When Inspiration Hits

I got to travel to New Orleans last week for a Speaker’s Retreat. I wasn’t a speaker. Apparently now I am. A friend actually invited me, and I don’t say “no” to travel unless there’s a really good reason.

I am so grateful I went. One of the surprises of the event (which I’ll share more about later), was a cocktail part in the Hemingway Suite at the Hotel Monteleone. Yes, as in Ernest Hemingway. Apparently, he spent a great deal of time at the hotel and even wrote one of his books, Night Before Battle, there.

The hotel itself is actually a national literary landmark, declared by the Friends of the Library Association in 1999. Every single room is decorated differently, and it’s the oldest privately owned hotel in America, at roughly 135 years old. At least five of the suites are modeled and named after a famous author who wrote about and stayed there.

When I stepped foot inside the suite, I felt something magical. I walked through the suite, and outside around the rooftop pool, drinking in every corner, sound, smell, and view I could. It felt like a burning magic was running through my veins.

Throughout the evening, I was on such a natural high, that my cheeks hurt from smiling so hard. During several conversations with the other guests, I mentioned how I wish I had my laptop so I could write a chapter in that space.

One particular guest asked me why I needed my laptop. He asked me why not use my phone. I started to stutter with excuses, then realized he was right. I pulled up a document on my phone and started feverishly writing.

I wrote a chapter that will be published in Serenity’s Salvation, part of the Murder Mindset Series, this year. I was wired all night.

We visited the hotel again a couple of mornings later for beignets and coffee at Criollo. (They were phenomenal, by the way.) We got to look at the lounge and infamous carousel bar, though we couldn’t enjoy a drink since it shut down due to COVID. (New must do on the list, though.)

When we were leaving the hotel, I noticed a display right by the front entrance with books and a sign. The display case featured books that mentioned the hotel and the famous authors who stayed and wrote there.

I decided I now have a new dream/goal. I’d love for my name to be included in that. When I go back, I’ll write some more in that suite if I have a chance, or one of the other literary suites. I also think the Carousel bar would be an amazing backdrop for part of Shyla’s story, which you’ll hear about soon.

Have you ever shared a space that someone amazing, who is no longer living, was in at another time? Did it affect you at all? I felt an entire shift happen and really can’t explain it, though I hope it comes through in the words I crafted together.