Callie is back in CALI!!
After what seems like two years, not two moths!
Hi, friends!
It’s already August which means we’re in the final dog days of summer. I have had a LOT to keep me busy this summer, and I have pictures to share! The most exciting for this fantasy romance writer was my trip to England.
I stayed with one of my oldest and dearest friends, attended a gorgeous wedding in the English countryside (in a barn!!), and stayed in a historic manor home! It was magical and inspiring and beautiful. I loved every moment and I both edited and worked during the wedding weekend, and I cannot wait to share the words that were so, so inspired by this magical place.
This was my first ever trip to England, so I did a lot of what you’d expect and some things you might not! I saw loads of churches, toured cemeteries, lit candles, and ate lots of yummy pub food. I only spent one day in London (I live in a major city so while I LOVED London, I was more excited about the more Medieval parts of the country—more on that in a second.) and I took the tube, the train, and walked my poor little feet off.
I was blown away by Westminster Abbey. I was able to tour the inside and see the very aisles I’ve seen on TV every time I’ve watched a royal wedding. It’s even more majestic and stunning that the pictures convey!
I visited York, Cambridge, and then went back to York a second time to celebrate my birthday! I’ll share a LOT of pics of York over the coming months. I ate dinner in a pub that dates back to 1491, went on a ghost tour (which was completely hilarious and unhinged!), and walked the Tower that held a king’s chapel and former dungeon!
As a fantasy fanatic, I could have stayed in England forever! I loved the food. I couldn’t believe the villages—the cows and sheep that just are loose in the fields where people walk their dogs and hike!! The trip came and went too fast.
I learned a lot in England that will be relevant to my books (the design of latrines will likely not make it into a book, but you never know…)
It was a life-changing trip and an absolutely HUGE gift from my friend who let me stay with her family for THREE WEEKS so I could attend the wedding and make a holiday out of the time. What a summer.
I’ve been writing like mad, working like a whirlwind, and trying to stay cool through the summer heat. I’ve recorded posts episodes (Season Two will enjoy a fun change in format) and am overall busy but happy to be back home and healthy after more plane, car, train, and bus travel than I’ve done in years all crammed into the last two months.
What’s kept you busy this summer? What are you reading? I hope you’re staying healthy and safe. Stand by for lots of news and new books! I appreciate you reading this update, and if you have been to England or just want to, please comment or message me. I’d love to chat about my new favorite home away from home!
