Actually, I’m not going fishing, but I am or hope to be swimming in the Ionian Sea. Whatever I’m doing next week, it won’t be social media. My brain needs a break. In case you want to know why, you can read about it HERE. I’ll get back to all of you when I return.
Here’s my itinerary for the month. Pulgia for a week at a farm house. Ionian islands for the rest of the time on a sailboat. So simple. Exactly what I need after a year of “adjusting.”
However, I haven’t forgotten that today is the famous Insecure Writers Support Group Day.
In case you’re new to the group,
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
The question is optional!
June 5 question: Of all the genres you read and write, which is your favorite to write in and why?
When I return, I’ll have my hands full because a publisher has just taken another of my Young Adult books , so I’ll be doing what authors do when they have a book coming out. I have nothing except the title and my tag to share yet.
A blood-smeared knife
One young man’s word against another
A lifetime dream crushed
And then because it’s summer, I’m offering the Kindle version of Alligators Overhead (book 1 in the Adventures of Pete and Weasel trilogy) for $1.99 the month of June.
Quote of the Month: “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
expungement-lawyer says
Just wanna input on few general things, The website pattern is perfect, the written content is really fantastic :D.
the real cie says
I hope you had a wonderful time. 🙂
J Lenni Dorner says
I hope you’ve had a wonderful trip and took lots of amazing pictures to share!
Nick Wilford says
Hope you’re having a great trip. Sometimes a bit of time out is just what we need to refresh. And congrats on your deal on your book. Sounds like an exciting time.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m a bit behind and wondering where to start, but the trip was a delight and I hope it cleared my head for the next few months to come.
Julie Flanders says
I hope you are enjoying an amazing trip, Lee. You sure do deserve it and more. I read your linked post about the internet addiction with such interest and didn’t expect to relate as much as I did. Thanks for sharing that – I am going to try to put some of your tips in place in my own life.
Congratulations on your upcoming book and again I hope you are relaxing and enjoying your time away. Take care!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
So glad you found the article useful. Hope all is well with you and your writing.
Mike@Bitaboutbritain says
Sounds idyllic, Lee. Lovely part of the world. Switch off and enjoy. All the best, Mike.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I managed a few hours on English soil, but not enough. I love your part of the world and I loved being out of mine for a while. Now it’s back to work.
Hilary says
Excellent Lee – so pleased you’re able to get away and relax a little … get out and about without worrying about the day to day stuff – sounds ideal after last year – just enjoy, relax, chill out and take care … cheers Hilary
C. Lee McKenzie says
I had a couple of walks in England both coming and going. I always enjoy walking there. Are you still having showers? I loved the cool overcast days, but some of my UK friends didn’t. They wanted sun.
Stephanie@Fairday's Blog says
Congrats on your book. What exciting news! I hope your vacation is amazing. It is so well deserved and it’s important to take the time to relax and explore. Happy travels!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you, Stephanie. I’m back and getting used to the west coast time zone.
Sherry Ellis says
Enjoy your trip!
Congrats on having another book picked up. Looking forward to learning more about it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’ll be posting about the new book as soon as I know the publisher’s schedule. This part of writing is always a busy time as you know.
Kelly says
Congratulations on your book. And your trip sounds amazing.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It was very exciting and, of course, I’m still processing what happened. Thanks, Kelly.
Nas says
This sounds an amazing trip and what an adventure for you!
C. Lee McKenzie says
How are you Nas? I know you’re probably writing something romantic.
Diane Weidenbenner says
What an exciting trip – I hope you share the highlights and many of the adventures. Sounds like you’ve earned it. Enjoy the everyday moments as well as the big adventures. Like if made of both. I really enjoy reading your blog.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for your visit, Diane. Great to meet you and hope to see you here again. I’ll stop by your place to say hello as soon as I’m sleeping on the right end of the day. 🙂
ShootingStarsMag says
Ooh Not Guilty sounds awesome. I hope you have a great time on your vacation. It’s so nice to get away sometimes.
-Lauren
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Lauren! Great to read your comment. I’m back and ready to go to work again.
Denise Covey says
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta. Enjoy your healing sail through the Ionian Sea, So cool………
Denise Covey says
“Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta.
Say no more. My thoughts are with you as you take this healing sail through the Ionian Sea. Enjoy!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Isn’t that a great quote? I had to use it for this post.
Jeff says
Have a great time and I’m envious of our time on a sailboat… (as if I don’t spend enough time on a boat).
C. Lee McKenzie says
I know. This would be your bus man holiday, wouldn’t it?
Madeline Mora-Summonte says
What an amazing trip! I hope you have a wonderful time and that it’s just what you need.
Congratulations on the book!
C. Lee McKenzie says
I appreciate your kind comment, Madeline. I’m back from my trip and catching up after weeks away.
Toi Thomas says
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip and take lots of pictures.
Congrats on your new book deal.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you, Toi. It’s always great to take a break.
Roland Yeomans says
Great news about your new book! Let me know when it comes out, and I will spotlight it for you on my blog, FB, and Twitter. Have healing fun out on the water!
C. Lee McKenzie says
A spotlight on your blog would be wonderful. Thank you, Roland.
Tamara Ann Narayan says
Can’t wait to hear about this trip and maybe see some pictures. I bet it’s a beautiful part of the world. Enjoy!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Beautiful and warm. I’m also looking forward to some excellent food. Time to fatten up!
Mason Canyon says
Congratulations! Hope you have a safe and wonderful trip. It sounds like a perfect way to relax and stir the imagination.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I could use an imagination re-charge! I’ll find out if this works.
Liz A. says
Have a great trip.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you, Liz. Hold down the fort while I’m gone. I’m sure you will. You’re a teacher+.
Damyanti says
Enjoy your time away, Lee, and let me know if you’d a guest post spot on my blog would help as a promo for your new book. Congratulations!
C. Lee McKenzie says
That’s is a wonderful invitation. I wholehearted accept. I’ll touch bases with you when I come back. How kind of you.
Mary Aalgaard says
Have a wonderful trip!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thank you, Mary. I really need this break, so I’m very grateful to have the chance.
Susan Gourley says
Congrats on the new contract and have fun on your travels. Sounds lovely.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Appreciate the good wishes, Susan. Looking forward to reconnecting in July.
Sandra Cox says
You are going to have such a wonderful time and come back so rested and energized. I read your article. I think most of us fall into that at one time or another don’t you? There’s just so many aspects of writing to try to juggle these days.
Any hoo, glad you are getting away and taking some you time.
We’ll leave the light on for ya.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m so pleased you took the time to read my article, Sandra. I really learned so much doing the research to write it.
I’ll look for your light! 🙂
Cathrina says
Have a great time!!!!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks so much, and congrats on that latest book.
Olga Godim says
Have a wonderful vacation. You deserve it.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Olga! So great to see you here. Thank you. Here’s to another amazing WEP!
Beverly Stowe McCclure says
Have a wonderful vacation. Sounds awesome. We want to hear all about it when you return. About your new book too.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’ll be back in time to bore you. Promise. 🙂
Pat HAtt says
Enjoy your vacation, don’t go catching any big ones, they may be hard to throw back and ruin any relaxation.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I wonder what the catch of day is there? I’ll report back, but I know I won’t be reeling anything in.
Elephants Child says
Have a heap of restorative and necessary fun.
And congratulations on your new book – which I look forward to reading. In the fullness of time.
ChemistKen says
Sounds like a very relaxing trip, which probably means you’ll be dead tired by the end of it.
I haven’t been to Greece or Italy, but I’ve been to Malta a couple of times, so at least I’ve been close to the Ionian Sea. Congrats on the book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I haven’t been to Malta. We need to exchange travel notes. See you soon, Ken.
Lee Lowery says
Congrats on the new book!
Your post on Linked In is excellent (that is one social media I am not on). I try to take a mental health social media break every year for the reasons you outlined. Sometimes my brain seems so fractured and unfocused with all that distraction and I don’t like that feeling.
Have a wonderful vacay – what a great way to unplug.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Lee. I’m glad you liked the article. Doing the research helped me a lot.
Anna says
Congats and happy splashing. See you when you get back.
Anna from elements of emaginette
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Anna. I hope to come back with some energy.
Carol Kilgore says
You’ll have a great time. I’m envious of the relaxed atmosphere! It’s quite hectic in my real life right now. FYI, I’ve done something very similar to you regarding technology. I still need to do more.
C. Lee McKenzie says
We really do have to protect ourselves, don’t we? As writers we have to be out here so much, and yet overdoses of social media undermine our creativity. Sheesh!
Loni Townsend says
Wow! That looks fun! I hope you have an awesome time. 🙂
C. Lee McKenzie says
I’m planning on lots of walks, lots of reading, and as much sleep after food as possible.
Jemi Fraser says
Congrats!!! Looking forward to the new book!
Hope your travels bring you some peace and relaxation. Enjoy
C. Lee McKenzie says
I appreciate your offer to read Not Guilty. I need as much help as possible. Thanks so much.
Sarah Foster says
Congrats on your book! Hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Sarah. It’s going to a great trip and I hope to come back ready to deal with book promotion.
JQ Rose says
Congrats on your upcoming book! And oh my, what a dream vacation. Have a great time!! Take the sun lotion for sure…
JQ Rose
C. Lee McKenzie says
I think my suitcase weighs more than usual just because of that suntan lotion. I’m skin cancer prone, darn it.
Jennifer Lee Hawes says
Your holiday sounds amazing! I hope you take tons of pics and post them next month for us to see and be jealous. Enjoy your time away. It always helps in so many ways especially in the writing department! Congrats on your YA book getting picked up.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Jennifer. I plan to snap a few shots, so I can relive some of the best moments later.
Carrie-Anne says
Enjoy your holiday! I think most people would love that kind of getaway.
Congratulations on the sale of your book!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Carrie-Anne. I’m looking forward to both.
Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor says
What a wonderful trip you have planned. I can’t wait to hear about it when you’re back. Enjoy your time off and your break from social media.
C. Lee McKenzie says
If you took this trip it would be like nothing new–one sailboat for another. 🙂
L. Diane Wolfe says
I’ve never been on a sailboat – that would be so wonderful.
C. Lee McKenzie says
I usually get seasick on motorboats. I’m pretty good on sailboats, but who knows. I’m prepared in any case.
H.R.Sinclair says
Enjoy Puglia! It look beautiful. I hope you continue staying off the catnip. (I found the information about the IAD interesting and informative too.)
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks for reading the article. The information I found really hit home.
Natalie Aguirre says
Have a wonderful trip. And congrats on your new book!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Natalie. I keep wondering why everything happens at the same time, and then there’s a long stretch of doldrums!
Pat Garcia says
Enjoy your getaway and have fun. I plan to do the same thing in September. Get away and have fun.
All the best, Lee.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
C. Lee McKenzie says
I need this one, and I’m sure you need yours in September, too!
Alex J. Cavanaugh says
Enjoy! That sounds like quite the adventure. And congratulations on the upcoming book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
It has been quite a long time in planning, but I’m sure the trip will be worthwhile.