Santa brought me this CD. I have been doling out the 30 recordings, allowing myself only one per day. Today, I listened to W. Somerset Maugham, author of one of my all-time favorite quotes about writing: “There are three rules for writing the novel. Unfortunately, nobody knows what they are.” His seven-minute snippet (recorded when… Read more »
In addition to having become addicted to Cliff Mass’ weather blog during the big snow of Aught-Eight, we constantly check out what the tides at Shangri-Lar will be. And, wouldn’t you know it, there was a minus 3.1 tide last night about 11:30. Armed (rather, footed) with our new pseudo-Wellies, warm jackets and one flashlight… Read more »
Though I vowed to make no New Year’s resolutions this year, I did make one. For both Husband and self: no more papers, mail and miscellaneous junk allowed on our kitchen table! To provide an incentive, I covered the table (from Neil’s Grandma and Grandpa Hawley’s farmhouse) with a lovely hand-made lace tablecloth, created by… Read more »
I have evidently started something unintentional with my comments about word counts. Let me remind you, it isn’t about the quantity! And I have been living with the current WIP for maybe three years now. I knew the characters, knew what they wanted and where they were going. There was one minor detail: I didn’t… Read more »
We kids always dreaded it when Mom pulled the red casserole dish out of the oven. We knew inside would be “Miltenberger Mush,” a variable concoction using up what few leftovers our family of 6 might have had. If you are averse to mish-mash, you might want to skip today’s post because it is coming… Read more »
Not sure why this cover is printing so small — it in no way reflects my enthusiasm for Joni Sensel’s latest book. I have to confess to being jealous — I mean, don’t you wish you’d come up with the idea to write a book about someone who hears numbers?! On top of that, she’s… Read more »
This is the Sentinel, a heron who most often sits in the big leaf maple that overhangs the bank at Shangri-Lar. We found him, brooding, down the beach on a post-New Year’s walk. I could relate: I’ve been in a brooding mood, too, over the novel that’s not getting written. So I’ve made a New… Read more »
After finishing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society (which I adored — it ranks up there with And Ladies of the Club for me), I reached for Hannah’s Dream by Portland author, Diane Hammond. It was the perfect follow-up — another heartwarming read about characters I came to care about deeply. I’d met Diane,… Read more »
One of the highlights of 2008 was having a book come out that I’d written with a good friend. Two Bobbies: A True Story of Hurricane Katrina, Friendship and Survival happened because of my good friend, Mary Nethery. The book came out in August and now we wrap up the year with a lovely piece… Read more »
Our first winter at Shangri-Lar and, look at that snow! Last Saturday, we felt like kids, taking pictures, making tracks, throwing snowballs. Day two of snow meant less joy and more work. You can see theaccumulation on Mr. Heron here. What you can’t see is our driveway. We couldn’t see it either until we applied… Read more »