I never tire of this sight.

Wrapping up the love story I've been working on and have decided to change the title once again. It will be JUST ADD WATER and will be a stand alone story--no trilogy or series as with my previous books. (They are all available on Amazon) I have a strong affinity for "Water" and I hope my readers will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

QUOTE: "We are all human beings. We all feel fear. We all love and become confused when we don't act as well as we would like to. We all get depressed and have feelings of uselessness. All of these things are true and have always been"--Akhil Sharma

WRITING TIP: Writing is finding your way through the haze of confusion.

Early morning Sunday, before AWT, and walking out on Jolly Roger Fishing Pier--still dark outside and man was it perdy. EVERY day I feel blessed to be here, my home.
It has been a wonderful AWT. I met some really cool people and saw others that I hadn't seen in a year. I'll next be at Surf City Summer Market on Black Friday. This year the market will be in Hampstead at Cedar on the Green-. SCSM brings so much business to the island. ANYWAY - y'all come out to Hampstead on Black Friday and see our wares--lots of unique, handmade, local stuff.

QUOTE:  A man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it-George A. Moore

WRITING TIP: Imagine writing a scene about lying- without saying a character is lying. How does the reader know?

What a wonderful day at Autumn with Topsail. The weather was gorgeous, the music was fantastic and the crowds were huge. Thank you to my returning customers. Coming back for the second and third book in a series means a lot to me. Tomorrow is the last day of AWT so come and enjoy the music and wares the vendors have to offer. The live music is sooo good, the food is great (chicken teriyaki on a stick is super) and everyone is so friendly.

In ten years I'll look at this photo and think I looked young. The mind plays cruel jokes on us sometimes. Right now I think I look like some old Russian woman. Odd how we view ourselves. Guess the character studies we did in class last night got to me. We had some very interesting people in -- a couple locals, a couple from New York. Geez, I'm so grateful when people tell you how they really feel. This semester has been one of the finest I've had in a long time. We are trying some new things that really get you thinking, exploring and learning. WOW! it's fun. Looks like some more fun is on the horizon.AUTUMN WITH TOPSAIL is this weekend. Three bands will be playing music and lots of food, beer, all kinds of vendor stuff, pottery, wood working, leather working, painters, stained glass, beach stuff and MY BOOKS.  Please come join us--the fun starts at 9:30 Saturday morning-or that mean old Russian woman in the picture will have a hissy fit.

QUOTE: Success isn't measured by money, power or social rank. Success is measured by discipline and inner peace-Mike Ditka

WRITING TIP: a writer gets to know himself/herself better and better the more her or she writes.

         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.