Shrimp boats, we see them all the time from our shore. They seem fascinating, maybe even a little romantic (you know, men and the sea and all that jazz). Many moons ago I spent a night shrimping on one (when I wasn’t throwing up) and got a glimpse as to how they operate. It was complicated then and complicated today, as I once again boarded a shrimp boat to learn just how they work. Not to bore you with the technical stuff I’ll refer you to a page on google called HOW SHRIMP BOATS WORK. So, back to the romantic stuff–I’ve always believed that it takes a certain type of person to be a fisherman and I don’t mean the type that fishes on weekends or from the pier, I mean the kind that makes their living from the ocean. Thalassophile-that is “lover of the ocean”–you have to be one of those to work on the sea–it’s a soul thing–one has to do it, since shrimp boat work is hard and demanding. And if you’re not careful, can maim or kill you. My hat is off to all the shrimpers working on those round hulled boats that dip and sway constantly, dip and sway, dip and sway–

QUOTE:

“And the fog’s liftin’
And the sand’s shiftin’
I’m driftin’ on out
Ol’ Captain Ahab
He ain’t got nothin’ on me, now.
So swallow me, don’t follow me
I’m trav’lin’ alone
Blue water’s my daughter
‘n I’m gonna skip like a stone”  Tom Waits

WRITING TIP: Writing is a pleasure, enjoy it.

Bad dude, like-really bad dude. Just around the corner–coming this spring. SHARK’S BREATH is set for its launch May 25 at the Quarter Moon. (more to follow on that in subsequent posts)

QUOTE: ” It has always seemed strange to me–the things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling, are the concomitants of failure in our system. And those trait we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self interest, are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second.” John Steinbeck

WRITING TIP: Take it from the classics, everyone loves a good “bad” story.

SHARK’S BREATH is almost finished! Only a few thousand more words and my baby will be ready to go. Very excited about this one, especially since I spoke to so many experts, trying to gather knowledge and make sure certain things were correct. Let’s see, police, detectives, US Marshal, and this year I spoke to an FBI agent! Wow–learning is so much fun! Looking forward to having the book out by the end of May; I will be sure to announce the exact date and to let you know what’s going on–possible book launch party in the works. So this is fun! Thank you readers, hope you like this one too.

Every year about this time I pay  homage to my favorite flowers by posting them swaying in the breeze. Well, I found this old pic the other day and decided that this one might do this year. I’ve always loved Daffodils–the poem too by Wordsworth–the stuff about wandering lonely as a cloud and then finding the golden expanse of daffodils. Then there is the ending, where the writer is relaxing, closing their eyes and seeing the simplicity, the beauty of the flower once again. I like to think the poem is a metaphor for life–for keeping the beauty, the utter simplicity of it all and holding it within yourself. This photo is from 25 years ago, even then I was a “daffy” dil.

Wordsworth’s poem:

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o’er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

Some days there are no words. Actually, there are no words at anytime. Just imagine what exists below all that calm.

QUOTE: “Sponges grow in the ocean. That just kills me. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if that didn’t happen.” Steven Wright 🙂

WRITING TIP: Analogy: This is you-the writer. All that stuff that lies beneath your surface is fodder for stories.

sometimes they just don’t listen, don’t want to know the truth, or are just too dumb. Oh well, what ya gonna do about it. Here’s an excerpt from Shark’s Breath:

Happy with his purchase, Morgan Simpers ground the gears into second, third and then fourth as he moved northward along the long winding road. Slowing with the long curves, he scanned the side of the road for the little driveway to his rental apartment. Lit only by sky lights, it was difficult to tell what was a small clearing and where an entrance began.  Then, there it was, his entrance. Or at least he thought.

He pulled in slowly, noticing as soon as he had, that it was not his entrance at all. A shadowy figure came from the far side, or had it been there all along? Morgan wasn’t sure. He backed from the drive and slowed as he approached the man, now walking roadside.  “Hey, need a ride buddy?” He called from the window.
For a moment he thought he recognized the face, somewhat obscured by the loosely fitting knit cap covering his head –or was it the lingering buzz from the weed that made him think everyone was a friend. He strained a bit farther, but the man abruptly turned.

“No,” the man stuffed his hands into the pockets of his light jacket and walked away.

The Meet the Author Luncheon was a success!!! We sold out of tickets and I heard nothing but good things about the food! Thank you so much to all who attended. I truly hope you enjoyed yourself and learned a little about the wonderful authors we have surrounding us. Sales were great, all authors sold books. This says a lot about the quality of our authors.
This was our first author luncheon and we are learning too. Though things went rather smoothly, I know we can improve. Next year will be better!
Thank you to Cathy Teoste, Joe DeCicco, Joey Jones, Beverly Heyde, Bonnie Griffin, and Leslie Tall Manning. YOu are all wonderful writers and I’m so happy to have you as part of our shop. There is more to come.
Thank you to Stretch. Barbara, Pat, Bonnie, Bernice and Elizabeth. YOu are God sends. Thank you, thank you, thank you. CArol Ann Ross

A couple of weeks ago this is what was happening out there where the mermaids play. Feels mighty safe being on shore and I don’t envy those who have been on waters like this. Long ago, with my father we rode some rough water–upchucked a lot.

Speaking of mermaids playing–The Mermaid’s Book Corner located at the Mermaids Purse in Surf City is having their annual MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON. Wow! 6 authors will be circulating after a lunch of either shrimp creole or turkey chowder. This is a closed event with only a certain amount of seating available. we have only 4 tickets left, so if you’re interested please come by The Mermaids Purse and purchase one.

Also, so proud to say that I will be teaching a writing class at CCCF starting this Monday. Last check, there is one seat left. Come join. We have lots of fun and learn a few things too.

quote: “If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Oh fishy, fishy, fishy, fish, poor little fish. Must have flopped up into my yard during one of the last storms we had. Well, daggone it, he’s mine now-been there 3 and a half months. I guess his family doesn’t give a flying fig or they would have picked him up by now. Called around but nobody seems to want him or even know what I’m talking about. Think I’ll offer a few body improvements and take care of this little guy who tax payers paid for.

QUOTE: “To be able to destroy with good conscience, to be able to behave badly and call your bad behavior righteous indignation-this is the height of psychological luxury, the most delicious of moral treats.” Aldous Huxley

WRITERS TIP (COMMENT): Hmmm. The above quote reminds me of—-local government!!!!!!!

MEET THE AUTHOR LUNCHEON
February 10 1:30 to 3:30
114 N. Topsail Dr.
The Mermaid’s Purse

Meet some of the areas finest authors
And enjoy
Lunch and a beverage

$10

For more information go to the Mermaids Purse on Facebook or the Mermaid’s Book Corner.