by Molly Jo Realy (@MollyJoRealy)

Y’all know I wrote a book, right?

Oh. Sorry. That was more for me than you. Sometimes I forget I achieved one of my dreams. In fact, am still achieving the journey of NOLA.

Ooh, but first: #WIP update. For those not in the industry, “WIP” is short for Work In Progress. It means, whatcha working on now? Well, lemme tell ya … Nothin’. Heartbreaking, isn’t it?

It’s not that I don’t have a good storyline for BLINDSPOT. It’s that, well, some of it doesn’t work. The blind part, for one. I mean, my idea was reminiscent of an older episode of NCIS (Season 2 Episode 1, to be specific), and while I’m totally down with my character imitating Gibbs, there really is the one and only. So, I’ve had to do a creative reset and am still figuring things out.

Don’t you worry, though.

As I write this to y’all, Momma Tristan, Ronna, and Lou are moving around in the shadows, along with all the others you know and love. They’re ready to come into the light. Soon, Team NOLA. Soon.

Well, I was going through some notes this weekend, sorting some and crumpling others. Did you catch the pic? It looked like a giant popcorn bucket spilled out. [You can see the popcorn floor and join the discussions in my Facebook NOLA Swarm Group.]

Anywhoo. The notes did two things: They reminded me of the journey I’ve been on, and they encouraged me to continue.

So I said to myself, “Self…” Oh, come on! It’s not like you weren’t expecting that from me.

What a better way to psych up for really working the WIP than sharing NOLA’s journey?

Aside from the few things you can’t see online (yet), like Greyford Manor, Fleur de Fanci, and Bits & Bones, there are some swingin’ hot spots IRL (*in real life) that made it into the book. Don’t believe me? My editor took a trip to the Big Easy with her family. Even got her hubby to pose with the book for a photo. Sweet, yah?

So. Ya interested? Great! Here are some links to help you experience Josie’s journey to NOLA:

Café du Monde

Jackson Square

French Market Inn

Farmers Market

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar

Steamboat Natchez

New Orleans Glassworks & Printmaking

Audubon Nature Institute

Street Cars

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Pat O’Brien’s

Wait. What’s that? You want to make your own journey to NOLA? Well, here are some more helpful links:

Visit New Orleans website

Visit New Orleans Twitter

And while there aren’t many Chick-fil-A’s in the Crescent City (like, three, to be exact), I’d be remiss if I didn’t give the cluck a shout out. No, they don’t feature in the first story, but I recently met new friend Hailey at my local CFA, and we bonded over NOLA because she saw my car decal and T-Shirt. #GeauxSaints!

YOUR TURN TUESDAY: What was the best vacation you went on? Leave a comment!

Molly Jo’s Journals: Journey to #NOLA, a writing struggle, and a fave quote from the book. Click To Tweet

Come alive and stay wild,

Frankly, My Dear . . . : Bohemian Hurricane

Author of the romantic location mystery novel, NOLA, Molly Jo Realy is an award-winning writer and author coach. Known as the Bohemian Hurricane, she encourages people to embrace their unique talents to come alive and stay wild every day. Addicted to cats, coffee, and pens in no particular order.

Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more fun!

 

BTW: At the end of each post, I will share social media or marketing links. In today’s post, links to NOLA are through my Amazon Affiliate link. Which means I get a few extra pennies if you purchase this way. So, you know. Thanks. And happy journeying.

Sweeten my tea and share:
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