It turned out to be a beautiful day on the beach today–I enjoyed a lovely walk on the north end of the island hoping to find some cool shells–no luck. Still, the walk was pleasant–always pleasant–keeps the wheels turning. Still working on SHARK’S BREATH–here’s a little excerpt:

“Will that be all?” The waitress asked, glancing at the napkin laid across the barely eaten food on his plate.
August Temple nodded a yes and handed her a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change.” He added.
“My—big spender, huh. His ex-wife slid her eyes to his wallet, then glared angrily at him. “Where did you get all the money Auggie?”
“I work for a living.” He returned the glare, softening his expression immediately as the tiny fingers of his daughter pressed against his.
“Daddy,” the lashes of her eyes fluttered as she giggled, “are you still sick?” her sad eyes pleaded.
“No, I’ve been feeling much better.” He patted his thin stomach, then tousled the child’s thick dark curls. ‘I think I ate some bad food,” August’s eyes slide to his wife’s, then back to his daughter’s.
Tiffany smiled broadly showing her teeth, her eyes twinkled. “Good, I don’t want you to be sick, Daddy.”
“Don’t worry about me, little bug. I’m doing just fine.
The little girl glanced from her mother then to her father, “Do you have lots of money? Mommy says if you—“
August’s eyes glared again at his wife. “Sweetie, I wish I did, But no, I don’t have a whole lot, but if you really need something, I’ll try to get it for you.”
Rising from the table, the trio exited the doors of the Fish Hook Grill, walking into the parking lot.
Releasing her mother’s hand, the four year old reached for her father’s. “Can I stay with you tonight,” her tiny voice asked.
Sweeping his daughter into his arms, August smoothed the hair away from her face. “Sorry, little bug, I’ve got to get up real early in the morning—going down to Charleston. Have to go to work.” He paused, receiving a long hug, “But I promise—as soon as I get back from shrimping, you and me are going to spend lots of time together.” Avoiding his wife’s steely gaze, he settled his daughter back to the ground and squatted before her.
She was so pretty, so delicate. Her face beamed lovingly up to his; her perfect small mouth turning upward into a smile. “Kisses, Daddy.”

QUOTE: ” There are several kinds of love. One is a selfish, mean, grasping, egotistical thing which uses love for self-importance. This is the ugly and crippling kind. The other is an outpouring of everything good in you — of kindness and consideration and respect — not only the social respect of manners but the greater respect which is recognition of another person as unique and valuable. The first kind can make you sick and small and weak but the second can release in you strength, and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.” John Steinbeck

WRITING TIP: If you love writing it does exactly what John Steinbeck says, “releases in you strength and courage and goodness and even wisdom you didn’t know you had.”

The lion always kills the gazelle

Just one of those days perfect for watching your favorite movie, reading your favorite book, or writing about nefarious characters. Today reminded me of the second book in the mystery series, BRIDGE TENDER. It was in this book that I introduced Estelle. If you’ve read any of my mysteries you’ll be familiar with her. She’s a real piece of work. Since I’m working on SHARK’S  BREATH (fifth in the series) I like to go back and tweak my memory–I found this little excerpt and wanted to share it with my readers. It’s from Hank–remember good old Hank. Now, I think he wasn’t such a bad guy compared to Estelle. And I can relate to him here–what home means.

EXCERPT: “walking out to the pier, he studied the thick marsh grasses growing between his house and Pamlico Sound. They stretched maybe a hundred yards before him. The area was reminiscent of Topsail but it was different. There were fewer homes along the waterfront, fewer piers fingered out into the briny expanse. Still, it reminded him of his home. But then, any place along the southern Intracoastal Waterway had that feel of life beginning and dying. It was there, in the marsh and the tides, the smell of what wasn’t any longer, of what was and what was going to be.

All along the coast there was that. So being there among the reeds and grasses, close to the water, felt like home, but it wasn’t.”

QUOTE: “We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch, we are going back from whence we came.” John Kennedy

WRITING TIP: Don’t be afraid to sound stupid or silly, mundane or maudlin. When you read your work back to yourself, it may be perfect.

Here’s the new book! Oh yes, it’s a book for the kiddies.

Tommy Turtle comes to Topsail and has been doing so for many years. Hopefully this little endeavor will inform young readers and at the same time allow them to entertain themselves by coloring the pictures within. Ages 2 to 10 might enjoy this little story.

Don’t worry grown up folks. SHARK’S BREATH  is still a work in progress and will be out in the spring. If you remember me mentioning a book called SAVING THE WORLD, this book is also in progress, but will probably not be out for another year.

quote: “Dear Ocean, thank you for making us feel tiny, humble, inspired and salty-all at the same time” –  Apefit

Writing tip: please sign up for my Creative Writing class this coming Feb. 4 at Cape Fear Community College on Hwy210. They are signing up now. I promise it will be fun and…you might even learn something.

We’ve all got them…a mom and dad. These are mine.

This photo was taken in 1944 at the Swing Club in Hollywood, CA. World War II was raging in Europe and Daddy had just left  Samar–a little island in the Pacific (big battle was there at that time). I’m not too sure about the specifics, but my father’s records say he was there–he was a Corpsman–so I guess he was busy–anything else, he would never talk about. All I know is that he was an interesting man. He was tough and had such integrity.

Keeping my parents alive, plus the other folks in my life, is what I do. My father, mother, all the cool characters I’ve met and known–loved, laughed with, hurt with, been a victim of, are in the pages of my books. Their personalities are emblazoned in my brain–I see them as clearly as if they are sitting beside me. Man oh man, writing is such a fantastic thing to do. Thank you Jesus!

This Saturday, Nov. 3, the Jacksonville Library is having their 2nd annual AUTHOR FAIR. Local authors will be their to share their wealth of experiences and vast imaginations thru their books. Please come–from 2 to 4–the library is located at 58 Doris Ave.

C U there.