My Fantasy Vacation by Lynn Lovegreen

I have been fortunate enough to travel to many wonderful places. Whether it’s taking the ferry to Dutch Harbor, Alaska on the Aleutian Chain, or seeing Shakespeare’s Globe in London, much of my bucket list has already been checked off. But I would like to have a fantasy vacation, too.

I am taking the phrase “fantasy vacation” literally here—why confine ourselves to reality? My fantasy vacation would be with tour guide William Shakespeare.

We’d start in Stratford-Upon-Avon, where he’d show me around his hometown. He’d give an intimate tour of the places he lived in and frequented, and I’d meet Anne Hathaway (and see if they loved each other dearly—I’ve always wondered). And they’d introduce me to their three kids, too!

Then we’d go down to London. Shakespeare would give me a working tour of the Globe Theatre, including at least one rehearsal and a performance of one of his plays.—I have so many favorites that I’d let him pick one. None of them would disappoint me.—I’d sit back to watch and soak up all the gossip from the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (or the King’s Men if that’s the period we were in). Maybe a Renaissance colleague like Kit Marlowe or Ben Jonson would stop by.

Plus, I’d ask Shakespeare all the questions I’ve been pondering for years. What was his favorite play and why? Did he ever think those poems and plays might be preserved and enjoyed after his life? And why did he leave Anne “the second best bed” in his will?  

I know I can’t really go on my fantasy vacation. But it’s fun to imagine, isn’t it?!

Lynn Lovegreen has lived in Alaska for almost fifty years. She taught for twenty years before retiring to make more time for writing. She enjoys her friends and family, reading, and volunteering at her local library. Her young adult/new adult historical romances are set in Alaska, a great place for drama, romance, and independent characters. See her website at www.lynnlovegreen.com. You can also find her on Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.

Dream Vacations Without Leaving Home

by Madelle Morgan

What if you could go on vacation without actually travelling anywhere? That's the type of "staycation" that is opening up with virtual reality (VR).

3D video capture and Google mapping are making the world's sights accessible from your living room. It's called Virtual Reality Tourism.

This didn't exactly sneak up on me. I'm a tech geek and knew the technology was under development. Finally, after years of innovation and investment, the VR headsets are much less clunky, the price point has dropped, and 3D video capture equipment is more widely available.

Kids of all ages who desire the latest gadgets are putting VR headsets on their gift lists.

Why is this of interest to romance authors?

The applications of VR are unfolding, but they all involve telling a story. Examples are in the fields of entertainment, real estate sales, training, and travel.

Entertainment

VR, like other forms of entertainment such as television and film, is a medium that requires writers. The immersive experiences will need scripts. Narrators and actors will connect you to the places captured in the VR world. Video game designers are well positioned to expand into VR games, taking the expression "immersed in the story" to a whole new level.

Real Estate Sales

Soon online 360 degree videos of homes for sale or rent will be outdated sales tools. Agents will give their clients headsets and virtually "walk" them through dwellings to narrow down the selection before an in-person visit. Imagine touring several homes in an afternoon without the hassle of driving to them.

Training

Aircraft control simulators used to train pilots and loved by gamers have been around for a while. But did you know surgeons, crane and other heavy equipment operators, emergency services personnel, and basically anyone who develops skill with repetitive practice can learn using simulation software and VR?

Wouldn't you prefer that aspiring surgeons make any learning mistakes in a virtual environment, rather than screw up in real life?

Travel & Tourism

Wearing the headsets, we'll be able to virtually wander around museums, tour historic sites, visit vineyards (sadly, no wine tasting), ride roller coasters, and even "experience" outer space! Writers, the virtual tour guides will require scripts.

Here's a description of 8 Virtual Reality Travel Experiences That Will Blow Your Mind.

At my age, Virtual Reality Tourism is the only way I'm ever going to visit Machu Picchu.

There are many European castles I'd love to tour, but I'm not sure my legs will get me up all those tower steps.

What applications for virtual reality do you envision ten years down the road?

Madelle

Madelle Morgan is a Canadian author who writes romance with heat, heart and humor. Check out these summer beach reads.

Caught on Camera: Hollywood wedding romance set in Muskoka, Canada—summer playground of the rich and famous.

Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au | iTunes | Kobo

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Diamond Hunter, a romantic suspense, is a free read in Kindle Unlimited.

 Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com.au

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Follow Madelle on  Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Wattpad. Subscribe to Madelle’s blog at www.MadelleMorgan.com.

My Summer Outing by Paty Jager

Maggie and I on the 1880's train

This week I’m headed to the Wild Deadwood Reads in Deadwood, SD with my niece-assistant. I attended the event last year and enjoy not only seeing Deadwood but the trip to and from the event. We stopped at the Little Big Horn Battlefield on the way to WDR and took a trip down through Wyoming to see one of my high school friends on the way back.

Like last year, this year, I will be taking a round-about way to get to and from Deadwood, so I can take in a historical site I wrote about in a book and to see the lay of the land where I have set a series.

Shoot re-enactment on the street in Deadwood

Spending time in Deadwood, I plan to see more of the local sites than I was able to last year. I want to see the Moriah Cemetery and the Adams House. Both places I missed last year.

My side trips this year are the memorial site where Chief Joseph surrendered to the Army in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana and checking out the area along the Northern Pacific Railroad in North Dakota, where my Silver Dollar Saloon series is set.

While seeing these sites are a part of checking off places I want to see, my fantasy vacation would be spent with my hubby or close friends (hubby isn’t as interested in this type of vacation as I am) on a tropical island with white sand, blue water, and warm weather. I’ve watched television shows and movies with the setting on a tropical island and I’d like to experience it once in my life. Hopefully, sooner rather than later so I can enjoy it.  I’d like to sleep in a hut with the flowing white cloth, walk on the sandy beach, and swim in the warm water. I’m not much for lying around unless I’m reading. A cute cabana boy to fetch me an iced tea or fruity drink would be nice as long as I don’t have to make conversation with him. And I don’t want a crowded beach. Just me and hubby or me and my friends.

It’s not too much to ask, right?

If you are going on a summer vacation, I hope you have a good time and enjoy the people you’re with or go to see!

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 32 novels, 6 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. This is what Mysteries Etc says about her Shandra Higheagle mystery series: “Mystery, romance, small town, and Native American heritage combine to make a compelling read.”
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Beach photo: DepositPhotos

Vacation Fantasy #1

Judith Ashley is the author of The Sacred Women’s Circle series, romantic fiction that honors spiritual practices that nourish the soul and celebrates the journey from relationship to romance.

I’ve been looking forward to writing this blog post since last fall when Sarah Raplee and I came up with this topic. Why? Because I’ve a great imagination and I have used it to great advantage when wanting a break but ‘life’ didn’t support it. In reality, I have two (2) Fantasy Vacations.

Fantasy Vacation #1: I have a favorite spot on the Oregon Coast. The place is high on a cliff and looks out over the ocean and every view highlights waves dashing on rocks. Sunsets are spectacular. And because of resident grey whales, I can look for the spouts any time of the year. At night the lights of passing ships are visible and I can fantasize about the ship, cargo and destination.

The one bedroom unit with kitchenette and fireplace is my favorite although I really love the studio unit with the Queen-sized bed in the living room. Sleeping with the sliding door open to the sound of the sea easily lulls me to sleep.

Now for the fantasy part:

I stay in this magical place for two months; the on-site massage therapist comes to my room three times a week; room service menu is full of delicious, healthy, tasty food; the large deck with padded furniture is conducive to day dreaming and naps; free Wi-Fi and a comfortable place to set up my laptop and write; easy access from the top of the cliff to the sand so I can beach comb and find amazing agates and, since it is my fantasy, a glass float all the way from Japan!

Want to know more about Fantasy Vacation #2? I’m sharing My Fantasy Life every Monday on my Judith Ashley blog Intentions and Synchronicities. 

See you Monday, June 4^th for Fantasy Vacation #2!

Although my first love is writing Contemporary Romance or Romantic Women’s Fiction, I’ve also ventured into writing non-fiction. My first book, Staying Sane in a Crazy World is available at your favorite e-retailer. 

Do you ever feel as if the world around you is tumbling out of control and there is nothing you can do to make your world a better place?

Do you ever wish there was?

Staying Sane in a Crazy World may help guide you toward stopping the tumbling and choosing how to take effective control of your life.

The reality is there is no One answer that fits all but we each have Our answer.

In this short guide, Judith Ashley leads you through a straight-forward process that allows you to find Your answers. Answers you’ll use to craft a Personal Staying Sane Plan that will help you regain and keep your balance whenever the world around you is out-of-whack.

Learn more about Judith's The Sacred Women’s Circle series at JudithAshleyRomance.com

Follow Judith on Twitter: JudithAshley19

Check out Judith’s Windtree Press author page.

You can also find Judith on FB!  

© 2018 Judith Ashley