3 Days in Nashville

This should have a catchier title, but...it gets to the point, right?

Last weekend, I had the privilege of spending three days with five amazing women.  We met on Facebook, shared a common publisher, and decided to share a booth at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville, TN.

My feelings before the trip were ambivalent.  I was both excited and nervous about sharing a 10x10 space with online acquaintances.  I was anxious about selling enough books to make a return on my investment.  I had that little feeling in the pit of my stomach at the thought of navigating downtown Nashville with only my sometimes questionable GPS. I began to feel sick the week of the trip, and that part of me that fears the unknown considered how bad it would be if I backed out.  But I decided to tough it out and awoke early on Friday morning, dropped the children off at school, and made the three hour trip to Nashville with no problems.

The weekend was nothing like I planned.

The ladies I now count as friends were fun, vivacious, dedicated, prayerful, energetic, wise, and gracious!  We smiled, we cried, we sang, we shared confidences, we handed out hundreds of each others' promotional materials, and we sold some books.  All in all, I would say God was smiling on us.  He definitely reminded me to consider his ways above my ways.  I went to Nashville for a business trip and ended up on a spiritual retreat.  How amazing that three ladies from Tennessee, one from Wisconsin, one from Oklahoma, and an Alabama girl could bond so quickly!

So I have to send a shout out to my fellow authors and encourage you, if you haven't already, to check out their work!

Dee Dee Wike has authored Good to the Last Drop and A Pleasing Aroma, both powerful devotionals that will uplift you with their wit and wisdom.  Her daughter, Joy, certainly infused our days with her namesake!

Amanda Stephan has authored The Price of Trust and has a new book, Lonely Hearts, coming out next month.

Darlene Shortridge has authored Until Forever, and is working on her second novel.

Victoria Burks has authored A Legacy of Love and has a new book coming out in a few weeks.

Thanks, ladies for reminding me its not all about the bottom dollar.  Its about the message, the journey, and the friendships we develop along the way!