From Conference to Coffee (On the Beach)

After a couple of years off the speakers' circuit and without a vacation (thanks, pandemic), the last couple of weeks were a welcome reprieve.

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks. While I worked on preparing When the Stars Conspire for another round of beta reads and sketched the initial shape of Not A Cult, I Promise, I also spoke at my first in-person writing-related event after two years of virtual speaking engagements.

Oh, and I spent some time on the beach for the first time in just as long (if not longer, honestly).

Lakefly Writers Recap

After originally having been slated to speak at the 2020 iteration of Lakefly Writers Conference—which would go on to be canceled in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the pandemic—I was invited to present at the 2022 installment of this fantastic event in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Here are some photos from my presentation on the Five Fun Floaties of Scene Structure and from around the conference in general.

I stand beside a projected slide that asks, “What’s a scene?”

I hold AND AMPERSAND in one hand while standing alongside a projected screen that displays SCAMBAIT.

Rolling Around Rincón

Okay, so we only rolled around Rincón if you count the rental car, but the point is this—my wife and I were able to go on our first vacation since February 2019 in recent weeks as well. This was our second trip together to Puerto Rico, though my wife has been there a number of other times for school and subsequently to visit friends.

My wife and I at Playa Sandy Beach in Rincón, Puerto Rico.

A row of chairs overlook a drop-off to the sea, where the sun sets on the horizon.

A black cat with white paws and underbelly stretches out on a wicker trunk outdoors.

And yes, I know I mentioned coffee on the beach in the post title, but I didn't happen to snap any pictures of me drinking coffee on our balcony overlooking the beach. You'll just have to take my word for it. Also, the cat? His name is Tuxedo, and he's the resident lounger-in-chief at the Tamboo Hotel in Rincón. Truly a celebrity.

Okay, Well, Back to Work

I'm really relieved and grateful to have had the opportunity to speak to the writing community as well as go on vacation again. We're already looking forward to our next trip, which we're hoping will be to Spain later this year.

But, in the meantime, it's back to work. I've got manuscripts to write and revise, and there's the ol' day job to check in for as well.

Share Your Experience

Until we connect again, tell me about a recent trip of yours in the comments (or, if you haven't taken a trip in a moment), tell me where you want to go next!

And want to have me speak at your event for readers or writers? Feel free to reach out in the comments.