Posts Tagged ‘St. Simons Island’
PRESUMPTUOUS?
As I touted the Southeastern Writers Association annual workshop (June 16-20 on St. Simons Island, Georgia) to a fellow writer recently, he interrupted me by saying he thought it “presumptuous” to assume that a professional author could “teach” writing to someone. That took me aback, but in way, I suppose he was correct. I’ve listened…
Read MoreCOULDA BEEN WORSE
As disruptive as Hurricane Matthew was for St. Simons Island, Georgia, my favorite spot on the Atlantic Coast, it was not a worst-case, Eyewall-type scenario. Matthew, most importantly (and obviously) was not a Category 5 monster. But there was also a bit of luck that factored into things not being worse: the hurricane jogged slightly…
Read MoreHow EYEWALL influenced CASCADIA
Of the four novels I’ve had published so far, my first, Eyewall, remains by far the best seller. That’s been a little difficult for me to come to grips with, since I don’t think the book necessarily reflects my best writing. It’s not that it’s bad writing—or it would never have sold as many copies…
Read MoreEL NINO AND EYEWALL
The Atlantic hurricane season is off to a stumbling start this year and doesn’t seem destined to become much better . . . or worse, depending on your viewpoint. So far, only three relatively flabby (but soggy) tropical storms have popped up, Ana, Bill, and Claudette. The Pacific basins, in contrast, have been spitting out…
Read MoreTHE BIGGEST MISTAKE BEGINNING WRITERS MAKE
There is an abundance of guidance available–books, blogs, hand-outs–that illuminate the steps or “rules” to becoming a successful writer. Be warned, however, as NYT Best-Selling Author Steve Berry says, “The first rule is, there are no rules.” Similarly, there’s a plethora of material out there for novice writers, whether wannabe novelists or nonfiction authors, that…
Read MoreA SHAMELESS PITCH FOR THE ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN WRITERS WORKSHOP
It wasn’t an easy decision for me. I had to burn a week’s vacation and shell out several hundred bucks just to mingle for five days with 75 people I’d never met before. While I’m not shy, I’m not by nature exceptionally outgoing. Thus, having to hang out with a bunch of folks I didn’t…
Read MoreIT’S A WONDER WE GOT ANYTHING DONE
I’ve just returned from the annual Southeastern Writers Workshop on St. Simons Island, Georgia. It—-and this is according to others, not just me—-is one of the greatest bargains in Writerdom. It’s a four-day affair in a beautiful subtropical setting, a causeway’s drive from the mainland. What makes the conference unique is that its faculty is…
Read MoreROLL OUT THE BERYL(S)?
Tropical storms and hurricanes don’t often threaten the Georgia coast. Just recently, however, pre-season Tropical Storm Alberto did some saber rattling along the Georgia and Carolina shores. Admittedly, it was more of a cardboard saber than a real sword, but at least the action lured The Weather Channel’s Jim Cantore to Charleston. Now—-and remember, it’s…
Read MoreTHE HURRICANE RED ZONE
So far this hurricane season, it’s been wimpy-time in the Atlantic. Eight tropical cyclones have spun up counting what is currently Tropical Depression #8, but not one has had enough oomph to become a full-blown hurricane. (Number eight won’t make it, either.) Does the augur well for the remainder of the season? I wouldn’t count…
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