#ocw2017
Autumn in the Forest
Saturday, October 14, 2017
Ozark Creative Writers Conference
Okay, I said I'm taking a break from blogging during October, and I am, but I'm going to do a little bragging on myself tonight--I won first place in five writing contests this evening and placed second and third in two others. Many of these stories and poems were written when I was ill, so it's particularly awesome that I did so well. At least to me it is. ;)
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Harvest Time
It is black walnut harvest time in the Ozarks again, and I have embarked on the month-and-a-half-long tradition of harvesting this black gold. With temperatures this week in the 90s, I must confess that I am not enjoying this harvest as much as those in seasons past.
It's painful, hot, I injure my foot every year by stepping on a hidden walnut the wrong way, and my hands remain stained for weeks. I usually end up with some manner of creepy-crawly in my hair and on my clothes, and I somehow manage to wind up with bleeding wounds on my arms and hands by the end of each day. And there's no bathroom in sight. Anywhere. Ever.
But however uncomfortable the harvest is for me, this is where the idea for the Evershade series began, so it is a rather special time for me. The spicy, woody aroma of the walnut hulls fills the air, and if you're very lucky, one of those hard little (or big) nuts does not hit you on the head while you work. (One fell RIGHT by my face as I bent over to pick up a nut today.)
I am taking a break from blogging during harvest time to focus on finishing my first draft of "Season of Storms," harvesting hundreds of pounds of black walnuts, and helping my son sell as much Boy Scout popcorn as he possibly can.
Happy Harvest!
It's painful, hot, I injure my foot every year by stepping on a hidden walnut the wrong way, and my hands remain stained for weeks. I usually end up with some manner of creepy-crawly in my hair and on my clothes, and I somehow manage to wind up with bleeding wounds on my arms and hands by the end of each day. And there's no bathroom in sight. Anywhere. Ever.
But however uncomfortable the harvest is for me, this is where the idea for the Evershade series began, so it is a rather special time for me. The spicy, woody aroma of the walnut hulls fills the air, and if you're very lucky, one of those hard little (or big) nuts does not hit you on the head while you work. (One fell RIGHT by my face as I bent over to pick up a nut today.)
I am taking a break from blogging during harvest time to focus on finishing my first draft of "Season of Storms," harvesting hundreds of pounds of black walnuts, and helping my son sell as much Boy Scout popcorn as he possibly can.
Happy Harvest!
Thursday, September 7, 2017
"Summer of Death"
The past year has been difficult for me personally, having been filled with death, health crises, relationship issues, and my latest loss that occurred yesterday--one that will take some time to get over. Sorry, not ready to go into details right now.
The characters of Evershade have experienced their share of losses as well, particularly in "Season of Madness." Now, as I write the third book, "Season of Storms," yet more characters meet their demise. My daughter thinks I'm sick, my son thinks I'm cool.
Besides writing, I am a very negligent gardener and have planted a few strawberries, potatoes, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. This evening was cool, so I decided to water the onions.
We have two rain barrels at the front corners of our house, and we had enough rain to fill them repeatedly this summer. I used the water from one barrel to water the onions and peppers. The other barrel is located beneath a very unruly wisteria vine, and when I approached it to get water for the tomatoes, I noticed the barrel wasn't full. That was hardly a surprise, however, since that barrel had sprung a leak earlier in the summer and was held together by duct tape.
I picked up the watering can and peered into the barrel. Green algae blanketed the top of the water, and right in the middle of the slimy surface floated the very deceased corpse of a bloated opossum. Yeah. No doubt the brother to the opossum that died in our compost barrel a month ago.
So, perhaps I am justified in killing off my characters. After all, I certainly have the inspiration right on my own farm. But I feel guilty about it, too. I cry when I write some of these scenes, because though they may not be "real" to everyone, they are real to me. What the characters feel is real.
But death--in all its forms--is painful, and I for one could stand to have a little less of it in my life right now.
The characters of Evershade have experienced their share of losses as well, particularly in "Season of Madness." Now, as I write the third book, "Season of Storms," yet more characters meet their demise. My daughter thinks I'm sick, my son thinks I'm cool.
Besides writing, I am a very negligent gardener and have planted a few strawberries, potatoes, onions, peppers, and tomatoes. This evening was cool, so I decided to water the onions.
We have two rain barrels at the front corners of our house, and we had enough rain to fill them repeatedly this summer. I used the water from one barrel to water the onions and peppers. The other barrel is located beneath a very unruly wisteria vine, and when I approached it to get water for the tomatoes, I noticed the barrel wasn't full. That was hardly a surprise, however, since that barrel had sprung a leak earlier in the summer and was held together by duct tape.
I picked up the watering can and peered into the barrel. Green algae blanketed the top of the water, and right in the middle of the slimy surface floated the very deceased corpse of a bloated opossum. Yeah. No doubt the brother to the opossum that died in our compost barrel a month ago.
So, perhaps I am justified in killing off my characters. After all, I certainly have the inspiration right on my own farm. But I feel guilty about it, too. I cry when I write some of these scenes, because though they may not be "real" to everyone, they are real to me. What the characters feel is real.
But death--in all its forms--is painful, and I for one could stand to have a little less of it in my life right now.
Thursday, August 31, 2017
New Beginnings
As some of you know, I became engaged last week, and this means a whole new life for me in many ways. It will be a long engagement out of necessity, but it will give us both time to improve ourselves as people and focus on our work.
I thought perhaps that being engaged would affect my writing, but it has not. If anything, I am more productive now than before, despite my constant health issues. (I simply don't feel well most of the time.)
Now my challenge as a writer is to continue to focus on my writing and not get wrapped up in wedding plans. After all, a writer has no set hours (this writer doesn't), and the wedding IS a ways off...
I wish you all the best in your personal and professional lives, and I hope you find a great book to read today!
I thought perhaps that being engaged would affect my writing, but it has not. If anything, I am more productive now than before, despite my constant health issues. (I simply don't feel well most of the time.)
Now my challenge as a writer is to continue to focus on my writing and not get wrapped up in wedding plans. After all, a writer has no set hours (this writer doesn't), and the wedding IS a ways off...
I wish you all the best in your personal and professional lives, and I hope you find a great book to read today!
Thursday, August 17, 2017
Meet "Elder Veil"
One of the most interesting characters to write so far has been the box turtle, Elder Veil. He is the leader of Torzeria, the Holy Place where the male turtles who are in line to become Elder reside.
His shell is plastered with ornately carved designs, each filled with a vibrant color according to its shape. Some of the turtles who reside with him in Torzeria have sat still for so long that moss and mushrooms have sprouted on their shells.
Elder Veil tends to make others nervous. He is rather wise, and he speaks of things that almost make sense, but not quite. Some things he says don't make any sense at all, not to anyone outside of Torzeria at any rate. Without a doubt, it is obvious that Elder Veil knows things that any normal animal should not. He sometimes knows what is about to happen or what path someone should take. He even has urges to start on a journey himself, often before knowing his destination.
Though he is considered odd and a little intimidating, he is respected far and wide and often sought out for advice or help. One would not think that a turtle could do much, but Elder Veil can accomplish more than you know.
But, as with all wise creatures, he holds secrets known to only a few, secrets that pain him. Secrets that may one day reveal themselves...
His shell is plastered with ornately carved designs, each filled with a vibrant color according to its shape. Some of the turtles who reside with him in Torzeria have sat still for so long that moss and mushrooms have sprouted on their shells.
Elder Veil tends to make others nervous. He is rather wise, and he speaks of things that almost make sense, but not quite. Some things he says don't make any sense at all, not to anyone outside of Torzeria at any rate. Without a doubt, it is obvious that Elder Veil knows things that any normal animal should not. He sometimes knows what is about to happen or what path someone should take. He even has urges to start on a journey himself, often before knowing his destination.
Though he is considered odd and a little intimidating, he is respected far and wide and often sought out for advice or help. One would not think that a turtle could do much, but Elder Veil can accomplish more than you know.
But, as with all wise creatures, he holds secrets known to only a few, secrets that pain him. Secrets that may one day reveal themselves...
Thursday, August 10, 2017
Meet "Queen Sapphire"
Perhaps one of my quietest and most overlooked characters is Queen Sapphire. This beautiful, enormous snail rules Evershade with her husband, King Obsidian.
Like him, she wears jewels and beautiful objects glued (with pine sap) to her shell, but her objects are all blue--blue stones, blue eggshell, blue feathers, etc.
The queen is soft-spoken and kind. She is not one to complain, but life has chosen to give her a great burden to bear--the inability to produce little ones of her own. Her eggs have been plentiful, but the little snails never quite formed correctly inside their shells, and consequently none have hatched. When Sky is brought before Their Majesties, a light sparks inside her, and the hope of becoming a mother at last brightens her life. Her dearest wish comes true.
But the queen has a secret that few are aware of. And to find out this secret, you will have to read Book Two, "Season of Madness."
Like him, she wears jewels and beautiful objects glued (with pine sap) to her shell, but her objects are all blue--blue stones, blue eggshell, blue feathers, etc.
The queen is soft-spoken and kind. She is not one to complain, but life has chosen to give her a great burden to bear--the inability to produce little ones of her own. Her eggs have been plentiful, but the little snails never quite formed correctly inside their shells, and consequently none have hatched. When Sky is brought before Their Majesties, a light sparks inside her, and the hope of becoming a mother at last brightens her life. Her dearest wish comes true.
But the queen has a secret that few are aware of. And to find out this secret, you will have to read Book Two, "Season of Madness."
Thursday, July 20, 2017
Meet "Sky"
Discovered by Ash when he was an injured chick knocked from his nest, Sky is brought to Evershade before the king and queen to determine his fate. With a broken wing and little hope of survival, he edges his way into Queen Sapphire's heart, and Sky becomes the adopted son of Their Majesties and heir to Evershade.
As Sky grows, the house finch develops an open, eager personality. He cannot fly, but he spends many a day on the king's balcony watching the sparrows flit through the canopy.
By all accounts, he is friendly and a pleasure to be around. But what of his dreams? His healed wing is too weak to use for flight--as far as he knows. And even if he could fly, doesn't being the adopted son of snails ground him permanently?
And what of a mate? He is the only bird who resides in Evershade. The sparrows just pass through, and he's not seen another house finch since he came here. What does his future hold?
As Sky grows, the house finch develops an open, eager personality. He cannot fly, but he spends many a day on the king's balcony watching the sparrows flit through the canopy.
By all accounts, he is friendly and a pleasure to be around. But what of his dreams? His healed wing is too weak to use for flight--as far as he knows. And even if he could fly, doesn't being the adopted son of snails ground him permanently?
And what of a mate? He is the only bird who resides in Evershade. The sparrows just pass through, and he's not seen another house finch since he came here. What does his future hold?
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