Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Literary Meeting

A few weeks ago, had a chance to meet Frankie (aka SM Blooding aka Solar), founder of the Young Adult Novel Workshop on writing.com. Airdale, also a member of the forum, invited her to fly from Colorado and spend a few days in New Jersey. She offered other members of the forum to join them for a literary meeting and since I live in the same area, I accepted immediately. It's not every day I get to meet other writers in person. I had met Airdale once before over a sandwich at a deli, and I was looking forward to see her again and to meet Frankie to find out if she looks anything like her Avatar. :D

I felt excited all week, as if I was going to meet a celebrity. Frankie has written a dozen books, started a very successful review forum which I can't rave enough about, and runs a group blog which instantly became one of my favorites. I also had a chance to peruse one of Airdale's chapters on the forum and I was impressed by the quality of her writing. It's great to meet authors before they become "too" famous. ;)

We met at Barnes and Noble on a Sunday evening and ordered coffee. Don't ask me what Frankie ordered; it was a mile long! We couldn't find any table in the coffeeshop area, so we settled on the floor in the writer's section. Too bad for anyone looking for a dictionary that evening. :)

We talked for hours about writing, reviewing, character development and real life stories, moving slightly once in a while to allow a customer to access a thesaurus or a dictionary. Ahhh! It's so refreshing to be able to talk about all this with someone. We had the privilege to hear Frankie's "real" vampire story live. It's even better than her blog version, with added details and facial expression. LOL! I'm still laughing, just thinking about it.

We found out that Frankie was an adept tarot reader, and Airdale asked her to do a reading for her. She didn't have her set with her, but she bought another one on the spot. I must admit that the reading she gave me helped me see things from a different perspective, which is always good. The King of Cups especially intrigued me. It represents a man who is very supportive of my creativity; someone very close to me, like a husband or a father. I automatically ruled out my husband. LOL! In my mind, he's not supportive of my writing. But then, it got me thinking. Maybe he is supportive and I'm the one keeping him out. I'm still pondering on it... Some other things she said made me widen my eyes and think, How could she possibly know all this about me? I've only just met her a few hours ago.

I had such a great time getting to know Frankie and Airdale better. Airdale has been on the forum much longer than I have, and she gave me useful tips about giving and receiving reviews. I would have never dared inviting someone I hardly knew to come over for a week, but she did. I thank her for that. Now I can testify: Frankie doesn't actually "EEEEEEEKs" in reality. LOL! And she doesn't look anything like her Avatar.

I wish everyone else from the YA forum had been there. We are all so different in writing styles, backgrounds and personalities, but we have at least one thing in common: our passion for writing.

18 comments:

SM Blooding said...

*blushes* I'm feeling all famous. The rockstar in me is actually blushing! Wow!

*shrugging grin* Yeah, the, um, the tarot and I get along pretty well. *giggle* It's kinda scary sometimes.

It was AWESOME meeting you!

Frankie

SM Blooding said...

Oh! And it was a Quad Venti No Foam Soy Toffee Nut Latte. Only, they were out of toffee nut and I had to switch to hazelnut. It's my all-time favorite drink.

And, yes, I know! It makes me high maintenance. *shrug* Sue me.

Frankie

Annie McMahon said...

Boy, that contrasts with my regular latte. LOL!

Yes, your tarot reading was interesting. I already found someone else on writing.com interested in having a reading. LOL! I sent you an e-mail. Feeling famous yet? ;)

Anonymous said...

*turns neon green* Sounds like awesome fun, Annie!

Man, y'all have got to take a vacation down HERE to Louisiana!! Darn it! Come for...like..Gulf Wars or Mardis Gras!

Ralene said...

Man, I'm jealous! Frankie is awesome and I've always wanted to meet Airdale...and now Jay, Annie, Kurt, Mire...the list goes on. We are so gonna have to plan a weekend sometime.

Anonymous said...

I'm jealous too! I'm with Ralene...let's plan a weekend, I know the perfect venue. It's a place called Stevenage hahaha!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey now, Kurt, you're the ONLY one who would have to cross the pond! The rest of us are (pretty much as far as I know) on the same continent! =P

I saw we all meet somewhere in the middle...like...Tennessee! *fails to mention she'll be living in TN next year*

Ralene said...

Actually, TN is not that bad of an idea, even if it is more convenient for Mire. :P It really is kinda halfway for everyone. Frankie and I would be coming from the west; Air, Jay, Em, and Annie from the northeast...and then, um, Kurt from England and Dawn from Canada. Woohoo! I'm all for it!

Anonymous said...

Well, I won't be there until after June...but it would be perfect, huh? xD

hehe, I'm so smarticles.

Tamara Hart Heiner said...

oh, that sounds like so much fun! I so wish I could have been there!

If you're going to Louisiana, may as well stop in Arkansas. I could probably make Tennessee as well. :)

Jay said...

It sounds so cool. I've met Air a couple times - a little Dunkin' Donuts, a little Jersey diner...

Frankie - you read tarot cards??? I can totally see that. Why is that? You are totally a rock star. Ever hosted a seance? I was part of a couple of them in college. Totally freaked ... me ... the ... heck ... out!

Annie - don't you worry. You sometimes find support in the strangest of places. :-)

Anonymous said...

I had such a great time, i'm jelous of myself. Frankie, when are we doing this again??? -Air

SM Blooding said...

I vote that we just plan for a YA meet/weekend next year and just do it!

Frankie

Annie McMahon said...

LOL! If it's in New Jersey or New York, I'm in! What? The majority of us is in the northeast. ;) Although... a little trip to England might be nice. Hey, I know! I can self-publish my book to help pay for the expenses. Now that's a brilliant idea. LOL!

Ralene said...

Alright, Frankie, you help me plan it and we'll do it!

Dawné Dominique said...

I'm soooo jealous. Frankie, wanna come to Canada and be a Crazy Canuck for a week? I promise I won't get us arrested (well, maybe). *hahahahah*

Our Novel Workshop is as special as they come. Friendships last for forever. And for me visiting in the US any time soon...I'll have to get another job first. I just want to see how my first (and second) book signings go, then maybe I don't have to? *snickers* Yeah, right!

It sounds like you had a blast of time. I wish with my whole heart I was there with you.

Anonymous said...

You lot are gay! I can't come *boo-hoo*...lol...The closest I'm gonna get to you lot is Orlando sometime next year. And I think my wife would string me up by the goolies if I vanished for a day :D

Annie McMahon said...

Another better *free* option would be to meet on Travelers and at least hear each other's voices. I'll be there on Friday, 12:00 p.m. my time if you want to join me for a chat. Just promise not to make fun of my French accent. LOL! Ask Kurt for directions. I have no idea how I got there. :)

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