Breaking the Internet in Manchester

Earl Chessher

I love it when a plan comes together. This week has been one of those occasions when such a thing happened. With social media, everyone has a chance to meet and chat with people from all corners of this round planet. Sometimes it's to network and further business and other times it nurtures new friendships.
Through my writing, I am a member of many Facebook pages for writers, but one in particular has become a second home for me. It is known as Fiction Writers Group and is headed up by a wonderful guy called Earl. He is the leader of more than 7000 members in this group and he keeps us all in check as no self-promotion is the main rule. It is a forum to go to for a chat, seek help with your writing, gain advice and for sure make great friends.

Patti, Earl and  I.

So back to my original sentence, when a plan comes together. I and one of my friends, Patti, from the group agreed to meet up when she was over from the US, (Pennsylvania to be exact) for a holiday in the UK, I was able to go visit my son and daughter- in-law in the UK, so I was happy too to travel. Anyhow, when I posted on the group site that this was happening and if any other members were available to join us in Manchester, it would be ideal.
I think what sealed it for others was the royal presence of our leader, Earl, (all the way from California) announcing he would be there, got the others to gather.

Some of the group

This would be the 1st time we would all meet each other in the flesh, having chatted and shared for years on the Internet. We were going to break that Internet connection and hug each other for real. WOW, it was a magic moment, sitting together around a table, eating, drinking, chatting, laughing, taking photos, a little nervous but feeling on cloud nine. We had done it, we were more than just Internet buddies, we were friends on all realms forever more.
Already looking forward to when someone else suggests another chance to meet and break that net connection.