Sequel Update: Writing in the Sky

I LOVE writing in-flight!  I make the most of airplane tray tables and the times when I am trapped in the air.  These are the times when I can maintain uninterrupted focus for several hours.  Give me earphones, my Mac, a little elbow room (maybe a plastic cup of wine) and you’ll get thousands of words!

I recently had the most spur jingling Southwest Airlines flight ever!! I made some new flight attendant friends who became In The Reins fans during our time together in the sky.  

It all started with my panic over finding a seat. Even though I had checked in right on time, I still came up with a boarding spot (waaaay back!) in the second tier to board the plane a.k.a. the B group.  My heart was racing not only at the fear that I wouldn't be able to find a spot for my carry on but the fact that I might not find an aisle seat. Aisle seats are where I do my best in-flight writing.  Then fate stepped in ...

I locked eyes with a flight attendant and she smiled.  She didn't know I was an author or anything about my plight for that matter. It was as if she just knew I was a woman on a mission! Janet was instrumental in helping me find an aisle seat so I could hammer away at the sequel.  It was almost as if she telepathically knew that I needed a little extra room (like an empty middle seat) so I could get out my recent sticky notes in order to make some serious progress on the sequel during the 5 + hour flight!  

​Janet instantly guided me to the back of the plane (I didn't mind, I'd lost my A-List status long ago now that my corporate role doesn't call for as much business travel) and located a nice space for me to settle into.. When all the other passengers had boarded the plane and my middle seat was still empty (can you believe it) she scurried to the front of the plane for take off with a wink and a smile.  I smiled too!  Was this fate or what? 

It isn't often that I travel with copies of In The Reins (although now I think it might be a must!) but on this flight I happened to have a few with me.  I had brought them along because a colleague had asked me to bring one so they could have me autograph it in person when they bought it.  I threw in a couple extras just in case.  In a flash before take off, I dug one out of my carry on and asked another flight attendant, Aimee, what the nice flight attendant's name was.  Seconds later, I signed a copy of In The Reins for Janet as a thank you for her generosity.

Janet was so gracious when I gave her a copy of the book.  She exclaimed that she loved romance novels and that her daughter in Colorado was a horse trainer (can you believe it). She was a perfect fit for my book.  Later in the flight, I shared with my flight attendant friends about how I worked for years putting my thoughts to paper and that there were many highs and lows in the process, insecurities and doubts, but mustering the courage to continually move forward in pursuit of this dream of mine is what still makes me most proud.  I told them that no matter what you dream you can do it if you give it energy and make a commitment to giving that dream your time so it can grow.

To my surprise, the story moved Aimee to tears.  Wow!  My heart just about erupted so I had to sign a copy for her too!  She even wanted to take a picture with me. Aimee is now one of my super fans on social media and I love hearing from her on Facebook!  She always says that she looks forward to seeing me in flight again. There was a certain magic up in the air that day.  My creative spirit was supported by these three fabulous woman ... they were my angels in the sky that day! 

Janet, Aimee & Angela made me feel the coolest I've ever felt as an author when they celebrated my debut novel ‪in the air with a bottle of champs & a shoutout over the loud speaker! An‪ author couldn't ask for more. Their service and interest in me as a passenger, an author and a person is why I choose ‪Southwest‬ Airlines every time I fly! ​They really made me feel special.

The best part?  Thanks to these lovely ladies, I added 2500 words to the sequel while up in the sky! Janet, Aimee and Angela - If you have two feet on the ground and are reading this I'd love to hear about each of your journeys reading In The Reins! Until we meet up in the sky again, thank you for making my spurs jingle that day and for making me feel special for living my dream!

Want more stories about my escapades in the air? Try my blog post called, "Is Turquoise a Good Gamble for a Horse Riding Author? Yes!" or join the herd and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram,YouTube or Twitter.

I appreciate your readership! I am a busy (and happy) cowgirl and author. Keep up with the latest In The Reins happenings, news and events when you visit my media room here: http://www.carlykadecreative.com/media-room.html