HAPPY NEW YEAR Y’ALL.  Hope 2018 brings good health, modest wealth (too much money corrupts) bluer skies, slimmer thighs, good mental state, less hate, support from above and lots of love.

This photo was taken in ’66 –geez that was so long ago. I vaguely remember sticking my tongue out at my sister as she snapped the photo. Rarely did I take the bathing suit off and my bed was always sandy. Momma used to get mad about that; I never understood why, the sand didn’t bother me at all.

QUOTE: “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happinesss”-Charles Spurgeon

WRITING TIP: you have to truly love writing to put yourself through the emotional torture of it. 

We better enjoy this day–tomorrow it’s going to be way too cold to walk on the beach. The pelicans are out checking up on things–dolphins are out too. Loving the beauty and the simplicity of nature.

Tidying up PELAGIC, yep, that’s what I’ve decided to title this latest book–the romance. Then it is off to the editor and hopefully out the end of January. Got my fingers crossed. Thanks to the many for encouragement, advice and ideas.

QUOTE: “In character, in manner, in style, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

WRITING TIP: Too many adjectives, too many explanations, too much of anything–there is a fine line when it comes to over doing something–my advice is to keep it simple, let the reader dress it up with their own imagination.

CHRISTMAS morning at the beach

 ALL IS CALM, ALL IS BRIGHT

Joy and peace to you all. Have a wonderful day.

It’s a beautiful day in this neighborhood
A beautiful day for a neighbor…
well, we know how the rest of this little ditty goes.
And what a glorious day today has been. I love  an N C Christmas,

QUOTE: “You rarely have time for everything you want in this life, so you need to make choices. And hopefully your choices can come from a deep sense of who you are”– Fred Rogers

WRITING TIP: Dig deep inside yourself to find your characters.

From the workshop–hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. Peace and Joy to all. Hope the New Year brings good health and lots of good times.

QUOTE: “And now that you don’t have to be perfect, be good”–John Steinbeck

WRITING TIP: in writing, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about relating to the reader.

Sort of chilly our there lately, but it’s bound to warm up sooner or later. Still wrestling with the title for the new book–AS DEEP AS THE OCEAN, ALL THE OCEAN, PELAGIC–these are the three that I’ve narrowed it down to. Could really use some help in deciding. please send ideas to my facebook page, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

            POEM

There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is a society where none intrudes,
By the deep sea and the music in its roar.

I love not man less,
But nature more.

–Lord Byron

In the story Callie (main character) is pained by the changes brought about by progress on Topsail Island. Then there are other changes in her life beyond her control with which she must contend, and choices she must make–the only constant in her life has been the ocean.

WRITING TIP: To write, you must use everything–all of you.

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

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.