25 days ago, I landed in New Orleans. 17 days ago, I left. The week in between was a blur! Not the hazy, hungover blur that you associate with a visit to that city but a vibrating, busy week that flew like a weekend! I wanted to write in the city, I hoped to verify details for my my current novel and I was ready to EAT! I used the New Orleans Writing Marathon as an excuse to go. I felt, somehow, that justified my going back to New Orleans to write.

Obviously, justification wasn’t necessary but the retreat gave me another reason to go and dates to put on my calendar. I told my husband I wished I could add a day or two to my itinerary, in addition to the Marathon dates. He said, “Do it!” So I added dates on either end! I stayed for a week! My Plan was to eat, absorb the sounds and smells and work on the novel over the weekend. I assumed I’d be writing pieces unrelated to my novel during the workshop but I planned to edit and revise my book, each evening. I am a mediocre planner.

It wasn’t that I was unmotivated or too tired. I was buzzing and it wasn’t even the alcohol! A writer I met during the Marathon described being overstimulated at the end of each day, likening it to a child after her best day ever at an amusement park. Spending three days with creative people, sharing their stories in New Orleans was energizing! I am usually a bit nervous before walking into a writing conference or workshop. I was determined not to be anxious, this time. Everything had fallen into place so seamlessly from the moment I decided to go! I wondered if I was meant to meet someone in New Orleans. I found my people! One of the very first writers I met was a historian who is writing a non-fiction book which takes place in New Orleans during the same time period as my fictional novel! I met so many incredible writers, some of whom shared personal stories as well as written pieces.

I had registered to go to the same retreat, last summer but my PRP was full-blown. I knew I could not handle it, physically. I still have PRP but it is not erythrodermic and is more manageable. I was scheduled to go to New Orleans in April, this year for a wedding but tested positive for Covid and did not want to share with family members who already have enough health concerns. I’d been bummed about not going and my husband casually asked if I was going to “that writing retreat, this year?” I was pleasantly shocked when we had nothing on the family calendar that week, I was able to use the flight credit from the missed April trip and I had no travel hiccups getting there!

I went, I ate, I wrote and I was inspired! I found some of the answers I was looking for and learned more about the city I love so much but that still has so many stories to tell!

*I have made numerous video montages of my trip, set to “New Orleans” by Stevie Nicks but I am technologically challenged so the music does not actually play. I will get my son to help and share that, soon! Meanwhile, please enjoy this video of her song. (One day, I will write about attending a Stevie Nick’s concert at the height of my PRP! My doctor wanted me in the hospital, that weekend but I had bought tickets for my husband’s birthday (Billy Joel with Stevie Nicks) and I wasn’t about to let him down!) At the time, I was channeling my inner Stevie, wearing my long black dress, black gloves and hat to cover PRP but cover it like a rock star! I was disappointed she did not sing this song, that night but I’m confident I’ll see her sing it, one day!