by Angi MorganThe best thing for a writer is to have another deadline. Woot!
I just submitted a 2014 manuscript--my title is DOUBLE TAKE (I'm not certain they'll keep that). And while I was in NYC last week, Intrigue bought amy seventh book proposal: THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE. My editor wanted two things in the story: a Texas location & a Blizzard.
Blizzards in Texas? Well, yes. There's quite a bit of snow in West Texas and the Panhandle. But that meant the new location I was thinking about visiting (somewhere southwest of Dallas) would now be in ... the Panhandle. I love writing about real locations. For me, I was having trouble writing PROTECTING THEIR CHILD (May '13) until Tim and I visited the Davis Mountains. When I visit a location, it's like the characters find out where they're supposed to go and what they're going to do.
If you go to a map and take a look, you'll see there aren't too many cities in that Panhandle of Texas. I've driven the long, back roads way on a long weekend searching for a windmill (not kidding). And we've driven through OK City, turned west on I-40 and taken the highway through Amarillo. But that's about it.
So sure, I set THE MARINE'S LAST DEFENSE in Amarillo with the intention of driving up sometime in the spring if I sold the book. Well, there's no time like the present since I'll be starting the book this week. No time like winter to write a blizzard. Shiver. I sure hope the snow holds off next weekend. I don't want to experience TOO MUCH of the book. LOL
But even waiting until March (spring) wouldn't have made a difference in 2009. A freak blizzard hit the Panhandle and Oklahoma. So it's not exactly where I was planning a short drive and a bunch of picture taking...but it'll be a good road trip. Amarillo not by morning, but definitely in the next week or so. >>grin<<
Ever take a road trip? Spur of the moment, chasing a picture of a windmill at sunset? LOL Tell me about it !! And be sure to get registered for my monthly giveaway through Rafflecopter? I'm giving away some of my Favorite Memories: a Harlequin puzzle, a KNIGHT & DAY DVD, a Barnes & Noble gift card, and other little Texas mementos.
~Angi
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I went on a little road trip with my cousin a year and a half ago. We decided to drive to Toronto and spend a few days there. His girlfriend lived there so we had a place to stay and he showed me the CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. Not only because of the road trip. I bet the time with family and your cousin was terrific.
Delete~Angi
I love Road trips. The longest one was when we moved from California to North Carolina. We took time to sightsee. Went to Tomestone, Arizona and Dallas, Tx to see family and friends. We were traveling with our 10 month Sheltie, Dallas. Everyone was so nice and she got to go everywhere with us. Even inside museums. The funniest story was when my husband left her sleeping in his truck with a sealed package of powdered sugar donuts. He went to pay for the gas and when he got back, she had powdered sugar all over her nose and face and had eaten all 6 little donuts. He was mad she didn't save one for him
ReplyDeleteI'd be made if someone didn't share with me!
DeleteSounds like a lot of fun, Tammy!
~Angi
When I was growing up, every Saturday my mom would pack us a picnic lunch and dad would load us all in the car, choose a direction to go, and head out on a road trip. We would drive, looking at whatever we came across, until it was noon then find a place to have our picnic lunch. Then it was time to return home so we could get back before dark. Had some really good times.
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome memory, Brenda! Only problem with my dad and a road trip...he didn't believe in bathrooms. LOL
Delete~Angi
By the way -- I have to give credit for the title and topic: AMARILLO BY MORNING to my bud, Jen.
ReplyDelete(Waving at Jen from my sicky couch!!)
~Angi
Glad to help out!!
ReplyDeleteNow BN...you should remedy that. :-)
ReplyDeleteEven a day trip. Just choose the path of least resistance (no traffic) and take off.
~Angi
Congrats on the book sale Angi!! I like the idea of a blizzard in Texas since you don't hear about those very often.
ReplyDeleteAwesome ! Now I might just get excited about snow. :-)
Delete~Angi
When I was 11 years old my Father had long service leave. We packed up the car & tented our way around Australia for months. It was just brilliant. I was old enough to appreciate & remember it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an experience, Mary. It sounds wonderful. I'd love that sort of trip.
Delete~Angi
Hoot ~ More deadlines mean more books for me to read.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I love to travel. We haven't been doing as much lately as we have a cat on twice daily medication. We still do daily trips at the drop of a hat or a bright sunny day. My husband is the photographer and he often stops to take a photo or two. With the advent of digital photos it's often more.
Back when we didn't have to have a passport to cross the border we once went on a road trip to Spokane, Washington to get fried clams at Skippers.
I love the idea of going somewhere just for the food. Sort of feel that way in NYC...NEVER EVER be on a diet while visiting New York. LOL
DeleteI actually got a new camera for Christmas. A definite step up from my point and shoot I've had for years !
~Angi
It's been a lot of years since I've taken a road trip. With my severe RA riding in the car for long periods of time is hard on me. I am hoping to get to the Titanic Museum this spring or early summer before it gets really hot. My daughter and granddaughter went on a girl scout sleepover there and had a great time. I'd love to see all the artifacts.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting, Linda. Hugs on the RA. I hope it's a comfortable car. Mine? Not so much...the dogs go everywhere, I have a very old Jeep and the backseat lies flat so the dogs have more room than me. :-)
Delete~Angi