What Makes An Experience?

What makes an experience?

Yesterday, I hosted my first book launch signing event in Park City, Utah. I've held several book signing events in the last six months, but this was my first launch event where I brought treats, and it was also my first event releasing a sequel. It was also the first event that I've been able to go out and try a new restaurant afterward to celebrate, so I'll include that in the experience, as well. Overall, yesterday was a really lovely experience, so I wanted to take just a minute to break it down. 

1. The People
For me, the people are always the first thing that make or break an experience. So, let's talk about the staff. I've worked with Barnes & Noble staff across central/northern Utah for the last six months, and the staff have all been lovely to work with. The staff at Park City are no exception to that wonderful experience.

I scheduled my event with Katie, one of the managers at that location, and even through our email communication, she was excited, enthusiastic, and wonderful to work with. When I got there, all the staff members I spoke with were so friendly and professional, and when Katie joined for her shift, she was awesome. She'd stop by the table whenever she was in the area to check in and chat, and I absolutely loved having her around! 

Toward the end of my event, another staff member with just as much enthusiasm and spunk came by the table to check out my books and talk with me, and it was an awesome experience. 

Now that I've talked about the staff, I'd like to share my experience with readers that came by. I have to say that yesterday was a dreary, cold and rainy day in Park City, so I think a lot of people were feeling the effects of the weather. However, I was still pleasantly surprised by the amount of people who came by the table who were happy to chat books and writing with me! I was also blown away by how many people stopped by and picked up both Bound and Severed, especially as I was packing up!

I got to meet so many wonderful people yesterday, even people visiting from other parts of the world, and I had some wonderful kids and their parents stop at the table to chat, including other writers I was able to converse with. It was so cool!

2. The Food
Okay, so this next part isn't technically related to my book signing event or writing, but just hang in there with me for a second. When I planned to do this event up in Park City, my colleague invited us to go to dinner afterward at a restaurant that she and her husband own, Cortona cortonaparkcity.com. My husband and I looooove Italian food, and we've been talking about trying it for ages, so we thought this would be a great opportunity. 

You guys, not only was the atmosphere incredible, but the food...

Let's just say, every once in a while, I eat something that makes me actually emotional, and the food at Cortona was nothing short of a beautiful experience, and as close to Italy as I've ever been. I honestly teared up when I tried their meatballs. 

Now this brings me to my next train of thought here, how an experience like what I had at Cortona can really influence writing. When I met with my writing group this week, we discussed how helpful it can be to get out of your comfort zone and experience a new place, paying special attention to the atmosphere, the details, and sensations. I will definitely be using the experience I had at that restaurant to inspire my writing this week.

If you are a writer or reader and you would like to get in touch, feel free to reach out! I'm always happy to talk about books! Thank you to everyone who signed up for my email list. I hope you have a fabulous day, and I'll write again next weekend.