I can’t believe I’ve been a Deadline Dame for a year! What wonderful company I’ve been in. The Dames inspire me every day. It’s nice to be around people with the same brand of insanity–strong women writers who will understand what I’m about to say.
As I’m writing this, I just got off a ship after a four-day cruise from Miami to Cozumel and back. I had a great time seeing all of my old friends from the Florida Romance Writers. In between workshops, we lounged on the deck, danced in the clubs, gambled in the casino and sang some truly horrendous Karaoke.
And, I wrote.
I’m now staying at a friend’s apartment in Miami, where there are wonderful walking trails, a nice pool, and some terrific bars, restaurants and shopping within walking distance.
And, I’m writing.
Next week, I’m going to visit an old critique partner in a different part of the state, for a combination of visiting and plotting. She’s planning some boating and hanging out at beachfront bars.
And, I plan to write.
The following weekend, I’m heading over to the Naples/Ft. Meyers area to give a workshop for the South Florida Romance Writers. They’re taking me to dinner the night before and a party the night after, and I have plans to watch at least part of the Superbowl on Sunday before heading back.
And, I’m sure I’ll write there, too.
I’m sure you’ve been somewhere on vacation—some little beach town or mountain hamlet—and thought to yourself, “What a great place! I’ll bet it would be fun to live here. But what would I do for a living?” Well, I have a suggestion…
I know that not all of you plan to make writing your full time career, but there’s still a point to my story. You can always write. You can write anywhere. You can write from a hospital bed, on an airplane, or from the back of a motor home. You can write when you’re snowed in or, or while you’re sitting on a sunny beach. You can write in the car while your kid’s at soccer practice, in the dentist’s waiting room, or during your fifteen minute coffee break at work.
You can write when you’re broke. It’s free.
You can write when no one has bought your last book. They can reject you, but they can’t stop you from writing.
What a precious gift it is to have found this vocation—this thing we can do anywhere, anytime, on our own terms. We don’t need much: a computer, an alpha-smart, a pen, a crayon, or even a voice recorder. A few minutes a day.
It’s absolutely, positively the best job in the world.
Now, for the Damiversary giveaways….
I’m in Florida, so I don’t know the exact titles, but two commenters will receive their choice of the following prizes:
1. Three signed urban fantasy titles, including CRY MERCY, my latest release (I’m away from home, so I don’t remember exactly which books I have available, but there will be fangs involved).
or…
2. A free Book Rx manuscript analysis for the first ten pages of your manuscript.
Best of luck!
Related posts:
I whole-heartedly agree with this post. My family gives me no end of grief because I always have my laptop (or a notebook) with me when I visit. As far as I’m concerned, they just don’t get it.
Happy Damiversary!
I also really like writing because its something I can do while I’m at work, waiting for things to download so I can install them (I’m currently doing IT work for a tax company) or even jot a couple of notes down at a long red light or waiting at a drive through.
Not that I’m expecting lady luck to smile on me, but I’ve already won a copy of Cry Mercy (though I bet the other books are excellent too), I’d love to give someone else that chance and take the BookRx
But I wouldn’t turn down the books if i won them either 
I’m just sayin’ 
And for anyone else considering getting Toni to do a BookRx for you, I learned a lot from it and would highly endorse it
Not only are we planning for a cruise next summer (Only through Alaska), but I am with you on the write anywhere idea. I did it all the time we were vacationing in Door County.
Everyone but me wants to go on a hike? Drop me off at a coffee shop. Not feeling like leaving the lake view at the cottage? Go on without me, I have coffee and food here.
Of course I could not afford to be a full time writer up there. Well, not without writing the next Harry Potter or Twilight.
Sounds like a great, but busy schedual you got there! Thanks for sharing =D
I’ve meant to read you Mercy series, but I can’t get my hands on the first book =(
That’s got to be one of the things I love about writing, being able to doing where ever you are. I enjoy writing away from home, sometimes the change of scenery helps with new ideas.
Happy Damiversary Toni. I recently bought the first Mercy book.
My husband bought me a netbook for christmas which I think is just the perfect size for taking everywhere with me!
Please enter me for either prize xxx
You’ve been busy! Personally I’d skip the cruise (did that once and let’s just say there was seasickness involved). I’d love to win the books, I’m not a writer so I wouldn’t need the Book RX. Happy Damiversary !!
Happy Blogoversary. Your cruise sounds like it was a fun time. I would love to win some of your books.
Happy Damiversary and your vacation sounds fabulous.
I write everywhere as well, so I know exactly what you mean!
Happy Damiversary! Please enter me for the books.
Congrats on the anniversary and the trip! I hope the weather was good–I’m very jealous of anyone having temps above 20 degrees since we’re pretty chilly here lately.
And since I’m not a writer I really hope I win the books.
Hi! I love my NEO too, much of my first book is being written while in the parking lot waiting to pick my sons up from school. On the other hand, the view you’ve got going in the pic is pretty inspiring.
I’d love both those prizes. And, I’ve written almost anywhere, including on vacation. Carol
Loved this article!
(I’d definitely go for the book Rx if I won.)
Layla
Enjoyed your post. Happy Anniversary. Keep writing!
Love your thoughts on writing
They are so uplifting, thanks.
Nr 1 sounds awesome
Great post.
I’d love to have the books myself.
I’m in for either prize. Would love the Rx but I’m always looking for a new book to read.
You’re right; it *is* the best job in the world.
Just wish I’d had the balls to follow the dream sooner. Ah, well, better late than never.
Have a great time on your vacation. (Remember to stop writing long enough to actually *have* a vacation.)
Happy Damiversary! I would love to read some urban fantasy
Thank you for the “They can reject you, but they can’t stop you for writing.”
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Damiversary! Please enter me for the UF books.
love the photo of the beach with keyboard lol.
Happy Damiversary! Enjoy your vacation. Please only enter me in for the books. Thanks!
Happy Damiversary!
Happy Damiversary!
Please enter me for the books.
My sister’s passion is ceramics, so she has to buy clay, glazes, a kiln, etc. I’m always glad my passion requires nothing but my computer! The Rx prize sounds fabulous
Sounds like a fun and productive trip.
And Yay for another chance at more books
Great entry! And I love your Neo starring in the pic!
I’ve got mine right by me.
Sounds like you enjoyed your cruise!
Oh. I envy the extra long vacation. I’m with you. I take my laptop and notebooks on every vacation. Last year I went on a cruise too and wrote everyday. It was so great to find somewhere quiet and just let the words flow.
Congrats on your Damiversary. I loved the photo on the beach with the computer footies. Please just enter me in the drawing for the books.
Thanks for sharing! Happy Damiversary!
Would love to be entered for the books, thanks!
Haven’t had any of the books. really like to have them
Happy Damiversary! Sounds like you have a pretty good life. Wow.
Happy Damiversary!
Please enter me in the comp for the books!
Cheers!
Happy Damiversary
…and yes, there’ll always be writing. Thank heaven for that.
Happy Damiversary!
Let’s here it for there always being writing. Number 1, please.
Sweet! Both prizes sound great. How will we choose? I think I’d go for the analysis.
Happy Damiversary!
Inspiring post ^_^ Sounds like you’re having lots of fun :p
Enter me pleasee~
Happy Writing~!
Awesome post. Its great you had such a great calling that you can really do your job almost anywhere.
Happy Damiversary!!
Wow, a whole year of cool stuff on writing!. Sign me up for either books or book rx.
It is the best job in the world, and I’m not even getting paid for it yet.
Soon… soon…
Thanks for all the great advice.
I loved hearing about your vacation, and your appreciation of your craft.
I’d love to win the books, thanks for the chance!
You sound like you’re having a blast;D! Great post and so true…
Happy Damiversary! Hope you have fun in Florida and the sun!
I just got my first laptop in October and it’s made a huge difference in my writing. Yeah, I could write anywhere before, but writing long hand and having to type it up later seriously slowed me down. Being able to type anywhere is amazing. Much less painful for my hands than doing it both ways.
Happy dameiversary. Both prizes sound great.
I’m a reader only, so I’d like to enter for the 1st prize.
Interesting post – and you are absolutely right, you can always write! Enjoy your tour
So true. Best job in the world.
OOh cool! I am a writer in progress and am working on my draft of my first soon to be novel. It needs work.
Wow, books and cruising, sounds like heaven! Enjoy the rest of your trip and travel safely. And keep writing, looking forward to your next books!
I give you lots of credit to be able to write and enjoy in paradise. Sitting here in the mid-west, with the single digit temp outside, I’d love nothing more than to sit on the beach with a frosty beverage and a good book.
I love this post Toni. You hit the nail on the head. Have fun!
So true. There is no excuse not to write.
Now I need to stop wasting time to think them up…
Writing is one thing to do anywhere and everywhere. Also, writing in different spots can give new ideas. That sounds strange to say but different surroundings spark different ideas.
Hope you enjoy your time in Florida. Hope the weather is nice for you too. But if not you can always…. write. lol. Enjoy!
My cousin is a writer & I’ve always been jealous of the way he was able to move abroad to escape the UK weather – he spends a lot of time writing on the beach!
Great post! So true. You can always write (or read), you just have to use your time!
I would love to enter for the books
Happy Anniversary! I read the blog (almost) every day!
I’d like to be included for the reads!
Writing anywhere? I heartily agree. I’ve written: at T-ball practice, on the bus going to/from work, gymnastics practice, in the stairwell at work, before meetings, as a passenger in the family vehicle, the doctor’s office, at home… in short, anywhere I happen to be where I have at least a few minutes to sit and concentrate.
Happy Anniversary!
I envy you being in Florida at this time. I have to wait until July when I’ll vacation in St. Augustine at the beach. Please enter me in the giveaway.
being able to right anywhere is brilliant. I have my own little laptop now, that I don’t have to share with a brother, so I can take it wherever I want. And you don’t even need that to write. Just a scrap piece of paper and a pen or pencil, and off you go. It’s such a versatile thing.
You are making me rather jealous with all these interesting places that you’re visiting.
I love your attitude! I’m not a writer but I really enjoy reading and admire those who do write, I can’t imagine being that full of imagination.
Would love to win the set of books. Thanks!
Dame Toni you are having what is called working vacations. I bet you really wish you were just having the vacation though without the working part. I like lots of others also get the I Don’t Wannas, right now am suffering from it because instead of fixing a meal for my husband who has spent a week out of town am on my computer entering the 1 year Blogoversary because it is more fun.
What gives me the motivation to get past the I Don’t Wannas is the I Have To’s. I have to get up and fix a meal there is only myself to do it, I have to play with and pamper my pets because they depend on me for everything, I have to be a proper adult when there is something that needs doing at my house because if it does not get done there is simply no one else to blame but me and get really tired of yelling at myself for being lazy!!!!
Thanks for the post, wish you lots of good writing time and thanks for the lovely readers giveaway as love books books books!!!!
jackie b central texas
Zombie Joe – I went on an Alaskan cruise 2 years ago and loved! Enjoy it.
If I had the talent to write, I would live in St. Maartens!
Sounds like a good, but busy, time.
I do have to agree on the writing. I usually bring along two notebooks with me – one for the odd bit or twenty on what is done on the trip and the other for whatever tidbits my zoo (as I call them) lets me come up with (and they do plenty of that on a regular basis).
Happy Damiversary!
Boy, being in Florida would be pretty nice about now. We are having another winter storm and the snow is piling up. I am not a writer but I would love to win one of your books.
Happy Damiversary! I would love to be given a chance to win one of your books
Yes you do have the best job in the world
I sure hope I win your books! Thanks!
#1, please. I’d love to win one of your books.
Happy Damiversary! I love your positive attitude! Would love to win the set of books.
I would love to win the books. Thanks!
awesome prizes I agree ur attitude rocks deff makes my day to readthis please count me in on the books #1
Happy Damiversary, amazing how fast a year can fly by. Great post, and hope you enjoy your time in Florida.