Author: Carol Ann Ross

Recently I had the chance to introduce the ocean to someone who never thought about it.
Sure, they had seen it a few times, played on it’s beaches, but getting to know it–well, that’s a different story. I have no more power to make someone know the ocean than I do having a rock talk, but the introduction, the quiet, the little snippets about swells, tides, the critters that come out of it-as we walked. After a time I noticed a different demeanor, a calm, and found myself invading a space they had  found–even without looking for it, it had happened. I saw it in their face-because there are no words. 
 I am a thalassophile. My journey is to bring as many as I can to know the ocean–through words, or just being–to share its power, its calm and that sense that we are one with this grand entity.

QUOTE: “The fair breeze blew, the white foam flew,
the furrow followed free:
We were the first that ever burst
Into that silent sea.”  from THE RIME OF THE ANCIENT MARINER, Samuel Taylor Coleridge

The last couple of days have been quite blustery and overcast, but that’s no excuse for not walking on the beach. A real mermaid is sea bound in all types of weather. And if you missed the storm last night, it was a doozy-Amphitrite had the ocean whipped up into a frenzy. If you don’t know who Amphitrite is, she was Poseidon’s wife. Like I said– learning all kinds of stuff with THE MERMAID DID IT. And yes, Amphitrite was a mermaid.
     Searching for ways to express myself can be a bug-a-boo, so I search for vehicles. This time I’m using mythology…..somewhat.

QUOTE:”I have moments of huge frustration because of my inability to express myself linguistically as clearly as I would like to.” David Gilmour

WRITING TIP: There are oodles of things that can be your inspiration–nothing is stupid or trite.

Poseidon plays a significant role in my next book THE MERMAID DID IT. I’ve been learning a lot about this Greek god while working on the new project–he is the brother of Zeus, he’s the god of the sea and other waters, of earthquakes and horses.  Not surprisingly, and like most of the gods of Olympus, Poseidon was a great lover. His most noted lover, and wife was a mermaid named Amphitrite–this itself, is an interesting tale. If you have the time,  check out this love story.

As for THE MERMAID DID IT, The book is moving along swimmingly, (lol)
I’m a little over a third of the way through, so I thought I might share a bit–here is a small excerpt:

   I thought it could be her—not a lot of gals built that high and with freckles.” …….
now, she’s a looker. Hot stuff, and the way she stands—there’s something about her—man-eater.
     “You got that too?”
     “Yep, I’ve seen enough of them to know—kinda a sixth sense.”

QUOTE: “When I saw you I fell in love, and you smiled because you knew.” William Shakespeare
WRITING TIP: Writing is an opportunity to learn about all kinds of things, especially yourself.
    

Lovely day for a walk on the beach. Found 12 pieces of glass and a nice sized shark’s tooth. If you’ve read my Waterlogged, Bridge Tender and the Tower, then you are familiar with the character Lev. He’s a bit more active in this new book THE MERMAID DID IT. And poor ol’ Paula, all I can say is-it stinks being forced to learn new stuff. Life’s lessons can be harsh.

QUOTE: “I do not understand how anyone can live without some small place of enchantment to turn to” –  Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

WRITING TIP: The perfect place is the place where you have to be.

Another beautiful day at the beach. Thank you Jesus–and Happy Easter!
 The above is a water color by Patti Blacknight. Patti is the owner of The Mermaid’s Purse in Surf City and a very talented artist. She does some funky stuff with what is called Steam Punk–anyway–Patti is designing Poseidon, a sort of character in THE MERMAID DID IT. I’m now 1/3 of the way through my little mystery–hoping it will be ready by the end of July.  Lev, Don, Paula, Carrie, and some more good guys and bad folk are turning out to make this one hell of a story. FUN, FUN, FUN!

QUOTE: “If you presume to love something, you must love the process of it much more than you love the finished product” John Irving.

WRITING TIP: I think Mr. Irving is correct– I do love the writing process, it takes me to another land. The idea of never going there again is unimaginable. I love what I get to do–and though I’m rarely wholly satisfied with the end product, it is so worth the journey.

A foggy and misty day, good time to be working on THE MERMAID DID IT (the 4th book in the Topsail Island Murder series). Here’s a little exerpt:

Things couldn’t have been easier. Keisha was a piece of cake, so easy to get info from—so vulnerable. And she could have been so easy to roll-if Estelle didn’t have long term plans for her.  In so many ways Keisha reminded her of Theo—so needy and hungry for approval.

 Man! Estelle is such a witch. What is she up to now?

 I just received a photo from Jeff Wenzel who is providing the cover for THE MERMAID DID IT- it is just as ominous and foreboding as Estelle seems to be.  Jeff is the guy who does the fantastic aerial photography in our area–so very cool.

QUOTE: “There’s someone in my head, but it’s not me”- Pink Floyd
WRITING TIP:  Add a little of this, a little of that, and see where your imagination takes you. It’s all fodder for the pen.

The back cover for my newest book PELAGIC. I had a wonderful time today at the Sneads Ferry Book Club. This was my second visit. Thank you so  much to my readers-I’m go appreciative of your interest in my books. PELAGIC is one of my favorites-it was a labor of love, but well worth the experience.
The best I can figure is two people came to Topsail long ago–one said, ‘hell, I can make a bunch of money off of this place.’ The other said, “what a lovely untouched place where I can live life simply enjoying the beauty.’ That’s kind of how I see things–I think the former person sucked the life out of our island and the latter loved it for its simple beauty.  Oscar Wilde put it more eloquently when he said “Now days people know the cost of everything and the value of nothing.”

Great day on the beach yesterday–a little windy, but still lovely.
Tonight Creative Writing class at CFCC was outstanding. We delved into PLOT in literary fiction. This 6 weeks it seems most of the students are trying their hand at that genre. Literary fiction is quite a bit different when it comes to plot-its not as simple as with mystery or romance. Inner struggle, coming of age, self awareness–all the things that make us human are  on display/questioned/exposed./examined. There is rarely a solution, more of a turning or realization. Putting that sort of thing on paper can be difficult. But we made headway tonight and opened some doors and avenues of thought. Yippee! Thank you students, you made my day.

What a beautiful day it has been today. Surely Spring has sprung.  Warms my heart too to browse the beautiful displays of art at the Mermaid’s Purse. Yep, we have some fine shops on the island. Y’all come check them out. Visited Quarter Moon last night and listened to some fine live music–ahh– great ambiance there. Two very cool places to spend some time on Topsail AND they both carry my books!

QUOTES: “Music has charms to soothe the savage breast”- William Congreve

“Life beats down and crushes the soul and art reminds you that you have one.”-Stella Adler

WRITING TIP: The arts, in any form, refresh my soul and keeps me writing. Stuck in a slump, play some music or spend a couple of hours contemplating your favorite art form.

I’ve been keeping you up to date with my adventures in writing. Thank you, my readers, for following. I enjoy any and all feed back. I’m asking you to please follow me on my Facebook author page https://facebook.com/authorcarolannross
I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas. Thank you so much, Carol Ann Ross