Portals & Potions Newsletter

The Write Stuff: Upcoming Writers Conferences

Greetings from Enchanted Springs!

Reviews are coming in for The Enchanted Antique Shop, and almost all of them give the story five stars! If you haven't had a chance to grab your copy, please ask for it at your favorite brick-and-mortar bookstore. You can also find it at Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Writers Conferences

Writing is a solitary practice, and sometimes I feel like I spend most of my time in the imaginary world of Enchanted Springs. This month, however, I'll be part of two writing conferences—and I can't wait to be out and about with real people in the real world.

• Killer Nashville Writers Conference
  Date: August 17-20, 2023
  Place: Franklin, TN, Embassy Suites Hotel & Convention Center
  Join me at one of the premier writers conferences in the nation. I'll be delving into the mysteries of crafting spellbinding tales, sharing insights, and maybe even revealing a few secrets from Enchanted Springs. If you're attending, please don't hesitate to come up and say hello!
• Orlando Reads Books
  Date: August 24-26
  Place: Orlando, FL, Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando - North
  I am absolutely thrilled to be a featured author at this event. Expect book signings, panels, and perhaps a ghost story or two from our beloved Violet. It's going to be a magical few days in Orlando.

And speaking of Violet ...

Forgotten Flapper Flair: A Ghostly Glimpse into the 1920s
By Violet Serrano

What's up, Buttercup? Violet Serrano here, your favorite ghost writer and resident spirit at the Enchanted Antique Shop. Cielle has asked me to take you on a trip down memory lane to introduce you to some of the snazziest slang of my era— words that encapsulated the vivacity, freedom, and flair of the 1920s. Grab your pearls, put on your best Charleston dance moves, and let’s dive in!

1. Bee's Knees: This meant that something (or someone!) was the absolute best. So if you walked into a joint and heard someone say "That dress is the bee's knees," you knew it was high praise!
2. Cat's Meow: Another term for something fabulous or outstanding. The party at Gatsby's? Oh, it was the cat's meow!
3. Giggle Water: No, not your regular H2O. This was our cheeky term for an alcoholic beverage. Fancy a sip of giggle water at the speakeasy?
4. Hotsy-Totsy: When something was perfect or just right. That new phonograph playing jazzy tunes? Absolutely hotsy-totsy!
5. Applesauce: Not the kind you eat, dearie. This was a term used to express disbelief or to call out nonsense. "You danced atop the Empire State building?" "Applesauce!"
6. Heebie-Jeebies: That feeling when something gives you the creeps or makes you nervous. A black cat crossing your path at midnight might've given you the heebie-jeebies!
7. Whoopee: Not just a fun word to say, but it meant to have a good time, especially a wild or lively party. We flappers knew how to make whoopee!

So there you have it—a quick dip into the vivacious vocabulary of the 1920s. The next time you're reading about me in The Enchanted Antique Shop, imagine me winking at you and using one of these phrases. Bring a little flapper flair into your day, and remember, life's a celebration, so let’s make some whoopee!