Shine Away Day 2 - Putting things in Motion

I can't even begin to tell you how I feel like Day 2 of Shine Away changed the trajectory of my life. Like that sounds delusional, I totally understand that, but I legitimately feel like I changed timelines in the multiverse of this world. I don't normally subscribe to those notions, but there's this part of my gut that feels so impacted by Day 2, that I can't shake the feeling.

Sunday morning started with me grabbing a much needed cold brew around the corner from the event, and then promptly getting in line. I chatted with a few ladies while we waited for doors to open. Everyone had tried on some of the goodies from the gift bags, and the liquid blush that was included was gorgeous on both of them! While I was waiting in line, I got an email from the VP of Integrated Marketing at Hello Sunshine!! The ladies Alison and I met the night before had sent along our contact information, and they reached out to us to film some content!

To say I was excited is an understatement. I connected with Alison, and we figured out a time that morning to film that didn't interrupt any of the panels we wanted to see that day. At around 9:30 we met up with Hello Sunshine and were taken into a green room, where they asked us a bunch of different questions about how we connected and our experiences. I was on cloud nine and it was a top ten experience, that's for sure.

When we wrapped up they asked for our social media handles, promising to tag us, and sure enough they did! Check out the Hello Sunshine Instagram page, your girl made the grid!! How cool! Before we left I asked them if I could give them my book and they said YES!!! I am besides myself. My book will be in the Hello Sunshine HQ Library. I'm totally manifesting that someone from the team will read it and love it and want to option it for Netflix, or Prime, or some streaming service. Wouldn't that be a dream come true!!!?? The team was so sweet throughout the entire experience, and they gave us a sweatshirt from the merch store, which I haven't taken off in days. It's so comfortable.

After we filmed, we got to experience the rest of the programming, including a Thriller Panel with Ashley Flowers as the moderator. Three of Reese's Book Club thriller authors joined her, including the newest author, Lauren Ling Brown, who wrote Society of Lies. It's definitely going on my TBR! All the programming was so great. Reese and Sarah Hardin came out at the end of the day to wrap up the event and I swear Reese and I had a moment where we locked eyes; either that or she was looking at the prompter behind me, but I swear she saw mine and Alison's tape and locked in on me! A girl can dream. Either way if she's seen the Hello Sunshine post, which I'm sure she has, she's seen my face....so yeah.

After the event wrapped, Alison and I grabbed lunch and hung out before going back to the bar before she had to leave. We chatted some more and we planned to meet up in NYC when I go up for my 9-5 in November! We've been talking almost every day since too, I'm super thankful for the connection, and to have someone in my life that is also pursing a similar dream!

I hung out at the bar for a little while longer after she left, and soon two ladies came down and I chatted with them for a little bit. It turns out they are the writing duo Liv Constantine, the author(s) of The Last Mrs. Parish.....ummmm what?! We talked for what was probably 3 hours and I am so thankful that they entertained all my questions and let me talk their ear off. I told them about my publishing journey and how I'm working on book two, they told me about their experiences and how they are waiting for the TV adaptation to take the next steps! It was amazing. We followed each other on Instagram and they told me I could reach out to them with any more questions or advice. I'm in awe.

Shine Away by far exceeded my expectations. I will absolutely return as long as they keep hosting it, and who knows one day I might be up on that stage as a RBC author. The investment in the weekend was well worth it and I can't wait to see where this timeline takes me!