sketch by A. Glover (may not be reproduced without consent)

Toying around with various photos and sketches for the book I’m working on now. I’ve found a wonderful young artist that captures what is in my head. Still, this is a work in progress.
It’s not often that you find someone with whom you have such a good connection. I miss those type of artistic relationships.

QUOTE: Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live–Norman Cousins.

WRITING TIP: You need to see the action between your characters–see them come to life. Then simply write what you see.

photo is courtesy of Connie Pletl

I’m pretty sure this is a scene that has to be enjoyed while sitting in the dunes listening to Pink Floyd.

QUOTE: Smell the sea and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly–Van Morrison
WRITING TIP: I’m speechless.

AUTUMN WITH TOPSAIL  is coming up–Oct. 21 and 22. There will be live music both days, lots and lots of arts and crafts, food and beer. Y’all come on down!
I’ll have all my books! The weather is supposed to be fantastic!

               THE MUHLY IS HERE
     And it keeps getting more and more brilliant as the weather cools. Enjoy it now, because after the first or second frost it will once again fade into its dormant bland colors.
     Had a wonderful class last night at CFCC–exciting new format and exciting new students that have added so much to discussions. If you missed this one, please sign up for Spring–that class will start the last week of February and will last only 6 weeks.

(a side note: the article about Barbara Lee and the haunted house is now out in Livin’ Out Loud magazine. Issues can be found at the Hampstead Library, and several shops in Surf City. Copies should be at the Sneads Ferry library and Senior Center by this afternoon.–Thank you Barbara).

     One of the things I tell my students is to not expect perfection. No one is perfect– especially with their first attempts. I had a friend say something to me today and since they are a friend I appreciated their honesty–my friend is one of my beta readers and I value her opinion and trust her explicitly. She said she was so delighted about how much my writing has improved–paraphrasing, she said, ‘it was hard for me to get through the first book but now your writing is so improved. I really enjoy the stories.’
     I have to admit, I have re-read some of my first stuff, and though it sold well, I cringe and wish I could re-write it. But alas, it is what it is, and a first book is just that, a first book–an intro to what you have to offer. Be proud of that first book, and if you keep writing, (as in living) you will continue to grow and improve with time and experience. It takes giant cojones to put yourself out there–actually it takes a self awareness that few possess.
     Another friend of mine mentioned one time that he re-read THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA and was disappointed that it did not read as well as it had when he had first read it. I believe he was seeing style and content for the first time–realizing things about his own writing–a good thing. THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA is considered one of Hemingway’s finest novels. Would it be considered so today? Again, the question, story or style? More than not, good is subjective–remember this. If you value an objective person’s opinion, believe it and move forward.
     Keep writing, keep believing. The results are so fulfilling.
QUOTE:”There is  nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility lies in being superior to your former self”–Ernest Hemingway.
WRITING TIP: you can re-write until you’re 80 and re-write some more. There comes a time when you have to get over yourself and be satisfied.

If you can click on the picture to enlarge it, you will  notice more clearly the dark splotches in the water–these are schools of fish running through the ocean. I’m sure you’ve spotted them from the shore or fishing pier. very cool, thousands of fish, little fish chasing bigger fish.

QUOTE; You can’t do anything about the length of your life, but you can do something about its width and depth–Evan Esar

WRITING TIP: reflective writing, check it out.

This is my father. Many of you who follow me may remember him. I’ve come to find out that he was someone you liked a lot or didn’t like at all-at least, that is what I have been told. I do know that he wasn’t impressed by one’s “stuff” but rather by what kind of person one was.I think he judged people on  how honest they were with themselves–how well they knew themselves–their integrity (something that is very rare these days).  His influence on me has been monumental and is evident in several of the characters in my books.  Thank you, Daddy.

QUOTE: Don’t sweat the small stuff or the small people-Frank Ross

WRITING TIP: The characters among us are the fabric of our stories.

OMG! A perfect day! Just a little too breezy, a little too cloudy, a little too non-typical. But then, that’s always the best way for things to be. Beauty is subjective, isn’t it?
As for that nasty ol’ hurricane, Maria-best that we have the peripheral effects of her–the full effect would be oh so destructive.
QUOTE: Normality is a paved road: it’s comfortable to walk, but no flowers grow–Vincent Van Gogh
QUOTE: Fake people have an image to maintain. Real people just don’t care.

WRITING TIP: It’s the abnormal character (person) that adds substance to your story (life)–the abnormal events that make a story interesting.

It’s always pretty, it’s always what I need. Thank you God. Doesn’t being where you feel good make you want to be good to other people? Even the ones that have been kinda shitty to you? I wish everyone good health and success. Keep pursuing your dreams, don’t give up on them–they are worthy and you deserve what you have worked so hard for.

QUOTE: Telling someone the truth is a loving act-Mal Pancoast

WRITING TIP: Don’t be afraid to seek out people who know more than you. Their knowledge can only add to yours.

                    A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS

Didn’t they sing that song AND I RAN, back in the eighties? Geez it looks like they added a few band members since then. Wonder if they still sound the same?

QUOTE: I love to laugh, and laughter is one of my favorite things. When you have a really good laugh, you feel great afterwards-Bill Engvall

Writing tip- don’t just say that your character laughed, describe it.

QUOTE: The ocean is more ancient than the mountains and freighted with the memories of the dreams of time–H.P. Lovecraft.
  (Geez, what beautiful inspiring words!!!)

Lovecraft was an author of horror and the macabre during the turn of the century. He died penniless, never having achieved the fame or recognition that he did posthumously. He lacked the confidence and whatever it took to promote himself. (I bet a long lost family member got all the dough)

WRITING TIP: grow a pair, promote yourself or be like Lovecraft.