Tuesday, August 18, 2015

BLOGGER BUDDIES...WHAT WOULD WE DO WITHOUT THEM?...

Hi, All,

I just had to do a brief post on our beloved BLOGGER BUDDIES! For the past month I had the amazing privilege to meet and spend some quality time with some of my amazing blogger pals...

It all started at the SCBWI conference in LA at the beginning of August. I knew that I would be meeting and spending time with Morgan Shamy and Patty Timmes (who I'm pictured with at the Sparkle and Shine Gala), but I had a few unexpected and very PLEASANT surprises as well. Several in fact...

On the second day, a vivacious blonde approached me sporting a huge smile... She screamed out my name. At first I didn't recognize her. I glanced at her name tag, and ran over to give her a hug. It was Rose Cooper of Sketchy Chicks fame. The last pic I saw of her she was a brunette. Now she's a redhead. Can't keep this girl down for sure. WE had a great time catching up. She is such fun!



On Sunday, I spotted a very close blogger friend on my way to grab a coffee. A moment later, she was gone. I was so upset. BUT as fate would have it. Nutschell reappeared. We saw each other at the book signings, where I am pictured here with Dan Santat. 

Nutschell and I made plans to have dinner that evening. Let me just say, it was an amazing time. What a SWEETHEART!


This weekend I finally got to meet up with Tara Tyler and Julie Flanders in Cincinnati, OH. I had planned a visit for Tara's book signing in late June, but massive thunderstorms raked the area at the time and I decided to play it safe and hold off. 

We all met at a charming bistro for lunch. These ladies are truly sweet and lovely. It was so good to catch up on what they were writing and what events they had attended over the past year. Time flew. It was the highlight of my weekend. 

So friends if you EVER get a chance to meet your blogger pals... DO IT! Not once have I ever not had THE BEST time.

We spend so many countless hours with our blogger pals and it's just like we've know each other forever....well....we have. In our posts, emails, and blog hops. I wish I could meet all of you! But I must admit, I'm not doing to badly. LOL...

Let me know who've you met!

Once more I am so appreciative to be a part of this wonderful blogger family. We are by far THE BEST Community ever! Give yourselves a round of applause! You ALL deserve it!

I'll be posting for the WEP within the next few days, so DON'T forget to check out the posts or SIGN UP!


27 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

You got to meet with Tara and Julie - how awesome!
Funny, I could go to one of those conventions and no one would know who I was...

shelly said...

I have met Lena Winfrey, at Pearldrops on a Page. And Mike Saxton, who no longer blogs. I stay in constant contact with these two. They're awesome.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Michael. So lovely that you met up with some lovely blogger friends. I can't wait to meet you one day. That conference must have been great!

I've only met 3 bloggers--Charmaine Clancy, Raelene Purtill and Nas Dean. Would love to meet Lynda Young too. I told Donna I was taking a long trip to the US one of these days and catch up with a few coast to coast.

Glad that you'll post to WEP. I know setting is right up your alley. I was hoping for a little bit of Amber or some Chicago noir! What do you have in store?

Need to catch up re your home too!

Denise :-)

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi, Denise,

Something a bit different this time. You all have read about the Willows and 1940's Chicago, now I think it's time for something different.... stay tuned. I should be posting something tomorrow... hopefully.

Yolanda Renée said...

Hi Michael, how wonderful and exciting. Love the pictures.And so awesome you were able to catch up with Julie and Tara.

I am so looking forward to your WEP entry, always impressive! And now something new, can't wait!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Love the pictures! It looks like you are having so much fun!

Joanne Fritz and Christine Danek are local to me, and we actually started up an in-person critique group. I met Melissa Sarno on a trip to NYC, and she also came to a recent signing I had there. And when my family was in Paris, I met Katie Mills (Creepy Query Girl).

Melissa said...

I am so very jealous. Good for you! :D

D.G. Hudson said...

Looks like you had a lot of fun at the conference and meeting pals! Look forward to reading your WEP entry. Mine will post for Wednesday, Pacific Time.

Roland D. Yeomans said...

Love the pictures. I feel like I was there -- without the hassle of driving or flying!! :-) It must be great to go to a conference. Like Alex, I could go and never be recognized -- a secret agent author! :-)

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I've never met any of my blogger buddies in person except for the few I knew before blogging. It sounds like such fun.

Golden Eagle said...

It sounds like you had a great time--love the pictures! Meeting bloggers in person would be fun.

Jo said...

I have met L. Diane Wolfe and Jeff Hargett, both in North Carolina. Spent the whole day with Jeff. Fun. I have met lots more cyber friends but not bloggers. Friends from South Africa, Texas, Portugal, UK and, of course, Canada.

Connie said...

Sounds like you had a great time! I have met a few fellow bloggers--it is a lot of fun!

Blogoratti said...

Really great that you got to meet all those fine bloggers. Nice!

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Yay Michael - all the meet ups sounds amazing - just frustrating re the thunderstorms (but better to be safe) ... and then all those ladies - oh yes and the odd man!!

I've met too few ... and I'd love to meet many others and travel to the States, and down under to meet others - one day ... cheers Hilary

mshatch said...

That's so cool you got to meet some bloggy friends! I think you're the only fellow blogger I've met in person and wasn't that a lovely little snack we had at that cafe?

Julie Flanders said...

It was so awesome to meet you, Michael. And Uli too! Hope to see you again in Chicago next year. :)

Crystal Collier said...

Yay for blogger friends! I periodically have them stop by Disney World, and occasionally I catch them before they leave. I'm such a recluse though. (Maybe it's the dark circles under the eyes because of all the baby-induced sleepless nights, but those too will pass.)

DMS said...

This sounds amazing! I am jealous and happy for you at the same time. How cool you got to meet some blogging buddies. We spend so much time with each other online, so it must be awesome to connect in real life! I met one blogger, Kelly Hashway, in person at BEA last year. We ran into each other after she finished doing a signing. It was such fun to meet up with her. Glad you had such a great time!
~Jess

Tara Tyler said...

it was so great to meet you in person! i'm so glad you came down to visit with Julie and I! meeting blog friends is the best! I'm glad I've met Elizabeth Seckman, Carrie Butler, and Sherry Ellis. hoping to meet more!!

Stephanie Faris said...

How cool!!! If anyone from this community is at SCBWI Midsouth in September, I would LOVE to meet...but I don't think there are many people who live in the Midsouth AND blog on here AND go to that particular conference!

Cathrina Constantine said...

AWESOME!!! Thanks for the great pictures Michael!!! An author contacted me this past winter saying she'd be in the Buffalo area and we did meet. Mary Pax. It was wonderful!!!

Michelle Wallace said...

O masked one!
I'll just call you The Masked Blurb King! Hehe!
Love the pic with you, Tara and Julie - 3 of my favourite people all in one place!

cleemckenzie said...

You sure do get around, Michael! How wonderful that you met so many of your blogging buddies. I'm a little green with envy.

Nicki Elson said...

I'm so jealous you got to meet Tara and Julie! I'm sure the three of you had a great time. You're always so great about meeting up w/ blogging buddies in real life. How many have you met so far?

Cherdo said...

What a great time! I'd love to meet some of my blogger friends - you, included!

Rose Cooper said...

It was so great meeting you in person, Michael! I was so surprised when I just happened to see you there. It really is great to meet blogger friends in person...I've met many and like you, all have been great experiences!