been a firefighter and responded to fires there that were raging, only to watch them vanish...no damage or anything wrong with the building. It actually did burn in 1944 when it was a hotel, killing a couple of people. Also, a rocking chair started rocking by itself, like full-on rocking, then stopped on a dime right next to my youngest daughter, freaking her out. Hubs said this is the 2nd time he's witnessed it in 2 separate visits. Staff said it's a regular occurrence.
- Saint Augustine Beach is one of the best in the nation. We loved it.
- You can walk just about everywhere you need to go. Street parking is a challenge, and meter / neighborhood parking attendants aren't shy about writing tickets, so walking is a better option anyway.
- Prices are very reasonable on most things, and sales tax is the lowest I've seen anywhere in years.

6. The vacation refreshed the whole family, and I gained a whole fresh big bag of inspirational fodder for upcoming books in the DCYE series.

- Captured as much in late-night / early morning notes as I could, as I was under orders to 'relax' and put writing on hold during vacation. How is that even possible for a writer?!
- As much as I love my home and town in Alabama, my heart felt like it was breaking as we left for home. Sorry Alabama (and my home state of Texas)...I was born to be a Florida girl.

7. We need to vacation more often.

- We saved up to take a big family vacation for the first time in 5 years, but came to the conclusion that we'd rather invest in memories than things.

8. We need to simplify our lives.

- Living with the simple necessities (on vacation) was so much less stressful than trying to manage 'stuff' around our own home.
- Work has already begun in our home to declutter, sell and donate 'stuff' we don't need. Already easing my mind with a few spaces converting to minimalist since our return. It really does liberate the mind. Reduces worry and feelings of being overwhelmed.
- Now, we just need hubs to get a good job back in Tampa so we can move. : )

9. I wasn't supposed to resume writing until July.

- Sorry, I couldn't resist the urge. I started on my first standalone novel (first two chapters are written, with several chapters fully populated with outline notes). This will be a dark mystery suspense thriller unlike any you've ever read. Hubs is salivating for more, it's his favorite genre combo, and he's not easily impressed, so...
- Also have written swaths of DCYE #5 when time allows, and expect to publish it no later than September, but more likely August. We'll see what the characters let me do.

Anyway, thankful for the vacation and quality time with family. Hoping you and yours get the chance for a getaway to refresh and rekindle soon.

LLIL,
Lynessa