Author: Carol Ann Ross

This morning as the tide was going out everybody was out there fishing–dolphins, seagulls, pelicans and this big guy. The ocean was fishy today.

It’s a beautiful morning–working–tweeking the book I’m working on. Still have not settled on a title. Usually my titles are the first thing, but this time its between JUST ADD WATER, AS DEEP AS THE SEA, ALL THE SEA and PELAGIC. Pelagic means deep water. decisions–decisions. Here is a small excerpt from the book:

 In the broad and silky morn

The sun is warm upon my heart
And I know it won’t be long
before fated love holds my hand
And guides me to your side
I long to know your lips again
And taste the salt upon your skin
And know your thoughts as you do mine
And drink the sweet joy of us
As we swim in our pelagic love.  

Lovely day on the beach today. The weather has been phenomenal. Love it when the birds are congregated like so–makes me wonder if they are plotting something (ala Hitchcock) or simply having a hen party.
QUOTE: “Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” e.e. cummings
WRITING TIP-curiosity is where it’s at, man–keeps the ink flowing, the gray matter glowing. 

Not sure what pier this was,either Barnacle Bill’s or Surf City, but it was taken in the sixties. Went into a shop the other day and their tee shirts said TOPSAIL ISLAND FOUNDED 1963. Where in the hell did they get their info. Mentioned the mistake and was ignored–oh well, Topsail Island was founded way before that and Surf City was founded in 1949. LIES…IT’S ALL LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PROPAGANDA FOR THE MASSES! Take a deep breath, Carol. This too shall pass.
Enjoy the photo, enjoy the sunshine–lovely for November–huh?
QUOTE; I can never change my past, it’s already happened anyway. All I can do is make the best of today, let go, and keep moving on.
WRITING TIP: Don’t let go, keep it bottled up–it will come in handy at a later date. Everything is fodder for writing.

  QUOTE: “The cream of enjoyment in this life is always impromptu. The chance walk;
the  unexpected visit; the unpremeditated journey; the unsought conversation or acquaintance”- Fanny Fern

Joey, Detective Dog, waiting anxiously for the perpetrator of the latest round of crimes in Surf City. Yes, he knows THE MERMAID DID IT and is on the look out for Carol Ann Ross’s (4th in the series) book (due out next summer). It might be a long wait, but he’s always on guard.

the bank of clouds as I came across the span bridge this morning was breath taking. Love this kind of weather–my church is in prime mode on days like this. Thank you God.
QUOTE: “My soul is full of longing for the secret of the sea, and the heart of the great ocean sends a thrilling pulse through me”- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
WRITING TIP: Listen

My what a foggy day today is. There’s a kind of  comfort though, in the mist that wraps around you–it’s as if the sea is kissing you.

QUOTE:Writing is like driving at night in the fog. You can only see as far as your headlights, but you can make the whole trip that way”– E.L. Doctorow

Early morning (of course, the early mornings are getting later and later this time of year), nonetheless–early morning on the sound. Beauty always softens the heart, makes you want to love and be loved. 
QUOTE: “Not everyone will have the heart you have. Not everyone will appreciate you and what you do for them. It won’t be easy having a kind heart in a cruel world. Be prepared.”
WRITING TIP: Angst–how do you portray angst in your writing?  Do you write in a line telling the reader or do you portray your character’s actions and reactions?

JUST ADD WATER-yes, the main character in my new book is a surfer girl. Been fun researching her since surfing was never a sport I picked up. I was always too chicken–especially after I saw the boys surfing and 8 foot sharks swimming alongside them. But Kallie is a tenacious gal. She’ll surprise you with just how tenacious she is. JUST ADD WATER will be out sometime in January.

QUOTE: But more wonderful than the lore of old men and the lore of books, is the secret lore of the ocean-H.P. Lovecraft

WRITING TIP: Research everything! If you don’t you run the risk of looking ignorant.