summer

Tag: summer

One Fun Summer (Georgia Edition)

Posted on August 28, 2013 by Anna Abner

Or, A Photo Timeline Of My Summer Trip!

The RWA National Conference was in Atlanta this year, and I was lucky enough to attend. I had so much fun! In between workshops, luncheons, and impromptu chats with fellow writers I tried to absorb the mass of information available. Meta data, back matter, and SEO. I’m still processing.

Before I even left California I met two little cuties at the airport.

I’m always strangely giddy to find birds living in airports.

My room on the thirtieth floor was so comfy all I wanted to do was curl up in the bed and order room service. But the best part was the view.

Fancy dinners in the hotel didn’t exactly fit my budget so I made do with cold cereal, granola bars and hummus.

Spoon? Who needs a spoon? Rather than hike all the way back downstairs and search for plastic silverware I went all MacGyver on my cereal.

I’m getting ready to hit a workshop before Kristan Higgins’ speech and luncheon.

The best part of the conference? Free books by your favorite authors!

Since I’m writing a book about a civilization destroying virus I couldn’t wait to hear the CDC panel on infectious diseases. They did not disappoint!

There’s nothing like conference week. I look forward to it all year and leave super-charged and inspired to write. Thank you, RWA. See you next year!

Luckily, the fog over Atlanta on my last day in town didn’t delay my flight home.

<3 Anna

One Fun Summer (California Edition)

Posted on August 22, 2013 by Anna Abner

Or, A Photo Timeline Of My Summer Trip!

After leaving Colorado, we jetted to sunny, southern California for some more summer fun. The best part? Fast food I can’t get in North Carolina. El Pollo Loco. Wienerschnitzel. In-N-Out. Mmmm…

Yummy fast food. I had to make up for lost time!

I didn’t spend a lot of time in Hollywood. Just long enough to pose with a couple costumed knuckleheads and take a pic in front of the Twilight handprints.

Yes, there are swimming pools and backyard BBQs on the east coast, but they’re just more fun when you’re surrounded by family.

That leg coming out of my head? My daughter sneaking up on me like am adorable Great White.

Our BBQ host, bless his heart, soaked the briquettes in lighter fluid before tossing in the match. Let’s just say he’s lucky he still has eyeballs, let alone eyebrows.

On the menu–beef ribs, turkey burgers, and potato chips.

I had so much fun at Medieval Times. We got to eat like barbarians and watch hot guys swing swords and lances at each other. The best part was catching the green knight’s token. (I’m still heartbroken he didn’t win.)

The final stop on our whirlwind California adventure was Universal Studios to get a behind the scenes peek at how movies are made and–of course!–catch up with Bumblebee.

<3 Anna

One Fun Summer (Colorado Edition)

Posted on August 14, 2013 by Anna Abner

Or, A Photo Timeline Of My Summer Trip!

I was so excited to start my summer leapfrog across the country, and back again, that I could barely contain myself.

The first stop on our cross country trip was Colorado where we played around with NORAD in the distance …

My daughter holding NORAD up. Good thing she’s strong!

We were lucky enough to stay with my cousins, meet the new baby, and catch up with family we haven’t seen in about two years. My sweet little cousin surprised us with homemade monkey bread from biscuits made from scratch. My mouth is still watering.

My darling cousin peeking at me through the grate at the top of the slide.

My little buddy took a break on my lap while I tried to get some editing in.

My daughter bonding with her newest cousin. This moment was worth the whole trip! <3

Being in Colorado was such a lovely experience, but my body couldn’t adjust that quickly to the change in elevation. At home, I live at sea level. In Colorado I couldn’t cross the room without panting. Yeah, I think I’ll stick to my beach community.

<3 Anna