.png)
Malice Domestic is an annual fan convention that takes place every April in Maryland, just outside of Washington, D.C. It celebrates the traditional mystery in the vein of Dame Agatha Christie, including my favorite, COZY MYSTERIES! This year marked the 35th anniversary of Malice, and my first...but certainly not my last!
Remember being a kid on Christmas Eve, not being able to sleep from the sheer excitement? That was me the night before leaving for Malice. I wasn't quite sure what to expect over the next few days, but I did know it was going to be my version of Disneyland.
One of the things I was most excited about was meeting my writing bestie, Paula Charles/Janna Rollins (she has two cozies coming out in 2024 under each name! Woo-hoo!) in person. Our fast and furious friendship is a story for another day, but just know that we instantly bonded when we "met" a couple years ago. We were pumped to be roomies for Malice!
Our planes landed within minutes of each other. We texted to each grab our luggage and meet at Baggage Claim 3. I grabbed my suitcase and practically bounced to #3, ready to hug the snot out of my girl. I get there...no Paula. No anyone. I texted her - WHERE ARE YOU? I'M AT 3.
She replied - I'M AT 3. Then we decide to meet at my original carousal #1. I walk down the hall to #1...no Paula.
I called her. "I'm at #1, I don't see you."
Guess what? Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport has more than one #1 and #3 baggage claims. *sigh* After what seemed like a 27 mile trek, I finally made it to my friend. And yes, I did hug the snot out of her.
We made our way to the Metro train station and followed the directions our literary agent, Dawn, kindly sent to us. According to our calculations, we would be at our hotel in Bethesda, Maryland in about 40-ish minutes. Fast-forward three hours- two tired, sweaty, hungry writers finally arrived at the correct Marriott Hotel. I forgot to mention that while we were navigating the sidewalks of Bethesda, I was clumsily trying to roll a heavy spinner suitcase filled with 24 water bottles. (I was NOT paying $4.00 a bottle for water at the hotel and these country girls can't stand city water!) No, nothing was wrong with Dawn's directions- they were straight off of the Metro's website. No, we weren't talking so much we missed our stop or got on the wrong train. (Yes, we did talk so much I thought I was going to lose my voice that first night.) The fault lies squarely on a map that hadn't been updated with a correct name...well, I guess we could've looked at more than one Metro map, but I stand by my declaration.
Did we try to check into the wrong Marriott? Possibly. Did learn all the stops on the Red Line? Perhaps. Did we miss early registration for the conference and dinner? Oh, yeah.
Did I find out my writing bestie really does have a fabulous sense of humor and tries to turn everything into a fun adventure? ABSOLUTELY!
What could've been a terrible start to something we'd been looking forward to for a very long time was turned into a great story that tickled a lot of people all weekend. We laughed so much and truly felt like we were in an episode of Laverne and Shirley. It's all about perspective.
I didn't know what to expect when I landed in D.C. - but I knew whatever I encountered, I was going to make an adventure out of it. That's what we have to do with what life throws at ya, right? I'm beyond grateful that this talented lady, who lives way over in the Pacific Northwest, has been thrown in my life to share in my adventures!
Check out the fabulous Paula & her delightful cozies at:
You won't be disappointed!
We got a little excited that we had a window that opened...it doesn't take much, LOL!