A Couple of Virgins in Cincinnati This Weekend

Hey everyone, Cynthia Arsuaga here and if you've not been confused with what day it is because of the holiday on Monday, then you know this is the second day of June. I'm still getting the hang of this being my day to blog. My second one on the second. How appropriate. As I thought about what to write about, I fell back on that old idea of writing about what you know. With one more day until hubby and I are off to our very first author’s function to mingle and chat with fellow writers, the idea hit me--We’re event virgins! Why not talk about the first author function we attend.

The Lori Foster Get Together in Cincinnati, Ohio, looks like a good time to be had by all. Over 400 people are registered, not a small affair. I have to tell you, I’m excited and afraid. Excited because I’m getting to meet people, fellow authors and readers, I have only met on-line. Afraid because I hate to fly! Granted the flight is only two hours and ten minutes and non-stop, but the hassle to pack to specific details to what can and cannot go in carry-on luggage, the cost of checking bags and making sure they aren’t overweight (I have a lot of promo swag to bring), possible bad weather which could make for nail clenching of the armrests, and the herding through long lines at security checkpoints makes for heightened anxiety. Of course, the lurking in the back of my mind of forgetting something will haunt me until the day we arrive back home when the event is over.

Can you tell I’m not a fan of flying? The fear of traveling through the skies in a metal winged torpedo isn’t uncommon. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not one of those psychotic types, I’m okay with flying; it’s the lead-up before you actually step on board that gets to me. I think my problem is since retiring from my “day” job and become a lady of leisure writing my erotic romances on my laptop and head, I’ve gotten a little set in my ways. I mean, I spend almost all my waking hours thinking about plot lines, new ideas, how my characters look, talk, smell, and feel. My hubby writes as well so we don’t see much of each other. We create our craft in separate rooms and see each other when one or the other surfaces from the glare of the computer screen. Writing has become our new life in “retirement.” I’m convinced it will slow-down any chances of senility or Alzheimer’s—keeping an active mind.

As the event has quickly approached, it hasn’t helped that I’ve spent more time getting ready by making promotional materials to give out than doing what I really would prefer to do—write. I feel like I have neglected the one reason why I’m traveling hundreds of miles to converse, network and learn something new from others who are probably traversing through the same quagmire of guilt. On top of all the anxiety over leaving my comfy home, I don’t know if I even have enough swag for everyone because the number of attendees continued to increase up until a few weeks ago. I’ve tried to be imaginative (a vice of mine, I can’t help it) to create articles that are not the same old, same old. I shouldn’t worry, since the offer of a discount on all my titles available through my publisher is a pretty good deal anyone would appreciate to receive.

Selling my first published story, Born to Be Wild, in print is a thrill to be sure. The others I’ve written are available in E-Book form. I’ll also have the book my hubby and I co-authored, My Life as a Dog, available for pre-order in paperback at a 32% discount at Barnes & Noble through the weekend at only.

Hubby and I are looking forward to this event, the opportunity to meet new friends, acquaint with those we already have met on-line, and get our names and faces out before the public. If any of you reading this happen to be attending this function, please try and find me to say hello and share a virgin story of your own.

By Sunday night on our flight back to sunny Florida, we’ll both be able to call ourselves veterans. We'd have had fun, met wonderful people, and begin to dream about next year’s get together. That is, if I get over the fear of flying! I know I’m forgetting something to bring.