Thoughts from Mary Alice Monroe

Thoughts on Writing: Is It Blood or Fire?

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-08:00

I am happy to be a contributor this week to the Southern Authors blog, A Good Blog is Hard to Find. The topic is What's the most valuable writing advice you've ever received.

I have my friend and mentor Nora Roberts to thank for sharing this pearl of wisdom with me when I was a young mother new to the publishing industry: IS IT BLOOD OR FIRE? IF NOT, GO AWAY!

Click here to read more.

Happening in 2012

2012-01-18T11:25:00.000-08:00

Aloha! I'm home now enjoying my familiar Atlantic Ocean views after spending the beginning of my New Year at a cottage in the misty mountaintops of Maui, Hawaii! I enjoyed the Pacific views, ate lots of fish and pupu, and started writing my new book. It was an unforgettable way to celebrate the beginning of a very exciting book year. Here's a snapshot of what's happening in 2012:

In April, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER will be released in paperback, just in time for the return of the monarch. And I’m giving away more free milkseed seed packets for the early spring planting season. Milkweed is the sole food source for a monarch caterpillar. To learn more and request free seeds, click here.

Also coming out in April is the special tenth anniversary edition of THE BEACH HOUSE with a beautiful new book cover. I can’t believe it’s been an entire decade since the release of my first Southern novel.

That will be followed the May 8th release of my brand new prequel, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES. It’s the return to Primrose Cottage on the Isle of Palms. The year is 1974, a tumultuous time for women’s rights in the South. At thirty-nine years old, Olivia “Lovie” Rutledge is married to an unappreciative husband and raising two young children. As she does every summer, Lovie and the kids head to her seaside cottage to carry on her ritual of being the island “turtle lady,” watching over nesting sea turtles. But this particular summer, Lovie finds herself falling in love and facing devastating consequences. BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES reveals the heart-aching reasons behind Lovie’s decisions---choices that forever shape the lives of her family during that one fateful summer. I've always loved the character Lovie and in this novel she expressed so much of my passion for sea turtles and nature.

The BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES book tour is coming together nicely. I’ll post the schedule soon on my website, blog and Facebook fan page.
The novel I’m currently working is based on dolphins, and I got to do some research on this fascinating species during my stay in Hawaii. Later this year I'm planning a trip to Florida to take part in dolphin rehabilitation work. 2012 is shaping up to be an exciting year.

The Holiday Season

2011-12-21T08:23:00.000-08:00

Maggie and Buster waiting for Christmas

I love this holiday season for so many reasons---but most especially because it’s a holiday built upon traditions and family togetherness. This festive time of year makes us strive to be our best through acts of kindness, charity, and love.

To quote one of my favorite books, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens,

"I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach."

Whether it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza or a combination of holidays that you celebrate, I hope your heart is filled with the joys of this season now and long into the New Year.

Happy holidays to you.

A Perfect Booklover's Present

2011-12-09T06:49:00.001-08:00

Jan. 14: 'Tea by the Sea'

Having trouble finding the perfect gift for your favorite book lover, or book club member? I love the feeling I get when I find something that seems utterly perfect for the person in mind. Sometimes though, the search for that perfect present is frustrating.

I have a suggestion! It’s the gift that I’m giving to my fellow book club members. It’s personal, memorable and unique. You can’t buy it at just any store. And it’s been right under my nose, so to speak, for months!

“Tea by the Sea!”

For several years now I’ve had the pleasure of moderating the annual authors’ event at Wild Dunes Resort on the Isle of Palms featuring a panel of highly-acclaimed writers. This year, I’m delighted that my friends Dorothea Benton Frank, Nathalie Dupree and Taylor Polites will be joining me for this All Things Southern ticketed public event on January 14th. Expect lots of witty banter among the group about our writing and lives, plus interaction from the audience. It’s sure to be a delightfully memorable event. And it will make a wonderful Southern Lit gift for your book loving friend.

This year, we’re changing things up a bit to keep it fresh. Instead of a luncheon, we’re having a formal tea—and Wild Dunes does an incredible job with pastries! It allows us to have a lower price point, too—only $30, or $250 for a table of ten. After the tea, there will be a book signing, and best of all, proceeds from the event benefit local literacy efforts, so you can feel good about that too. (And tickets are tax deductible.)

So this year, give the gift that keeps on giving. Isn’t a book event ticket—and if you’re feeling generous, a ticket and a book--the perfect gift for friends who love all things southern, or relatives who always have a book in hand, or your book club members?

For more information about the event and ticket prices, call (843) 886-2020 or clubline@wilddunes.com.

My Annual List

2011-11-14T10:16:00.001-08:00

I just took a small break from writing to finalize my Thanksgiving holiday plans. With my children grown and gone, Markus and I won’t be planning a big family feast this year. I have to admit, I love cooking the big turkey and the oohs and ahhs of that Norman Rockwell moment. This year we are heading north to my oldest daughter’s home in Winnetka, Illinois. It’s a passing of the torch and it’s her turn to present the turkey to her growing family.

Did you catch my subtle announcement there? I’m going to be a grandmother again! Baby number three will arrive early 2012 and the opportunity to welcome another beautiful baby into our family fills me with a joy unlike any other. That moment never gets jaded does it? Knowing that I will be “Mambo” to yet another precious child certainly tops my list of “Things to be Grateful For” this year.

I write a “Grateful For” list at this time of the year because it helps me focus on the blessings in life, rather than the travails. As always, topping my list is my family. Of course, most mothers would say that, but this year I’m especially grateful for seeing each of my three children following their individual passion. I’ve always told my children that if they followed their passion they’d never work a day in their life. It wouldn’t matter how much money they earned, because money would not be the source of their satisfaction. My son Zack is fulfilling his desire to serve in the military as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. I’m so proud of my marine! My daughter Gretta is living in California doing her own form of storytelling as an entrepreneur through the medium of kiteboarding, art and television. My eldest, Claire, has retired from a career in advertising to work full time as an amazing wife and mother of soon-to-be three children. Her sons, Jack and Teddy, have stolen my heart. And how lucky am I to have a son in law I truly admire and love as my own “son?” What a joy it’s been to watch my children grow and find their place in this world. Also at the top of my Thanksgiving List is my husband and best friend, Markus. He is a child psychiatrist and my go-to person for characterizations for my novels – and just about everything else, too. I’m truly blessed to have him in my life.

I’m also extremely grateful for my career as an author. I’ve followed my passion all these years and don’t take for granted how fortunate I am. I’ve written since I was a little girl and have been published for twenty five years, yet I never fail to find inspiration. I am thankful I can write stories that bring an awareness of our connection to the natural world, now especially as our resources grow increasingly depleted and endangered. As I look to the New Year, I am delighted to share my new novel, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES, the prequel to The Beach House, with my readers. The release date is May 2012 and coincides with the tenth anniversary of my release of The Beach House! Can you believe it’s been so long? There will be a special release of The Beach House in April to mark the event. I hope I’ll meet many of my readers as I travel on book tour. I cherish my career and sharing my passion with all of you. You round out my list of “Things to be Grateful For!”

I wish you and your family a most memorable Thanksgiving celebration—full of gratitude, love and joy.

Thoughts on Writing: The Soul of Your Story

2011-11-09T07:03:00.000-08:00

The theme of a novel is the writer’s vision. It is what the author wants to say and is reflected in plot, dialogue, setting, and metaphors. I believe a writer must possess the courage to express his or her convictions and passions in their novels. American writer and mythologist Joseph Campbell once said that commitment of expression makes artists the shamans of today’s world. We must put our ear to the ground and listen for what’s coming. Through our novels, we bring back the fire, or the knowledge, to our readers.

When John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath was published in 1939 it caused uproar of controversy and was one of the most commonly banned books of its time because of Steinbeck's obvious socialist sympathies. Nonetheless, the novel remains one of the most admired and studied works of social protest fiction of the twentieth century. Steinbeck was furious at the critics and replied if he couldn’t speak his mind in his own novels, then where could he?

I feel fortunate to make my living as a writer. I don’t take my career for granted. With each book I get to learn something new. Part of that learning process includes my time spent serving on various conservation groups, boards and volunteer groups. My participation in these organizations augments my work and inspires me personally and professionally.

While going through the research, the interviews, the volunteering, my theme and story develop. However, like the character in the novel, I change through my involvement. Digging deep to find the soul of the story is hard work. It involves contemplation, meditation, prayer. It makes the writing of your novel and experience of growth and renewal. Once I've understood my theme, it is my job to share that knowledge with my readers. To ask myself: Why are you writing this book? I believe what we have to say is not just worth the time it takes to create a novel, but I believe I have to say it.

Theme is not simply part of the story. It is intrinsic to the story. Our talent is to create that compelling novel peopled with memorable characters. Our craft should prevent our message from being preachy. My hope is for my work to not only be thought of as compelling, even memorable stories people want to share with others, but also to be a reflection of my commitment to preserve our natural world.

Next year I will jump into the ocean to help rehabilitate dolphins as research for my novel. I will keep my eyes and ears—and intuition—open and let the animals inform me of the theme of the novel. They have a message to share, I’m sure.

A Story Behind the Story

2011-10-25T04:30:00.000-07:00

It’s been almost a decade in the making, and so it feels fantastic to say I have finished writing the rest of the story of one of my most beloved characters. I’ve wanted to elaborate and reveal more about Olivia “Lovie” Rutledge for such a long time.

Well, ok, I’m not entirely done. But I finished the first draft of Beach House Memories. That is a feat within itself and most writers would agree the first draft is the hardest part. While I’m not popping the champagne bottle just yet, I admit that when I clicked on the “send” button, I popped the top off a yogurt container, and went out on the back porch to bask in the warm afternoon sun while savoring every spoonful in that tiny little cup.

That peaceful moment of accomplishment is a stark contrast to two recent experiences I had during the writing that made my heart nearly give out and my mind swirl with momentary panic.

I make it a habit of frequently hitting CTRL+S on the keyboard while writing. One afternoon though, near the end of an all-day writing session, on a rainy, windswept day I might add, the doorbell chimed. I stepped away from my desk knowing I’d be back in just a few minutes. Little did I know that an island-wide power outage would strike and last hours! When everything did finally power back up, I’m sure you can guess my reaction. Lesson learned… or not.

A few weeks later, my daughter and her family flew in for a quick visit. The sweet sounds of my young grandchildren frequently lured me away from my writing. They are ages three and almost two. Can you blame me? As the computer sat unguarded with the book document on the screen, my youngest slipped into the office and went right to bright colors of the screen and began playing on the keyboard. My unsaved work erased again.

While spending two full days re-writing the work I had lost wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, maybe it was for the better. Some of the scenes seemed more compelling the second time around and I like to believe that things happen for a good reason, if I’m willingly to open myself up to those positive possibilities. And it’s hard to write a book with your head looking over your shoulder at the past with regret.

The revision stage is next and much more remains to be written. So a champagne toast is still a way’s off, but it feels so good to know I’ll soon be sharing more of Lovie Rutledge’s story with all of you- my readers- the heart and life of my career. Cheers to that!

Beach House Memories nationwide release May 2012

Where Have the Monarch Butterflies Gone

2011-10-18T04:30:00.000-07:00

Monarch in alfafa field

Many have been reading in local newspapers reports on the sightings of monarch butterflies as they fly south by the millions to their overwintering grounds in Mexico. What I’m not seeing, however, is mention of the sad reality of the crisis monarchs are facing.

The trend of decreasing numbers of monarchs has been going on for decades. The reasons for this are largely the disappearing milkweed across the great American prairies due to loss of open prairies, the heavy use of herbicides, and genetically altered crops. “We’re talking about hundreds of thousands of acres of land that are virtually sterilized except for human food crops,” said Lincoln Brower, professor of biology at Sweet Brier College who has been studying monarchs for decades.

To compound this problem, in 2009 fierce storms ravaged the sanctuaries and, coupled with the problem of illegal logging, devastated the monarch population from 50-70 %. Now the smallest population on record is on the wing, flying south to the sanctuaries--and they must pass through Texas.

Unfortunately severe drought and wildfires there have torched much of the vegetation and flowers. According to Chip Taylor, Univ. of Kansas and director of Monarch Watch, “They’re going to be encountering a thousand miles of hell as they go through a nearly waterless, flowerless, nectarless landscape.”

Whether the butterflies will arrive in the sanctuaries with enough weight to survive the winter is a serious concern.

What can we do to help save the monarch butterfly? Plant nectar flowers and do not spray them with insecticide. Plant milkweed (Asclepius) in the early spring. Milkweed is the monarch’s host plant, the only plant on which a monarch lays her eggs and the sole food of the caterpillar. By dedicating a small sunny area in our yards and parks for butterfly-friendly plants and flowers we can support the monarch during it migrations.

Milkweed is available at many local nurseries. This past year I’ve given away 10,000 free milkweed seeds. I’ll offer them again for spring planting. If anyone wants a free packet of milkweed seeds, contact me on my website or Facebook. Together, we can help the marvelous phenomenon of the monarch migration continue for future generations.

With Greater Appreciation

2011-10-04T04:30:00.000-07:00

It’s National Hispanic Heritage Month, going on now through October 15, and I’ve been reflecting on my novel THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER. If you’ve read it then you know that the culture, landscape and mythology of Mexico were essential elements to the story. My main character Luz knew so little about her ancestors’ traditions. As she travels south across the Great Plaines States to her family seat high in the mountains of Mexico, Luz is following the same route as the millions of migrating monarch butterflies to their overwintering sanctuaries. The parallels of the human and wildlife’s sacred journeys were an inspiration to me as I wrote.

The writing of this book was a journey for me, as well. I learned to raise monarchs, I took a trip to Michoacán, Mexico to the butterfly sanctuaries, I studied Aztec myths. Everywhere I turned I discovered a rich source to plumb for my novel. When I finished, I had not only gained a greater appreciation for monarch butterflies, but also for the Mexican culture. Let me share with you some of the aspects that I found fascinating.

• The Day of the Dead is a major holiday in Mexico. In the United States, it is often mistakenly perceived as a ghoulish, Halloween type of holiday like we celebrate here. El Dia de los Muertos is a deeply spiritual holiday that coincides both with a phenomenal event in nature and the Catholic All Souls Day, a day of solemn prayer for all dead people. Imagine the powerful significance of a celebration that blends culture, nature, and religion! This year my sisters and I are building our own altar, or ofrenda, for our parents, sharing our personal stories with our offerings.

The Mexican holiday known as the Day of the Dead on November 1 and 2 corresponds with the arrival of the bulk of the monarchs to the overwintering sites in Michoacán. Locals consider the monarch butterflies to be the souls or spirits of departed relatives that have returned for an annual visit.

The white store-fronts were topped with tile roofs and window trims as bright as the peppers and tomatoes sold in the open market. The town was decorated with festive streamers looped between the buildings, their plastic colored flags flapping in the breeze. Locals thronged the sidewalks, carrying baskets overflowing with orange flowers, bread, sweets and traditional foods for the Day of the Dead. ~Chapter 22, The Butterfly’s Daughter

• Mexico is blessed with an incredibly rich and diverse landscape. There is a cornucopia of nature—migrating birds, whales, turtles, insects. The list is long. It’s no wonder that the Aztecs have always revered nature. The state of Michoacán where the monarch butterfly sanctuaries are located is mountainous and remote. Many of the villages and towns maintain their traditions.

• I have a new appreciation for the Mexican arts. Mexico is well known for its silver, but did you know that many of the great silver mines have closed? I visited Santa Clara del Cobre a town known for copper artisans. The art of making copper sinks is an ancient tradition. I had to have a gorgeous, small hand hammered copper sink which my darling husband carried home. I truly fell in love with the pottery, from the famous Televara to the intricate, vibrant green pineapple pots. There is so much art! Wood, clay, paper mache, contemporary, religious…. Seeing the artisans in Michoacán left a lasting impression, as did the genuine friendliness of the Mexican people there.

• The food! We all think of Mexican food as burritos, tacos, etc. that we buy at a restaurant or get from a can. I promise you, eating fresh, homemade tortillas with homemade refried beans and fresh salsa and guacamole…. There is no comparison! Some of the best meals I had were at tiny tiendas eating fresh off the grill. When I wrote about Abuela’s cooking and her baskets full of avocados, lemons, and lime I am reporting what I saw in the villages. Below I am sharing with you my recipe for refried pinto beans. It’s not hard and you will taste for yourself the difference.

From these experiences and so much more, I have developed a greater appreciation of Mexico and her people. I hope when you read THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER that you will enjoy the peek of an American girl’s journey to this beautiful country.

Refritos

2 c. raw pinto beans
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
3 cloves crushed garlic
1/2 c. minced green pepper
2 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. coriander (optional)
3 Tbsp. olive oil for sautéing peppers and onions.

Cook beans (over-cooking is desirable). Reduce liquid. Mash beans with potato masher. Heat oil in skillet. Add onions, garlic and peppers and cook till translucent. Add cumin, salt and pepper at beginning of cooking. Add mashed beans to veggies and seasoning and mix well. If too soupy, may be reduced over low heat at this point. Serve hot. Feeds 4-6 people.

It's Not a Sequel, But...

2011-09-22T03:45:00.000-07:00

“Please write a sequel.”

This is a frequent and flattering comment I get on my website guestbook pages, in my email inbox and at signing events. Interestingly, the majority of these requests are for The Beach House and its sequel, Swimming Lessons. People are curious to learn more about the lives of Lovie, Cara and Brett, Toy, Little Lovie and Ethan at the quaint, charming little beach house on the Isle of Palms.

It’s been ten years since I introduced you to Olivia “Lovie” Rutledge in my first NY Times hit, The Beach House. Lovie Rutledge is the island’s turtle lady, a widow trying to make amends for mistakes made long ago before the sun sets on her final summer.

Lovie stood alone gazing toward the west. The day’s light extinguished and the night grew dark and silent save for the clicking of the swaying sea oats and the gentle lapping of waves along the shore. As ghosts of the past rose up to swirl in the hallucinatory colors of twilight, she sighed deeply, clasping her hands tight in front of her as one in prayers. She was nearly seventy years old. There was no time left for regret or misgivings, no time for dreams of what might have been. There were plants to be made. The beach house—and all the secrets it held—had to be place in secure hands. Too much had been sacrificed for too many years to let the secrets slip out now. (Prologue, THE BEACH HOUSE)

There’s an old saying” You must know where you came from to know where you are going. This is what motivated me to write the prequel, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES. After reading The Beach House, my married daughter remarked that she couldn’t understand how Lovie could have stayed in a marriage with an abusive husband. I realized that she—like so many young women today—had no comprehension of the rigid social structure for women as recently as the 1970s. I explored the parallel of change occurring in women’s lives in Charleston at the onset of feminism and the destruction of the last vestige of wildness, a maritime forest, on Isle of Palms.

How far would you go, how much would you risk for love? Is the price of love worth your reputation, your marriage, your family? Now imagine answering those questions in the south in 1974. The repercussions of any woman seeking a divorce in the seventies, but especially one from ‘South of Broad’, were staggering. Divorce was scandalous. Adultery was unforgivable. “You made your bed, now lie in it,” was an often repeated phrase. The fight for women’s equal rights raged in the north, but no bras were burned in Charleston! The role and expectations of a southern lady held firm—to be subservient to her husband and to know her role as a homemaker and mother. She had no where to go if she was in trouble. As a supporter of women’s shelters, I knew I had to tell this story.

So all summer, I’ve been writing Lovie’s story. The year is 1974. Cara is nine years old and Palmer is teenager. It is a life-altering summer of secrets. Peeling back the layers of these characters’ past reveals complicated and thought provoking lives and decisions. I hope the prequel will answer questions that lingered in the pages of The Beach House-- and I have new surprises, too.

I’m curious—what questions do you have? Who is your favorite character?

The prequel, BEACH HOUSE MEMORIES, will be released in hardcover in May 2012. I hope you’ll enjoy this look back into a tumultuous, important time in Charleston’s history as well as that of the Isle of Palms, seen through the eyes of one of my most beloved characters.

A Turtle Season of Highs and Lows

2011-09-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

The first breath of fall has come to the Isle of Palms. An early cold front brought a chill to the dawn air. I wake early and wrap favorite patchwork wool and cashmere shawl around my shoulders, slip my bare feet into sandals and step out into the morning. The scent of pluff mud is strong this morning and I smile. It is the scent of home.

There is an inventory of a turtle nest this morning. The first one since Hurricane Irene’s waves battered our coast. We dodged a bullet with that storm. Originally it was predicted to hit our shores as a category 2 or 3 hurricane. Instead, she veered north. Who would have thought my brother and sister-in-law in Vermont would have been clobbered? I always say, never turn your back on a hurricane.

Our island is saddened, however, because Irene destroyed dunes and we lost 9 nests and three that were due to be inventoried. Which makes today’s inventory special. I make my way along the narrow beach path bordered by high walls of sand dunes. The tropical storm’s heavy rains and the cool air have gifted the lowcountry with a second spring. The undulating dunes are blanketed with countless cheery heads of yellow primrose, gaillardia, and the tiny, sensual wild purple orchids I adore. My heels dig into the cool sand as I climb the final, tall sand dune. I can hear the roar of the ocean before I can see it.

The vista of the mighty ocean spread out to infinity to meet the heavens never fails to take my breath away. The ocean is moody this morning, gun metal gray with long, choppy waves that curl to shore foamy white. The recent storm has ravaged the shoreline, cutting through the dunes and leaving a long line of wrack, a foot high in places. Shells of all kind and size littered the wrack with sponges and sea whip and the ubiquitous plastic bottles.

I’m amused, as I always am, by a flock of sandpipers playing tag with the wave. They are poking their little black awls in the sand with an urgent hunger. One little black and white peep dares to venture close. We stare at each other a moment, its shiny black eyes unblinking. Curious, I take a small step closer and it skitters away. Above, a laughing gull seems to mock my pensive mood.

The turtle team taking inventory

I am met by my fellow Turtle Team members, Mary, Tee, Bev, Linda and the Barbaras. We divvy up duties and begin the first of two inventories that morning. Our only observer this morning is Elizabeth and her fiancé. They are getting married on the weekend and they glow like the dawn breaking overhead. Elizabeth is a volunteer and found this nest. It was a healthy nest with a total of 106 eggs hatched for a 91% hatch.

Releasing the hatchling

We move on to 9^th Avenue for a second inventory. I found one little hatchling trapped in the cold sand and put it into the now famous red bucket. This is another successful nest with114 eggs and had a 92% hatch success. Elizabeth releases this lone swimmer to the sea. He leaves a watery trail on the sand before he reaches the sea. Instinct kicks in and the hatchling dives and swims off, disappearing into the waves.

I stare out at the sea and wonder if I’ve ever seen a more beautiful morning on the beach. A pale blue sky is covered with a thin layer of pearly gray, wispy clouds, like lace over a gown. The ocean absorbs the gray color, mysterious, even threatening. Yet in the distance hints of pink fringe the horizon, promising dawn. The tide is going out leaving a wide watery sheen on the sand that is aglow in rosy hues.

As this season comes to a close, I think how it’s been filled with an unusual number of highs and lows. Early in the season the turtles came in greater numbers than we’ve had in years. We were so excited at racking up the number of nests, betting we’d get to forty and feeling exultant when we hit forty-four. A few of the nests were hard to find when the wind destroyed field signs. There were three CSI triumphs for the team. The Pink Panty nest remains one for the books (read my August blog posting if you missed that story). And, of course, there was Irene’s destruction of the nests we’d carefully moved to a location we’d always thought was safe.

As the sun rises higher in the sky and we head back to our homes, we talk about the season and we find comfort in knowing that despite the loss of nests to the hurricane, because we had so many nests this season in the end we helped more hatchlings to the sea this year than last. Nature is the great teacher if we stand back and take the long view. We might face storms and incessant rain, but there is hope in each dawn. I take a final look back at the ocean and smile. That one small hatchling is racing to the Gulf Stream.

Hatchling rescued from the sand

Report From the Beach: August

2011-08-08T16:53:00.000-07:00

A busy time at the beach for the Island Turtle Team. In the morning we get word about turtle tracks and race to find the nests, and in the evenings we act as midwives to the nests, guiding the hatchlings safely to the sea. This summer we're getting a lot of nests. And not only are the turtles keeping us on our toes—the ghost crabs are taking a turn at it!

At 6:30 am Sunday morning I awoke thinking we had two inventories scheduled. I could get them done and be home for coffee and the newpaper by the time my husband woke up. An inventory is an investigation of a nest three days post the hatchlings emergence. We open the nest and count the hatched and unhatched eggs, and if we’re lucky, we discover a few straggler hatchlings that might not have made it out of the nest without our help.

On our way, we got notice that not one but two sets of turtle tracks were located by volunteers. The Turtle Team was scheduled to begin the morning's inventories at 7:30 am so we kicked into high gear. We were tag teaming and scrambling to take care of relocating and marking these new nests and still getting to the 6th Avenue inventory on time. Proud to say we settled the "twins" in record time.

We hurried back to our cars and arrived at 6th Avenue just in time. A small crowd was already waiting with lots of children eagerly tugging parents closer to the nest. Unfortunately for the kids, this nest did not have any live hatchlings to see. But they were happy to see the eggs. “They look like ping pong balls” is the usual comment. We said goodbye and rushed off to our second inventory. We arrived at Dewees Inlet a few minutes after 8:00 am. I was doing this inventory with Bev. Opening the nest I noticed a foul stench which can mean trouble. We dug so deep I had to lie on the sand digging to find the eggs. At last I felt the familiar hard shell and found a few hatchlings stuck in the hard sand. Do you remember the Clay People in Flash Gordon? That’s what this looks like. The turtles are motionless in the hard sand until we loosen them out.

So there I am, shoulder deep, nose to the sand, and I begin pulling out a hatchling when out from the hole leaps the biggest, freakiest ghost crab I’d ever seen! Whoa! It flew past my face, claws straight out, its funny eyes large black dots seemingly staring in my face. There was a collective gasp and squeal as everyone took a step back. I think I jumped back as far as the ghost crab!

Once I collected my wits I was so angry at that crab for having the audacity to try to kill the hatchlings that I grabbed a stick and... well, let’s just say that crab will not bother other hatchlings again. Imagine having to stick your hand back in a dark hole after that! Having a monster ghost crab leap out at us was a turtle team first!

None of the 16 hatchlings we found in the nest were injured. Fortunately we got there before Mr. Crab could do his damage. The tide was going out and we released these healthy hatchlings from the red bucket to the sand. We watched as they scrambled in their comical fashio to the water then swim away. In the distance one dolphin and her baby were feeding. In the sky, two gulls circled. We could only hope the natural predators missed these hatchlings and they would make it to the safety of the sargassum floats in the Gulf Stream.

I arrived home hot, sweaty, tired, and dying for a cup of coffee. But inside I was feeling chuffed. Not a bad morning of "twofers." Two new nests and two inventories. But we weren't finished yet. I soon learned that two more nests had major "boils" or emergences the night before. The inventories for these two nests are scheduled for Wednesday...

And it's only early August!

Where Did the Time Go?

2011-07-28T03:42:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: I was invited to be the guest blogger this week on A Good Blog is Hard to Find to share my thoughts on how I manage my time as a writer. Here's my post about my writing adventures.

“Where did the time go” is a phrase I utter so frequently I feel as if I own it. I wish I could tell you that the reason for the feeling of time flying is because I am so engrossed in writing my next novel on a daily basis. Some days I am, thankfully. But there are also many days in which the hours are consumed by laundry, kids, emails, Facebook—and sea turtles.

My goal is 10-20 pages on a good day. I like to start early in the morning, when my mind is fresh and the creativity at its best. I love those special moments when I wake with words in my head and dialogue so fresh on my lips I mutter them aloud. Typically though, my day begins with a good cup of coffee and a read of my local newspaper. Then it’s pet duty-- feeding and cleaning up after my three dogs and two cats.

Now however, it’s summer and the peak of the very busy sea turtle nesting season. Turtles rule my schedule. When I get the call at 6:30 in the morning that tracks are found, I fly out the door to the beach to join my teammates to search for eggs, move them if needed, and set up the protection signs. At night I’m usually at the beach by 9 pm to monitor the nests and guide the hatchlings to the sea.

As distracting as these duties are from writing, the adventures I experience with my Island Turtle Team are the perfect muse for my current book. I’m working on the prequel to THE BEACH HOUSE, so searching for turtle tracks, probing for eggs and supervising nest boils fit perfectly into my fictional world. The conversations shared, getting my hands in the sand, playing a small role in the risky game of life for these sea turtles help fuel the storytelling process. Even though I find myself away from my computer more than I’d like to be on some days, it doesn’t mean that I am not working. It is these moments that create the words that I store to get to next paragraph, the next chapter, the next scene.

Still, the pages need to get written. Deadlines loom. There is no substitute for putting my hands to the keyboard and producing pages of story. Knowing when to turn off the research and turn on the creativity is critical to the process. I know this. I do. I tell myself this every day, multiple times a day.

Ah, but on those balmy nights when the moon is high and creates that ribbon of moonlight along the ocean, when the breeze is just strong enough to keep the gnats and mosquitoes at bay, when I’m sitting with my friends, my legs stretched out over the sand and we’re just talking about everything and nothing….

Where did the time go?

One Morning on the Turtle Team

2011-07-23T08:43:00.000-07:00

My first clue should have been the Barbie doll we found abandoned and lying on the dunes, her dress half off and her famous chest exposed. The Barbaras, Mary, Tee, Bev and I chuckled, made a few jokes, and continued across the beach in search of the sea turtle nest.

It was a beautiful morning on Isle of Palms and the Turtle Team was on call. We were making our way toward the long stretch of loggerhead tracks that scarred the smooth sand from the sea up to the low rise of dunes. The incoming tracks were markedly shorter than the outgoing-- a sure sign that the turtle was on the beach awhile. Turtle eggs were somewhere!

Sure enough, we quickly found the field signs for a nest. There are seven of us on the core team and we take turns probing the nest to find the eggs. The probe is a narrow metal stick that we carefully, methodically, pry into the sand. We take the job seriously. First we discuss the field signs, such as broken vegetation, thrown sand, and the incoming path of the turtle, to surmise the most likely location of the eggs. This method is so efficient we often locate the eggs in a few probes. The key is to bend at the knees, rather like a plie in ballet, to keep the weight balanced. The sand has a firm base. When we find the nest, however, the sand is soft and gives way in a sudden drop. It’s unmistakable! Once we feel a drop or change in the sand, we abandon the probe and dig with our hands to locate the eggs. It’s an efficient system. In eleven years probing for thousands of eggs, I’ve never broken a single egg.

Anyway, this particular morning it was my turn to probe, and trust me, we feel chuffed when we come up to bat. While my team mates watched, fingers itching on their probes, I began. After a few tries I met with a strange resistance, soft yet unfamiliar—not a shell, not wrack, not paper. It was nothing like I’d felt before. My first thought was, could it be an eggshell? I immediately pulled back, and dropping to my knees, began digging with my hands.

Was it an eggshell? No. What did I find? A pair of pink lacy panties! Eeeeuuuuwwww!

This was a turtle team first! Naturally the jokes began flying in earnest. My favorite had something to do with how the turtle forgot her panties after she laid the nest. Bev was a pal and carried the abandoned debris to the trash. After a few more probes I did find the eggs. They were high enough up on the beach that we left the nest in situ. We figured the mama turtle must have covered the panties with sand as she covered her nest.

It’s never dull on the turtle team. This season especially we’ve had some crack Turtle Team CSI moments, finding the eggs when the wind had blown away all field signs. With each treasure trove of turtle eggs we discover we feel the same thrill we did with the first. Every hatchling we witness make its way to the sea is a miracle.

But the caper of the pink panties was one for the books. Hmmm…. In fact, maybe it should go into the book I’m writing now? Don’t be surprised if you read it!

Good to be Back

2011-06-21T03:38:00.000-07:00

I'm thrilled to see my novel, SKYWARD, back on the shelves this month after being out of circulation for years. It has a beautiful new cover-- the third one since its original release. I think the golden colors are quite eye-catching! Which is your favorite?

If you haven't read SKYWARD, click here for an excerpt. For those who have read it, who's your favorite character? What's your favorite quote?

Season for Baby Birds and SKYWARD!

2011-06-15T05:46:00.000-07:00

This month sees the re-release of my novel SKYWARD after a long absence with a beautiful new cover. This is a compelling tale of love and committment set in the lowcountry at a rehabilitation center for birds. I volunteered at the SC Center for Birds of Prey for years before writing this novel and every bird in the story is one I cared for.

To celebrate the release of SKYWARD I asked a senior volunteer for the SC Center for Birds of Prey, Mary Pringle, to write a guest blog--and you'll love it. The photographs were taken by noted wildlife photographer Barbara Bergwerf. If you read my blogs or visit my website, you'll recognize these names. They're my friends on the Island Turtle Team as well.

Thank you Mary Pringle!

The Season for Baby Birds

Here in the South Carolina Lowcountry and on the Isle of Palms, it is time for baby birds to fledge from their nests. The Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw, SC where I volunteer, is taking care of many orphaned and/or injured hawks, owls, eagles, and other birds of prey right now. Soon it will be time for the Mississippi kite orphans. These are the last group to nest here.

As an individual, I often get calls from people asking what to do when they find one on the ground. The first questions I ask are:

1. Does it have its feathers yet?
2. Are the parents around?
3. Is it injured?

Many people believe the old wives’ tale that if you touch a baby bird, then its mother will abandon it. This just isn’t true. I think mothers have told their children this for generations just to keep them from bothering baby birds. The only birds with a sense of smell are turkey vultures, kiwis, and shearwaters. Songbirds will continue to feed and care for their young as long as they can find them.

If its feathers are developed, it may just be exploring the world in a stage known as “branching.” This is when a young bird is out of the nest but not necessarily flying yet. This is a very dangerous stage where it can get eaten by a predator or hit by a car. In a case where you find a brancher, try to put it back up into a bush or tree for safety and leave it alone. Chances are it won’t stay in the nest even if you can find where it was. If you see the parent coming to it with food after you did this, then all will be well.

If the young bird’s feathers are not yet grown in, it does not belong out in the world yet, and you need to try to find the nest and return it there. If the nest has blown down or been destroyed, you can nail a basket or box with nesting material in it in the tree where the nest was. The little bird should cry for food, causing the parents to continue to feed and care for it.

Finally, if it is injured, it needs to be taken to a licensed rehabilitator in your area. You can call local veterinarians or wildlife agencies to get the location or phone number of a rehabilitator who is authorized to take care of it. This can also be done if there is no chance of returning it to its parents. But orphaned birds usually do not survive, so the best thing to do is to let them be wild and let their parents do their job.

Baby Ospreys

Baby Screech Owl

Baby Loggerhead Shrikes

Baby Owl

Photographs by Barbara Bergwerf

Home, Thankful and Writing Again

2011-06-08T04:29:00.000-07:00

I’m home now with toes in the sand beginning my next book. In this quiet time, I’m also reflecting on the beautiful and creative people I met on this long adventurous tour.

First, I thank all the booksellers for graciously welcoming me to their stores, celebrating my birthday with a party and genuinely supporting my work.

Thank you to the readers who came to hear me speak at breakfasts, luncheons, teas or just at the front of the store. In my presentation, I spoke of how amazed I was during the writing of The Butterfly’s Daughter that so many people came to tell me their own butterfly experiences.

The Mexican culture believes that the souls of the dearly departed return home every fall on the wings of a monarch butterfly. This is the Day of the Dead celebration, a time of somber yet joyous welcoming home of the beloved. So when my readers shared with me how a butterfly came to them after the death of a loved one—at the funeral, in a park, etc.—I was deeply moved. Joseph Campbell said that all great myths are rooted in truth. I believe this is so. Thank you to all who shared with me these beautiful heartfelt stories.

I also want to thank everyone who requested milkweed seeds or emailed me photos of their milkweed in the garden. You are making a difference. The response to my free milkweed seeds effort was overwhelming and proves what I’ve always said—my readers care! On my website you’ll find links to organizations that will help you raise milkweed and caterpillars.

I’ve parked the car in the garage, unpacked the suitcase, made myself a cup of coffee and I’m back at my desk. Interestingly, I’m not exhausted. Meeting all of you, traveling to your cities and towns—connecting-- has energized me. The characters of Lovie and Cara and Russell are now calling to me. They are coming alive in my mind and I’m eager to share this powerful story with you. Please keep your letters and comments coming. I read each one. My love to you all!

10,000 seeds of change

2011-06-03T18:41:00.000-07:00

The book tour just finished. What an incredible adventure! As some of you know, when I set out on this five-week adventure promoting THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER, I also began a personal mission to help save monarch butterflies by pledging to get 10,000 milkweed seeds into readers' hands during book tour. I had no idea that I would receive such a tremendous response from readers. It was amazing! I was inundated with requests for milkweed seed packets. Thanks to the volume of readers eager to plant this vital monarch food source I actually surpassed my 10,000 seed goal, even before the tour was finished.

"Plant a seed. Make a difference," was my motto. Monarch butterflies have been struggling to survive in the U.S., in part because their habitat has been disappearing due to development. Milkweed is the only food source for monarch caterpillars.

For anyone interested in growing milkweed, I recommend that you visit http://www.livemonarch.org/ where you can request free seeds. But at this point in the butterfly season, my advice is to order the milkweed starter plants on that site. They're cheap and you'll get a 45 day jump on the season. It's worth it. The sooner you have milkweed in bloom, the sooner you can enjoy seeing monarchs in your yard. I ordered quite a few rooted milkweed cuttings from Live Monarch and have had great success.

Do you have milkweed growing in your yard? What's your monarch butterfly experience so far?

This Ain't the Lowcountry

2011-05-10T04:00:00.000-07:00

Book tour is going wonderfully well. I'm in Florida right now and then move on to events in South Carolina, North Carolina, Illinois and Kansas for the next several days.

Today, I thought I'd answer a question on the minds of readers who know me best for my books that are set in coastal South Carolina.

Q: Many of your novels have been based on Southern landscape and culture. What compelled you to take a break from the norm and write about the Mexican culture and the Midwest?

A: I didn’t take a break. Rather, when I set the stage for a novel I have to determine how to best bring my readers to the story world. For The Butterfly’s Daughter, I wanted to mirror the monarch butterfly’s migration—it had to be a road trip! So I began in the north, Milwaukee, and the girls traveled the same direct route a monarch would--across the Midwest, through Texas (a fine southern state!) all the way to Mexico. So in fact, I went farther south than in any previous book.

If you have questions you want me to answer about the novel post them in the comment box and I'll answer them as soon as I can.

By the way, I'll be heading Texas later this month for signing events in Dallas and Austin. See the complete book tour schedule at http://www.maryalicemonroe.com/.

It's Fiesta Time

2011-05-03T11:08:00.000-07:00

Wow! The day has finally arrived for THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER. The book release date comes just ahead of the Mexican holiday Cinco de Mayo, and it's rather fitting. The main character of my novel is a young American woman of German-Mexican descent. And the story culminates in Central Mexico at the breathtaking site of the monarch butterfly sanctuary.

In honor of the new book release and Cinco de Mayo festivities this week, I'm sharing with you a delicious refried beans recipe from a Moosewood cookbook that I've whipped up many times for family, friends and my book club. It's a perfect dish for any fiesta!

Refritos

2 c. raw pinto beans

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 c. chopped onion

3 cloves crushed garlic

1/2 c. minced green pepper

2 tsp. ground cumin

1/4 tsp. black pepper

1/4 tsp. coriander (optional)

3 Tbsp. olive oil for sauteing peppers and onions.

Cook beans (over-cooking is desirable). Reduce liquid. Mash beans with potato masher.

Heat oil in skillet. Add onions, garlic and peppers and cook till translucent. Add cumin, salt and pepper at beginning of cooking.

Add mashed beans to veggies and seasoning and mix well. If too soupy, may be reduced over low heat at this point.

Serve hot. Feeds 4-6 people.

5 Weeks, 29 Stops

2011-04-26T04:59:00.000-07:00

In less than a week, I’ll hit the road for THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER book tour. It will be a five-week adventure filled with 29 stops in both the big cities and charming towns from Chicago to Ocean Isle, Austin to Hartsville, and Kansas City to Amelia Island. I will feel much like a migrating monarch when the tour is over!

I look forward to meeting new readers, re-connecting with others from book tours past, and sharing in conversations with guests during book tour events. I cherish all of the stories shared and friendships made. I may not remember everyone’s name, or immediately recall each face. But I treasure the experience to interact with readers.

And this time, I’ll have something extra special to give readers in an effort to help save the monarch butterfly. My mission is to hand out 10,000 milkweed seeds during book tour. If everyone plants their seeds, the small effort will make a big difference in helping sustain the monarch population. Milkweed is the only plant on which a monarch will lay her eggs. And the monarch is the only bug species that migrates thousands of miles each year across the United States, like that of a whale or a bird.

Will you join me in helping save the monarch butterfly?

THE MONARCH AND THE AFTERLIFE

2011-04-20T06:38:00.000-07:00

Have you ever experienced the presence of a deceased loved one through nature? Maybe it was the kind gesture of a total stranger that came when you prayed for a sign from above. Or it was a bird that landed nearby and peered at you the moment you began thinking of that loved one.
The monarch butterfly has a centuries-old symbolic connection to the afterlife in many cultures. I was fascinated by this fact, and so I started asking people about their personal experiences. I was amazed to discover how many said they’d had a personal connection with a butterfly after a loved one died. Perhaps at the funeral, or later when they thought of the person, a butterfly appeared.

So I included this element in my new novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER, through a few of my characters who have there own experiences with the comforting presence of a deceased loved one during a monarch sighting. Little did I know that shortly after writing those scenes I too would have my own experience.

The lingering butterfly

My father-in-law passed away during the writing of this book. My son and I ceremoniously released three butterflies I had raised in his honor. Two flew promptly away, as they all want to do. But one butterfly lingered for a long time, alighting on my arm and my son for a long time. He seemed reluctant to leave. I was astonished. It was just as I’d described it in my novel! I released many butterflies that summer but this was the only time one lingered so long. It was memorable and poignant. I believe we have connections with nature that we simply do not understand.

Have you had a similar experience with a butterfly?

YOUR QUESTIONS, MY ANSWERS

2011-04-12T04:00:00.000-07:00

Three weeks until the book tour!

During my events I always enjoy the questions readers ask about my novels, my conservation work or my life. So, to answer questions for all, I’m going to periodically do a question-answer session on my blog. Those questions can spark some interesting conversation. Here are two questions submitted to me through my facebook fan page.

Debra McKay Hearne asked: Which of your books is your favorite and why?

The book I just finished writing is always my favorite! I devote so much time and effort to the creation of the book that I feel so connected to it. Thus, right now, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER is my favorite. I’d wanted to write a novel set against butterflies for years. Who doesn’t love butterflies?

As I began researching butterflies, however, the monarch stood out among all of them. It’s the only insect that migrates like a bird or a whale! Every fall this brave, fragile creature travels thousands of miles across the country to reach their overwintering grounds in Mexico. Then in the spring, they journey north again.

Once I fully understood the majesty of the monarch’s migration and visited the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico and witnessed the magic there that I fully committed to the monarch. From that trip and the many months of research— including learning to tag butterflies, creating a butterfly habitat in my yard, and raising them from egg to butterfly for release--- I found myself transformed as a writer, and fully able to appreciate the power of transformation that lies within us all.

Patricia Miles Burris and Lynda Young Chapleau both want to know: What do you plan to write about next?

I can’t let the cat out of the bag entirely just yet. But I will say that anyone who fell in love with sea turtles after reading THE BEACH HOUSE and SWIMMING LESSONS will especially love this little tidbit of information. You’ll soon learn more about the secrets surrounding Lovie Rutledge and the Primrose Cottage. I’m writing the book now and will continue all summer. Stay tuned for more details.

THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

2011-04-05T04:00:00.000-07:00

28: The number of days until the release of my new novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER

In stores May 3

27: The number of cities and towns I’ll be visiting during book tour

17: The number of times I’ll be sleeping in a hotel bed

10,000: The number of milkweed seeds I plan to hand out as my personal mission to save the monarch butterfly.

Yes, that is 10,000 seeds! Will you join me in this effort? I’ll be giving out seed packets, that I’ve pieced together myself while watching episodes of American Idol, to every reader I meet during book tour. To get yours, take a look at the list of appearances on my website, find the location that’s closest to you, and then come out to buy a copy of THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER and say hello.

Milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies lay their eggs, but the supply has been severely impacted by development. Everyone has the power to help save this beautiful winged creature right from your own backyard. Plant milkweed and save monarchs!

I can’t wait to meet my readers and hear your stories during book tour. See you soon!

Spring in the Lowcountry

2011-03-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

Spring has come to the lowcountry. The ospreys arrived on time--right around Valentine's Day--and the lovebirds are busy with their nest. The purple martins are back, thrilling us with their aerial dances. Everywhere I see the small, eager leaves sprouting in the earth, heralding the color to come. It is a time of year my heart quickens in anticipation.

This spring I am especially excited to introduce my new novel, THE BUTTERFLY'S DAUGHTER. The research for this book took me on an amazing journey. I chased the monarchs all the way to their winter sanctuaries high in the mountains of Michoacan, Mexico. There I saw millions and millions of these fragile creatures cascade into a brilliant blue sky like orange confetti. It was a miraculous, even spiritual, experience. I had to bring my readers to that moment.

As I began writing, I also began raising monarch butterflies. I gathered the eggs monarchs laid on the milkweed host plants, brought them indoors to my screened porch and created a habitat from aquariums with screened tops. Days later the eyelash sized caterpillars hatched. I fed them fresh milkweed leaves from my garden and watched as over the course of weeks they ate and ate (and pooped), growing 2000 times their hatch size. When ready, the caterpillar stops eating and climbs to the top secreening where he spins a silk knot and forms the gorgeous jade green chrysalis. Now begins the miracle of metamorphosis. About two weeks later, the butterfly emerges! I released dozens and dozens of monarchs to my garden.

Everyone thinks the butterfly is beautiful, and it certainly is. But after watching the process unfold from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, I believe the true beauty is witnessing the transformation that occurs in the chrysalis. The caterpillar had to separate himself from the others, let go to hang freely, then enter the darkness. The caterpillar completely transforms! In human terms, we think of words like courage and faith. It is no wonder that so many faiths and cultures around the world use the butterfly as a symbol of rebirth.

So, in this season of rebirth and our national celebration of mothers and daughters, I hope you will enjoy my novel--The Butterfly's Daughter. Happy Spring!

MAM in butterfly sanctuary, Mexico

YOU MEAN I CAN BE A WRITER WHEN I GROW UP?

2010-12-13T08:58:00.000-08:00

"Do what you like. Like what you do."

It's a great quote branded on apparel made by Life is Good, and it's a great reminder to work toward your dreams. With enough effort and a stroke of good fortune, you might be able to make a career out of the thing you love to do. It happened for me.

I posted my story recently on A Good Blog is Hard to Find with hopes that my experience will give hope to others to never give up on your dreams.

Click here to read my blog entry.

THE PURSUIT TO PUBLICATION IS A ROAD WORTH TRAVELING

2010-12-06T08:39:00.000-08:00

So many people ask me about how I got my start as a fiction writer. That's the focus of a guest blog entry I wrote for the Harlequin Books Blog. Click on the link to read more.

I hope my personal testimony gives hope and encouragement to all aspiring writers.

AN INFORMAL, UNOFFICIAL BOOK REVIEW

2010-11-16T04:30:00.000-08:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is my assistant, Angela May. It is always interesting to learn what readers enjoy about a novel.

I had been a Mary Alice Monroe fan long before I had the pleasure of working with her as assistant and public relations liaison. The first novel I read was SWEETGRASS and I have since devoured the rest of her books. You know that feeling right? It’s like a literary binge or addiction. What a grand high you get from reading a good book, and so you go searching for every other book by that author. But then the crash comes when you finish reading all of them and you’re left craving more (waiting for a book release always seems to take too long, at least for us readers).

So, imagine my delight when shortly after I starting working with her I learned that I had NOT read all of her books. That’s when Mary Alice told me about THE LONG ROAD HOME, her first novel, which had been out of print since 1995 and next to impossible to find anywhere. She kindly gave me a copy.

I must confess. Because it was her “first” book, I figured it couldn’t be as good as the rest of her work. Usually, a person's “first” anything is something they try to bury in their memory (kind of like my first live reports as a journalist working for a local television station).

Well, shame on me for having the thought cross my mind that THE LONG ROAD HOME might not be as good as the rest. I was hooked by page 2 of the prologue!

Here’s the basic rundown-- Michael MacKenzie, a shady businessman, makes a public suicide inside a bank. His shocking death leaves his socialite wife, Nora MacKenzie, widowed and suddenly bankrupt, forcing her to try to make a life of her own at a small sheep farm the Vermont mountains. That’s where she meets C.W., a farmhand secretly on the run from his past life, after witnessing the MacKenzie suicide. All Nora knows is that the truth behind her husband’s death is scrawled in the pages of his diary, which she has yet to make sense of.

To me, THE LONG ROAD HOME is secrecy and suspense, hope and healing. You want Nora to make it as a farm girl, but the odds are heavily stacked against her. This novel is so different from the bestselling novels that her fans are most familiar with. However, the similarity I did see was that the parallels of humans and nature she so poignantly writes about in her Lowcountry-based novels existed in her work from the very beginning. That talent has always been a foundation of her writing style since book number one.

I’m thrilled that THE LONG ROAD HOME is available in bookstores again fifteen years after its debut. Now I’ll finally have other people I can talk with about the novel!

LITTLE SECRETS OF "THE LONG ROAD HOME"

2010-11-09T13:39:00.000-08:00

It was a story that had been dancing in my heart and mind for quite some time before I actually took the time to put it on paper. Though it is purely a work of fiction, and the characters are of my imagination, small parts of my own life pepper the pages.

First is the farm house to which my protagonist Nora MacKenzie flees.

“Ahead, perched high on her mountain overlooking the Vermont mountain ranges, was a sunlit terrace. And standing she spied the peak of the redwood and brick structure looming high above the purple heather. Next appeared the large, angular windows divided by a mammoth beam and lastly, the breadth of the house.” (pg. 43, "The Long Road Home")

The inspiration behind the house described in the novel is a family home where I spent many of days as a young wife and mother, tucked away in the Vermont mountains outside of Manchester. A photo of the home is included in the book trailer posted on my website. It's at that home where I learned how to raise sheep, which happens to also be an important element of the story.

Spending time on the farm, I learned a thing or two about pesky porcupines, and I can handle my own when it comes to a shotgun. When you're living way up in the mountains, isolated from police or even a neighbor, a woman must know how to defend herself and her children, just in case.

I give a little nod to my German roots through the character Nora, who periodically reflects on the wise words of her Oma, or grandmother.

And the novel begins with a quote from one of my favorite poets, whom I studied in great detail in college.

“For he hears the lamb’s innocent call,
And he hears the ewe’s tender reply;
He is watchful while they are in peace,
For they know when their Shepherd is nigh.”

-William Blake “The Shepherd”

What a wonderful experience it was to blend some of my life’s favorite things with the imaginative stories that lived in my mind for such a long time. As the expression goes, write what you know.

WHERE’S MY WALKMAN, DUDE!

2010-11-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

It’s wonderful to see my first novel back on store shelves after all these years! It’s hard to believe that fifteen years have passed.

In preparation of the re-release of THE LONG ROAD HOME, I re-read the book for any possible editing. I enjoyed immersing myself again in the story of Nora MacKenzie’s struggle to rebuild her life after her husband’s suicide and shady Wall Street dealings; a socialite forced to flee her prominent big city lifestyle and learn how to live off the land at her small Vermont farm.

Despite the passage of time, the story remains fresh and timely, especially considering the 21st century Wall Street scandals that dominated newspaper headlines not that long ago. While some things always stay the same, other things do fade away into oblivion. And because of that, I did change just a few anachronisms.

In my original story, one of my characters is listening to her Walkman while walking on the farm. They were so popular when I included it in my story. Everyone either had one or wanted one back then. How obsolete they are today!

And remember when folks said the word “dude” practically as often as they said “hello”? That word ended up on the editing room floor this time around, dude.

They were the most minor of changes, but I learned something from the process that’s good for all writers to keep in mind. Avoid dating your work with trends and fads-- be it electronics, fashion or slang. They can be distractions.

You want your story to resonate with readers today and in the future. And that is my hope, fifteen years after the privilege of getting my first novel published.

A Visit to the Richland County Public Library

2010-10-12T13:00:00.000-07:00

Recently I had the honor of being the guest speaker at the annual meeting for ardent library supporters, the Friends of Richland County Public Library. It always brings me great joy to see a library strongly supported like this one in Columbia, South Carolina.

I love libraries. I can still feel the rush of awe and wonder I experienced when I first went to the library as a child and was told all those books were there for me. It was like being in a candy store for the imagination! I treasure my library card to this day and am grateful to the librarians who help me with my research.

Libraries are community gems--especially this library. The Richland County Library is extraordinary! The architecture alone is impressive. It’s like the Guggenheim Museum meets Lalique crystal! The quality of light pouring in from the walls of windows is gorgeous. Downstairs, the children’s department is colorfully decorated with life-size scenes from Maurice Sendak’s popular “Where the Wild Things Are.” Tall, live trees thrive in the amazing light to help create this wonderland. You feel like you’re walking through the pages of the storybook.

I could write at length about the captivating architecture, vast array of books, and deeply committed community members. Instead, go see it for yourself. Public libraries aren’t typically on people’s travel plans, but if you’re going to make a stop in Columbia, South Carolina, then swing into the Richland County Public Library. You won’t be disappointed!

Libraries are an integral part of our community, expanding minds and imaginations one book at a time. Support the one nearest you.

Editor's Note: Thank you to the Richland County Public Library for sharing these photos.

The Myths of Monarchs

2010-10-01T05:42:00.000-07:00

The delicate, exquisite beauty of butterflies as they flutter through the sky is poetry in motion to the eye of the beholder. The Mexican culture has long revered all insects, the butterflies in particular. The local people believe the monarchs are the returning spirits of their deceased relatives. Every year, millions of migrating monarch butterflies arrive at the mountain sanctuaries in Michoacán, mysteriously coinciding with the Day of the Dead. Although the rest of the world discovered the location of the overwintering sanctuaries in 1976, the locals knew for generations. The link between myth and the monarchs’ annual return spans centuries. Worldwide, many of the ancient civilizations believed that butterflies were symbols of the human soul.

For my novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER, I researched the phenomenon of the migration of the monarch butterflies as well as myths and the Day of the Dead holiday in Mexico. I was amazed at how many people I met had a personal experience with the monarch butterflies. Many told of seeing a monarch at a loved one’s funeral and again when they thought of the departed. They believed it was the spirit of their loved one.

My father in law, Oscar, passed away last June. He was a great man, a gentleman to the end. He is missed by all his family. Oscar was a very spiritual man, but not a church going one. He didn’t want any service when he passed, and his wishes were honored by my mother in law. For me, however, who was not at his bedside when he passed, I longed to have some sort of ritual to mark his passing. To say goodbye.

Today the storms of the past week at last moved north and the sun broke through the gray clouds, warming the earth. The flowers in my garden lifted their droopy heads. I had two male monarchs that had recently emerged from their chrysalis and I was eager to release them to the garden. One I named Oscar. Mindful of my intention, my son Zack and I went to the garden to release the monarchs with thoughts of Oscar in our hearts and minds. The first butterfly flew off without hesitation and disappeared.

The second, Oscar, did not fly off. He climbed onto my finger and stayed there, seemingly reluctant to leave. Zack took photographs and we waited patiently, enjoying the moment and giving the young butterfly time to catch a breeze and alight. Yet, Oscar stayed. I couldn’t believe it--I had written a similar scene in my novel!

Oscar seemed perfectly content to stay on my arm for a while. I offered Zack the opportunity to hold the butterfly, too. Oscar stepped onto Zack’s hand and roosted.

We were both amazed how long the butterfly lingered, and would have remained longer, but after a while I suggested that Zack put his hand beside a flowering penta, one that butterflies love. He did so. Oscar wasn’t interested in the flower. He flew off and circled us, then alighted on the tip of a palm frond over our heads. There he stayed for another hour. One moment he was there. I turned my head, looked again, and he was gone.

Today we had a beautiful experience with a beguiling butterfly that chose to linger while our thoughts turned to our dear “Pop Pop.” I like to think Oscar was with us in spirit. Both Zack and I felt closure, having had a moment to say goodbye to this wonderful man we loved.

As an artist, I am aware of how and why myths and stories are created in cultures throughout the world to help us through difficult times. I treasure them and hold them close, recognizing the power they have to elicit our deepest emotions. Butterflies hold some power to make us stop whatever we are doing when we see one and to point and smile. I call them flying flowers. But the monarch is unique among all butterflies and insects in that they migrate thousands of miles, like a bird or a whale. This king of butterflies is a messenger to the gods and holds the spirit of our beloved, recently departed.

Or so the myths say.

Farewell Oscar!

The Butterfly Project: Update on Mariposa and Luz

2010-09-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

What a day for monarchs! Outside it was stormy and raining all day, but on my porch, it was a day for new beginnings. The last you saw caterpillar Mariposa, she was climbing up to the top of the habitat to go into chrysalis. Since then, both Mariposa and the second, Luz, went into chrysalis. Today they eclosed (emerged)!

Mariposa and Luz both turned out to be males! Both are very big, handsome boys with luxurious wings. How do I know they are male?

Look at the picture. See the small black dots in the lower two quadrants of the wings? Those are his pheromone sacs and it indicates a male.

Now it’s a race to the finish for the dozens of other caterpillars in my four habitats. Several chrysalis and lots of hungry cats of all sizes. This group will likely be the generation of monarchs that will make the long journey to the overwintering grounds high in the mountains of Mexico!

Milkweed for Monarchs: Part 2

2010-09-28T09:00:00.000-07:00

Okay, so you want to plant milkweed in your garden. Great! The monarchs suffered a blow in their overwintering grounds last winter, suffering as high as a 70% mortality rate. So the more milkweed out there the better!

If you are planting milkweed into your garden for the spring, you can start with seeds. It’s easy and cheap. Click here for a website that offers FREE seeds!

If you want starter plants that are safe, I recommend these sites:

• http://www.livemonarch.com/store_plants.php

• http://www.butterfliesetc.com/butterfly-host-plants/host-plants-h-p/milkweed/tropical.html

• http://www.educationalscience.com/milkweed.htm

What do I mean by “Safe?”

Let’s say you want milkweed immediately so that you can go out and find eggs this season, or you have caterpillars and are running out of milkweed. Please ask your supplier whether the plants have been treated with anything (chemical or organic) that can harm caterpillars. Big store nurseries, like Home Depot, might have milkweed but it will likely have been sprayed with pesticides. Most nurseries will be honest. However, no matter what the reply, ALSO check to see if the plants have been at the nursery for 8 weeks. If not, there is a chance that the nursery that grew the plants used insecticide on the plants. Certified Organic parsley, fennel, and other plants can—and often are-- treated with Bt - deadly to caterpillars.

If your caterpillar plant/food has been treated with any insecticide within the last eight weeks, it can be deadly to your caterpillars. It is heartbreaking to find all your caterpillars dead from ingestion of poisons.

So whether you plan to plant the milkweed in your garden and simply sit back and watch the butterfly saga unfold in nature, or whether you hope to hunt for eggs and caterpillars and raise them in your habitat, please be certain that:

The milkweed you use is pesticide free
You have plenty of milkweed for your hungry caterpillars! Or else you’ll be frantically asking your friends, “Do you have milkweed you can spare?”

Next—hunting for monarch eggs. Stay tuned!

Milkweed for Monarchs: Part 1

2010-09-28T04:30:00.000-07:00

What is it and where do I get it?

Among monarch caterpillar enthusiasts, a common cry for help is “Do you have milkweed you can spare?”

First off, you have to understand that for monarchs, milkweed is IT. It’s the Holy Grail. Their everything. If you want monarchs to come to your garden, you need to provide nectar plants for food and its particular host plant, milkweed, on which the females will lay their eggs. Nothing else will do.

Monarch caterpillars begin their life as a pearly egg the size of pin drop. (see earlier blog for photo). Eggs are eaten by many predators including wasps, spiders, anoles, and as low as one or two in every one hundred eggs will survive. When the caterpillar emerges three to five days later, it is the size of an eyelash. The average time from larva to chrysalis is 9 – 14 days. (though I find the heat can speed things up) and in that time the cat will grow 2000 times its hatch size!

So be forewarned--your caterpillars will need lots of Asclepius, commonly known as milkweed. There are many varieties of milkweed, hundreds in fact, and like most perennials, the choice of the plant best for you is based on your location.

Some people are worried that milkweed is invasive because of the word “weed.” Again, like most perennials the plant will increase in size and number over years, but if you choose plants suggested at butterfly sites, those varieties are not invasive. I live on the southern coast and use tropical milkweed. I find the two-foot plants with their showy flowers quite pretty in my garden. I have a big patch of it and guests always comment on it --and the monarchs fluttering by!

Interested in planting milkweed? Next blog entry later today will explain where you can get free seeds or starter plants.

End of Caterpillar Stage!

2010-09-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

The recent hot days here in SC have spurred the caterpillars to fast growth. This is normal and I’ve been amazed.

Today two caterpillars left the milkweed leaves and began travelling up to the screen top. When caterpillars are ready to pupate or go into the chrysalis stage, they will crawl to the top of their cage and form a silken knot. They hang from their feet like an aerialist without a net. Then they form a “J” and begin twisting until they shed off their last skin. This is the end of their time as a caterpillar!

Build It and They Will Come!

2010-09-23T04:30:00.000-07:00

Someone asked where I get the monarch eggs from. From Milkweed plants!

Milkweed in my aquarium

All butterflies need both nectar plants—flowers that provide food—and host plants. A host plant is the only place that a specific butterfly will lay her eggs on and the only food that the caterpillar will eat. For example: for the swallowtail, the carrot family, including parsley, is the host. I know many of you might have found a big caterpillar eating your parsley! For the monarch, the host plant is Asclepius, commonly known as milkweed. There are many varieties, but I plant only tropical milkweed here in SC. It is not invasive, as the “weed” name implies. It’s actually a pretty, tall plant with lovely orange and yellow flowers.

This year I planted a butterfly garden and I’ve had so many monarchs come by! They flutter around my milkweed, delighted to find a place to lay eggs. Then they go to my butterfly garden flowers to eat. It makes me happy to watch them and I forget my stress for that glorious moment. I encourage you to plant milkweed in your garden. And please do not spray pesticides! Remember, pesticides kill all insects, including the butterflies!

Checking my milkweed leaves for monarch eggs

I go to the garden each day and hunt for the small, pearly white monarch eggs found on the underside of the leaves. I bring them into my aquarium to raise, because wasps, spiders, and other insects prey upon the eggs. In nature, as low as 1% of eggs will survive to butterfly. So I bring them in to raise. It is critical to have enough milkweed to raise the caterpillars. They eat more than you will anticipate. I suggest one milkweed plant per caterpillar as a good rule of thumb. Next year I’m already planning on doubling my milkweed plants!

It’s a joy to see so many different butterflies visiting my garden this year. I promise—build it and they will come!

My Butterfly Blog: What an Appetite!

2010-09-16T09:07:00.000-07:00

It’s amazing how fast these critters grow. Caterpillar “Mariposa” is already a quarter inch in size.

The second egg hatched, and I call this one “Luz.” She’s still quite small but eating, eating, eating. I’ll need to put more milkweed leaves out and check it twice a day now.

If you raise a caterpillar at home, the rule of thumb is one milkweed plant per caterpillar!

The Butterfly Project

2010-09-15T07:14:00.000-07:00

My Butterfly Blog is beginning today to parallel the migrating season of the Monarch butterflies. Follow me each Tuesday as I update you on the progress of a monarch butterfly from egg to butterfly!

Today I’m showing you my first egg of the season. I’m calling it “Mariposa” which is the Spanish name for butterfly. It is also the name of the character in my upcoming novel who loves monarchs. I found the egg several days ago.

This amazing photo (thanks Barb Bergwerf!) shows the young, eyelash sized Mariposa and another egg due to hatch soon.

Welcome to the world, Mariposa!

On Finishing a Novel

2010-08-11T10:24:00.000-07:00

I finished my novel. I sent it to my editor in New York.

Just writing those words fills me with a sense of awe and wonder. For more than two years my life has been filled with butterflies, monarchs in particular. I was mesmerized by how this little bug migrated across thousands of miles each spring and fall like a bird or a whale. I wrote about a luminous young woman, her troubled mother, and her endearing grandmother. I put four young women in an old car and sent them on a wild road trip cross country to the mountains of Mexico. Research was intense. I rode a rangy horse up more than 9000 feet in the mountains of Mexico to the butterfly sanctuaries. I raised dozens of monarchs from eggs, watched caterpillars grow fat on milkweed, observed the miraculous transformation into the chrysalis and then wept with joy at seeing a butterfly emerge and later released to the wild. I’ve tagged butterflies and planted a butterfly garden. I know all about Aztec gods and Day of the Dead. It’s been a wonderful journey.
Now that journey has ended. My desk is cluttered with papers, news clippings, manuscripts and books. My office is a wreck. I’ve gained a few pounds—even my dogs are fat. I’m exhausted. It’s rather like having a baby. There’s the conception of an idea. Long months of development. An arduous labor and delivery. Then suddenly you are holding this beautifully formed baby in your arms. You can only stare at it and marvel, I made that?

But the driving force behind each day is gone and I look around a little dazed. There’s no shortage of work to do. All the bills, the business details, the housework, the ironing, the gardening, etc. that have been pushed aside now snag my attention and must be tended.
Soon the creative process will begin again. As I put away my research materials from the finished book, I begin to gather my ideas for the next. I already suspect I know what the subject will be. I start sniffing out leads, conduct interviews, read research materials, see what sparks. Joseph Campbell said that artists are the shamans of today and I believe this is true. We are an intuitive bunch. It is a kind of knowing that is unexplainable.

But today it’s enough that I’ve finished a book and sent it to my editor in New York. In May, The Butterfly’s Daughter will be on the book stands for sale and I’ll walk by, see it, and stop in my tracks, dazzled, with an ear to ear grin. I’ll think back on today and all the feelings of euphoria, bemusement, and satisfaction. It’s hard to believe now that I may be finishing the next book by then. Can that be true? I feel my blood flowing.

Hmmm… I’d better start tomorrow…

Girls Take Flight on Isle of Palms

2010-07-29T12:51:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is Isle of Palms native Gretta Kruesi, professional kiteboarder, artist, and environmentalist. You can follow her work at http://grettakruesi.com/

On the Isle of Palms, we don't often get great waves but we consistantly get a lot of wind. I grew up mostly surfing but the moment I first saw kiteboarding introduced at my local beach and how much fun those guys were having gliding across the water, hitting waves and soaring through the sky, I knew I'd be hooked. It's a sport that we have perfect conditions for with long flat beaches and a steady sea-breeze most days of the year.

Back when I first learned, it was intimidating because there weren't any other girls doing it in the area. There wasn't a female in the sport I could learn from or look up to and say "hey, I want to do that too!" But over the past couple years, the equipment has become more user-friendly and the sport has become increasingly popular among women and men alike. Charleston (known as Chucktown to the kite community) has quickly become a popular kiteboarding destination, with more and more women and girls entering the scene.

I've noticed a big influx of local women ready to give kiteboarding a try. Air Kiteboarding co-owner Elea Faucheron started the Air Kiteboarding Club For Girls last year. The Club served as a vehicle for local women and girls to get together, look out for each other on the water, and have fun. I'm thrilled everytime I return home to the Isle of Palms and see the comraderie and new female faces at the beach-- and how much everyone has progessed.

Photo: Gretta teaches a girls only workshop on Isle of Palms

This past Sunday, I hosted a "Miss Independent Rider" workshop and Naish gear demo for the Girl's Club. Fifteen enthusiastic women attended to learn more ways to push their riding limits. A few girls even came by just to hang out and support. Not only did we have a blast, it's amazing to think that just a few short years ago the were only a couple female riders total in all of Charleston.

I'm excited to go to the beach and see the emerging community of female kiteboarders and I feel honored to be in the position to promote the sport and help other girls get off the beach and into the water, the way I wish there were girls to do that for me.

As my friend Dan Floyd always says, "Share the stoke!" And that's just what these ladies do. So if you happen to see kites flying on the Isle of Palms, chances are it's one of the girls.

PROTECTING WHAT WE LOVE

2010-07-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is my friend Linda Love, also lovingly known as Nana Butterfly. You can meet her and learn more about butterflies at Blackbeard's Cove Family Fun Park in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.

As I watched the sun rise over Sullivan’s Island on Sunday morning I noticed 13 stately pelicans flying gracefully in a line looking for breakfast. My first thought was you guys are so lucky because your cousins on the Gulf Coast can’t do this anymore. How horrifically sad this oil spill is for all who live on this planet. We can’t imagine what the long term effect this catastrophe will have on all who live in the ocean and on the land.

The frustration of this event causes everyone to say “What can I possibly do?” After pondering this for awhile on my walk I thought we can’t act globally; we can only act locally. Having raised butterflies for the last 12 years I immediately thought of what I do locally and what almost everyone of you can do also. You too can make a difference right in your backyard.

With all the housing growth and deforestation in this area we can replace the natural plants with indigenous plants that take our summer heat, don’t require spraying of pesticides and support the growth of butterflies, bees and hummingbirds.

Mother butterflies will have up to 100 eggs in them and they search constantly for a certain plant to lay their babies on so that they can mature to large caterpillars. If she does not find the specific plant she will die with her eggs in her. There is a long list of plants that supplement the butterflies but to name a few: parsley, dill, fennel, passion vine and milkweed. These plants are hardy and prolific growers with most of them in the perennial category (They come back year after year).

For a quick guide to planting for butterflies here is a simple site: http://www.thebutterflysite.com/create-butterfly-garden.shtml

Butterflies also need nectar sources of blooming flowers but we do have an abundant source of these along our roadsides and in our yards. If you would like to have these cute little creatures pictured here in your backyard to observe and protect just plant the host plants and wait for the mothers to come.

Thinking of my favorite quote on nature I know how true it is that more knowledge will be needed to counter act the devastation in the Gulf will require.

“In the end we will protect only what we love, we will love only what we understand and will understand only what we have been taught”.

A LITERARY ROAD TRIP

2010-07-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

A great blog for devoted readers that I enjoy is called Bermudaonion's Weblog, created by Kathy Roberts, a self-proclaimed "middle-aged suburban housewife" who was born in Bermuda and moved 11 times before settling in South Carolina.

Recently, she asked if I would answer some questions about my life and my work for her blog. I was flattered and she asked some great questions, which she titled and posted online as "Literary Road Trip". I selected a few of them for you to see today since they seem to be popular ones that readers often ask me.

Kathy: Please share the story of how sea turtles changed your life.

When I moved to the Isle of Palms I knew I wanted to write a story that included the loggerheads. I began what has become a fundamental of my research –I volunteered. I joined the Island Turtle Team and over the course of two years performed every task from walking the beaches in search of turtle tracks, to moving turtle nests, monitoring hatchings, and keeping records. I was committed to write a novel that didn’t merely use loggerheads as a setting, but rather, to bring an awareness of the plight of this threatened species and to educate the readers as well as entertain them. I wrote THE BEACH HOUSE and its success validated my efforts and green lighted my future books. It helped focus my career as I created my own niche. I’m currently licensed with DNR, I serve on the board of the SC Aquarium, and will always be a “turtle lady” on our barrier islands.

Kathy: I love that your newer books have an environmental message to them. Can you tell us about your involvement in environmental issues?

Each book I write is set against the backdrop of some environmental issue I feel is timely and that my readers were resonate with. My novel SKYWARD is a love story set at the SC Center for Birds of Prey, SWIMMING LESSONS and my children’s book, TURTLE SUMMER, return to sea turtles. For both, readers participate in their rehabilitation and their uplifting and emotional release back to the wild. SWEETGRASS (re-released May 2010) tells the story of a plantation family struggling to hold on to their land and highlights the area’s historic sweetgrass baskets. TIME IS A RIVER is unique in that this story of a survivor of breast cancer learning to fly fish in the mountains near Asheville, NC holds the message of the healing power of nature. My latest book, LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA, is the story of a shrimp boat captain and his wife’s long marriage and depicts the clannish and poignant ties found in the vanishing shrimping communities.along the SE Coast. This book has become suddenly very timely in light of the tragic oil spill in the Gulf.

Kathy: I know that your next book is about butterflies. Can you tell us a little bit about it? When will it be published?

THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER might be my most ambitious book yet. Of all the butterflies, I chose the monarch butterfly because it is the most unique and magnificent of all butterflies, and the most common throughout the United States. Who doesn’t know and love a monarch? This amazing bug is the only insect to migrate like a bird or a whale. Yet, it isn’t the same butterfly that makes the round trip. It is the great-great-grandchild! Long live the king! But the monarch is endangered. This year some 80% died. My novel is a mother-daughter story set against the endangered phenomenon of the monarch migration. In other words, we have an amazing road trip that chases butterflies from Milwaukee Wisconsin , through the Midwest to Texas and finally the remote mountains of Mexico where millions of monarch butterflies overwinter.

I’ve spent a year raising monarchs and visited the sanctuaries in Mexico. When I stood before millions of monarchs flying around me like brilliant flames against an azure sky, I knew I was breathing rarified air. It was pure joy—and I had to bring that moment to my readers.

I believe I’ve succeeded in my novel. THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER will be released from Gallery Books/Simon and Schuster in May 2011.

You can read the complete interview on Bermudaonion's Weblog. Thanks, Kathy for the great interview!

THOUGHTS ON WRITING: The Struggle with a Blinking Cursor

2010-07-06T04:30:00.000-07:00

I do all of my writing on the computer, so the rapid clicking noises my fingers make on the keyboard are the sounds of progress, a story in the works. That is, until the so-called “writer’s block” strikes, forcing my cursor to a blinking halt.

The most recent time it happened was while I was working on THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER, which is now in revisions and set to be published May 2011. The specifics of my struggle are not as important as what my husband said to me while I was venting my writing frustrations to him. He reminded me that my temporary storyline roadblock, was just part of the process I endure with every novel; a metamorphosis of sorts that I must go through for my story to emerge into what it is intended to be.

Looking back, I see now that I was much like the monarch butterfly I was detailing in my story. This period of writer’s block was similar to the chrysalis stage when the caterpillar quietly transforms into the beautifully painted winged insect. The struggle lasts for days, but soon enough, I emerge renewed, refocused and ready to return to the creative process.

Before the creativity returns, the period is a source of temporary anguish and frustration. American novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne acknowledged this struggle when he once said,

“Easy reading is damn hard writing.”

There are a few things I do to move beyond the writer’s block. I sometimes call my sister whom I lovingly refer to as “my muse.” I can talk out a scene with her to get inspired again. I have also done this countless times with my husband, another special person whose conversation opens up my storytelling vision.

Sometimes I just have to step away from my work. Immerse myself in something else to temporarily forget about the book. Taking time to garden, swim, walk the beach and step outside of my writing cave is often just what I need to feel inspired again.

When I am not writing, I am reading. I like to revisit the classic works of my most favorite writers when I need inspiration-- Charles Dickens, William Blake, Henry David Thoreau, Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, John Steinbeck and Edith Wharton. Sometimes, I’ll re-read southern classics by Marjorie Rawlings, Eudora Welty, or Tennessee Williams. And I also find modern poetry to be inspiring as well.

My final tip-- don’t ignore your dreams. The images and words provided by the subconscious mind can be a great source of creativity. I trust my dreams, and I often feel most creative and ready to write first thing in the morning.

Whatever you do, just don’t dwell on your frustrations or fears during a state of writer’s block. Instead, take heart knowing that you will find your way back to your story again.

What things do you do to move beyond moments of writer’s block?

THE LIFE CHANGER

2010-06-29T04:30:00.000-07:00

Editor’s Note: "Swimming Lessons" will be re-released in paperback this July.

This week’s guest blogger is Sue Foster, a devoted reader who dedicates her time as a volunteer at the South Carolina Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital.

Summer 2007-- My life changed forever after reading “Swimming Lessons” by Mary Alice Monroe. On page 233, she writes:

“Once smitten with sea turtles, it was a love affair for life.”

How true! I loved reading the previous book, “The Beach House” that tells about the turtle ladies on Isle of Palms monitoring the turtle nests. “Swimming Lessons” introduced me to the sea turtle hospital at the SC Aquarium in Charleston. I was fascinated about the work that was being done with the rehabilitation of the sea turtles. By summer’s end, I had e-mailed the project manager, Kelly Thorvalson, about volunteering part time. Our schedules didn’t match and there were no openings in the hospital.

Fast forward to March 2009. Kelly e-mailed me and wanted to know if I would be interested in doing tours of the turtle hospital because they were expanding the tours. Would I, a retired teacher, be interested in educating people about sea turtles? Best e-mail of my life! I started May 1st.

(Here's a recent group photo of the Sea Turtle Hospital volunteers. I'm third from the left in the back row. Thank you, Barb Bergwerf, for sharing this snapshot.)

I finally got to see what excited the novel’s main character, Toy Sooner, in “Swimming Lessons” so much. Sick sea turtles came in, healthy turtles were released. I read what I could about them and asked endless questions of the staff and volunteers. Everyone always takes the time to talk about the turtles and their treatments. If it were not for "Swimming Lessons", I may have never fallen in love with these beautiful animals.

Visitors coming on the tours all love the turtle hospital and the turtles. One young lady from Pennsylvania came on a tour last fall and told me she was in the middle of reading "Swimming Lessons" and had to come. A person from Ohio had a copy of the book with her that she had just read and had to come see what the character Toy loved so. I’m asked all the time what got me to the sea turtle hospital after being a Special Educator for decades. "Swimming Lessons", I tell them.

On May 1st of this year, we released 7 turtles. I had the privilege of releasing a baby green sea turtle back into the ocean. The sea turtle hospital has released 51 turtles! I will always be indebted to Kelly Thorvalson for giving me this remarkable opportunity and Mary Alice Monroe for showing me the path to the sea turtle hospital. Lastly, a special shout out for Dr. Shane Boyland (vet), Christi Hughes (biologist), and all of the dedicated volunteer staff.

A LOWCOUNTRY DELICACY

2010-06-22T04:30:00.001-07:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is my friend Nathalie Dupree who has written 10 cookbooks, including her latest, SHRIMP AND GRITS. Two of her books, SOUTHERN MEMORIES and COMFORTABLE ENTERTAINING, have won James Beard Awards. She has hosted over 300 television shows for PBS, The Learning Channel and the Food Network. She writes regularly and does videos for the Post and Courier Newspaper. Nathalie is married to author and professor Jack Bass and lives in Charleston, SC.

Living in South Carolina’s lowcountry brings surprise gifts, unbidden, from secret places. This month it is brown shrimp. These are the sweetest of the local shrimp, and are found closer to shore. Some people call them creek shrimp when they are tiny, but the chances are they were born in the ocean, or the mouth of the ocean (in Charleston we say the Ashley and Cooper Rivers form the Atlantic Ocean), according to some shrimpers. They float into the creeks and marshes and live there cozily until it is their turn to swim out and spawn.

There is no rhyme or reason, they say, for when they come. “It’s a bonus from God,” one shrimper said, “all of a sudden they appear, and are easily caught from boat or pier. Any kind of seine can catch them, just about.”

We had gone to McClellanville, South Carolina to see the shrimp coming in and photograph them as they spilled from the shrimp boats into their containers to be sorted and sold. I always think of shrimp boats out at sea as pirate boats – never having seen a real pirate boat. There is something majestic about them, and I hate to reduce them to a word as harsh sounding as trawlers. Their nets hang from them, in the distance changing them to look like mosquitoes on the horizon.

When they come close, or are docked, the ones in McClellanville were day boats, leaving before dawn and arriving home later in the day. They come off the boat in huge baskets, hauled by strong men who dumped them into ever bigger bins which went through a conveyor belt until they went out to be weighed. Their tasty little heads were still on them before they went in to be processed. It is a shame more people don’t know how sweet the heads are, and want them removed.

True connoisseurs of them cook them in their shells, head attached, before tearing off the head and sucking out the juices in the way that Cajuns such the heads of crawfish. When they are very tiny, there are long–time Lowcountry inhabitants that eat them head, shell and all, declaring them a delicacy of the highest order.

Brown shrimp are really gray in South Carolina and Georgia, looking nearly white; the same species is brown when caught off the shores of Texas. In large part this is due to what the shrimp eat. Those caught off the Gulf shore has been living deeper in the ocean, while the marshes of the Carolinas and the bayous of Louisiana provide sweeter tasting shrimp.

Shrimp need not be de-veined (the long black streak down the back) unless they were caught in sandy areas. Most “baited” shrimp caught off a dock have to have the vein removed as it retains the harsh taste of the feed used for baiting. If unsure, cook one from the batch as a test. De-veining takes a bit of time and if it isn’t necessary, why bother?

The heads, as well as the shells, make a succulent broth that produces sauces and soups that last in the memory a long time after they are eaten. Freeze them if waiting to use them.

Whatever way they are cooked, the little gray-brown shrimp of the lowcountry will captivate true shrimp lovers.

A video of Nathalie Dupree on the dock with the shrimp boats may be found at www.Postandcourier.com/food. Her email is Nathalieonly@aol.com.

REFLECTIONS OF A SHRIMPER'S DAUGHTER

2010-06-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is Jennifer Ray, who comes from a long lineage of shrimpers. Her father, Captain Wayne Magwood Junior, is one of several longtime Shem Creek shrimpers in Mount Pleasant, SC with whom I worked during my research for "Last Light over Carolina," now available in trade paperback.

I grew up here in Mount Pleasant. Reading "Last Light Over Carolina" brought back so many memories of growing up here. I recall the fun and adventure my sister and I had along the Shem Creek.

Some days were spent playing "fort" among the stacks of large shrimp nets at the dock. Some days were spent in the backyard of my grandmother’s house facing the boat landing. Nets were strung from the trees where my grandfather, Capt. Junior, would repair them for the boats. These nets made great hammocks to lay in with the shade of the large live oaks in their yard. Everyday at lunch, the crew from the docks would come up to the house for a delicious home cooked meal. My grandmother cooked for an army of hungry hardworking men and a few grandkids!

Back then our family had seven boats tied up at our fish house. Our “fleet” was painted the traditional orange and green and named after members of the family. My dad’s, Capt. Wayne Magwood, was the Scotty and Sherryl, named after his brother and sister.

My sisters and I loved going out shrimping. Grudgingly waking up before the sun only to be rewarded with the most beautiful sunrise that spanned the horizon. Curled up on the bunk in my dad’s room, we were at least able to sleep a few more hours before the nets came up. When the nets were opened on the deck it was time to work. The crew, including us children, sorted the shrimp, fish and blue crabs. As we grew into teenagers we would sunbath on the roof of the cabin.

Once my son, Matthew, was born he too would go shrimping with his Papa. Matthew spent many days on the boat with my dad. Other shrimpers would tell me stories of how my son would talk on the CB radio telling them where to find the shrimp. Even at five years old he was working just as hard as any other crewmember on the back deck of the Winds of Fortune.

With another shrimp season upon us, I look forward to gathering up the kids to head out to open waters to enjoy a very beautiful sunrise, the first light, on board the family shrimp boat.

GROWING UP MAGWOOD

2010-06-08T04:30:00.000-07:00

Editor's Note: This week's guest blogger is Tressy Magwood Mellichamp, the daughter of a fourth-generation Shem Creek shrimping family. She is the co-author of "East Cooper: A Maritime History," which documents the history of the area's maritime industry and its continued impact on the region. I am eternally grateful to Tressy for answering countless questions and connecting me with the Shem Creek shrimpers when I was doing research for "Last Light over Carolina," now available in trade paperback.

Growing up Magwood has been one of the biggest privileges I have been given in life. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you how proud I am of my heritage. My family has been plying the coastal waters of South Carolina for generations. I grew up a tomboy on the back deck of my dad’s boat. I can remember as a child telling my father no man would ever make me change my name. This made my dad grin with pride having four daughters and no male heir to call his own. But he knew that I would shed my tomboy image one day and he would be thankful for grandchildren.

Growing up Magwood means your family is a little different than most. It means brownies are not always little brown chocolate treats; they are small sweet shrimp. It means you smile as other mothers gasp when your children leave the Aquarium starving for a fish sandwich. It means your dad's cologne doesn’t come in a bottle; it is the scent of a hard day's work mixed with the brine of the sea. It means you don’t go out to dinner for seafood. But more seriously, it means you are a part of an extended family that calls the water their home and my family's bonds are woven as tightly as the nets we cast.

Growing up Magwood has given me some of the greatest joys of my life. We take great pride in our product; taking shrimp from the sea to the table is what we love do. My family motto-- Support American Fisherman: Eat more Seafood, Live and Love Longer!

With that said, my father and I began reading "Last Light over Carolina" on the same day. We instantly were transported back in time and couldn’t put the book down. We finished it in three days calling each other constantly celebrating, crying, and laughing. We were both in amazement of how the story touched us. It was difficult having a father who spent so much time working away from home as a child. We both relived some painful truths about our relationship while we also celebrated what made us unique as a family. We saw many elements of our family’s story and other families we knew captured in the novel. I think a piece of every fisherman’s story is written in the pages.

Mary Alice Monroe did a magnificent job portraying the difficulties facing this endangered breed of men and their families.

ANOTHER TURTLE SUMMER

2010-06-01T04:30:00.000-07:00

Whew! The first crush of beach visitors came to the Isle of Palms/Sullivan’s Island over this holiday weekend. Getting on and off the islands was like a parking lot! The number of tourists coming to beach is increasing. This was just the first wave from now through the summer season.

The holiday weekend of tourists had me thinking about another group of beach visitors—our sea turtles. Nesting season is underway. There have been at least five nests since the first one was spotted on May 22. When the hatching begins in July, it’s just the beginning of the amazing cycle of life for this endangered species.

Keeping in mind how many more people are on the beach, we need your help! Here’s how you can help make the beach safe (and more fun) for turtles and tourists both!

1. Only leave your footprints on the beach. Whatever you take to the beach—chairs, plastic wrappers, tents, etc.--make sure it leaves with you. Sea turtles like to eat jellyfish and can confuse plastic bags for food. A lethal mistake.

2. Fill in holes in the sand. If you dig a large hole, please smooth it out before you leave. Why bother? These pits can be a hazard to a mother turtle or hatchlings AND to someone walking the beach. Ouch!

3. Lights out for turtles! Why do we say this? Sea turtles find their way to the ocean by heading toward the brightest light. In nature, it is the moon over the water. But it can’t compete with man-made lights. If you’re taking an evening stroll along the beach, don’t use flashlights. Turn off the porch lights at the beach house or hotel balcony, and pull the window shades facing the beach down as well. Dark skies are beautiful!

4. Keep off the dunes! These natural barriers are fragile and the plant life helps keep the sand dunes in place. And turtles nest high in the dunes. Please stick to the beach trails and boardwalks—dogs, too!

These are easy tips for all of us, adults and kids, to be good sea turtle stewards. If you want to learn more about the sea turtle season, pick up a copy of TURTLE SUMMER. It’s a fun and informative children’s book with photographs for the little ones and all of us big kids too!

THOUGHTS ON WRITING: Inspired by Nature

2010-05-25T04:30:00.000-07:00

Nature speaks to the soul no matter where you are, whether it’s the beach, the mountains, or just your own back yard.

In my garden I hear the cooing calls of doves dotting the telephone line. I catch heady whiffs of gardenia bushes and jasmine in the salty breeze that grazes my skin. And I even spy a squirrel sitting on the fencepost twitching its tail, on the alert.

I admire the gift of writers who can transform the common scenes of an ordinary day into beautiful, uplifting and inspiring settings. One of the masters of nature writing is John Muir, a naturalist and author who is forever remembered as an early advocate of preserving America’s wilderness.

"The waving of a forest of the giant Sequoias is indescribably impressive and sublime, but the pines seem to me the best interpreters of winds. They are mighty waving goldenrods, ever in tune, singing and writing wind-music all their long century lives." Chapter 10: A Wind Storm in the Forests, “The Mountains of California” by John Muir, 1894

Without his talent for words and love of the landscape, we likely would not be able to enjoy the national parks that exist today. It’s his ability of creating a strong sense of place that inspires me to write about the environment in the way I do.

It is the goal of any writer to give readers the same vivid images of place that the writer witnesses. Few can do it on first attempt. What matters is the consistent effort to share one’s personal appreciation of natural wonders with others and hopefully plant the seed in readers to go out and experience the natural world for themselves.

There is not just one right way to write about nature. But in novel writing, I believe the power of setting best captures a reader’s imagination when viewed through a character’s point of view. The character brings to the moment all her history, her attitudes, her emotions to add depth and poignancy to the landscape. All her senses should be used to heighten that emotion. What does she hear, see, feel, taste and touch?

I admire the skill and legacy of John Muir to move the reader to action. I admire the way Pat Conroy can make me see the Lowcountry in the same, passionate manner of a young man. What novel settings can you vividly recall days, weeks, even years after reading? Study the way in which the author described the scene. Which senses are being used? Is the description a short, poetic sentence or a lyrical paragraph or two? What is it that strikes at your heart?

If you want to better connect with your writing on the environment, The Sofia Institute in Charleston, South Carolina has asked me to lead a one-day retreat in June on the subject. Together we’ll explore the natural beauty around us and work to help you find your own voice in nature. Click here for more information.

IT'S GOOD TO BE 10

2010-05-18T09:57:00.000-07:00

Do you remember how special it felt to turn ten years old? The anticipation as you counted the days until you could say farewell to single digit years?

I do-- and I am happy to wish the South Carolina Aquarium a "Happy 10th Birthday"! In honor of it turning the big 1-0, here is my list of Top Ten Reasons I Love the South Carolina Aquarium.

10. It has grown to be a leader in the conservation movement in the Palmetto State.

9. It's the crown jewel of the Charleston Harbor and the city’s most-visited attraction. (you can’t get a better view of the harbor)

8. The aquarium repaid it founding debt last year and faces an exciting new decade!

    7. Attendance and membership keep going up, up, up!

    6. The Aquarium does a great job promoting education and conservation to kids of all ages.

    5. The cool albino alligator exhibit--one of only 50 albino gators in the world!

    4. The Sea Turtle Rescue Program has rehabilitated more than 50 sea turtles and released them home to the sea! (Be sure to get a tour)

    3. The Sustainable Seafood Initiative. More than 70 restaurant partners throughout the state. Great wine pairings and fabulous meals. (Make a reservation. Your palette won’t be disappointed!)

    2. The amazing 4-D Theater! South Carolina’s first and only about to open for wildlife experiences on the big screen. Move over Avatar!

And the #1 reason I love the SC Aquarium?

    1. The Aquarium’s staff and volunteers. Best of the best! They make the visit exciting for us all—and they are making a difference!

I could go on and on about my love for the aquarium and I’m proud to serve on its board. Did you know the aquarium is the setting for my novel SWIMMING LESSONS? All the turtle experiences mentioned throughout the novel are actual sea turtle cases from the hospital. (If you haven’t read it, the paperback release is scheduled for July.)

Happy 10th birthday to the South Carolina Aquarium! I wish you another ten years of amazing successes!

HOW CAN I HELP WITH THE OIL SPILL

2010-05-11T06:49:00.000-07:00

The daily headlines about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico continue to wrench at my heart and twist my stomach. One of the latest Associated Press headlines I read stated “Oil spill swells to 4M gallons.”

Headlines like that have led me to ask myself, “What can I do?”

I found my answer just a few days ago in the form of an email from a friend who volunteers at the Center for Birds of Prey, located in a small Charleston, SC town called Awendaw. The non-profit organization is made up of dozens of trained and volunteer staff members who treat nearly 400 injured birds of prey a year and then return them to the wild.

Mary Pringle’s email asked folks to “please pick up a large blue bottle of plain Dawn dish detergent, the plain blue kind (not antibacterial or any other type or brand), so that we can start stockpiling this in case we need it.”

The center’s executive director, Jim Elliott, recently told a reporter for Charleston’s Post and Courier newspaper that the U.S. Coast Guard had contacted him with a message for the center to be on stand by. The Birds of Prey Center may soon be hand-washing and caring for oil-covered birds. And according to Mary, “the bird cleaning process takes days and is physically demanding with hours of backbreaking work.”

If a two-dollar bottle of Dawn dish soap can help them with this massive mission, I am thrilled to make a contribution. I might even donate a box full of the blue stuff.

Are you interested in helping? If you live in the Charleston area like I do, I encourage you visit the Center for Birds of Prey on Seewee Road, not only to drop off your bottle of Dawn, but to also see for yourself the amazing work that is done there on a daily basis. For those of you who live afar, I have no doubt that if you mailed a bottle of soap, or better yet, a monetary donation, your charitable contribution would be gratefully appreciated by the staff and volunteers.

News of the oil spill won’t be disappearing from the headlines anytime soon. It’s an environmental disaster of epic proportions. While its true impact on the ocean life, wetlands and our lives won’t be known for some time, I take some comfort in knowing that every drop of Dawn will help save the lives of some of our feathered friends desperately in need of our help.

You can learn more about the Center for Birds of Prey by visiting their website or by reading my novel Skyward.

BLESS THIS FLEET

2010-04-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

A longtime tradition will unfold along the banks of the Cooper River in the coastal South Carolina town of Mount Pleasant this Sunday. And, I plan to be there among the crowd of thousands enjoying an afternoon of shagging (South Carolina’s official state dance) to beach music, admiring local artisan work, and enjoying shrimp eating contests. But the highlight, the heart of this festival, is blessing the local shrimping fleet.

Together we will bow our heads as a local minister makes a public prayer for each freshly painted shrimp boat chugging by on the river. I’m sure that I won’t be the only one in the crowd whispering my own personal prayer for this year’s season to be a bountiful one for our local shrimping families, where every boat trip ends with a safe return to the docks and full nets dripping with plump, wild-caught shrimp.

While the Annual Blessing of the Fleet has swelled in popularity over the last 23 years, the coastal business it celebrates has experienced just the opposite. The Shem Creek boat docks in Mount Pleasant, once boomed with shrimp boats, busily unloading their day’s haul. But today, the number of people in the shrimping business has dwindled so low that this type of lifestyle is threatened. Competition from overseas farm-raised shrimp has been the biggest threat, but the price of diesel fuel to keep the vessels trawling has skyrocketed. So, many of them have left the business in search of land jobs that provide a steady paycheck for their families.

A shrimper’s life is far from a fairytale. However, they will be treated like kings of the waterway this Sunday! With more than 10,000 people attending the annual event, the Blessing of the Fleet has outgrown its usual backyard location of Alhambra Hall and will be held this year at the newly built Memorial Waterfront Park at the foot of the Ravenel Bridge.

On Sunday, when we stand together waving and smiling at our diminishing fleet of shrimp boats, my prayer for them will be that the tide changes in the shrimpers favor. May their nets not only overflow with succulent shrimp, but may they also receive a fair price for their catch. May the tens of thousands of seafood lovers in this coastal community and every city across the country ask for wild, American caught shrimp. May they make their demands known to their local grocers and restaurants.

See you at the Annual Blessing of the Fleet on Sunday, April 25th at Mt. Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park!

SEASON OF "ORPHANS"

2010-04-13T10:50:00.000-07:00

Guest Blogger: Mary Pringle, volunteer at the Center for Birds of Prey Medical Clinic

If you've read Mary Alice's novel Skyward, then you're familiar with what happens at our medical clinic and of all the interesting and beautiful birds of prey that we are privileged to treat and sometimes release. Mary Alice and I have released birds together, even Great Horned Owls as well as my personal favorite, the ospreys who are now beginning to nest in our neighborhood here on the Isle of Palms, SC.

This is the season for bird "orphans." Among the first to be seen are Great Horned Owls who nest during the last part of the winter. In early spring their young are starting to leave the nests and explore the tree branches around them. Very often they land on the ground but are not injured. What to do if you find one? If it is old enough to have its feathers, the best thing is to try to get the little owl back up into the tree where it belongs even if you can't get it into the nest. It's best to wear heavy work gloves because even at a young age their talons are very sharp. By taking it to a vet or bird rehabber, you may be ruining its chances of being raised by and trained to hunt by its own parents. Most often the parents will continue to feed and care for it in an alternate spot nearby. However, if it is injured, it should be taken to a medical facility for treatment. This applies to other kinds of birds as well. Sometimes they too can be put back into the nest or into the tree where the nest is. The myth about the parents abandoning it because someone has touched it is definitely not true.

Here in South Carolina we are fortunate to have The Center for Birds of Prey in Awendaw where injured raptors can be taken to the first-rate medical clinic for treatment and release. If you live elsewhere, you can usually call a veterinary facility to find out if there is such a facility nearby. The Center for Birds of Prey begins to see these very young birds in March.

Recently two Great Horned Owl chick siblings were admitted to our center from the Lexington, SC area. One has a broken leg which has been set and is healing and the other a fractured pelvis - which has already healed. Great care is taken to avoid having them imprint on humans during their care so that they can be released into the wild.

Happy spring to all.

STOCKING THE BOOKSHELF

2010-03-30T04:30:00.000-07:00

Guest Blogger: Angela May, PR liaison and Assistant for Mary Alice Monroe

Since Mary Alice has been busy these last couple of weeks getting to know her newest grandchild, I offered to be this week's guest blogger. If you were hoping to be spared from baby talk for the month, sorry to disappoint. Mary Alice and I both have baby on the brain these days. Actually, I've got baby and books on the brain.

My little mister is not due until mid-June, but my husband and I have spent most nights reading to our little one. As we read slowly with child-friendly expression to my growing belly, we're also wondering which books he’ll want us to read to him time and time again.

We don’t even have the nursery furniture ordered yet, but we do have a bookshelf in place, already more than halfway full of a hodgepodge of children’s books (we're serious about storytime in this family). Part of the collection is thanks to the kind donations of friends, while the rest are oldies dating back to husband's and my childhood.

Hubby and I recently visited the local bookstore and had a great time pointing out some of our childhood favorites and flipping through some of the more recently published stories. There are so many choices-- the classics, award winners, bestsellers and local authors. Where do we start?

I’ve been quietly wondering which dozen or so are the most important books to buy for my baby’s personal library? Which ones will best feed his imagination, stoke his curiosity and fill his heart with the fondest storytime memories?

I think our current collection already has several standouts-- Dr. Suess’ Hop on Pop and The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, Eric Carle’s colorful creation The Very Hungry Catepillar and an autographed copy of Mary Alice Monroe’s award-winner Turtle Summer to name a few.

Note: for anyone for has not read her book-- even though it's for children, I was surprised by how much I learned about the beach, and I'm a native!

I must admit that our baby's book collection is off to a good start. And even though I don't know which ones I'll be buying during the next several months, I look forward to watching the collection grow along with my child’s love for reading. I eagerly wait to see which ones he’ll pull off the shelf for me to read over and over again.

THE AQUARIUM’S NEW STANDOUT

2010-03-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

It’s a rare sight in nature and anyone who catches a glimpse of one in the swamp might wonder if they just saw a ghost. An albino alligator. This light-sensitive creature is the latest addition to the Blackwater Swamp exhibit at the South Carolina Aquarium in downtown Charleston.
This is a rare and wonderful opportunity for all of us to learn more about the world of albinism, which occurs naturally in American alligators once in every 100,000 hatchlings.

As a longtime, devoted aquarium board member, I encourage everyone to attend the Albino Alligator Grand Opening on March 20th. If you can’t make it that day, I hope you’ll plan a trip or two this summer to learn more about this elusive reptile, along with the snakes, owls and fish in the expanded Coastal Plain gallery. And that’s only one section of the aquarium.

The American alligator has an amazing story of survival, and the facts about the albino alligator are even more interesting. I know where I’ll be taking my grandchildren when they come visit me this summer. Seeing the wonder in a child’s eye as they learn and interact with the world around them is a priceless moment.

Want to learn more about the albino alligator? Click here.

SHRIMP LOVERS TO THE RESCUE

2010-03-16T04:00:00.000-07:00

The shrimp were plump, pink. A side of crunchy, creamy coleslaw rounded out this perfect Southern meal served earlier this month at a local fundraising event down the road from my house. It was a great opportunity to help one of the Lowcountry’s beloved shrimpers and the crowds turned out on that warm, sunny Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of well wishers from across the Charleston area came out in support.

Captain Donnie Brown is no stranger to tough times. As a longtime shrimp boat captain at Shem Creek, he and his family have had to ride out the storms that come along with his line of work. The latest storm to strike—a fire on board shrimping vessel, the Miss Karen—destroyed his trawler. His source of livelihood was gone and another shrimp boat lost to the area.

Even on the best of days, American shrimpers have a hard time making ends meet. A flood of farm-raised, flavorless (in my opinion) imported shrimp sold on the cheap has undercut the local market. But the shrimpers have hung on. So imagine the toll it takes on a shrimper’s family when your business literally goes up in smoke.

This is a fire that affects more than just one local family. It affects the shrimping community, which dwindles each year as folks look for land jobs that promise a steady paycheck. It affects me, my neighbors, our local restaurants and the U.S. industry.

So as I filled my tummy with shrimp on that particular Sunday, my heart was filled as well to see hundreds of people enjoying the shrimp boil at Goldbug Island, right next to Sullivan’s Island. Great food, good drinks, toe-tapping music and a lot of smiling faces. No smile seemed to shine quite as bright though as those of Captain Donnie Brown and his wife, Karen, for whom the lost boat was named.

My hope is this flood of community support is exactly what Captain Brown needs to make sure the Miss Karen is a common sight along the Atlantic Coast horizon when the shrimping season begins this spring. See you at the Blessing of the Fleet at Shem Creek on April …..

SWIMMING LESSONS: True Tales at the Sea Turtle Hospital

2010-03-09T17:00:00.000-08:00

There is no denying my deep affinity for sea turtles, particularly the threatened loggerhead. This ancient creature of the deep blue swam its way into the pages of two of my novels, THE BEACH HOUSE and the sequel SWIMMING LESSONS.

SWIMMING LESSONS is being re-released as mass market this July with a fresh seaside front cover. My hope is a new wave of readers will find themselves taking interest in the loggerhead as well as the sea turtle hospitals that care for the sick and injured.

In SWIMMING LESSONS, my protagonist Toy Sooner, a single mother raising her young daughter on Isle of Palms, is also caring for injured sea turtles at the Sea Turtle Hospital located at Charleston's South Carolina Aquarium. Each turtle Toy handles at the facility are reflective of actual case histories there.

Biologist Kelly Thorvalson, who is the South Carolina Aquarium Sea Turtle Rescue Program Coordinator, blogs about the amazing turtle cases the staff and volunteers handle. Their mission is to help sea turtles survive in our ocean by healing the ill and injured for their return to the wild. It is through her dedication, and that of the volunteers, aquarium staff, and a long line of generous donors, that the SC Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Hospital has grown into the amazing facility it is today.

After reading, or re-reading, SWIMMING LESSONS when it makes its return to bookstores in July, I encourage you to plan a trip to the SC Aquarium. We have two fabulous new exhibits—an extremely rare albino alligator and a 3D theater that lets you feel the splash of water and more as you watch a film. Also, the penguin exhibit has been extended. And don’t forget to take for a tour of the Sea Turtle Hospital. I hope the pages of my novel come alive when you see with your own eyes the spectacular sea creature that inspired me to write my turtle novels. I hope they capture your heart just as they did mine!

MAMBO, ROUND TWO

2010-03-09T04:00:00.000-08:00

I’m about to fall in love again this week.

I’m visiting a pint-size fellow with dark chocolate brown locks and sparkling brown eyes who lovingly calls me “Mambo.” He is my grandson, my one and only. My Jack. But any day now, I will be Mambo to another precious life.

Mambo, you say? Where did that name come from?

First, can I ask if I’m the only one that’s noticed that no one seems to be called Grandma or Granny anymore? When I was young I don’t remember asking another child, “What do you call your Grandmother?” There were a few Nanas. I had a German grandmother I called Oma (which my friends thought was weird). But most of the time, our grandmother was Grandma.

Not so for the baby boomers, it appears. It seems no one is called Grandma anymore! My friends now ask, “What will you be called?” when they learn one of us is gong to be a grandmother. I think the image of the elderly grandmother doesn’t jive with our self images or our active lifestyles. I notice a lot more Nanas and Mimis and Mawmaws and such. Even Gorgeous Grandma, shortened to GG. All cute! But is this a trend?

When my turn came around I’d thought I’d be another in a long line of Nanas, but my mother in law is called Nana and to my mind, as long as she is alive, that name is taken. I still like Oma. I’d suggested the grandkids call me Mam. My itinials, I thought, would not only be easy to say, but if they called my in public, for example, “Good morning, Mam!” everyone would think I had the most polite grandchildren. My daughter nixed that.

Anyway, after Jack was born, I heard my daughter singing to him, “Mambo loves Jackie. Jackie loves Mambo.” I rolled the name on my tongue. Mambo. I saw the MAM in the name. We had a contender.

In the end, it was Jack who chose the name, as it should be. We’d played with Nana, Oma, Grandma, and Mambo. Poor child, I don’t think he knew what to call me for almost a year! I was getting upset because Jack could say “Papa Markus” without any problem, and that’s a mouthful! But then, on one glorious morning I went to pick him up from his crib. When he saw me he brightened and called out, “Mambo!” That was it.

I cherish my grandmotherly title and can’t wait to hear myself called Mambo by my new grandbaby. Boy, girl, I don’t know yet. The only thing I know is I will love this second grandchild just as much as my first and I feel so blessed. If your name is Grandma, Nana, Oma, Mimi, Susu, GG, or anything in between then you know exactly how I feel. What a glorious gift it is to be a grandparent!

Thoughts on Writing: The Quest for a Literary Agent

2010-03-04T04:30:00.000-08:00

Note: This blog entry is also posted today on A Good Blog is Hard to Find

Behind every successful published author stands a good agent. Securing that partnership is the most important hurdle in this wild, wonderful world of publishing. However, it’s no easy feat.

I first began looking for an agent in1986. I had a novel written but was clueless how to go about the business of getting published. During those early years, I felt I had to achieve the title of “published author” to view myself as a “real writer.” That accomplishment-- that crossing of some line I’d drawn in my mind--would be a validation. Only then would I consider myself on an equal footing with my published author friends.

Back in the day, from time to time we heard stories about fellow writers who landed book deals after their novel was plucked out of the mysterious slush pile by an editor. Yes, it really happened! That kind of good fortune is almost unheard of now. There is an old saying that literary agents are the first line of defense for editors. Today more than ever, agents and editors are deluged with submissions. The best weapon for getting your novel pushed to the top of the stack in an editor’s office is your agent.

Choosing the right agent is critical for the author. It can be a mistake for an author to accept any literary agent that says “yes.” Take your time doing research. Attend conferences where agents are speaking. Find out which agent represents books in your genre. Who are his/her clients? Does she demand a fee for reading your manuscript? You want an agent who believes in your work. If your agent doesn’t fight for your work, you could waste years.

Every relationship between author and agent is unique. But the common denominator is respect: an author’s for her agent’s time and effort, and the agent’s respect for the author’s work. Because in the end, it always boils down to the novel.

Choosing your agent, the right agent for you, is one of the most important business decisions you’ll ever make. There is a mountain of rejection in the world of publishing, and sometimes, getting published is a matter of your idea being at the right place at the right time. So believe in your talent, go to conferences, submit your work, and keep writing. Let me share with you one important thing I learned in the past twenty some years. You are a writer whether you are published or unpublished.

Mary Alice Monroe is a NYT Bestselling author and has written more than a dozen books, including Last Light over Carolina, Time is a River, and The Beach House. Her books have achieved several best seller lists, including SIBA and USA Today. Her latest novel, The Butterfly’s Daughter, will be out in spring 2011. You can follow Monroe on Facebook, Twitter and her weekly blog.

SWEETGRASS: Then and Now

2010-03-02T04:30:00.000-08:00

Almost six years after its nationwide debut, my Lowcountry novel SWEETGRASS is gearing up for a springtime comeback. This May will be the first time it appears at bookstores in trade paperback (It’s one of four paperback releases this year).

In preparation for this literary redux, the publisher has given the book cover a makeover (I think the pop of green and yellow color is eye-catching).

As for the story of Mama June Blakely-- her family’s crisis and unlocked secrets—I left the story untouched.

I was inspired to write this story by watching a woman’s strong hands weave together the disparate grasses into a work of art. How like a mother and her family, I thought. And in a flash I knew what my story would be about.

During Mama June’s tumultuous personal journey, the reader also learns about the intricate southern art of weaving sweetgrass baskets. The story raised many harsh realities about the current issues threatening this centuries-old craft.

I’m delighted to report that since its first publication in 2005, some progress has been made to help preserve the ancient African art of Sweetgrass basket weaving.

Sweetgrass basketry was named South Carolina’s state handcraft in 2006.
In 2006, the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor was designated by Congress, thus helping protect one of Southern America’s unique cultures shaped by enslaved West Africans.
In 2009, the Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Pavilion opened at the new Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park in South Carolina, in an effort to help keep the basketmaking tradition alive.
Local efforts have been made to encourage residents to plant sweetgrass for basketmakers.

However, commercial and residential development in coastal islands and marshes continue to make the indigenous sweetgrass difficult to find. It’s an ongoing issue, one that was prevalent when I was writing SWEETGRASS years ago and continues today. Southern coastal communities must continue to work to find ways to protect our precious coastal resources.

My hope is that anyone who reads or re-reads SWEETGRASS when it’s released in May will enjoy this family saga of a plantation family and come to appreciate the sweetgrass basketmaking culture.

If you don’t have a sweetgrass basket in your home, go out to the new Cultural Arts Pavilion in Mt. P, or to the Market in Charleston, or stop at one of the many basket stands along Hwy 17. Each sewer is a unique artist. By learning about the baskets, you’ll better understand the cost and appreciate that the baskets are a historic and impressive art form of the Lowcountry. I adore them and have them all over my house.

Here's a photo of the baskets in my office.

Love for the Library (Part 2)

2010-02-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

What does the library mean to you?

That was the question posed to me by the Natrona County Public Library in Casper, Wyoming as part of its upcoming 100th anniversary celebration this Spring. The librarians asked authors from across the country to submit personal letters that will be shared with the community.

To my surprise, the writing assignment turned out to be more fun that I had anticipated, and that's why I'm sharing my letter with you. As posted in Part 1 of today's blog, the feeling I had when receiving my very first library card was like the day we all earn our driver's license as teenagers. You feel a rush of freedom to read to your heart's delight and a sense of independence to actually have a card in your name to put in your wallet or purse.

Here is the rest of my letter to the Natrona County Public Library about my lifelong love affair with public libraries:

I come from a large family of ten siblings. My sisters and I would create imaginary worlds in our house’s basement and attics, in forts made in the fields, and in tree houses. The plots and characters we assumed were derived from those in the books that we read (from our town library). When I wasn’t playing with my sisters, I was usually found reading or writing stories of my own. I’ve often thought that were it not for the presence of books in my life, I might have been a lonely child.

I remain a voracious reader who continues to write my own imaginative tales. When I’m not working, I still love to wander into the local library. There is something comforting about the smell of book pages permeating the air and the sight of colorful book spines lined neatly on the shelves. I especially love witnessing a child’s reaction to their first library visit. It’s a reminiscent reminder that something magical always awaits at the library!

Forever a fan of the library,

Mary Alice Monroe

What are your fond memories of your local library?

There is no doubt that modern technology is rapidly changing our reading habits. We can order books with the click of a mouse and download new releases onto our portable electronic reading devices. But, my hope is we will always cherish and support our local library. It's free entertainment, family friendly, a reliable resource, and a place where you can always feel a sense of community.

Love for the Library (Part 1)

2010-02-23T04:30:00.000-08:00

I just sent off a letter to the Natrona County Public Library in Casper, Wyoming. It was at the library's request as the staff prepares for its centennial celebration this Spring. Their request was for me to write a letter about what public libraries mean to me.

The assignment turned into an unexpected and wonderful adventure down memory lane. I had such a good time thinking back to my personal library experiences that I thought I'd share my letter with you. I hope this will spark your own reflection and encourage you to post your own comments about why you love the library too!

Dear fellow booklovers,
The chorus of one Jimmy Buffett song captures my lifelong love affair with public libraries:

Love in the library, quiet and cool

Love in the library, there are no rules

Surrounded by stories surreal and sublime

I fell in love in the library once upon a time

One of my earliest childhood memories is of my first trip to the library in Evanston, Illinois. I can remember my feeling of amazement while piling books into my arms. I couldn’t believe all those books were there for me. Getting my very own library card was like a teenager getting their driver’s license! It was like getting the keys to a candy shop for my imagination.

Thoughts on Writing: Crafting Character

2010-02-15T10:00:00.000-08:00

The office chair seems to have a permanent indention in it as I diligently write more and more pages for my latest novel. With the book deadline heading for the home stretch, my characters continue to take shape with each new chapter.

My assistant, Angela, asked me “Who were some of your favorite book characters?” There are so many, but here are some of my all time favorites:

Peter Pan (The Adventures of Peter Pan) Who doesn’t love that clever, adorable boy who won’t grow up? (and who doesn’t know exactly why Wendy chose another to marry…)

Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) The father all of us wished we had, the father men aspire to be. (in fact, my daddy was a lot like Atticus.)

Pilot-Major John Blackthorne (Shogun) A fabulous, well rounded character—plenty of flaws and yet noble. He embodied the misconceptions between East and West that continued for hundreds of years.

Pip (Great Expectations) Such heart!

Penelope (The Shell Seekers) A fully realized character that reveals the culture and sensitivities of the WWII “Greatest Generation” of women and the tremendous post war cultural changes.

Each of these characters was flawed, yet each pursued a journey discovering the depth of their strengths and virtues.

I like to think that crafting characters is like painting. You start with a rough sketch: what they look like, their habits, strengths and flaws. I add a bit of color with tags, speech style, and quirky habits. I add motivations and conflict. As I write the novel, the characters are fleshed out. Like an artist with an oil painting, layers are added for depth and clarity until the portrait is fully realized.

My advice to young writers it not to grow frustrated if a character seems to be lacking in the early process of your writing. Remember, no artist presents a masterpiece with just a pencil sketch. You must add layers of brush strokes and various colors before the painting is complete.

My painting, so to speak, is nearing completion. I hope these latest characters make a lasting impression!

2010-01-25T08:37:00.000-08:00

BLOG NOTE: I'm so flattered to be featured in a blog by fellow writer and friend Emilie Richards. Here is the link, for your reading pleasure: http://blog.emilierichards.com/

I got to see Emilie at a book reading/signing event in Sanibel, Florida. If you're in the area, visit the Sanibel Island Bookshop.

SEA TURTLES AND INTERIOR DECORATING

2010-01-25T07:48:00.000-08:00

What do sea turtles and interior design have in common?

See for yourself at the upcoming Charleston Home + Design Show. By the title of it, you probably can easily imagine what the weekend event entails. It’s a great show, but most interesting and fun to me is the so-called “celebrity idea rooms.”

This year, the organizers selected six acclaimed writers in the Charleston area. I’m honored to be one of them. My fellow friends-turned-competitors are poet Marjory Wentworth, cookbook writers Matt and Ted Lee, fiction writer Dorothea Benton Frank, newspaper columnist Ken Burger, and TV chef Bob Waggoner.

Each of us has been paired with a professional designer. I’m working with Amy Floyd of Island Daze Designs, who is also a member of the Isle of Palms Turtle Team. Not only do we share a love for helping the endangered sea turtle species survive, we also enjoy living seaside. Her design talents are a perfect match for my room style—eclectic with ocean-inspired colors. I also love local art, along with antique and traditional furniture. Just for participating in the contest, the Charleston Home + Design Show will make a $500 donation to the charity of each writer’s choice. I selected the Sea Turtle Hospital at the South Carolina Aquarium.

Now, here’s the competition side of it. The idea rooms will be on display Friday-Sunday at the Gaillard Auditorium where visitors cast a vote for their favorite room. The winning writer receives an additional $500 to donate to their selected charity.

I’d be thrilled to help win $1000 for the Sea Turtle Hospital, which rescues sick and injured turtles, then rehabilitates them so they can return to their ocean home.

I hope you’ll come out Jan. 29-31 to enjoy all the aspects of the annual Charleston Home + Design Show and take a look at the idea rooms. You’ll get a glimpse at the personal style of each writer while also helping a good cause.

Sea turtles and interior design do have something in common!

Coming Out of my Writing Cave

2010-01-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

My latest book project has kept me hunkered down in a cave (my office) with no contact to the outside world (with the exception of Facebook and my cell phone). However, I’m breaking free this week by taking a little road trip South. My destination— the Naples, Florida area.

This trip has been on my calendar for quite some time; one book club event and three bookstore stops. Here’s a little secret of mine. I sometimes get names for my characters from book signings.

And, here’s a confession. If you’ve been to more than one book signing, I likely remember your face, but I’m not always as good at remembering names. Surely, there are many who are just like me! Why is it that when we can’t recall someone’s name during a conversation, we silently agonize and hope the name will miraculously come to our memory, instead of just politely admitting our predicament to the mystery person? I shall quietly bless anyone who kindly restates their name when we’re meeting for a second time.

People often ask me if book signing events are tiring. Honestly, I feel exhilarated at the end of a book signing! By necessity, I spend days alone so I can shut out the noise and enter my story world. Authors spend a lot of time in their heads. So when I hear personal stories from a reader telling me how they were influenced by my story or inspired, I feel re-energized. I leave the signing soaring. Especially with Time is a River, dozens of women breast cancer survivors shared their experiences with me. I was honored and moved and so grateful that they found the book helpful.

I wonder who I’ll meet and what I’ll learn this week?

Go to my website to see where I’ll be making appearances in Florida.

In Case You Wanted to Know

2010-01-11T09:08:00.000-08:00

From the assistant’s desk:
Mary Alice is diligently tapping out the pages of her next novel as the book deadline quickly approaches. Because she’s focused on that, I’m stepping in this week as her guest blogger.

My real job here at the office is serving as her assistant and PR liaison. I must say it’s quite a fun job and would be for anyone who’s a fan of her work. I’ve gotten to know interesting things about one of my favorite authors that I would never have read on the author’s page of any of her books.

With that said, I’d like to share with fellow readers a few things that you might otherwise never know about Mary Alice Monroe.

1- Have you ever noticed that in most of her books, at least one character is a coffee lover and always makes a descriptive statement about his or her love of the beverage? One of my favorite descriptions is from an older novel, in which two characters are working late on a marketing campaign for a tea company at their London office where there is no coffee pot:

They huddled over the desk like two conspirators. Bernard practically groaned as he sipped. “Nectar of the gods,” he murmured. “Me mother’s milk to me,” she relied in a purr, drinking greedily. (pg. 90; SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT)

     Well, I always figured Mary Alice had to be a devoted coffee drinker because who else could describe the feeling of sipping coffee with such perfection? My first day on the job, she offered me a cup of java from her top-notch brewing contraption, which also steams milk. I was hooked for the job at first sip!

     2- She’s fluent in Japanese. The problem is she sometimes speaks the language to me as if I have a clue what she is saying. My response is always the same—a smile and a raised eyebrow of confusion. Thankfully she always translates for me.

     3- Her love of the Japanese language also translates to a love of the cuisine as well. Periodically, she prepares Japanese dishes for her family to enjoy, and I’ve happily been the recipient of her meals a couple of times. Her food pantry is stocked with the basics of Asian cuisine, which is something we have in common, expect I prepare Korean dishes.

     4- When it comes to her interests and book research, Mary Alice really goes all in! For example, her butterfly raising experience began with a visit to the local butterfly habitat in Mount Pleasant, SC. That same day, she returned home with several chrysalis and milkweed plants to transform her screened porch into a butterfly garden. Since that fateful day in the summer, she has raised DOZENS of monarch butterflies (The life cycle is beautiful to witness. The chrysalis looks like a jewel). Little did I know that my job description would include helping her clean up butterfly poop!

What kind of things would you like to know about Mary Alice? Let me know your thoughts and I might be able to share some more tidbits about one of our favorite authors upon my next visit to her weekly blog page.

New Year, New Possibilities

2009-12-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Are you like me in that when the New Year begins, you are filled with anticipation and hope? It’s a time for new beginnings. Three hundred and sixty five days of possibilities!

For me, 2010 will be an exciting year. First, and most important, our family will soon be blessed with another baby-- my second grandchild! Also, my two other children are embarking on new adventures. My son, as I mentioned in last week's blog, will accept his commission in the Marines. And my other daughter is training in Hawaii to become one of the top wave kiteboarding women in the world. Way to go kids!

I'm also looking forward to the releases of my books in paperback.

In May, SWEETGRASS will hit store shelves for the first time in trade paperback. This is the story of Mama June, matriarch of the Blakely family, who is rocked by a health crisis and rising taxes on the plantation. These two events lead to the revelation of family secrets that date back to the time of slavery. She must dig deep into her heart and history to find the truth that will bind her family together again. The Southern art of weaving intricate sweetgrass baskets is a metaphor for a mother weaving together the disparate strands of her family.

On June 8th, LAST LIGHT OVER CAROLINA will be released in trade paperback. This follows last summer’s wonderful success of the hardcover version, which hit the New York Times List and Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance’s best seller list. Both men and women alike seem to enjoy the story of longtime shrimp boat captain Bud Morrison and his wife of thirty years, Carolina. This haunting and touching tale unfolds over the course of a single day, when the captain is injured at sea, triggering a massive search for his missing vessel.

In July, SWIMMING LESSONS will be released as mass market-- a perfect size for your beach bag or suitcase! It’s the follow-up to THE BEACH HOUSE, with Toy Sooner now a single mother raising her young daughter at the beach while caring for injured sea turtles. The summer season evokes her abusive past and a parent’s worst nightmare, forcing Toy to find her own strength and courageously face her fears.

And finally, with great excitement I get to announce the November release of my first novel THE LONG ROAD HOME, which has been out of print since 1995. I have often jokingly referred to it as “the best book no one has read.” This is the story of socialite Nora MacKenzie, who is hit by both the shock of her estranged husband’s suicide and the news that his Wall Street dealings left her bankrupt. She flees to their small Vermont farm to sort out her life. This story of bank scandals and tough times is timely again. The only editing I’ve done is for anachronisms. Remember the “Walkman” or how everyone was called “Dude” back then? I think it is more interesting for my readers to see my writing early on in my career, and the story remains strong and compelling. And here’s a secret… The setting of the farm in Vermont is a depiction of our old family house there. I hope you enjoy the novel as much as I did reading it again after fifteen years!

As the books are released I will post more information on my website, so check in often. That’s where you can also find out about my scheduled appearances. For those of you who live in the Naples, Fort Myers, Florida region, I’ll be visiting several stores in mid January. Then in February I’ll be attending the Savannah Book Festival. I’d love to meet you!

I’m also continuing this year to update my Facebook fan page. It is a marvelous way, in our modern times, to keep in touch with my readers. Plus, the weekly blog will continue to be a reflection on life and my books. There will be one addition though. My assistant, Angela, will periodically share her perspective about some of our many fun interactions and topics dear to my heart.

Meanwhile, I’m working on my latest novel, THE BUTTERFLY’S DAUGHTER. Those of you who have been visiting me on Facebook have seen photos of all the monarch butterflies that I raised last fall. This book will be released in hard cover from Simon and Schuster in 2011.

Expect to see a very special children’s book about butterflies that I’ve written, as well. This book will have beautiful photographs from Barbara Bergwerf, similar to what you enjoyed in TURTLE SUMMER.

Thank you for your love and support over the past years. I wish you a wonderful New Year full of adventure, joy, magic and peace.

‘Tis the Season for Traditions

2009-12-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

The tree is up, stockings hung, cookies baked and presents wrapped (well, at least some of them). These are common scenes at my home and at millions of other homes this time of year. I truly love the Christmas season! I cherish the traditions associated with this holiday— the religious practices and the family rituals.

One tradition in my household for the last thirty years has been that my husband, Markus, takes over the kitchen to make a delicious Christmas Eve family dinner. I don’t know exactly how it began; I think it evolved back in the day when he cooked dinner while I took our kids to the children’s mass at church. We always came home in a circuitous route so we could see the neighborhood lights and sing carols—and give Daddy a few extra minutes to finish dinner. It has evolved to be the most eagerly anticipated, and elaborate tradition of the Christmas season for my children and me. Markus stays mum on the menu, but he does send us a questionnaire at Thanksgiving that asks all of us interesting questions to help him plot his festive feast. Often he chooses a country we’ll visit and make an ethnic meal (complete with decorations). I remember the stroganoff from Russia, the Hawaiian luau in front of the fire, Dim Sum from China, and a French Bistro meal complete with Père à Fouetter, “Father Whipping” in a kind of French piñata! To this day we occasionally find a gag gift under the tree from Pere a Fouetter! Any male visiting our house on Christmas Eve is recruited and dons an apron to help. While they cook, the women and children head off to Christmas Eve mass.

One funny thing though about time-honored family traditions is they often change over the years. As our children reached adulthood and now begin to create their own families, the evolution of our traditions continues. My son has helped his father with the holiday dinner preparations for years. In February, Zachary will accept his commission in the Marines, so we don’t know if he’ll be eating dinner with us next year. So this year he is planning the entire menu. In Chicago, my son-in-law is trying his hand at making dinners for Claire and Jack.

As I look forward to another year of Christmas family traditions, I hope that your personal faith and family rituals elicit fond memories and heartfelt sentiments that bind you closer to each other this holiday season and in the New Year to come.

A Gift for my Grandson

2009-12-14T09:03:00.000-08:00

It always begins with “Where’s Kiwi?” And it always ends with squeals of excitement from my grandson, Jack. He’s eighteen months old and the smartest child I’ve ever known his age. (of course…)

Kiwi is the name of one of my cats—a beautiful, calico patterned, long-haired house cat, who’s quite the talker. On any given day it is anybody’s guess as to where she is lounging in the house.

Jack fell in love with her during his visit with me last summer. Each day he asked “Where’s Kiwi” and would go searching throughout the house for her. When he went back home to Chicago, I didn’t want Jack to forget the fun he had at his “Mambo’s” house (the story behind how I acquired that endearing name must wait for a later blog). So, I decided to use my cat as a way to stay connected with my grandson.

Armed with a digital camcorder I began video taping my own feline search. You can see and hear me say, “Where’s Kiwi? Is she under the chair?”

I show the chair on video. “No. No Kiwi. Is she on the couch? No. No Kiwi. Is she under the table?”

On video you can see a puffy tail sticking out from beneath the table cover. I slowly raise the cloth and say, “Is Kiwi under the table? There’s Kiwi!”

My surprised and possibly irritated kitty looks up at the camera, meows and scampers off to her next hideaway. I do this recorded thirty-second routine once a week and email the video to my daughter for my grandson to watch. This grandmotherly gesture does not go unrewarded. In return, my daughter videotapes Jack watching and reacting to each edition of “Where’s Kiwi”. He responds to my voice, with his eyes wide and attentive, and then screams with glee clapping his hands when he discovers Kiwi.

Seeing that on my computer makes the miles between us not seem so vast. I feel the joy of watching him grow, and I love knowing that he remembers his Mambo’s voice. So, you might want to try it. What’s the name of your cat? Your dog? Do you have a video camera? (I use the simple Flip camera). Make a
short video and email it to your grandchild.

This is a personalized gift that anyone can do for a dear child or grandchild—something simple that invokes fun learning and symbolizes eternal love.

Enjoy and Merry Christmas!!

Thoughts on Writing: Getting Your Story Published

2009-12-07T09:32:00.000-08:00

"Writing is easy; I just open a vein and bleed" -Red Smith

If only getting your story published were as easy as following a no-fail magic formula! It takes a lot of hard work, perseverance, and a stroke of luck too.

I’ve been asked the question more times than I can count: “How can I get my book published?” While I can’t guarantee anything, I do have a few tips for aspiring writers that have proven true in both my career and the careers of my fellow writers.

I strongly believe that up-and-coming writers benefit from attending conferences where book agents will be on hand. The closest one in my area is the annual South Carolina Writers Workshop Conference, which is held every October in Myrtle Beach.

Every writer should have a well-crafted, compelling two-minute sales pitch ready to be shared with anyone who asks "What’s your book about?" Imagine if a top agent asked you that very question at a conference. Quick…what would you say?

Equally as important as your verbal sales pitch is your written one-- the query letter. If you haven’t already done so, make sure to research how to write a proper query letter and synopsis of your book. An excellent resource is the Guide to Literary Agents, which is updated yearly.

My final tip is to join a critique group for writers. You can find them through local book stores, writers’ organizations, and online. Many now-published authors said they benefited tremendously from being a part of such a group. Just remember to join the right kind—one that offers instructive criticism. For more on that topic, I covered that very issue in one of my blogs in November.

I wish you great success and fulfillment as you pursue your passion for storytelling. Remember, too, that you are a writer whether you get published or not. Good luck.

Thankful to be Content

2009-11-23T07:13:00.000-08:00

Every year as Thanksgiving approaches, I reflect on all that I have to be thankful for. This year, my thoughts turn not to the great events or successes. Rather, my heart is thankful for the non-specific yet prevailing joys of my life. These include standing back and observing how my children are each actively pursuing their bliss, that my marriage is loving and fulfilling, and my friends and family are caring and compassionate. I’m also thankful that my health is good and my mind is still curious and capable. These are my blessings.

It is enough. Sometimes I pray for something I want, but don’t necessarily need. If I don’t get it I might grow impatient and I wonder if it will ever materialize, then later, begin to worry it will not. Michael Jordan once said that his failures were as important to his growth as his successes. Failure, obstacles, disappointments, and rejections test character and resolve. They also teach patience and prod us to reevaluate our efforts.

And what if God simply says “No” to what I pray for?

Max Lucado wrote,

"Content. That’s the word. A state of heart in which you would be at peace if God gave you nothing more than he already has.”

This Thanksgiving I give thanks to God for all my blessings and I pray for the serenity and wisdom to recognize those blessings every day and be content.

The Last of my Monarchs... For Now

2009-11-16T07:42:00.000-08:00

“Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” -anonymous

The monarch butterfly’s annual migration south to Mexico typically begins in early fall in the north when the days grow shorter and the nights cooler. For me, the fall is an introspective season, a time to prepare for the winter ahead. Over the past summer I’ve raised dozens of monarchs. It was inspiring to watch the monarch grow from a microscopic egg to a caterpillar, then to climb to the top of the aquarium to form an amazing, jewel-like chrysalis the color of jade. Then, finally, to witness the magical metamorphosis and celebrate as it emerged a butterfly. On Halloween it was bittersweet to release my last butterfly in my garden.

Or so I thought. After several blustery days, courtesy of Hurricane Ida, we enjoyed a balmy sunny day on Isle of Palms. As I did garden chores, my eyes widened in surprise when I found several tiny, newly hatched caterpillars chomping away on my milkweed plants! Delighted, I brought them indoors to my butterfly habitat. I see them now outside my office window on my screened porch. To think…In a few weeks I will again witness the miracle of metamorphosis.

This last, late, and unexpected batch of monarch caterpillars was a gift. A second chance for inspiration. Last week’s sudden blast of cold came too quick and my mood grew depressed at the thought of the end of my summer season. Now, however, I’ve been inspired to take advantage of this quieter, introspective season. If I see my time indoors as a chrysalis, I am inspired to effectively use this duration as a period of growth and transformation. I choose to withdraw from distractions and to go inward, quietly and with reflection. I will use this as a time to create something new.

And when the days grow long again and the sun warms the earth, I hope I will emerge transformed to greet the return of my sister butterfly, my own creativity shining as bright and vivid as wings the color of flames.

Thoughts on Writing: Instructive Criticism

2009-11-09T08:26:00.000-08:00

Because of my occupation, people often ask me for writing advice. So I've decided to periodically post some of my writing tips on my blog with hopes that this will help you with your writing process, or even be the spark you need to begin writing your own story. Today's topic tackles the dreaded "C" word-- criticism.

For many of us, criticism is hard to swallow and oftentimes uncomfortable to dish out as well. Yet, it’s part of the writing process. Writers rejoice at the positive reviews and cringe at the negative ones. The phrase, “if you can’t stand the heat stay out of the kitchen” comes to mind. A writer must develop a thick enough skin to be able to receive the criticisms, then take a deep breath and set them aside—both positive and negative ones. During the writing process, the only critic to listen to resides in your own mind.

A critique, however, is not a review. It is a sacred trust. When a writer asks a particular person or group to critique her manuscript, she is offering her unfinished work in progress up for comments that will, hopefully, make her book the best it can be. This is a risky moment. The writer is vulnerable. It is important to seek out a critique from a person or a group adept at “instructive criticism.”

The goal of the critique is to instruct, not destruct. As the one offering a critique, it’s important to remember that this is not your book. Neither is it a book being written by committee. It is your obligation to be
open-minded and fair. If for any reason you feel you can’t be-- you don’t like the time period, the genre, the tone, the writing style--better to pass on it than attack it. Or worse, if you’re jealous of the talent on the pages, decline. I’ll never forget the woman who only wrote, “Did you ever think of doing something other than writing?” on my manuscript. I was young and unpublished then, but I had the confidence to quit that critique group. By the way, that woman was never published. She’s probably writing one-star-wonders on Amazon.

When I receive a manuscript, I ask the writer what it is she especially wants from me. Sometimes, she won’t know how to answer that and will stutter, “Everything!” But maybe all she wanted was a grammar or fact check. In any case, I take the responsibility seriously.

When I’m asked to do an “everything” critique of a manuscript, I don’t write madly on the pages, I rarely correct grammar or rewrite a sentence. Instead, I look at the big picture. I take notes on separate paper since I sometimes change my thoughts as the novel unfolds. When I finish, I carefully review my copious notes. It’s time now to reflect. Don’t shoot from the hip. Remember your words can hit like bullets. Below are a few suggestions on how to offer an instructive critique.

First, offer what you liked about the book. A critique doesn’t mean merely negative criticisms. Point out what really worked. Praise lavishly. Next, choose the single, main point that you feel the author should address. Give a specific example then offer suggestions of how she might improve it. You may have found several problems with the manuscript but don’t bring them all up. Be choosy. Too many can be overwhelming for the fragile author. The last thing you should do is discourage the writer. She came to you for a helping hand. Your critique has the power to pull her up or knock her down. Finally, remind the writer that this is simply your opinion and to take it with a grain of salt. In the end, it is her book. Her name goes on it, not yours.

Offering instructive criticism should leave the writer feeling inspired to get back to work, to believe in her book. It’s simple. Offer criticism in the manner that you’d like to receive it.

My mother taught me that if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. In the case of criticism, nice means open-minded, considerate, and instructive. I think that works for every area in our life!

Day of the Dead

2009-11-02T11:25:00.000-08:00

Since I’ve been researching and raising monarchs, many people I’ve talked to have shared an amazing butterfly story with me. Most of them involve an almost mystical experience after the passing of a loved one that involved a butterfly—a monarch butterfly in particular. I get goosebumps listening to the stories, sometimes am moved to tears as I make connections with natural and spiritual phenomena.

Since ancient times, many cultures around the world have created myths and lore associating the butterfly with the human soul. We resonate to this beautiful insect that flutters by. The word for soul in Greek is psyche and this is the name Aristotle gave the butterfly. The Christians adopted the metamorphosis of the butterfly as a stirring symbol for the resurrection and marked November 2nd as All Soul’s Day, the day of prayer for the dead.

In Mexico, the Day of the Dead is a joyous festival with origins dating to the Aztec culture that dominated Mexico for centuries. They believed that monarch butterflies were the souls of the recently departed. Later, the colonialists moved the celebration for the dead to coincide with the Christian All Souls Day on November 2nd. Today, the Day of the Dead celebration is a major holiday in Mexico. The festivals throughout the country are festive, mystic, spiritual, and in some places, touristy. For some, the holiday is frivolous with music, dancing, and traditional sugar skeletons. For others, it is a time of reflection as they welcome the spirit of a beloved with offerings of flowers and favorite foods.

I’m most moved by the fact that this holiday coincides with the arrival of the migrating monarch in Mexico. Every fall, as the sunlight dissipates and the days grow shorter and the cold nips the air, monarchs migrate south to their overwintering sites, now sanctuaries high in the transvolcanic mountains of Michoacán. This single bug flies thousands of miles from as far away as Canada, joining millions of its kind to cluster in the oyamel fir trees. In the spring, when the light shines longer and warms the earth, the butterflies awaken and follow the blooming of their host plant, the milkweed, north.

Both science and faith elicit wonder and awe in our hearts and minds. Many myths are created in attempts to explain natural phenomena. When myth and nature collide, as they do on November 2nd in Mexico, we are compelled to reflect upon the power of nature to heal, to inspire, and to guide us.

All the people who have shared with me their story of seeing a monarch soon after the passing of a loved one believe they made a sacred connection with that relative. This moment is as profound and convincing to him or her as it is for any person in Mexico sitting at an ancestor’s grave who looks up and sees a cloud of a thousand monarchs passing and believes they are the souls of the departed. At such a moment we also feel a soul stirring connection to the vast cosmos, and to all souls in the great beyond. We are all one. We will never see a monarch butterfly again without remembering that connection.

On November 2nd welcome your memories of your relatives who have passed. Perhaps write a brief memoir, or paint a portrait, or tell a story about your relative to your child or grandchild. By sharing memories, we keep our passed loved ones alive.

And if you see a monarch passing through, all the better.

That Sweet Dolphin Smile

2009-10-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

When we see a dolphin, we love its beguiling smile. It lures us in and makes us smile back. Yet, this smile is deceptive. It compels us to think that the sweet dolphins are happy when in fact, dolphins are in trouble.

I live and work by the sea. Seeing dolphins is a common sight that I never tire of. Most of us have a soft spot in our heart for this endearing mammal that we’ve seen perform on TV, movies, or at Aquariums. Who hasn’t seen Flipper?

Thanks to an invitation by Pat Fair at Charleston’s National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I’ve had the pleasure of joining a photo identification survey of our resident dolphins for an ongoing dolphin study. NOAA conducts a survey of our rivers, harbor, and coast each month. I joined Todd, Eric and Pat on board NOAA’s fabulous Zodiac boat. In September we patrolled the local Ashley, Wando and Cooper rivers (which feed into the Atlantic Ocean). It was sunny and the water was like glass.

Yesterday, we surveyed the Stono River to the mouth where the river empties out into the ocean. Boy was it cold out there! The sun refused to cut through the gloomy clouds and the water was gray and stormy. Once we were off the rivers and on the ocean, the waves got choppy. It felt like our big zodiac surfed in! I swear, after seven hours shivering on the water, it took me that many hours to get warm again. But it was well worth it because we spotted more than sixty dolphins. I have a whole new respect for the team that will venture out in the waters throughout the winter months.

Each time out, Eric amazes me by his ability to ID a dolphin in the time I manage to spot it. He identifies the notches on the dorsal fin as the dolphin glides up in a graceful arch for air. How sweet it is to see a young calf emerge alongside the mother! These experts have been doing this study for over fifteen years and know the population well. Photos of each dolphin were snapped for the formal identification process. This is an important, ongoing study to determine the health of our resident dolphin population.

Here’s the disturbing news: Pat Fair informed me that their studies reveal that nearly half of our Charleston area resident dolphin population has been deemed unhealthy or with disease.

Why is this important? Dolphins (marine mammals) are one of the best sentinel species. What is a sentinel species? This is a species that can provide advanced warning of environmental degradation, harmful trends, and disease. Threats to marine mammals ultimately are threats to humans. Dolphins are also excellent sentinel species because that sweet smile elicits our sympathy and our desire to protect them, and in turn, the oceans.

If you want to help protect dolphins you can:
    1. Admire dolphins from a distance.

    2. Purchase an EarthEcho Dolphin license plate (participating states).

    3. Be an activist against dolphin slaughters worldwide.

Another Turtle Season

2009-10-19T08:17:00.000-07:00

“For Toy the most beautiful time on Isle of Palms was October, when the evening air cooled and the wildflowers bloom purple and gold, bringing color again after months of sizzling heat… Toy linked arms with Cara. They stood together in the middle of the room, each lost in her thoughts as the ocean’s salty air whisked in through the open windows. Outside, the palm fronds bent in the wind, scraping the frame. Beyond, the sea oats clicked. Toy thought how another turtle season was over and the loggerheads were swimming off for a winter of foraging.” (pgs. 455, 457-458; Swimming Lessons)

This cooler weather that rushed into the Lowcountry several days ago has also ushered in a reflective time for me. October marks the end of the six-month loggerhead sea turtle nesting season. My fellow Isle of Palms turtle team members and I have witnessed both breathtaking celebrations and heartbreaking disappointments.

One disappointing moment happened near the end of this season. A few of us gathered before the day’s first light to watch the loggerhead hatchlings emerge from one of the last two remaining nests on the island. That morning, only a few hatched from their sand dune nest. Oftentimes, there are more than 100 eggs in a nest. Those few hatchlings were noticeably weak as they struggled toward their ocean home. I quietly grieved as I watched the reality of nature. Some make it. These would not and my heart can handle that.

Most tragic though, is when I witness or read about hatchlings that don’t make it to the ocean because they got disoriented by artificial light. Beachfront homes, street lamps and even flashlights can outshine the moonbeams reflected off the ocean. Hatchlings look for that celestial light but the artificial lights lead them astray.

It happens all too often. This year, the SC Department of Natural Resources Marine Turtle Conservation Program received 34 reports of loggerhead hatchlings getting disoriented. There were 23 the previous year. In other words, that adds up to the preventable deaths of thousands of sea turtles.

What can you do to help? Whether you’re a visitor or resident of South Carolina’s beaches, next time you’re on the shore think of the simple ways you can help the threatened species. Minimize beachfront lighting and avoid using flashlights, lanterns and cameras on the beach. Leave only your footprints at the beach. The sea turtles can mistake trash for food. Fill in any holes you dig to help prevent turtles and hatchlings from getting stranded in them.

To learn more, visit the SC Department of Natural Resources Marine Turtle Conservation Program website.

“The REAL Last Light over Carolina”

2009-10-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

I can’t say I was shocked when I heard the news, but my heart was still saddened by the truth. The real-life vessel that sparked the name of the shrimp boat in my latest book “Last Light over Carolina” is no longer trawling the waters for shrimp off the Carolina coast.

Captain Wayne Magwood, a lifelong Shem Creek shrimper, who graces the pages of the story, told a Charleston news station that his nephew Rocky Magwood is quitting the family business and selling his shrimp boat, the Carolina, because he can’t make a living off of his catch.

Wayne Magwood told the reporter, “With him not having a boat, it hurts him and hurts me too.” He went on to say, “I know how much he loves it and he wants to be in this business. It is in his blood.”

This story playing out in the local media is nothing unique in any coastal community. The forces have been building against our shrimpers for quite some time—the glut of cheaper, imported shrimp, the high cost of diesel fuel, and the disappearing docks.

“Back then they felt like kings of their world. And for a shining moment, they were. Today they were paupers. No matter how hard he worked, no matter how many hours, he couldn’t make it. He was sick of the boat, sick of the shrimp, and sick of scraping by.” (pg. 52, “Last Light over Carolina”)

In my novel, shrimp boat captain Bud Morrison was a fourth generation shrimper, like Rocky Magwood. His tale, and that of his family, reflects the challenges, struggles and commitments of shrimping families past and present.

“For three generations, the pull of the tides drew Morrison men to the sea. Attuned to the moon, they rose before first light to board wooden shrimp boats and head slowly out across black water, the heavy green nets poised like folded wings. Tales of the sea were whispered to them in their mothers’ laps, they earned their sea legs as they learned to walk, and they labored on the boats soon after. Shrimping was all they knew or ever wanted to know. It was in their blood.” (pg. 1, "Last Light over Carolina")

I hope people not only fall in love with the story of Bud Morrison and his wife, Carolina, but also gain an understanding of the shrimping communities all along the southeastern coast.

What can you do to prevent the last light of day from permanently falling upon other shrimps boats like the Carolina? If you live on the coast, like I do, buy your fresh, local catch straight from the fishermen’s docks. It’s cheaper! And, no matter where you live, ask your restaurants and grocery stores for Wild American shrimp. If you do, I’m guessing Rocky will be back on the water with Wayne Magwood and the other captains along our coast.

Learn more from the Wild American Shrimp organization. http://www.wildamericanshrimp.com/.

Also, thanks to Barbara Bergwerf, a talented photographer and dear friend who provided this photo.

Life at the End of a Fishing Line

2009-10-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

The original plan for Time is a River was to write a novel about women friends who share the love of fly-fishing. Then fate intervened in the form of an invitation from Brookside Guides in Asheville to volunteer my time helping at the North Carolina/South Carolina Casting for Recovery retreat. The program is designed to help breast cancer survivors find their soul-stirring connection to life once again.

So I journeyed to the mountains of our sister state, where I served as assistant, pack mule and anything else required of me for fourteen cancer survivors. Some of the women had only recently completed their treatments, while others had been cancer free for many years.

Standing in that river with these survivors, I watched them learn to catch then release their trout to swim away and live another day. From their expressions of surprise and delight when they caught their first fish on a fly rod I found the heart of my story— connecting to life at the other end of a fishing line.

"Stand a moment longer and listen to the music of the water. Breathe deep and soon you will catch its rhythm and your blood will pump its heady beat. As your body hums, your mind releases the nagging worries you carried with you to the river-- thoughts of business and family and work and future slowly drain from you to be picked up in the current and dragged away. You now feel lighter, freer. You see with fresh eyes. You hear the secrets of the river. You are the river. Now you are ready to connect with the fish." (pg. 146, Time is a River)

My main character Mia, which loosely translates to mean ‘me,’ would embody the hopes every person has of discovering personal strengths and finding the joy in living. Mia would be a breast cancer survivor, but needed to learn what it means to not merely survive, but to live again through the healing powers of nature.

My grandmother and mother both died of breast cancer. In their memory, I continue to support Casting for Recovery as a means to bring survivors to the river, where they can let go of their troubles, breathe in that heady freedom from cancer worries and cancer treatments, then boldy go out to find their bliss.

"This was her body. She knew she should let go of her old self-image and make peace with the way her body was now... Mia closed her eyes and said a small prayer for strength. She had to let this fear of cancer go down the drain with the dirty water. To live fully, she had to believe she would live." (pg. 49, Time is a River)

What can you do in honor of breast cancer survivors or in memory of those claimed by the cancer? You can support the national non-profit Casting for Recovery in your region. For more information, visit http://www.castingforrecovery.org/.

Show of Support at Shrimp Shack

2009-09-30T09:31:00.000-07:00

“Each man knew if it were him lost out there, the community would have his back.”
(pg. 321, Last Light over Carolina)

That line in my fictional tale of a shrimp captain’s ordeal out at sea came to life this week, as our own coastal community rallied to help a local shrimping family.

The Mount Pleasant watering hole Buddy Roe’s Shrimp Shack on Ben Sawyer Boulevard transformed into a command post. The emergency mission— to help the longtime shrimping family of Warren “Bubba” Rector.

The Anna Grace, Captain Rector’s shrimp boat, sank to the ocean floor earlier this month, taking with it the family’s main source of income. With insurance unaffordable for the Rectors, their sunken vessel is said to be a $150,000 loss. That price could easily be the death of a generations-old way of life for the Rectors, and would be for many local shrimpers. They struggle every season to make ends meet in an industry competing with cheap overseas shrimp prices among other things.

On Sunday, hundreds of residents responded to the mayday call in the form of a fundraiser at Buddy Roe’s. With money in hand, the crowd paid for plates of local-caught shrimp, cups of cold brew while participating in a raffles and auctions. All of this in effort to help the Rector family rebuild the business they lost out at sea.

I couldn’t attend the event because I was out of town. But my assistant, Angela, and her husband joined the charitable crowd and had the pleasure of meeting Pam and Bubba Rector, who described Sunday’s turnout as “phenomenal.”

Another shrimping veteran, who was touched by the turnout, said to Angela that it appears the community still deeply believes in their local shrimpers. And I think that is true. While I don’t know how much money was raised that afternoon at the shrimp shack, I hope the community response gives all of our shrimping families renewed hope that people around here still want their local shrimp.

What can you do? You can support shrimpers by buying only Wild American Shrimp. For more information, visit: www.wildamericanshrimp.com.

Friends Don't Let Friends Eat Imported Shrimp

2009-09-07T05:28:00.000-07:00

Spotted on shirts and bumper stickers throughout the Lowcountry, is the common phrase, “Friends don’t let friends eat imported shrimp.” It’s a mission statement that hardly a crustacean-loving soul seems to be against. Yet, as the number of those bumper stickers swell on the backside of vehicles, our American shrimping industry is quickly vanishing; a real problem conveyed my latest novel, Last Light over Carolina.

The protagonist Bud Morrison thought to himself while on his family shrimp boat, "One thing he knew for sure, though, was that sitting on board the Miss Ann that day with the best damn captain on the southeastern sea and the boast's belly full of booty, the men had felt proud. They were the hunters returning with their kill. Thousands of little critters were nestled on ice. Back then, they'd felt like kings of their world. And for a shining moment, they were."

If we choose to live out the slogan "friends don't let friends eat imported shrimp," our simple actions could help in the fight to save the livelihoods of shrimpers families by living out the bumper sticker message.

So what can you do? Read more at: www.wildamericanshrimp.com