A perfect day in the mountains

I love living in Boone, NC

Spending a day downtown is one of my favorite things to do.

Toss in a book festival and boy howdy - what could be better?!

Saturday was the High Country Festival of the Book which you been  seeing me post about here and at Facebook.  Actually, there were some events on Friday, and a dinner on Friday evening, but I was unable to attend those.

And sadly, there were many writers here on Saturday that I didn't get pictures of.  There were wonderful things happening, and because there were so many people I wanted to spend time with, I just didn't get everywhere, but come along and enjoy my day with me - - -

I got into town early, wanting to make sure I missed running into the annual Blood, Sweat & Gears 100 mile bicycle race, which passes directly in front of our road.  I've been caught in it before and will now miss it at all costs.  I admire those bikers, but I do not want to be among them on these curvy mountain roads.

I parked behind the Jones House, which always makes me smile.  It's an important part of the Boone community and I was happy that some of the festival activities would be happening here.

Then walked down King St., admiring the flowers (I love this time of year in the mountains), and enjoying being right where I was.

I am not able to walk by our bronze of Doc Watson without taking a picture.  He was a much loved local figure, and will be missed by many for a long, long time.

And treated myself to breakfast at my favorite Boone restaurant, Melanie's Food Fantasy. 

and got to have a chat with the one and only Melanie.

Melanie rocks.

Then wandered back to The Jones House and Marcia had been busy setting up the book store.  Appalachian State's University Bookstore always does an excellent job of handling the festival book sales.

Our first two speakers of the day were two authors I have long admired.

I was over the moon to find out both of them would be participating in our festival.

Robert Inman

And

Patti Callahan Henry

Just so happens, both have new books out - Yay!!!!

Did I even attempt to resist buying both?

Pfft!

No way!

And both were gracious enough to sign their books and have their picture made with this gal who thinks authors are rock stars.

Then I wandered over to our library where even more festival activities were taking place.

More books, more authors, music on the lawn, food tents, children's activities - all on a perfect mountain day.

Outside - 

And, inside - - 

(here's my friend, Paul Benson - Hi, Paula!)

And, I have to tell you.  I was so happy to see Jane Edwards, one of the authors of Jelly Bean Finds Her Special Place. 

AND, she brought along some of her Jelly Bean toys.  These are the sweetest, the softest, the most lovable little lambs on God's green earth.  I tried just as hard to resist buying one of these as I did buying books - which means, not one whit.

this is the real Jelly Bean.  Do read her story!

Then I wandered back to The Jones House in time to hear Lynn Cullen talk about her new book, Mrs. Poe

I had received an advance copy of Mrs. Poe and loved it.  Now I'm ready to read it again because Lynn's talk was so fascinating.  One thing I'm sad about is that I walked out of the house and forgot to take my copy of Mrs. Poe with me to have signed.  But, maybe, just maybe, I'll cross paths with this lovely woman again on down the road.  

Next up.  The Mystery Panel which I was asked to moderate.  I was tickled pink (and scared to death!).  Panel members included two authors I call friends, who write books I have recommended and given as gifts to many friends and family members over the years.  Vicki Lane and Mike Orenduff, along with Sean Keefer, whose work I now know and won't hesitate in recommending.  Millie West had planned on joining our panel, but things didn't work out.  Millie broke her leg, quite badly.  She was able to participate in the festival, but as a speaker rather than a panelist.  And darned if I didn't miss her talk while I was buying fluffy stuffed Jelly Bean lambs at the library!

Life I said earlier, unfortunately,I missed several of our authors - several of whom I had very much looked forward to meeting.  

Our mystery panel moved out to the front porch (thank you, Suzanne! The best festival chair festival ever), and we had a wonderful time just talking books.  I got over being scared (but not over being a bit nervous, I'm afraid), and a good time was had by all.  

My thanks to the panelists for making it so easy, and my thanks to the readers and writers who joined us.  It was a perfect day.

(photo by Paula Benson)

And here's a picture of the treasures that came home with me

some very cool swag from my friend, Georgia author, Elaine Drennon Little (whose Book I *did* remember to take, but then forgot to ask her to sign.  aargh).

Thanks, Elaine!!

AND - my very own baby Jelly Bean, along with two books I cannot wait to read!!!!  squeeee!

Note:  Vicki Lane has done a blog about the festival.  Check it out!  http://vickilanemysteries.blogspot.com/2014/06/high-country-festival-of-book.html

The High Country Festival of the Book (HCFB) and associated author events are organized by the Friends of the Watauga County Public Library to draw attention to the importance of books, reading, and literacy.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 27     
TALES OF IMAGINATION & MYSTERY DINNER
With Author of Mrs. Poe, Lynn Cullen
At the Boone Golf Club 
Join us for this fund-raising dinner to support the 
Friends of the Library & the High Country Festival of the Book  
Tickets to go on sale April 1

Lynn Cullen is the author of The Creation of Eve, named one of the best fiction books of the year by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution; and Reign of Madness, nominated for the Townsend Prize for fiction. She is also the author of numerous award-winning children’s books, including I Am Rembrandt’s Daughter.  Her newest book, Mrs. Poe is an 2013 NPR Best Read, one of the Atlanta Journal's Best Books of 2013, Editor's Pick in Historical Novels Review, and one of Oprah's Books That Make Time Stand Still.  An avid traveler and historian, she lives in Atlanta, Georgia. http://lynncullen.com

1.    A question many writers hear during book signings is "where do
you get your ideas?"  How would you answer this?   Usually I get hooked by something I've read or seen in a museum.  People who have been maligned by history are my favorites—all my books are about people who have had horrible PR, so to speak.  Edgar Allan Poe, victim of the worst smear job in literary history, was just my sort of guy.

2.  Writers often say they're surprised by some things their
characters might do.  Have you experienced this?  If so, do you let
them just run loose for awhile to see where they'll take you or do you
manage to keep them under control at all times?  Ha!  Control them?  I live for my characters to run amuck.  For me as a writer, it’s my biggest thrill to let my characters take me on a wild joyride as I write.  I do very little planning ahead of time—I just have an inkling of the climax—and let the characters show me the way.  The discoveries they reveal to me are worth the years I have to put in
behind a computer screen. 

3. Is there a particular author who inspires you?  I am inspired most by the British writer, Penelope Lively.  I admire her sharp observational powers of human nature, her economy of words, and the deft way that she conveys emotional information between the lines of her stories.   I’m fascinated by how much we humans say to each other is actually unspoken, and Lively is the
master of the heartbreak of the unsaid.   She also inspires me because she started out writing children’s novels, just as I did, and went on to win the Booker Prize for her adult work.  Now that’s inspirational!

4. Is there a book you loved so much, you wish you could re-read it
again for the first time?  I love Penelope Lively’s HEAT WAVE and re-read it to jump-start me whenever I get stuck in my own writing.  WUTHERING HEIGHTS
serves the same purpose.   A more recent book that dazzled me is BEAUTIFUL RUINS.  Reading it each night was a wondrous discovery.

5.  What book(s) are on your nightstand right now?  Alice Munro’s DEAR LIFE is taunting me from the stack piled up next to my lamp.