Pretty flowers in the marsh.

September 13, I will be teaching a seminar in Morehead City at Floyd's at 400 Bridges Street. Hope to see you there.

QUOTE: "just because something isn't a lie does not mean that it isn't deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction-" Criss Jami

WRITING TIP: Is your antagonist a liar? Pull from your experiences to create him or her. We've all been lied to.

Coming up the Intracoastal, some places are quiet and serene. This is nearly untouched, and what has been touched has been done so with respect and desire to protect the integrity of the area.
QUOTE: Some see a thing and see only price, others see it and see its value. (I think this was Oscar Wilde-not sure. But he has a quote very similar. This quote epitomizes my sentiments toward Topsail. Someone (or several) looked at it and thought- Wow, nothing's here. I'll make lots of money developing it. Others looked at it and saw the simplicity of its beauty. (Greed sucks)
WRITING TIP: Sometimes bare bones says the most.

Of the thousands of people I see at the markets or other local places only a handful have said they are glad the swing bridge is going. Most people see the bridge as a landmark and express the sentiment that coming across it means it is time to relax, slowdown and enjoy our quaint little island.
BUT NO-DOT knows best !@#$!^^**.--is all I have to say about that.

QUOTE: Being in a hurry. Getting to the  next thing without fully entering the thing in front of me. I cannot think of a single advantage I've ever gained from being in a hurry. But a thousand broken and missed things, tens of thousands, lie in the wake of all the rushing...through all that haste I thought I was making up time. It turns out I was throwing it away--Ann Voskamp

WRITING TIP: You can no more rush your character's development than you can rush learning who you are.

Lots of foot prints in the sand--must mean lots of people on the beach. It is almost September.
Did around 1500 words today on SOMETIMES (new book) and as I tend to do when I get into a character and start developing them, I look into all places to tell me who they are. Callie-one of the main characters, is in love. (well, the book is a love story) anyway-watched a movie, listened to some music, checked out the net--pondered her. She is taking shape and I like her. All the above help develop Callie. The movie led me to Oscar Wilde, the music to sexy Pink Floyd, the net-all kinds of stuff.
QUOTE: You don't fall in love with someone for their looks, or their cloths, or their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear-Oscar Wilde

WRITING TIP: Your characters are everywhere-in the past, the present, the future and in all your experiences.

Working on SOMETIMES A BOOK IS JUST A BOOK.  I know it is a long title, but believe me it is very appropriate. Also meeting with a few people (who know a whole lot more than I do about things)to discuss certain changes on the island--should be interesting. Getting your facts straight is very important and expressing a character's point of view should be backed up with facts. I'm shooting for a January date to release my newest novel. FINGERS CROSSED.

QUOTE: Once you make it to your point of making it, you'll appreciate the struggle.

QUOTE: I have sea foam in my veins, I understand the language of the waves.

WRITING TIP: even if it sounds stupid, write it down. Somebody is going to relate. Or--keep working on the thought until it no longer sounds that way.

                     
                                                                                            MONSTER

                         You lean in to me
                         So close that I
                         Can feel your
                         Warm breath on my                                neck

                         You stroke my arm
                         As if you have
                         To know the
                         Touch of my skin

                         You say the words
                         That tell me
                         So many lies
                         That sound like truth

                         Your stare
                         Wants me
                         Your movement
                         Disturbs me

                         Until I cede
                         All my strength
                        Then you turn
                        And walk away.


Sometimes, more often than not, characters get in my head and all kinds of things spring from them. This is a poem that my character Callie would write. Callie is from the new book- bouncing around titles in my head. geez, they all sound so good at the time--

QUOTE: Truth is everybody is going to hurt you: you just gotta find the ones worth suffering for-Bob Marley.

WRITING TIP: It's okay to be confused-just write the ambivalence into one of your characters.

Local lobsters--notice they have no claws, but man are they tasty. You have to go pretty far off shore to find these.
Still working on the new book, the love story, and have come up with a new title.
SOMETIMES A BOOK IS JUST A BOOK-- okay, you have to read the book to get the title. But so far this is top contender for the title.
I'll begin teaching another writing class at CFCC next month, be sure to sign up or have a friend sign up. Trying some new things this time. It will be 8 weeks instead of 6 and there will be more class interaction.

QUOTE: Scenery is fine, but human nature is better--John Keats

WRITING TIP: experiment with dialect, it can be fun and add a different dimension to your story.