Meet A New Fantasy Author

Today I have the pleasure of featuring author, Laura Kentowski. Her debut novel, Guardian of Fate, has earned many positive reviews, mine included. Rather than try to tell you about this lovely lady, I’m going to step aside and let her do one of the things she does best. Write.

Laura, it is a privilege to welcome you to Alice’s Blog. So draw up a hypothetical chair and pour a virtual cup of tea. Tell us a little about yourself and how you manage to juggle a full time job with being a wife and mom.

Hi Everyone! First of all, I’d like to thank you, Alice, for having me here on your blog. It’s truly an honor.

I’m really your typical working wife and mother with a drive to push myself to exhausting limits. Five days out of the week I work as a corporate manager, come home to a whirlwind of a 5yr old, and eventually find a little quiet time late at night to delve into imaginary worlds with my writing. With the help of my husband, I’m sometimes able to sneak in more of my hobby if ideas can’t be ignored. Nothing beats the feeling of creating a whole new existence for my characters, even if I’m running on fumes.

Alice:  When did you first suspect that writing was your passion?

Laura:  I’ve been a big reader for as long as I can remember. I loved how my favorite authors had the ability to take me away from everything with their words, they still do. I can remember coming home with stacks of books that I could barely carry from the library, demolishing them within days, only to go back for my next stack. It wasn’t until I was about 12 that I attempted my own story. Something about a roller coaster, if I recall (twists and turns seem to be an overall theme in my writing – both figuratively and literally, now that I think of it). There were a few more stories here and there, but I was usually too wrapped up in school and friends to have the time for more. A year or so ago I started a book review blog as a way to combine my love of reading and writing. After about 4 months of that, I was compelled to write more. Short stories bloomed, until 1 idea took on novel proportions and I couldn’t stop. Writing became a ritual.

Alice:  Knowing that you graduated with a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice, I’d love to know how those fields of study helped to shape Guardian of Fate.

Laura:  It’s funny because my first few novel ideas were psychological thrillers. Who knows, I still may use them some day. I’m a huge fan of twists and turns in novels and movies. I love finding ways to wow the psyche. By nature, I investigate everything with a need to figure things out. The human mind is an amazing entity that works in miraculous ways. If I can make a reader say, “Wow, I wasn’t expecting that!” then I feel that I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

Alice:  When did the idea for your book first begin to take shape?

I was haunted by a recurring vision that my main character, Cassandra, was having. She didn’t know why (nor did I at the time) she was having it, but it was compelling. As I started looking more closely at her life, it began to unfold for both of us. There was no going back as we found out together how important her role in life was. Secrets were being kept by those she loved at the same time that mysterious entities came forward, and we had to find out why.

Alice:  Do you have a special place where you write?

Laura:  With all the havoc in my life, I take it where I can get it. Most times at night I’m camped out in the recliner with my laptop. Earphones plugged in to iTunes playlists or Pandora radio, keep the noisy drone of the outside world from creeping in.

Alice:  Do you keep a notebook for stray ideas or bits of dialogue or description?

Laura:  I have several: in my purse, on my phone, in my work bag, on my desk at work. Half the time I lose track of where I put all of them. Thankfully, I’m so anal that I transfer the ideas the minute I can to my writing program so they are not forgotten.

Alice:  Do you like to outline or just fly by the seat of your pants?

Laura:  I’ve tried so hard to be one or the other, but I’ve relented to the fact that I do both. Guardian Of Fate started by the seat of my pants for several chapters until I got stuck. Being new at the whole novel idea, I was devastated as to what I should do. I searched and searched for a way out, but couldn’t find anything that prompted me forward. One day I set out to outline and the ideas just started flowing again, but only so far. So I started writing it out in detail again, until the next block. Eventually it became a pattern: write, outline, write, outline. I vowed to outline my entire next book, but Seeker Of Fate seems to be headed in the same direction of the back and forth routine. What does that make me – a planter (panster/plotter)?

Alice:  Once your first draft is finished, what comes next? Do you let it sit and chill, or do you dive right in with revisions and edits?

Laura:  Again, this was a complete learning process for me. I was ready to dive right in with my revision and edits once Guardian Of Fate was finished, but I hit another cement wall. I’d start, but found myself looking for all the wrong things, not sure of what I needed to do – completely lost. Frustration set in and I found myself putting it off for about a month. Once I got back in, it was like the flow of writing again. I knew exactly what needed to change and kept at it until the end. It was definitely my least favorite part of the whole process.

Alice:  I think Guardian of Fate would make a great movie or TV series, especially since you’re already writing a sequel, Seekers of Fate. What are your thoughts on that?

Laura:  Ahhh, my dream put on a screen, how wonderful would that be. You know, I actually get this overwhelming euphoric feeling when I see other authors’ works come to life on TV and movies. I imagine how they feel to see their characters played out in front of their eyes – literally. Of course, I would love that to be my work someday. My only fear would be capturing the emotions of the characters just right. I’m a true believer that most books are 100 times better than even the most award-winning movies. It’s just so hard to get all of those important details portrayed in such a small amount of time. I think Guardian Of Fate has enough drama, action, and twists to be a movie (I’m just a bit biased), with much more to come in the forthcoming books in the series. I’m just chomping at the bit with more surprises for everyone! Seeker Of Fate is turning out to be just as tortuous with its twists and turns as GOF.

Laura, it’s been delightful to have you as a guest and learn the ins and outs of your writing incentives and techniques. I enjoyed reading Guardian of Fate and can’t wait for your next novel, Seeker of Fate.

Guardian of Fate is available in print and e-book through Amazon.com or at Barnes & Noble. It can also be downloaded in other formats for a variety of e-readers.

• Buy It at Amazon
• Buy it at Barnes and Noble
• Buy it at Smashwords
• Add it to your Goodreads List

Read Laura’s blog at LJ Writes.

For Carleton…

When I wrote my farewell to 2011, I had no idea that a more painful goodbye was only days away. Because the loss of my daughter’s husband is still so close, I can only quote excerpts from the tribute composed by his children, parents, and siblings.

Carleton Harlow, born November 17th, 1952, son of David and Marge Harlow, passed away on January 6th, 2012 in Mt. Holly, Vermont. He married Paige Wilson-Kelly on April 20, 1984. He leaves behind his devoted wife and greatly loved children, Megan Harlow of Virginia, Kristance Harlow of the United Kingdom, and Joseph Harlow of Vermont.

Carl’s main passion and love was for his family. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor; he was always the funniest man in the room.

Whenever there is a family gathering, he will be missed, not only for his delicious barbecues and hilarious dance moves, but for his selfless, loving presence. Wherever there is a stream and fish to be caught, a clear night with stars to gaze at, or a moment that calls for a laugh, we will remember

Introducing the Indelibles

If you’re a fan of YA fiction, you’ve probably heard of the Tenners, the Elevensies, the Apocalypsies, and the Lucky 13s. Now marketing guru Shelli Johannes Wells has teamed up with twenty-four other indie and small press authors to bring you the Indelibles.

Who are the Indelibles?

“We are indie authors who write middle grade and young adult fiction. We are dedicated to leaving a permanent mark on the world with our stories and words. We are The Indelibles.”

Each week, they’ll explore fun, fabulous, and fierce topics for today’s teens, drawing on pop culture and themes from the books they write. Check out their official launch Monday, January 9th for fun giveaways at http://indeliblewriters.blogspot.com/. They’ll also be having a “blogger” chat on January 11th and a writer/author chat on the 18th to answer questions about self and indie pubbing. See their blog for details

Follow the Indelibles on Twitter.

Like the Indelibles on Facebook.

A Death In The Family

Carleton Harlow, my beloved son-in-law, passed away on Friday, January 6.  I will be in Vermont with my daughter and her family until the end of the month. Thanks to those friends, family members, and colleagues who have sent me their sympathy and condolences.

Good-bye to 2011

Like the two-faced god Janus, we look back at 2011, even as we look forward to the coming year.  Journalists, political pundits, and economists have already been hard at work analyzing the past year, and making predictions for 2012.

 

But public reflection aside, there is a personal summing up. We pat ourselves on the back for good deeds and good times, and excoriate ourselves for our failures and disappointments.

 

In my personal reckoning, I realize how little I would have accomplished in the past year without the love and encouragement of my family, friends, and colleagues. Thank-you for walking with me through challenge and self-doubt, for holding me up when I faltered, and for celebrating when things went right.

 

Wishing all of you a prosperous and happy new year!

Introducing GETTING SIDEWAYS by Lisa Nowak

Today’s it’s my great pleasure to announce the launch of Getting Sideways, the second book of the Full Throttle series by Lisa Nowak, a rising star among young adult authors right here in Oregon. Lisa brings her experience as a stock car racer and mechanic to life through the eyes of her protagonist, Cody Everett. But this is more than a book about racing. It’s a book of navigating the sometimes rocky road to maturity.

Getting Sideways: Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series

Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him.

A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing’s safe.

Yeah, sure. That’ll be easy.

• Buy it on Amazon
• Buy it at Barnes and Noble
• Buy it on Smashwords

Haven’t read the first book? Running Wide Open is on sale now for 99 cents.

Running Wide Open: Book 1 in the Full Throttle Series

Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it’s landed him at his uncle’s trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?

What Cody doesn’t expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he’s been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he’s come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he’s ever dared to trust.

Praise for Running Wide Open:

“It doesn’t matter if you are a racing fan or not, Running Wide Open will captivate you and capture your heart.” – Cari J, Amazon reviewer

“The roar of engines practically explodes off the page in this compelling, heart-thumping debut. Cody Everett is a straight-shooter with attitude, smarts, and whip-cracking wit; he doesn’t pull any punches, and neither does author Lisa Nowak. The collision of Cody and the world of stock car racing makes for a great story, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. Running Wide Open is a book not to be missed.” – Christine Fletcher, author of Tallulah Falls and Ten Cents a Dance

“The racing is easy to understand and does not get in the way of a rattling good story. I still couldn’t put it down on a re-read.” – Elisabeth Miles, Amazon reviewer

“We race stock cars during the summer and even though this is a recommended read for Young Adults, we are seniors and enjoyed every page. We can hardly wait for the sequel to come out. MUST READING!” – Maxci Jermann, Barnes and Noble reviewer

“I say read this book, it’s fun, it’s beautiful, it’s a very cool read that will give you a feel-good state of mind. Awesome read.” – L.E.Olteano, Butterfly-o-meter Books

• Buy it on Amazon
• Buy it at Barnes and Noble
• Buy it on Smashwords

Author Bio:

In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

Connect with Lisa online:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lisa_Nowak
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LisaNowakAuthor
• Google +: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakGooglePlus
• Blog: http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/
• Subscribe to her newsletter for updates about coming attractions: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakNewsletter

Author Interview: McKenzie McCann

Today it’s my privilege to welcome McKenzie McCann as my guest.  McKenzie is not only a junior in high school, but a writer as well. She has been blogging since February of this year, and has also written her first novel. Welcome, McKenzie

Alice: You must have begun writing at a very early age, McKenzie.  What is it about writing that makes/keeps you engaged?

McKenzie: Writing is more of a hobby than anything else. I got serious about writing poetry when I was eleven, but the idea of writing for publication didn’t come around until 8^th grade. I’m something of a psychology nerd, and being able to create unique characters opens my perspective of how people work, what makes them the same, what makes them different

Alice: What trends or genres seem to be the most popular with teen audiences today?

McKenzie: Most kids in my class like palette cleanser books and fantasy. Very few read for the intent of finding themes or to learn anything. They just want a good story with a lot of sex. I don’t know much about the people who read fantasy, but I know Leviathan is very popular right now. Most of them don’t understand the point of reading classics like The Odyssey or Macbeth.

Alice: I’m unfamiliar with the term “palette cleanser books.”  Could you explain exactly what they are?

McKenzie: Basically, a palette cleanser is a light read. You don’t have to worry about a happy ending and the content isn’t controversial or difficult. Night by Elie Wiesel is not a palette cleanser, but Anna And The French Kiss by Stephine Perkins would be.

Alice: In view of that explanation, do you think teens read fiction mainly for entertainment, rather than to see different ways of coping with modern conflicts and issues?

McKenzie: We’re in something The Maintainer (my best friend, her epithet makes more sense if you follow my blog) and I coined as ‘intellectual decay.’ Younger people are losing the ability to think deeply because school does not ask them to do so. We’re encouraged to only make observations, but analysis is becoming a dying art. If you think teens are consciously reading a book because they think it’s helping them in some way, you are very wrong. They may subconsciously like a book because it relates to them, but ask people why they like a book, and you’ll get a blank stare and a ‘because it’s good.’

Alice: Are teens, in your opinion, reading more, reading less, or reading differently than earlier generations?

McKenzie: I think about half of teens read for fun and the other half read because they are forced to. I’ve heard that the ebooks trend has resulted in more teens reading, but maybe ten of the two hundred kids in my school actually have ereaders. Most of the ones that do were already avid readers to begin with.

Alice: They say a good cover can sell a book. What kind of cover would be most likely to attract today’s teen?

McKenzie: I can’t speak for everyone, but personally, I like covers that pose a question. I do judge books by their covers. I think it’s a good indicator of how much thought went into the story. As odd as it may sound, I’ve noticed a lot of popular books don’t have an actual full face on them, such as Forever… by Judy Bloom, Such a Pretty Face by Cathy Lamb, Spanking Shakespeare by Jake Wizner, or even the Twilight series. They may have half of the face, the back of the head, the face turned so we only see the cheek, but never a full face. Other body parts might be on the cover, such as legs, feet, or hands. I don’t know if this appeals to teens more or less, but that’s what’s being read.

Alice: What important thing should adult writers of YA fiction remember?

McKenzie: Teenagers are so loud. Actually, let me correct that. TEENAGERS ARE REALLY, REALLY LOUD. Every single day I come to school a group of people are often shouting about something. It’s as if they have no idea other people might be inconvenienced. I think that’s something adult authors should keep in mind, most teens act without a single thought of the future and without consideration for one another. And do it loudly and in the worst possible manner. In our high school lunch room, you often can’t hear the person sitting next to you, and there are only about twenty people in there on any given day.

Alice: You’ve recently signed a contract with Puddletown Publishing Group for your book Perfecting Perfection.  Tell us a little about the process of submission and whether you were asked to do any revisions or edits before the final acceptance.

McKenzie: My mom and Renee, one of the founders, knew each other from going to Women in The Woods, which is basically like summer camp for adults. My mom heard from Renee that she was starting a publishing company, so I submitted. I got a reply right away and Renee said she liked it, but was going to hand it off to Lisa Nowak, who was in charge of the YA branch. It was the longest two weeks of my entire life. Mind you, my life hasn’t been very long, so two weeks was absolute agony. Lisa did like it and gave me some edits, asking to resubmit after the edits had been applied. I did all of that, got some beta readers, and sent it back. By then Lisa had quit, so Renee looked it over, gave it to someone they called a ‘marketing editor.’ In July, I learned the marketing editor liked it and I was offered a contract. I did not receive the contract until mid-October.

Alice: What inspired you to write this particular novel? And can you tell something about it?

McKenzie: Basically, I got the flu and wrote this to preoccupy my mind. One of my friends often says ‘my brain is smarter than me!’ and that’s how I feel about this book. I was delirious with a fever and the whole thing just spilled out. It started with Riley, my main character, and I just loved him so much, I had to make him into a story. I knew he was the lead singer of a successful band and the fame was tiring him out. That sounded really intriguing to me, and that was how I knew people would read it. I am a teenager, no matter how much I detest it, and it’s helpful for writing a marketable story. Perfecting Perfection is kind of like a high-minded YA romance novel. There is plenty of deeper meaning, but the story does not rely on it.

Alice: What are your plans after high school graduation?

McKenzie: College, naturally, I am dying to go to Reed in Portland, Oregon. I want to study either psychology or creative writing. It depends on what will happen with my novel in the next eighteen months. If I can make it as a full-time writer, I will. If not, well, I do love psychology, but it’s not my passion

Alice: You’ve grown up in the computer age, but do you ever have moments when you feel that technology is out pacing your learning curve?  Too many gadgets, too many apps, and too many social networks?

McKenzie: I hate Facebook. I got one because on the way home from my first week of Outdoor School, all of the other counselors on the bus essentially yelled at me for not having one. I figured I had resisted long enough, and besides, I barely use it. Technology gives people an excuse not to talk to one another, and that’s just sad. What would life be without true human-to-human interaction?

Alice: Do you have a date for the publication of your book, Perfecting Perfection?  And how can interested readers get in touch with you?

McKenzie: I pushed for a date, but Puddletown refused to add one to the contract. They said there were too many factors to even settle on a time frame. In July they said they were aiming for November/December, but I will be very impressed if it’s out by then. Readers can find me on my blog at The Ubiquitous Perspective and my email mrhmccann@gmail.com.

McKenzie, thank you for your thoughtful responses and for a peek into the world of teenagers as seen by one of their own.

Interview: Cheri Lasota

Today I’d like to introduce the lovely and talented Cheri Lasota.  Cheri is an editor at Stirling Editing, and recently launched her debut novel in September through SpireHouse Books.  Cheri, I’m so happy to welcome you to share some of your thoughts with me and my readers.

When did you first start writing?  What kinds of books inspired you as an author?

I don’t recall a time when I wasn’t writing, to be honest. But I do know I made my first attempt at novel writing in third grade. In those first years, my only goal was to just finish a story. It took me decades to be able to do that. I had to learn the hard way that I have to outline my fiction before I begin. It doesn’t work any other way for me. I grew up solely with classics by Dickens, Hawthorne, Melville, Tennyson, and Wordsworth. Words and rhythm were my passions and I cultivated them carefully over the years.

Did you become an editor first and a writer second?

My first editing job was in the Azores Islands (interestingly also the setting of Artemis Rising). I was the editor of my high school newspaper. I went on to work at two other newspapers as well as for a nonprofit group. I much preferred the fiction world, however, so after a couple decades of honing my editing skills as well as fiction writing, I started a freelance editing business in 2004: Stirling Editing. I adore working with and encouraging novelists and short story writers. No better job in the world.

Your book, Artemis Rising, has such an interesting setting.  Why did you pick the Azores Islands as the background?

My father was in the Air Force and we were stationed in the Azores Islands when I was 15- to 16-years old. The Azores are a group of nine islands about 800 miles off the coast of Portugal. I had never heard of them before moving there. I would compare them to Hawaii in terms of beauty. They are volcanic islands owned by Portugal but they have very little commercialism. It’s an idyllic, quiet existence, and I loved every moment of it. When I left the islands, I knew I had to capture that time in my memory forever, and what better way to do that then to write it into my first novel?

How did the plot for Artemis Rising come about?

I built my whole story around three major elements: the culture, land, and faith of the Azorean people; the Greek myth of Alpheus and Arethusa; and the Arthurian legend of Tristan and Isolde. What on earth do these three elements have in common? It took a decade of my life to figure that out. And whoa! the parallels will amaze you.

Are you an outliner or a pantser?

As I mentioned before, I’m definitely an outliner. I’m an absolute wuss when it comes to the blank page. I shake in my boots and the whole bit. So I have to create a little box for myself to work within. You can’t just show me the open road and tell me to hit the gas. Doesn’t work. I need to know where I’m going and why. I’m probably the most over-organized writer you’ll ever meet. =)

I know you’re working on a new book.  Can you tell us a little about that one?

This next book has been a breeze to write! It’s because I finally understand how I work best, so I definitely plotted this one out way ahead of time. I’m about halfway through. The novel is set on the Oregon Coast (so I can finally have easy access to setting research!) and it involves a fictitious lighthouse and spans two lifetimes. The first story is set in the 30s when the lighthouse was still in use. The second story takes place in present day when the lighthouse is being restored to its former glory. There is a bit of a mystery in this novel, and how those two storylines intertwine is where the magic happens.

Artemis Rising, an ebook, features interactive links.  Did your publisher come up with those?

SpireHouse Books and I brainstormed cool ideas for interactive ebook content together. We both brought things to the table and then narrowed them down to the very best. We have old classic maps, an author page, external links to my website, etc., a hyperlinked glossary, and up next I’ll be trading chapter one excerpts with other authors. The possibilities are endless! And the great thing is that we can change up these features whenever we want.

One of the unique things you did to promote Artemis Rising was to make a video book trailer.  What can you tell us about that and where can we see it?

I’m blessed to have many friends within the Portland film scene. They went above and beyond to help me create a kind of mini-film of my book that showcases scene snippets from the book and brings them to life. We filmed in Portland and on the Oregon coast and I often say that those two production days were some of the best of my life. To see scenes from my novel come to life before my eyes…there’s just nothing quite like it. Since Director Bill Thoma of Axiom Shift Productions wrapped up production, I’ve been able to incorporate the trailer into my book marketing campaigns in many innovative ways and it has truly given Artemis Rising a broader audience.

Where can we find your book and how can inquiring minds contact you?

Learn more about the novel or contact me at http://www.cherilasota.com. The book is available in all digital formats and can be purchased at SpireHouseBooks.com, iTunes, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, and KoboBooks.com.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SpireHouse Books launched Cheri Lasota’s first novel, Artemis Rising, in Sept 2011. The book is a YA historical fantasy based on mythology and set in the exotic Azores Islands. Currently, Cheri is writing and researching her second novel, a YA set on the Oregon Coast. Over the course of her sixteen-year career, she has edited fiction, nonfiction, screenplays, and short stories for publication. Cheri also has twenty-four years of experience writing poetry and fiction.

My Father and the Sea

Last night as I lay sleepless in my bed, thoughts and memories broke upon my consciousness like the waves that ceaselessly crash upon the shores of life.  Because I am drawn to analogy, I saw them like dark waters, borne out from the pregnant sea, called by the waxing moon to dash upon my heart.  The pregnant sea, like the subconscious mind, brings us that which was hidden. Ancestral voices call, seemingly indistinguishable from our own. In pursuing this metaphor, this analogy, I remembered my father, and in so doing have decided to share part of his “Meditation by the Sea.”

“I walk in wonder by the sea—the fresh salt air sharp in my nostrils.  The restless striving of the surf, the shock of breakers against the rock, and the echo of the sea bird’s cry seeming very like a dear but long forgotten dream.

How feminine is the sea—her countenance ever changing yet somehow always the same!  Now smoothed in peace, now dancing in sparkling animation, or—under the lash of the winds—stirred to relentless fury. How secret are her depths—how resourceful and ample her womb from which has sprung all life on this fair green planet.  Yes, and beautiful are her children, even the most grotesque and curious, and how perfect each in its own way—from amoeba to leviathan—from newt to man—from lichen to templed Sequoia…

“And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the deep.”

And instantly, in recalling these majestic words from Genesis, I am suddenly and warmly kin to that ancient, unknown prophet who first phrased them in sudden intuition linking the Fatherhood of God to the motherhood of the sea.

I walk in wonder by the sea.  Here is evoked peace and contentment—but more than this, strength and everlasting striving.  I have come home again!”

Joseph Conrad Chamberlin

1898-1962

September Lingers

If I’d known what September held, I might have battened down the hatches and stayed in bed. Instead, I got up and went about my business. Several hours before midnight on August 30^th, I was tooling along in traffic when a driver pulled out of an apartment complex, hitting me and starting the snowball to hell. Fortunately neither of us was injured. Damage to my car appeared minimal, and we were both insured. Easy fix, I thought. No, the estimate I received didn’t please the insurance company. But neither did their appraisal figures. I was asked to submit my keys and title because the car was a total loss. What I had was a door that needed a new panel, probably a hood, and a bumper. So I argued fruitlessly with them and my insurance company refused to intervene since the accident was not my fault. Then I was told I could retain my car but would have to buy it back from them and obtain a salvage title. They sent papers that never arrived. Finally, we did it with a fax. But to my horror, a salvage title says: a salvage car cannot be licensed or tagged and I would have to surrender my plates. So what good would this do me? I finally found a customer service number for DMV and learned that my car would not be a salvage car; just a totaled one. I have to re-register for the title, allow them to “brand” the title as Totaled, let them check the car to verify the VIN number, and pay the fees. As of October 4^th,I think we have reached a resolution. Hopefully, I’ll receive a check and my chariot will be repaired about mid-month.

We’ve also been busy at home, having windows replaced and dry rot repaired. Because the reconstruction involves office space, vital equipment has either been moved out or bunched together, requiring considerable agility to maneuver around file cabinets, computers, printers, and telephones. I’ve come close to standing on my head during a file search. Personal papers, once stacked here and there, are missing. If I’d sorted and filed them, I wouldn’t be in this pickle. Of course these stacks were seldom used because I could never find what I wanted when I wanted it.

I’m hoping October will prove a much happier month. After all, this weekend is Wordstock, and I’ll be there selling copies of Volunteer for Glory in The Starving Writer booth! See you there?